Bolt Action .22s

[lazyMlazyK]

I've been thinking about teaching my oldest boy how to shoot this summer, and I'd like to get him a bolt action that can be used for plinking at the range and maybe some squirrel or rabbit hunting down the road. The main goal for this summer is just to teach him gun safety fundamentals, and to get him familiar with how a bolt action functions. He's only 5 years old, but he's shown some interest in my PRS/long range setup, and he's been hunting with me a time or two. I'd like to start him out with a scoped rifle, as he'll probably shoot scoped rifles more than open-sights later in life, assuming he wants to keep shooting. That's not to say I won't teach him how to use iron sights down the road. Anyway, I stopped into my local Scheels last night to glance at their .22 selection, and about 95% of the rifles they had in stock were semi-auto. There was one Henry lever, two Ruger Precision Rimfires, and one Remington bolt action. The RPRs looked pretty nice, and priced under $500, I was a little surprised by that. Due to Remington's history over the past 10-20 years, I'd like to avoid them.

Are you all finding that bolt-action .22s are harder to find new on the shelf these days? It seems like the CZ 455 and CZ 457 are pretty highly regarded here. Maybe I'll look into getting one ordered in. Can a guy do his own barrel swap on either one of them? I want his first .22 to be of decent enough quality that it can be passed down to his kids one day.

 

[jps2486]

A CZ rifle is a great choice. Yes, on the 455 and 457 models, the barrels may be changed.

 

[jepp2]

It seems like the CZ 455 and CZ 457 are pretty highly regarded here. Maybe I'll look into getting one ordered in. Can a guy do his own barrel swap on either one of them? I want his first .22 to be of decent enough quality that it can be passed down to his kids one day.

Would be difficult to beat that choice these days.

The main goal for this summer is just to teach him gun safety fundamentals, and to get him familiar with how a bolt action functions. He's only 5 years old

Attending a hunter safety course with him in the near future would also be very helpful.

 

[Minshooter]

If budget doesn't matter, go for the CZ's, Anschutz, etc. They are beautiful rifles.
The Savage FV-SR sells for around $250, or less, comes with a scope rail, and a fairly decent accutrigger.
I have high end .22's, but shoot the Savage in local 50-100 yard position matches. I'm the only one.
Something appealing about besting the +$1000 (plus scope) rifles with a sub $250 rifle and $150 bushnell.
With economy CCI Standard Velocity, the Savage will chew out a nickle at 50 yards. Good enough to win.
Never felt the need to shoot dollar per round ammo in it, so don't know what that would do.
Yes, for precision (aspirins at 50 yards), I use the big dollar rifles. For an intro rifle -Savage is a great value.

(And, there can't ever be too much praise for your getting future adults involved in shooting -lucky kids).

 

[SShooterZ]

I bought 2 rifles like this when my kids were that young. Worked great and they loved it.

GunBroker.com - Error

 

[kzin]

I quit shopping off the shelf years ago.

ammoseek.com will tell you if what you want is available at a reputable internet store

lots of Rascals out there at decent prices if the kid is that small
I'd buy one for myself if the stock would fit

 

[Stubee]

I bought a Savage Mark II in blued/synthetic purely for my grandson to use and put an inexpensive scope on it. It is a very reliable and accurate rifle and has an “Accutrigger” that’s actually pretty nice. My only other rimfire bolt rifle then was my 541S and I wanted something he could shoot with me. Ten years later it’s pretty much his rifle.

I think I paid just over $100 new back then. They’ve gone up but a quick GB search showed a new Mark II available for $200 with free shipping today.

 

[butchlambert]

If budget doesn't matter, go for the CZ's, Anschutz, etc. They are beautiful rifles.
The Savage FV-SR sells for around $250, or less, comes with a scope rail, and a fairly decent accutrigger.
I have high end .22's, but shoot the Savage in local 50-100 yard position matches. I'm the only one.
Something appealing about besting the +$1000 (plus scope) rifles with a sub $250 rifle and $150 bushnell.
With economy CCI Standard Velocity, the Savage will chew out a nickle at 50 yards. Good enough to win.
Never felt the need to shoot dollar per round ammo in it, so don't know what that would do.
Yes, for precision (aspirins at 50 yards), I use the big dollar rifles. For an intro rifle -Savage is a great value.

(And, there can't ever be too much praise for your getting future adults involved in shooting -lucky kids).

You're invited to our club range Sunday with your $400 combo.

 

[justinp61]

My advice would be a Tikka T1X first (if you can find one) then a Savage. The tikka is a somewhat modular design that is on the small side but easily made into a more adult size rifle.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Which remington bolt action are they selling?

 

[JimSC]

CZ, Tikka T1X (if you can find one , or a Savage MKII would all be good choices

 

[WyleWD]

I've been thinking about teaching my oldest boy how to shoot this summer, and I'd like to get him a bolt action that can be used for plinking at the range and maybe some squirrel or rabbit hunting down the road. The main goal for this summer is just to teach him gun safety fundamentals, and to get him familiar with how a bolt action functions. He's only 5 years old, but he's shown some interest in my PRS/long range setup, and he's been hunting with me a time or two. I'd like to start him out with a scoped rifle, as he'll probably shoot scoped rifles more than open-sights later in life, assuming he wants to keep shooting. That's not to say I won't teach him how to use iron sights down the road. Anyway, I stopped into my local Scheels last night to glance at their .22 selection, and about 95% of the rifles they had in stock were semi-auto. There was one Henry lever, two Ruger Precision Rimfires, and one Remington bolt action. The RPRs looked pretty nice, and priced under $500, I was a little surprised by that. Due to Remington's history over the past 10-20 years, I'd like to avoid them.

Are you all finding that bolt-action .22s are harder to find new on the shelf these days? It seems like the CZ 455 and CZ 457 are pretty highly regarded here. Maybe I'll look into getting one ordered in. Can a guy do his own barrel swap on either one of them? I want his first .22 to be of decent enough quality that it can be passed down to his kids one day.

A Ruger bolt action or a CZ should fill your requests and keep him interested long enough for you get him some hunting time and range time until he gets old enough to show which or both he preferrs. Please get him a GOOD scope. Cheap scopes will usually cost you or someone more money in the long run. JME. WD

 

[lazyMlazyK]

Which remington bolt action are they selling?

I didn't even bother looking at it after seeing the manufacturer.

 

[DGP4]

Of the available rifles out there (there are no Tikkas for sale for some time), the CZ Scout is by far the best option. It is a high quality firearm that will last a lifetime and can be restocked to an adult size as the kids get older. It can also be rebarreled to 17 HMR and .22 Magnum or made a dedicated target shooter with an after market barrel from Lilja or Lothar Walther. I have a 455 American that I bought a .22 Magnum barrel for so that I can switch back and forth. It is as accurate with the .22LR as with the .22 Magnum. The .22 Magnum can shoot Hornady 30 grain V-Maxs sub MOA at 100 yards.

 

[Schutzen2]

Bergara bmr .22lr. You can get a steel or carbon barrel if you need it to be lighter for him. Comes with 30 moa rail.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I didnt know remington had made a bolt action 22, besides the very expensive 40x, in many many years.

 

[ncageneral]

If you could run up on a used Remington 580,581 or 582 they are great shooters. I was given a 580 some 46 years ago, still holds a squirrels head at 50 yards or a touch better.

 

[CJ6]

Unless you get a Cricket, you'll most likely need to cut the stock down for a 5 year old. We have the Marlin 15 youth mdl for the smaller statured kids in Firearm Safety Classes and use the SAV MK II in left hand and Rem 581s for taller/adults. The Savages and Rems. both shoot pretty darn good

 

[flatlander]

That's why the CZ457 Scout was mentioned - it's stock is sized for young shooters, and the barrel is also fairly light & short, ideal for a 5yr old beginner. As was also mentioned, as he grows, it would be fairly easy to put a larger, more adult-sized stock on it, and if needed, CZ USA sells longer, heavier barrels so the whole rifle can grow with your youngster. It's really simple to swap out barrels, no machining or gunsmithing needed to do so. And the triggers on the 457s are fully adjustable, so it can be set for a lighter break as he gets older and more experienced.

 

[jds holler]

Unless you get a Cricket, you'll most likely need to cut the stock down for a 5 year old. We have the Marlin 15 youth mdl for the smaller statured kids in Firearm Safety Classes and use the SAV MK II in left hand and Rem 581s for taller/adults. The Savages and Rems. both shoot pretty darn good

I agree. At five, he's gonna have trouble with any full sized stock. And with a scope, his little head won't allow for "cheek on stock - eye in scope. There is a reason for those little Crickets, Chipmonks, and whatever the Savage equivalent is called.

Check out my profile pic above. That is my little buddy when she was about eight. That rifle is on a bi-pod, and she was able to kneel behind it and see through the scope and kick butt with it. Rifle is a Rem 511. No way was she even close to being able to stand and shoot it.

I recommend getting a iddy biddy rifle that's made for a kid, and then as soon as he's growed a bit get a full sized. jd