22LR recommendation?

[KMW 1954]

Looking at the purchase of a 22LR to use for a fun league at out range. I have a Savage MKII F but it really doesn't fit me very well. Feels short, more like a youth size rifle. So looking local I found a shop that has a new Savage B22FV and a used Ruger American with a 22" barrel. The Savage is just under $300.00 and the Ruger is listed at $230.00. Neither has a mounted scope. Haven't seen the Ruger yet so I dont know it's actual condition. Depending on condition which would you consider?

 

[dontpanic]

You should try out a CZ 457 Varmint or Varmint MTR. Great rifles out of the box and kind of addicting.

They feel much more adult and substantial than the Savage offerngs. You can also improve the already great adjustable trigger with just a $10 spring.

The Varmint is around $550 and the Varmint MTR is around $800. You get what you pay for

 

[kzin]

Get your favorite Boyds stock for the savage. They'll even add extra LoP if you need it.

 

[Mark M.]

Kimber 82 Government

 

[Kracken McGraw]

You should try out a CZ 457 Varmint or Varmint MTR. Great rifles out of the box and kind of addicting.

They feel much more adult and substantial than the Savage offerngs. You can also improve the already great adjustable trigger with just a $10 spring.

The Varmint is around $550 and the Varmint MTR is around $800. You get what you pay for

https://www.sportsmans.com/shooting...ued-bolt-action-rifle-22-long-rifle/p/1542877
They have had a price increase of $120 since Ibought mine last fall at Sportsman’s.

 

[Knotwild]

It doesn't sound like you want to spend much. I have a Ruger American 16.5", but to be honest, it's not vary accurate. I use it mainly to shoot armadillos and other pests, but it doesn't group well at all with stuff like Norma Tac, CCI Standard Velocity. The only reason I bought it was I needed a .22 with a threaded barrel and it was available. I also have a CZ 452 composite Silhouette. It shoots good, but I don't use it much because it isn't threaded. I have a Tikka which I love. It is very accurate with mid range cost ammunition. I have an Anschutz 1416 varmint with a 3oz trigger which is also very accurate and a pure joy to shoot. Lastly, I have a Bergara BRX, which is the one I pickup to use for pests. It is reasonably reliable and pretty accurate, but I haven't really tried it on paper or with different brands of ammunition yet. I hate take it (or the 10-22) apart for cleaning. I often shoot the Tikka, CZ, and Anschutz to 200 yards. The Ruger isn't capable of playing that game.

Based on cost, I like the Tikka the best.
Based on the trigger and accuracy, I like the Anschutz.
The CZ is nice, but so far I haven't found the brand of ammunition it likes. Until I do, the Tikka and Anschutz top it every time. But you could easily build on a CZ 457 if you get addicted - swap barrels, get a new stock.

For one you will enjoy, want to keep, and won't break the bank. I lean towards the Tikka.

 

[drover]

I have yet to see a Ruger American Rimfire that will group as well as the Tikka, or various iterations of CZ rimfires. If your budget allows it the Tikka is the most likely to satisfy accuracy wise. I have shot a CZ 457 sporter a bit and it also grouped well. I still own a CZ 452 that will group with any mid-price range rimfire but good used ones are approaching the price of the CZ 457, which to my mind is a better rifle than the 452.

I keep hearing and reading posts about how well the various Savage rimfires shoot but I have yet to see one perform to the standards that are talked about. Generally the comments I have heard from Savage owners when their groups do not match what they bragged about is something along the lines of - "I don't know what's wrong it shot really great yesterday", or "my scope has gone bad". Not saying that some don't group well but there seem to be quite a few that don't.

drover

 

[KMW 1954]

Now why couldn't we just keep this conversation to the two rifles being asked about?

 

[dutch14]

If you just want to blow random holes in paper, then either of them will work fine. As a person who has owned and shot both Ruger and Savage rifles, for accuracy I see a slight advantage to the Ruger.

 

[wkdickinson]

I started down the rabbit hole 3 years go. I had a 1413 Anschutz that shot ok, but not consistent. I ultimately had it rebarrelled - it now shoots GREAT. I also built a new rifle on a RimX action, which also shoots amazingly well. Both have Shilen "ratchet" barrels.

If you are truly going to chase "precision", there is no bottom to the rabbit hole.

 

[dutch14]

The rabbit hole is big enough for a herd of elephants to run through.
An elephant hole would be a more accurate description.

 

[KMW 1954]

Already have 2 serious target rifles with a 3rd being built. This is to use in a fun local league to shoot with my 11 year old grandson. If either will shoot MOA at 50 or 100yards I'll be tickled. That's all I'm asking. Don't need a rabbit hole and don't need a college dissertation on which 22RF is the best one available. If that was what I was looking for I would have asked that question.

 

[65joe]

Already have 2 serious target rifles with a 3rd being built. This is to use in a fun local league to shoot with my 11 year old grandson. If either will shoot MOA at 50 or 100yards I'll be tickled. That's all I'm asking. Don't need a rabbit hole and don't need a college dissertation on which 22RF is the best one available. If that was what I was looking for I would have asked that question.

Sounds like you already have all the answers, so why not just get the one that fits you the best.

 

[KMW 1954]

Sounds like you already have all the answers, so why not just get the one that fits you the best.

Hoping I'd get some feedback from some that already own them.. The $300.00 price point is about what I was looking to spend. Not a lot of reviews online for the Savage.

 

[nettle]

With all due respect you are not going to get a premium 22 rifle for $300.00.

 

[KMW 1954]

With all due respect you are not going to get a premium 22 rifle for $300.00.

Wasn't expecting a Premium rifle for $300.00. Never implied that either. Reason I included the pricing on these two rifles.

 

[Topstrap]

I have a buddy running a cheap fiber stocked Savage MK II and he's been kicking butt lately at matches. He just beat everyone at the Iron Element ELR rimfire match here in Ohio and winning my last match. That's beating all the Vudoos, Rim-Xs, CZs and others. He's had two of them he's competed with and both shot great.

Not saying all will shoot like his but it shows they can be great shooters. He spent a lot of time searching for its favorite ammo. You just never know.

Topstrap

 

[nettle]

In 1984 I bought a premium 22 rifle for $360.00. I still have it and it's worth over $1200.00 now.

 

[Dgd6mm]

I just started shooting my new Savage B22 last Sunday. I've shot it with SK Standard Plus and CCI Standard Velocity. It shoots pretty good for fun matches I would think.
I believe it has potential, I've had it in 15-17mph winds 1 day and the next up to 23mph. At 50 yards with the CCI Standard Velocity it held 3/4 moa 10 shot group. It does shoot the SK Standard Plus better. It does use a lot of elevation for some reason. If you research on here or thru the net you'll see it's a common issue. Other than that I believe it will be a good fun 22lr.

 

[JimSC]

If either will shoot MOA at 50 or 100yards I'll be tickled.

In my experience neither will. In two years of shooting ARA Factory I have never seen a Savage or a Ruger place in the top ten or break 2000. In fact in over 75 matches I don't think I have ever even seen a Savage at all and the one or two guys who started with RPR's moved on to CZ or Tikka. If you just want to make smoke and noise and spend time with your grandson either will do. Or you can spend 5 - 7 hundred for a CZ American or a T1X and have a chance of winning the matches

I like Savages and Rugers and own both brands. Just that they are not competitive in rimfire benchrest