Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: Zardoz on July 10, 2025, 09:16:40 PM

Title: Looking for Solid 22 LR input
Post by: Zardoz on July 10, 2025, 09:16:40 PM: I've been trying to teach the grandkids (8 of them) gun discipline, and just general outdoor/life discipline. Started as a Fun thing to do with BB guns, (some) moved up to Pellet guns, and some are are ready for 22lr. I would like some recommendations on a good ACCURATE (because Success builds confidence) Bolt action 22lr. Not looking for "reviews", Looking for actual use reviews of a weapon you would buy for your kids. These kids are Eager to learn outdoor skills, and a good solid rifle is what I need.

Thanks in advance for your inputs and suggestions.. :tup:
Title: Re: Looking for Solid 22 LR input
Post by: Caseknife on July 10, 2025, 09:19:13 PM: Ruger American Compact rimfire. Mine will put 10 shots in a one inch group at fifty yards with the ammo it likes. Simple little 4 power Leupold scope is money.
Title: Re: Looking for Solid 22 LR input
Post by: MADMAX on July 10, 2025, 09:19:31 PM: Remington Nylon 66
Definitely a can opener
Title: Re: Looking for Solid 22 LR input
Post by: Rat44 on July 11, 2025, 12:26:36 AM: Quote from: Caseknife on July 10, 2025, 09:19:13 PM
Ruger American Compact rimfire. Mine will put 10 shots in a one inch group at fifty yards with the ammo it likes. Simple little 4 power Leupold scope is money.
I actually bought a standard and a compact for teaching my grand kids.
The compact shoots like a target rifle.
Luck of the draw with Rugers.
Use the single round magazine to get them started .
Nice part is the Ruger rotary magazine that works and is cheap.
Have your choice of single,10,15 or 25 shot versions.
And by changing the stock pieces they can grow into it.
Title: Re: Looking for Solid 22 LR input
Post by: ASHQUACK on July 11, 2025, 05:29:20 AM: My all-time favorite grouse head shooter is the Ruger m77 22lr. Unfortunately they quit making that rifle. I'm actually looking for another one in the stainless laminated stock version.
Title: Re: Looking for Solid 22 LR input
Post by: Threewolves on July 11, 2025, 06:26:42 AM: I read that you are looking for a BOLT action.
Marlin models 20 and 25. Or nowadays, a Savage.

Sent from my SM-A426U using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Looking for Solid 22 LR input
Post by: C-Money on July 11, 2025, 07:06:46 AM: Marlin model 25 is about as good as it gets for bolt action. The Remington 572 Fieldmaster is as good as it gets for a .22lr rifle.
Title: Re: Looking for Solid 22 LR input
Post by: Weaklink on July 11, 2025, 07:13:16 AM: Another vote for Ruger American Rimfire bolt action. I paid ~$300 for mine and I love it. Groups very well with super cheap ammo. It's no CZ or Tikka PRS setup, but for the price I really enjoy plinking with it.
Title: Re: Looking for Solid 22 LR input
Post by: Karl Blanchard on July 11, 2025, 07:24:03 AM: Tikka t1x. Throw a can on it while you're at it. Only thing that makes a rimfire more fun is a suppressed rimfire😍

https://www.eurooptic.com/tikka-t1x-22-lr-16-1-165-rifle-jrt1x300sb

https://www.eurooptic.com/tikka-t1x-22-lr-20-1-11-rifle-jrt1x300
Title: Re: Looking for Solid 22 LR input
Post by: Mtnwalker on July 11, 2025, 07:27:42 AM: I've also been looking for one to get my girls started on. Short LOP, bolt action with magazine and threaded barrel. You'd think there would be more options out there than there is
Title: Re: Looking for Solid 22 LR input
Post by: scotsman on July 11, 2025, 07:28:15 AM: Find a classic Winchester model 69a. My dad gave me one when I was 10 years old and I still have it now. My kids and grandkids learned how to shoot with it and it’ll still shoot 1” groups at 50 yards. The original 4x Weaver scope still works fine. Granddaughter got her first chicken-stealing coyote with it too.
Title: Re: Looking for Solid 22 LR input
Post by: Farmer72 on July 11, 2025, 07:43:40 AM: I like my Savage Mk II tactical. It is inexpensive and shoots very well.
Title: Re: Looking for Solid 22 LR input
Post by: dreadi on July 11, 2025, 07:59:35 AM: The Ruger American's come variety of flavors, including stainless, shoot well, and have a threaded barrel so you can suppress it. Even better with subs under 900fps.
Title: Re: Looking for Solid 22 LR input
Post by: The Shed-Sherpa on July 11, 2025, 08:39:43 AM: My Tikka t1x is a tack driver.
Title: Re: Looking for Solid 22 LR input
Post by: BLDtraLR on July 11, 2025, 09:17:28 AM: I know you said bolt but i would look into the ruger 10/22 with a nikon BDC match rimfire scope mounted on shoot thru rings so they can still use the iron sights. All my kids and there buddies will pick up this .22 over the classic with a bolt. They have put thousands of rounds thru it with O issues. As with all rugers pretty much kid proof and using CCI standard ammo never a jam. Just my :twocents: Also Keep your eyes out for a heritage cowboy .22 pistol. Always good deals on them like from basspro :dunno: :bash: I know but for right around 100 bucks i bought 2 and the kids love shooting them. Its all about them being safe but having fun :tup: :tup: :hello:
Title: Re: Looking for Solid 22 LR input
Post by: elkinrutdrivemenuts on July 11, 2025, 09:44:31 AM: 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.
Title: Re: Looking for Solid 22 LR input
Post by: 30.06 on July 11, 2025, 09:52:59 AM: 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.
Title: Re: Looking for Solid 22 LR input
Post by: Ghost Hunter on July 11, 2025, 10:43:33 AM: Quote from: 30.06 on July 11, 2025, 09:52:59 AM
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.
:yeah:
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.
Title: Re: Looking for Solid 22 LR input
Post by: Ridgeratt on July 11, 2025, 10:48:56 AM: 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.
Title: Re: Looking for Solid 22 LR input
Post by: Karl Blanchard on July 11, 2025, 12:25:37 PM: 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 :twocents:
Title: Re: Looking for Solid 22 LR input
Post by: b23 on July 11, 2025, 12:46:41 PM: 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. :tup:
Title: Re: Looking for Solid 22 LR input
Post by: Parasite on July 11, 2025, 01:25:06 PM: I like my Browning T-Bolt.
Title: Re: Looking for Solid 22 LR input
Post by: JimmyHoffa on July 11, 2025, 01:53:25 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Looking for Solid 22 LR input
Post by: EnglishSetter on July 11, 2025, 02:35:55 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Looking for Solid 22 LR input
Post by: Parasite on July 11, 2025, 02:46:01 PM: Also, dont discount the 17 HM2 caliber. Definitely more accurate than 22 LR.
Title: Re: Looking for Solid 22 LR input
Post by: EnglishSetter on July 11, 2025, 03:13:54 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Looking for Solid 22 LR input
Post by: royalbull on July 11, 2025, 05:25:40 PM: 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
Title: Re: Looking for Solid 22 LR input
Post by: C-Money on July 12, 2025, 07:52:53 AM: 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/
Title: Re: Looking for Solid 22 LR input
Post by: JDHasty on July 12, 2025, 10:21:31 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Looking for Solid 22 LR input
Post by: Zardoz on July 16, 2025, 04:57:06 PM: WOW, lots of Great input and Ideas. :tup: 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. :yike:

Thanks to everyone and their input. :rockin:
Title: Re: Looking for Solid 22 LR input
Post by: run870 on July 16, 2025, 09:15:50 PM: I have a 457 Lux. Thing is a tackdriver, great irons, and it's threaded.
Title: Re: Looking for Solid 22 LR input
Post by: JDHasty on July 18, 2025, 09:18:47 PM: Quote from: scotsman on July 11, 2025, 07:28:15 AM
Find a classic Winchester model 69a. My dad gave me one when I was 10 years old and I still have it now. My kids and grandkids learned how to shoot with it and it’ll still shoot 1” groups at 50 yards. The original 4x Weaver scope still works fine. Granddaughter got her first chicken-stealing coyote with it too.

We have a 69a. It would be a tough row to hoe to try and make the case that a 69a would not be an ideal choice. I’ve seen a few nice ones lately that have been drilled and tapped for a side mount that were very affordable. Nothing wrong with a N-Mount and a Weaver J4 or J6 scope. They take the same magazines as the Model 52&75.