The Holy Quest For The Perfect Sub $900 22LR Rifle

[GNAP]

For a while now I’m been on The Holy Quest For The Perfect Sub $900 22LR Rifle, its a burden I must bear. After many multiple Saveges, Rugers, CZ/Brnos, Christensen, Winchesters, Remingtons, Mossbergs, Tikkas, Bergara and others, with interesting results, but the quest continues. I got friends and relatives with Vudoos, Kidds and other high buck 22LR rifles, that are still not completely satisfied, but the thought of spending $2000+ is out of the question. So I’m looking for the best sub $900 22LR rifle a can find.

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

For what purpose?

 

[GNAP]

Something to do in retirement, fun, wishful thinking

in 35+ years in my league, I’ve finished 2nd 3 times and never any lower than 8th, for once I’d like to win it, just once

 

[Vapor]

I'm not in a league or anything...I just shoot soda caps for fun.


My biggest impeoments come from dumping poor ammo. If you're competitive, you probably already know that.

 

[Tisto]

Bolt action ? Something else ?

 

[GNAP]

I have bolt actions, semi-autos and single shots, it whatever it takes.

 

[GNAP]

I'm not in a league or anything...I just shoot soda caps for fun.


My biggest impeoments come from dumping poor ammo. If you're competitive, you probably already know that.

I’m not a huge ammo snob, I have Lapua, SK, Norma and some other high price/quality ammo, and I shoot a lot of CCI mini-mags, CCI AR Tactical, Aguila Super Extra and Federal ammo and see very little difference between any of them. I try avoid Remington 22LR ammo, S&B and Armscor, not because of accuracy, but they are extremely dirty, I also try to avoid the CCI SV, because it inconsistent and has a shot gun pattern results. The only ammo I truly avoid is some of the Russian brands, a high failure to fire and extremely dirty if it does.

 

[Tisto]

Ok, so what do you want it to do, exactly ? Are you looking for a one-hole competition gun ?

 

[GNAP]

No a gun that uses open/iron sights to shoot in the league I shoot in. Over the years I used

Remington 510 Targetmaster (single shot)
Savage/Stevens bolt action (not sure of the model #)
Various 10/22s box stock/new barrels/new triggers/ new stocks
Ruger American Rimfires
Various Marlins
3 different Christen Arms Ranger 22s
2 different CZ 457 At-One Varmints, before and after KRG Bravo chassis upgades
2 different Ruger Precision Rimfires
2 different Begaras
numerous Savages, both B22 and Mk II series
and a couple I probably forgot about

it pretty obvious the only consistent factor in all of this is the guy pulling the trigger, who knows may be I’ll find the better rifle

 

[Tisto]

So you're saying that you've bought dozens of different guns and you're not satisfied with any of them ? Am I missing something here ?

 

[LMS]

So you're saying that you've bought dozens of different guns and you're not satisfied with any of them ? Am I missing something here ?

Doesn't that apply to about 90% of us?

 

[Tisto]

Doesn't that apply to about 90% of us?

I don't think so. I'm usually very happy with whatever I buy. There have been a few that wouldn't perform as I expected, and if they couldn't be made to work I got rid of them. But it seems that the OP has an issue with whatever he tries. I still haven't figured out what task he wants the gun to do. I wonder if he knows what he wants it to do.

 

[GNAP]

I know exactly what I want it to do, as I already stated, hit exact what I aim at. I had multiple rifle, some terrible, some very good, what I looking for is excellent.

 

[kev74]

I'm not trying to insult you, but maybe its not the rifle.

Most of the rifles you listed should be capable of very respectable accuracy.

 

[GNAP]

I already listed that I’m probably or most likely the deep rooted cause of the issue. But I’m going to keep looking. As I’m retired, I got nothing but time.

 

[meketrefe]

Perfect can mean many things. We all are different with different shapes and needs.
Are you going to fit it to you or just want stock?
If so one might spend 2-3 times more in a stock/ergos than the gun itself and in that case you have several models
that can punch 1/2 moa all day starting with a budget savage.

Anyway, you either get a buget with a good action and barrel and have the work done or look the modern packages and some give great value.

I have not seen a single savage or CZ that doesn't shoot like a dream even the budget ones that have better stocks these days. (with some limitation obviously)


Middle of the road (no ergos)

MARK II TRR-SR

We know what it takes to build a truly reliable bolt gun, and we put all of it into our trusted Mark II Series.

www.savagearms.com

Ergo options

B22 Precision | Precision Series | Savage Arms

Savage built the B22 Precision to take full advantage of the 22 LR rimfire rounds and opened up new possibilities for long range precision rimfire shooting.

www.savagearms.com

Best barrels on the market

B22 Precision Lite | Precision Series | Savage Arms

Savage built the B22 Precision Lite to take full advantage of the 22 LR rimfire rounds and opened up new possibilities for long range precision rimfire shooting.

www.savagearms.com

A great shooter even I prefer at least a 18" BB

CZ 457 Varmint AT-ONE® - CZ-USA

The Varmint AT-ONE combines our heavy barrel suppressor-ready 457 with a stable laminate stock with adjustable comb and length of pull.

cz-usa.com

Any of those will shoot better than any of us.

I hope this help.

 

[ArmedCorgi]

No a gun that uses open/iron sights to shoot in the league I shoot in. Over the years I used

Remington 510 Targetmaster (single shot)
Savage/Stevens bolt action (not sure of the model #)
Various 10/22s box stock/new barrels/new triggers/ new stocks
Ruger American Rimfires
Various Marlins
3 different Christen Arms Ranger 22s
2 different CZ 457 At-One Varmints, before and after KRG Bravo chassis upgades
2 different Ruger Precision Rimfires
2 different Begaras
numerous Savages, both B22 and Mk II series
and a couple I probably forgot about

it pretty obvious the only consistent factor in all of this is the guy pulling the trigger, who knows may be I’ll find the better rifle

Maybe look at the characteristics of all those rifles you have experience with and record what worked for you and what didn't. Use that list to help you find possible winners. Could be a fun research project.

 

[Shoots100]

Pearl vision or eye surgery ?
Unless you retired in your early years, the eyes are the first thing to go and no matter what amount spent or type of rifle you buy, it's useless unless you can see the target clearly.
I was known as eagles eyes and now at 53, I'm more like crow eyes !
I still have good vision, but nowhere near what I had in my 20's and 30's.
I've been contemplating eye surgery, as glasses seem to get in the way, need to be cleaned and kept from fogging a lot when shooting.

 

[nortatoga]

I already listed that I’m probably or most likely the deep rooted cause of the issue. But I’m going to keep looking. As I’m retired, I got nothing but time.

@GNAP as you have listed all the rifles that have not worked for you, You are looking for the missing-link where by your own word you may actually be the weak-link ( No disrespect intended!! )

Have you ever let one of the shooters that out shoot you try your rifle or vice versa shoot theirs? I ask this as I was have issue's with a rifle years back and had a friend shoot it to take myself out of the equation if it was me or the ammo!

I would also suggest that you may want to look in to going to Project Appleseed | Project Appleseed shoot, it is a very good marksmanship program along with American History. My Club here in Saratoga has hosted many of these in the past and is looking to get them started back up again. There was one recently out your way in Ontario NY a few months back. ( I will say that AS is best done with a semi-auto, 10/22 being the most popular. )