Best bolt action .22lr?

[MontanaPat]

I bought a CZ 45 American last year and it shoots really well

 

[1dirthawker]

browning t bolt is a possible contender. my t bolt in 17 hmr is extremely accurate, and is a joy to shoot. i suspect the 22's are the same.

 

[Jack Stevens]

For my own knowledge when people talk about accuracy expectations with a 22lr what does that mean? I always associate a 25 yard sight in with 22s and a 100 yard sight in with center fire but I see people talk about 100 and 200 yards with 22s here from time to time?

Well, for my accuracy needs, most of which is hunting or plinking, a 50-yd zero is the norm (whether iron-sights or scoped) and sufficient to do the job.

The one exception is the 100-yd zero on my 452 Ultra Lux. That was easily obtained with its absurdly long 28” match-grade barrel. Stock pic below for reference (mine runs a Leupy fixed 4x scope). Beautiful rimfire rifle that mimics a centerfire hunting rig in the way it handles in the field.

 

[Ridge Runner]

It really depends on your budget and extensive use you plan on using it for, the ammo you plan on using and what kind of a setup you want.

Currently I have a Savage, bought it several years ago as a replace rifle for one that was stolen. Mounted a 4-12 or 4-16 x 44 scope that was laying around along with a 6 -13 inch bipod, and neoprene sling.

Shooting preferably CCI 22 ammo; short, long, and long rifle, I can cut the 1 inch red dot out of Shoot-N-See targets at 25 and 50 yards with a box of 50 count. At a 100 yards the CCI ammo and rifle out preform the shooter's old eyes.

I generally try to avoid Blazer ammo, but I will use it if I don't have a better choice in ammo available, like Winchester, or Remington. My primary purpose is a plinking rifle and maybe to bust the occasional skunk, opossum, armadillo, and a few squirrels, and rabbits if by chance.

 

[GuttormG]

Anschutz

There is a reason they dominate in match and biathlon

 

[mark-hunter]

For my own knowledge when people talk about accuracy expectations with a 22lr what does that mean?

It depends on the purpose and the use.
CZ company lately "quarantees" accuracy of 15 mm at 50 meters. Why not then 30 mm at 100 mtrs?
basically that is 1 moa at reasonable distance of 50 meters.

For target shooting I expect all hits to touch each other at 50 meters. It should be less then 1 moa.
Problematic is always 100 meters. Problem comes from typical transonic speeds of some loads, and to find best ammo (competitive on match) is not easy, not to mention possible accuracy changes from lot to lot each year.
Most probably best performance in accuracy will come from subsonic 22lr ammo.

For hunting: I dont think too much about accuracy. Reasonable accuracy is good enough for me. I look more on terminal effect (energy) rather then accuracy. Usually I use High velocity ammo for hunting, with a bit better speed and energy. Birds, varmints. With 22LR, I dont shoot more then 50 meters in hunting with 22lr. I just need "1 moa of target", and actual 2 moa accuracy up to 50 meters for me would be sufficient. (30 mm group at 50 mm). RWS High velocity ammo routinely makes better accuracy then 30 mm at 50 meters. For me this is ok

 

[uplander01]

Anschutz is the best there ever was and ever will be.......if you like modern the Volquartsen straight pull is pretty unreal.

 

[uplander01]

My Anschutz practice rifle, complete with Zeiss 1.1-4 Diavari safari scope and suppressor. 13 chipmunks and 5 rabbits last year.

 

[Boone66]

I'm surprised no one mentioned the Remington 40X

 

[GuttormG]

Anschutz

There is a reason they dominate in match and biathlon

Mine is a 1417HB (and yes -left handed); the scope in the picture is replaced by a small Sub 4x36, I am done with Chinese optics.

 

[GuttormG]

Also her i Norway the 22lr-version of the Sauer 200STR (basically what in US is the SSG3000) is widely used in match shooting.
Very precise, but being the same action as the full-caliber version it is a bit big.

 

[meigsbucks]

What KEC said Win 52, Win 69A, or Win 75

I had a Win 52 and Win 75 target models from when I shot competition as a kid. I liked the 75 better than the 52 and like a dummy sold it years ago. Just recently sold the 75. Have a Tikka and Ruger Precision as well as Ruger American. Of the three, I prefer the Tikka.

 

[baxterb]

I always liked the BRNO Model 1s. Have never had one but handled several when I worked with Duane Wiebe. I helped him with the programming for the bottom metal he made for them.

I have a Winchester 69A and it’s Ok in the accuracy department.

 

[baxterb]

What KEC said Win 52, Win 69A, or Win 75

What ammo does your 69A like? Mine seems to be finicky.

 

[KY Hunting Guy]

In my opinion the best one is the one that makes you happy! The one that I wanted for over a decade and finally bought was a Cooper JSR. I have stopped looking at 22 bolt guns after that. Before that rifle I had owned numerous 22 bolt guns including Anschutz, CZ, Ruger, Steyr, Marlin, Browning, Savage, and Winchester. All are plenty accurate for hunting and fun shooting. I personally shoot more 22LR than any other caliber. I use it as a break between shooting larger calibers so I can concentrate on proper form. So choose whatever one keeps you shooting the most and have fun.

 

[FlyGuy]

Pure fun…. Win 69A
Target… Anchutz

 

[TOBY458]

I’ve owned many 22 rifles. So far, the best I’ve had were CZ, Kimber and Marlin. The CZ and Kimbers have been real tack drivers, with the heavy barrel Marlin not far behind.

 

[akrifleman]

I'm surprised no one mentioned the Remington 40X

Vudoo was originally a shop that fixed all the 40X, until they just started manufacturing them without the problems.

 

[shootist~]

FWIW, I find it extremely helpful to use an optic with reliable target turrets for dialing - and/or usable reticle hashmarks.

When I bought my T1X I happened to have a NF SHV 4-14x50 mil/mil FFP that was available.
My Zero is about 1" high at 50 Yds to mimic my centerfires. For ballistic software purposes I load it as a 40 yard Zero.

UP 1.6 mils (5.4 MOA) puts me on at 100 Yards.

I can can move to our 165 Yd 12" gong and hold an additional 2 mils (plus a bit more) on the reticle;
Or dial 4.2 mils (14.5 MOA) on the turret for best accuracy if using the 6" swinger. Perfect for the sticks.

200 - 225 Yds is very doable on 8 - 12" steel with my rifle/ammo as well. Just read the ballistics and dial and call the wind.

And since the optic is Front Focal, I can use any power setting for the reticle holds. But a 2nd focal with good dials will work very well.

 

[akrifleman]

FWIW, I find it extremely helpful to use an optic with reliable target turrets for dialing - and/or usable reticle hashmarks.

When I bought my T1X I happened to have a NF SHV 4-14x50 mil/mil FFP that was available.
My Zero is about 1" high at 50 Yds to mimic my centerfires. For ballistic software purposes I load it as a 40 yard Zero.

UP 1.6 mils (5.4 MOA) puts me on at 100 Yards.

I can can move to our 165 Yd 12" gong and hold an additional 2 mils (plus a bit more) on the reticle;
Or dial 4.2 mils (14.5 MOA) on the turret for best accuracy if using the 6" swinger. Perfect for the sticks.

200 - 225 Yds is very doable on 8 - 12" steel with my rifle/ammo as well. Just read the ballistics and dial and call the wind.

And since the optic is Front Focal, I can use any power setting for the reticle holds. But a 2nd focal with good dials will work very well.

I also have a T1x that was my prior production comp gun.

I'm at 2.05 LOS to bore height
I'm at 1.9mil for 100, but at 1045fps with Lapua LR/SLR
My 300 is 13.9mil
It is reliable on a 4" circle at 300 without wind. If the lot is pretty good, and doesn't give me 1030s or 1060s it'll hold on a 2".