Looking for Solid 22 LR input

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

https://www.winchesterguns.com/products/rifles/xpert/xpert.html

My kids, 10 and 8, love this thing.  It is very accurate and I even enjoy shooting it.

[30.06]

Agree with scotsman on Winchester 69a. My first rifle and the peep sight is great to build confidence. Light enough for youngsters to hold steady and magazine fed is easier than a tube fed for kids.

[Ghost Hunter]

Agree with scotsman on Winchester 69a. My first rifle and the peep sight is great to build confidence. Light enough for youngsters to hold steady and magazine fed is easier than a tube fed for kids.

Used Dad's for rabbit hunting in early 60's when I was in 5th grade.  Was passed to me, gave to my younger brother a couple years ago so he would have one of the family guns.

[Ridgeratt]

I have a Winchester 75 target with a rear peep. Comes with a factory 10 round clip that I would be will to part with.

[Karl Blanchard]

If your goal is firearm handling and building confidence then a 1moa red dot is the way. Eliminates every sighting issue for young shooters that exist with peeps, iron sights, and scopes.  Theres plenty of time to master those later. Those things are also much easier to master when you're confident in the firearm handling portion and don't have to divert bandwidth away from focusing on the sights and placing it on the firearm

[b23]

My first two choices would be the CZ 457 ideally the "American Combo" model followed closely by the Tikka.  With the CZ American Combo it's like getting two rifles in one and like Karl mentioned, if you don't already have one, go ahead and get going on a rimfire suppressor because they just make shooting 22's more funner'er. 

[Parasite]

I like my Browning T-Bolt.

[JimmyHoffa]

Ruger 77/22 if you can find one.  It actually has a crisp trigger and I find it to be very accurate.  I've shot all kinds of small things, like empty 22 casings, staples on my buddy:s targets, etc.
For hunting grouse and rabbit were in trouble.

[EnglishSetter]

Wouldn't consider a levergun?

The guns I own that I would teach with are:

1)  Start with the Ithaca 49 "boys rifle".  Single shot, hammer cocked by thumb. Unfortunately survivors are no longer cheap.

2)  Progress to Marlin 39M (or A).  Adds repeater, sighting options and overall quality.  A lifetime rifle.

Both shoot any .22 rimfire (non-mag).

I'm also going to differ from learning on "buckhorn" sights with young eyes.  Same sight picture they'll use when shooting pistols.  Most my rifles and some pistols now have optics or lasers, but old eyes largely drove that decision.  Success does drive confidence, but fun drives desire.  A lever .22 is FUN.  With reasonable goals for the platform, success is readily achieved.

"Accurate" can mean many different things.  Minute of soda can or cloverleaf. 

[Parasite]

Also, dont discount the 17 HM2 caliber. Definitely more accurate than 22 LR.

[EnglishSetter]

Wouldn't consider a levergun?

The guns I own that I would teach with are:

1)  Start with the Ithaca 49 "boys rifle".  Single shot, hammer cocked by thumb. Unfortunately survivors are no longer cheap.

2)  Progress to Marlin 39M (or A).  Adds repeater, sighting options and overall quality.  A lifetime rifle.

Both shoot any .22 rimfire (non-mag).

Don't own one, but that Ruger American compact (12.5 LOP and just over 5#) looks like good kit in the modern day that can grow with the user.  I was intrigued with a Browning T-bolt (straight throw) I was viewing at Cabelas gun room the other day.  CZ makes a nice rifle, but IMHO more in tune with adult sizes aside from the Scout model.

I'm also going to differ from learning on "buckhorn" sights with young eyes.  Same sight picture they'll use when shooting pistols.  Open sights also promote environmental awareness vs. tunnel vision.  Most my rifles and some pistols now have optics or lasers, but old eyes largely drove that decision.  Success does drive confidence, but fun drives desire.  A lever .22 is FUN. 

"Accurate" can mean many different things.  Minute of soda can or cloverleaf.  With reasonable goals for the platform, success is readily achieved. 

[royalbull]

I went with the Tikka T1X for my grandkids, also bought the Savage Rascal for when they were smaller but never did get them out, it's still in the safe unfired for the past 8 years

[C-Money]

Forgot to say this yesterday....Both my kids started on Cricket .22s made by Keystone Arms. Single shot .22 LR . These rifles were excellent for teaching firearm safety, and they are a blast to shoot.

https://keystonesportingarmsllc.com/

[JDHasty]

The choice for me of what is available out there today would have to be a CZ 457.  Nothing wrong with a Tikka, but I like the CZ styling better.  I’ve seen them come up for sale recently at pretty good prices. 

The great thing about the 457 is it is a Mr Potato Head and most parts show up used frequently at a very reasonable price.  People buy them, strip them for the action and sell the rest of the parts off.  That allows you to have a stock cut down to fit or swap it into a Scout stock and have the original stock available later. 

A 457 combo is a hefty bite price wise, but that also includes a 17 HMR barrel that swaps out in minutes.  Those barrels show up all the time for ~$145. I have seen new Americans in 22LR going for $429 lately. 

Being a Mr Potato Head that is every bit as modular and user accessorized has brought near the amount of parts to the market that are out there for Ruger 10/22s. 

We have a couple of them. 

[Zardoz]

WOW, lots of Great input and Ideas.     I decided on a bolt action to teach kids safe weapon control and Slow is Fast when working an action. I have a Ruger 10/22 but they were more excited about just pulling the trigger for the noise than concentrating on shot placement. I'll have to give a lever action some thought. Some of the young ones had a little trouble pumping the pellet rifles and using muzzle discipline. 

Thanks to everyone and their input.