First .22, What should I go with?

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First .22, What should I go with?

Post by sbd850 » 21 Jul 2021, 4:18 pm

Hey all,

I recently purchased my first firearm in a 6.5 Creedmoor. I want to get a .22 as a secondary rifle to hone my skills on spoon targets etc. and have something that's cheap to run and a ton of fun to shoot. I'm not sure where to start and what's good. I've seen Howa .22's for around $500 and I've heard good things about the CZ 457 which is around $1000 at the entry level, otherwise I haven't done a ton of research. What would people recommend?

Also, what sort of scope is a good fit for a .22? Given that I won't be shooting it any further than 100m I'm assuming I don't need a whole lot of magnification or incredible glass quality. I'd like to keep it below $800 scoped if possible but will stretch to $1000 if absolutely necessary.

I haven't done a whole lot of research on .22's so I'm not very educated on what's good and how much I need to spend for something that's smooth and decently accurate, so any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Also on a side note - I want to keep on topic of what to get, however I'm also wondering how much "carry over" does putting tons of rounds through a .22 have to larger calibres?

Cheers.
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Re: First .22, What should I go with?

Post by ZaineB » 21 Jul 2021, 4:27 pm

Mate I reckon if its just a plinking gun you cant go wrong with a cheap little ruger american rimfire, I have the bull barreled one and its a tac driver, that or go with a CZ, Howa, Bergara, etc

but given your budget mate I would go a Ruger for sure. I bought mine new for $470 with a $60 gold crown scope and knocks coke lids all day at 100m with CCI standard velocity ammo.
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Re: First .22, What should I go with?

Post by sbd850 » 21 Jul 2021, 4:53 pm

ZaineB wrote:Mate I reckon if its just a plinking gun you cant go wrong with a cheap little ruger american rimfire, I have the bull barreled one and its a tac driver, that or go with a CZ, Howa, Bergara, etc

but given your budget mate I would go a Ruger for sure. I bought mine new for $470 with a $60 gold crown scope and knocks coke lids all day at 100m with CCI standard velocity ammo.


Awesome I have fired a mates Ruger American Rimfire before and didn't mind it. However I had a sus and it looks like they're about $750, are you in Australia?

Good call on the Niko & Stirling scope, they're available locally so that'll be convenient and still only around $100.

The American still fits the overall budget quite well, I'll look into it further, cheers.
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Re: First .22, What should I go with?

Post by Bugman » 21 Jul 2021, 4:58 pm

Yep. Check all of the above, and add a Lithgow LA101 and if your rich, an Anschutz. Choose wisely.
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Re: First .22, What should I go with?

Post by Harrynsw » 21 Jul 2021, 5:13 pm

Get a 22 mag. A bit more expensive to shoot, but has that extra grunt down range. Im kind of wishing I bought a 22 mag instead of 22 LR. Mine is in a marlin XT22. pretty accurate, likes the Eley high velocity 38 grain, roughly 1 inch groups at 100m with 5 inches of drop and a 50m zero. As for a scope I have a Vortex crossfire on there with an AO. It has the bdc reticle which let's me use different hash marks after 50m.
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Re: First .22, What should I go with?

Post by scoot » 21 Jul 2021, 5:19 pm

Your budget of 800 to 1000 at a stretch, scoped and ready, will greatly limit your choices. Lithgow, tikka, cz, etc all retail for more than this bare. I think you need to consider used or just buy a ruger. Not much else in my opinion will please you long term.
As for "carry over" skills, there's no substitute for lead down range. Buy in bulk and enjoy.
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Re: First .22, What should I go with?

Post by bigpete » 21 Jul 2021, 6:19 pm

Model 2 brno
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Re: First .22, What should I go with?

Post by ZaineB » 21 Jul 2021, 6:33 pm

Harrynsw wrote:Get a 22 mag. A bit more expensive to shoot, but has that extra grunt down range. Im kind of wishing I bought a 22 mag instead of 22 LR. Mine is in a marlin XT22. pretty accurate, likes the Eley high velocity 38 grain, roughly 1 inch groups at 100m with 5 inches of drop and a 50m zero. As for a scope I have a Vortex crossfire on there with an AO. It has the bdc reticle which let's me use different hash marks after 50m.



defeats the purpose of cheap plinking tho, $25 to above $50 a pack for 22mag bullets puts them at $0.50 a shot and upwards of $1 a shot, My 223 is cheaper to run.
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Re: First .22, What should I go with?

Post by ZaineB » 21 Jul 2021, 6:35 pm

bigpete wrote:Model 2 brno



Will second this or an accurate JW15 or cheap cogswell and harrison however still think its easier to get the ruger haha.
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Re: First .22, What should I go with?

Post by Lsfan » 21 Jul 2021, 6:46 pm

I bought a cz455 for under $700 new with a Nikko mountmaster. Seems pretty good to me. Unlike your situation, I went to a 223 and now I want a 17hmr for a compromise on ammo cost and distance. I saw the howa rimfires which I think are relatively new, but appear quite plastic. I haven’t seen them in the flash but I think the trigger guards are plastic and look a bit too integral. I was thinking of a ruger compact or standard or threaded etc. Zaine may have bought his ruger some time ago so I don’t think that pricing is correct. Best pricing I’ve seen is around $600. Try Holts in vic. If you are interstate. Add freight plus transfer and you will probably be around $700. If you are nearby either of those stores $650 should cover it. I’m looking at similar rifles but in 17hmr so I e been doing a bit of research. Not sure how good Marlins are but they are cheaper again. Say around $500.
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Re: First .22, What should I go with?

Post by ZaineB » 21 Jul 2021, 6:49 pm

Yes mate I bought mine when they released a whole range of them, the OD Green Bull Barrel one was probably a rung up from the bottom with the ruger precision rimfire at the top and a swath of others inbetween. I think its still moderately priced considering what value they are, even if they are a couple hundred more than before.
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Re: First .22, What should I go with?

Post by Lsfan » 21 Jul 2021, 7:09 pm

I agree with you. The rugers have an interesting looking stock with the different combs etc. at my budget end I was looking at marlin, savage b range and the rugers at the dearer end of my budget. Holts have good pricing on all 3.
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Re: First .22, What should I go with?

Post by sbd850 » 21 Jul 2021, 7:12 pm

Harrynsw wrote:Get a 22 mag. A bit more expensive to shoot, but has that extra grunt down range. Im kind of wishing I bought a 22 mag instead of 22 LR. Mine is in a marlin XT22. pretty accurate, likes the Eley high velocity 38 grain, roughly 1 inch groups at 100m with 5 inches of drop and a 50m zero. As for a scope I have a Vortex crossfire on there with an AO. It has the bdc reticle which let's me use different hash marks after 50m.


As Zaine said I want to keep the running cost low for some fun plinking. I have my Tikka 6.5CM for the bigger stuff and the idea of having something on the side that's around 10 cents per round is very appealing to me.

I'm sure a .22 mag would be cool, but probably not necessary for KYL spoon targets at 50-100m.
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Re: First .22, What should I go with?

Post by sbd850 » 21 Jul 2021, 7:14 pm

ZaineB wrote:
bigpete wrote:Model 2 brno



Will second this or an accurate JW15 or cheap cogswell and harrison however still think its easier to get the ruger haha.


JW15 is only $300, almost sounds too cheap to be quality.

I think I'm leaning towards the Ruger or potentially forking out a little more for the CZ, that wood stock is nice.
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Re: First .22, What should I go with?

Post by sbd850 » 21 Jul 2021, 7:16 pm

I'm in Vic, I had seen Holt's online but didn't know they were in Vic. I'll give their range a good sus.

I agree actually after closer inspection, the Howa does look quite plasticky and let's face it - they definitely aren't known for having great stocks.
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Re: First .22, What should I go with?

Post by on_one_wheel » 21 Jul 2021, 7:17 pm

Mod 2 Bruno American, they suit a scope better than the hogback style stock designed to be used with open sights.

Don't be afraid to buy second hand, they last forever.
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Re: First .22, What should I go with?

Post by ZaineB » 21 Jul 2021, 7:23 pm

sbd850 wrote:
ZaineB wrote:
bigpete wrote:Model 2 brno



Will second this or an accurate JW15 or cheap cogswell and harrison however still think its easier to get the ruger haha.


JW15 is only $300, almost sounds too cheap to be quality.

I think I'm leaning towards the Ruger or potentially forking out a little more for the CZ, that wood stock is nice.



JW15 is a direct copy of the BRNO Mod 2, theyre great if you get a good one and will shoot amazingly, also take all the BRNO parts from what I have seen, two mates of mine have them and they work perfectly, But I do imagine their bung ones are especially bunged.

The Cogswell and Harrison is a direct copy (made by CZ) of the CZ457 and I have seen them on shelves for under $800 before as well.
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Re: First .22, What should I go with?

Post by sbd850 » 21 Jul 2021, 7:24 pm

on_one_wheel wrote:Mod 2 Bruno American, they suit a scope better than the hogback style stock designed to be used with open sights.

Don't be afraid to buy second hand, they last forever.


Yeah I've heard that .22 barrels virtually don't burn out, so I'm definitely open to buying second hand. However even second hand, I've noticed that rifles retain their value quite well, usually within around 10% of retail price.
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Re: First .22, What should I go with?

Post by sbd850 » 21 Jul 2021, 7:29 pm

ZaineB wrote:
sbd850 wrote:
ZaineB wrote:
bigpete wrote:Model 2 brno



Will second this or an accurate JW15 or cheap cogswell and harrison however still think its easier to get the ruger haha.


JW15 is only $300, almost sounds too cheap to be quality.

I think I'm leaning towards the Ruger or potentially forking out a little more for the CZ, that wood stock is nice.



JW15 is a direct copy of the BRNO Mod 2, theyre great if you get a good one and will shoot amazingly, also take all the BRNO parts from what I have seen, two mates of mine have them and they work perfectly, But I do imagine their bung ones are especially bunged.

The Cogswell and Harrison is a direct copy (made by CZ) of the CZ457 and I have seen them on shelves for under $800 before as well.


I'm assuming Norinco a little like Savage where the manufacturing isn't as consistent as something on the higher end and you can either get something that shoots great or something that shoots terribly? Still, if it's only $300 and will probably be decent, then why not. I could have one scoped for about $450. That's fairly appealing after just spending 3.6k on my Tikka + Scope and Bipod.

I'll have a look into the C&H as well, I hadn't heard of them at all so thanks!
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Re: First .22, What should I go with?

Post by Rutabaga » 21 Jul 2021, 7:33 pm

Any thoughts on the escort ess2?

Looks to be a Turkish Brno 2 copy, Not sure on quality, but seems to fit the bill as a cheap plinker.
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Re: First .22, What should I go with?

Post by on_one_wheel » 21 Jul 2021, 7:34 pm

sbd850 wrote:
on_one_wheel wrote:Mod 2 Bruno American, they suit a scope better than the hogback style stock designed to be used with open sights.

Don't be afraid to buy second hand, they last forever.


Yeah I've heard that .22 barrels virtually don't burn out, so I'm definitely open to buying second hand. However even second hand, I've noticed that rifles retain their value quite well, usually within around 10% of retail price.


Your correct there, especially with quality firearms.
The problem is they don't make the model 2 any more.
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Re: First .22, What should I go with?

Post by Lsfan » 21 Jul 2021, 8:18 pm

Rutabaga wrote:Any thoughts on the escort ess2?

Looks to be a Turkish Brno 2 copy, Not sure on quality, but seems to fit the bill as a cheap plinker.

I was going to say the same thing. Nice looking timber stock. I assume Turkish quality would be better than Chinese? What about the Rossi 22’s? Cheap as chips.
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Re: First .22, What should I go with?

Post by Lsfan » 21 Jul 2021, 8:22 pm

sbd850 wrote:
I'm in Vic, I had seen Holt's online but didn't know they were in Vic. I'll give their range a good sus.

I agree actually after closer inspection, the Howa does look quite plasticky and let's face it - they definitely aren't known for having great stocks.

They have the Marlins for good prices too in different guises. I’m actually in NSW but spoke with them about freight. The guy in sales indicated could be around $25 freight interstate if they remove the stock to reduce length.
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Re: First .22, What should I go with?

Post by MontyShooter » 21 Jul 2021, 8:57 pm

I had a ruger american 22 and it was a pos. Granted it went back for repair a few times in the 6 weeks I had it from new, but was just cheap junk. There's daylight between ruger and tikka/lithgow etc in machining, stock quality and smooth cycling. Howa and CZ are the middle ground for me.
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Re: First .22, What should I go with?

Post by Faedy » 21 Jul 2021, 9:03 pm

I've got 2 Cogswell and Harrison's
They are a CZ with slightly better quality stock.
They are incredibly accurate.
I've just put one of mine into a full chassis
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Re: First .22, What should I go with?

Post by boingk » 21 Jul 2021, 10:02 pm

Norinco JW15 owner here, I love the damn thing. Love it so much that I sold my CZ 17HMR because I just couldn't justify it - it cost four times as much and only shot slightly better, and the ammo was much more expensive. WTF?!

I'd go a Rossi in a heartbeat, too, they're decent for a budget rifle for their basic 22LR you can't go too far wrong.

Rossi also do a 15-round pump action 22LR for $539...

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Re: First .22, What should I go with?

Post by sbd850 » 21 Jul 2021, 10:05 pm

MontyShooter wrote:I had a ruger american 22 and it was a pos. Granted it went back for repair a few times in the 6 weeks I had it from new, but was just cheap junk. There's daylight between ruger and tikka/lithgow etc in machining, stock quality and smooth cycling. Howa and CZ are the middle ground for me.


Yeah I'm aware that you get what you pay for, this is exactly why I went with the standard Tikka for my 6.5CM over a Howa 1500 in an MDT Chassis which would've been $1000 less. I couldn't ask for better quality and the action is super smooth as usual for Tikka. The Cerakote finish is really nice too. They're a much nicer finish than the Howa and Ruger etc.

For the. 22 I'm after something that's good enough for plinking all day without issues and won't break the bank.
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Re: First .22, What should I go with?

Post by Lsfan » 21 Jul 2021, 10:12 pm

boingk wrote:
I'd go a Rossi in a heartbeat

Yeah if you’re in qld, the Rossi for $269 seems an absolute bargain, and there’s no surcharge for the pink coloured option! :lol:
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Re: First .22, What should I go with?

Post by boingk » 21 Jul 2021, 10:20 pm

sbd850 wrote:For the. 22 I'm after something that's good enough for plinking all day without issues and won't break the bank.


You know if you're considering a Rossi you could always get one of their lever models in 357 Magnum / 38 Special and run the 38's through it. They're cheap as hell for a factory centrefire round, often under $50 per 100. Reloading brings that down to 20c/round or less.

Not quite as cheap to run as a 22LR but a hellava lot more rifle... plus, look at them! They do traditional looking models as well if tacticool isn't your jam.

Image

(should be a pic there, let me know if it didn't work)
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Re: First .22, What should I go with?

Post by Lsfan » 21 Jul 2021, 10:25 pm

boingk wrote:
sbd850 wrote:For the. 22 I'm after something that's good enough for plinking all day without issues and won't break the bank.


You know if you're considering a Rossi you could always get one of their lever models in 357 Magnum / 38 Special and run the 38's through it. They're cheap as hell for a factory centrefire round, often under $50 per 100. Reloading brings that down to 20c/round or less.

Not quite as cheap to run as a 22LR but a hellava lot more rifle... plus, look at them! They do traditional looking models as well if tacticool isn't your jam.

Image

(should be a pic there, let me know if it didn't work)

Yeah looks pretty cool. Is that a tube magazine? I wondered about calibres like that. Only good for big holes at short ranges aren’t they?
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