$225 budget 22 rifle

[corey4]

they make a compact and a longer one as well.

i think the compact has a shorter LOP stock.

[msorwan1975]

they make a compact and a longer one as well.

i think the compact has a shorter LOP stock.

Yes it does, but the other stock extensions fit and are only $20.

When I started this thread was pretty hooked on a tube fed bolt gun, now thinking hard about the Ruger American carbine. I like the idea of being able to change LOP. Longer for warm weather hunting, shorter would be great for late season, like now, when you need to bundle up. Plus I really like the 18" bbl option for handiness.

Now gotta ask as I have NO experience....22 rimfire or 17 cal? Never shot a 17, is it worth going to over a 22? I seriously don't see many shots at squirrel, it's primary use, much past 50 yards any way. Ammo cost is a consideration as I already have several cases of 22LR.

[corey4]

i never shot a 17 either, nor i do not know the availability. my ruger, at 50 yds, CCI standard, nikon 3-9 prostaff set on 4 power, will do .5-.75 groups. but mine has been cut down to 16", threaded and recrowned.

stupid me, i didn't get a before and after group comparison.

[msorwan1975]

stupid me, i didn't get a before and after group comparison.

If properly recrowned there should be "0" difference in accuracy. May actually be better as most factory crowns aren't as precise as a good 'smith can do with interchangeable pilot tooling on a good lathe.

[Bang]

For me, hunting says no tube fed. Unloading/reloading will be a pita getting in and out of a car if you are going to move around. On the bench at the range a removable magazine makes it easier to assure all that the rifle is indeed empty.
et cetera et cetera. Second magazine in pocket is instant reload v a tube feed.

[corey4]

depending on the weather tomorrow, i will try and get to the range and do some 50 yd groups.

[GeneCC]

I own a CZ-452 Trainer. It can shooter better than I can shoot. If you could find one used at your chosen price it might be worth your money.

[LightningMcQueen784]

There are a lot of good .22's mentioned here…

Personally, I have a heavily modded 10/22, a 10/22 Takedown, a Savage mkII, and the CZ452 trainer.

They are all fantastic, and you really can't go wrong with any of them. If you can be patient and look hard, a 10/22 can be had for around $200, savage MKII at around the same price (get the ones WITH the accu-trigger), and I got my CZ 452 trainer for $199+tax used but in very good condition.

Too bad the 10/22 is semi and you can't hunt with it…. I have no experience with the other bolt Ruger offerings. My buddy really liked his Marlin tho! I'm sure those are around within your budget!

[*Klutch*]

I've only had older 22's, marlin 80,25 and a Rem 514 single shot. I'm really digging the Ruger American with the fiber optic front sight...anyone have one they shoot without a scope?

[corey4]

went to the range today as promised.

the range i went to has the type of fence you put around your garden to keep out the rabbits. i do not know what kind of fencing it is called, but it sucks as a target hanger.

when the wind would blow today, it moved the targets around and was very annoying.

not my best day either.

the set up; ruger american rimfire cut to 16" (had the front sight drilled and tapped so i can keep it), silencerco sparrow suppressor, nikon 3-9 prostaff set on 9 power, shot off a caldwell rock jr front rest and somesort of rear bag:


1" groups at 50 yds with a moving target LOL (very annoying!). during this process i realized this target actually sucks really bad to try for small groups. i couldn't really get a good sight picture to try and split c^nt hairs:


i had a breif window of no wind. someone left a clean target up, so i utilized it. the orange sticker is about .75" :



i also placed 20 dum-dum pops on the berm. it took 27 shots to kill all 20 lolly pops. that is a 75% hit rate. i didn't use the rear bag because i had to make constant elevation and windage changes to pick up the next target. the lolly pops measure .75". these are fun to shoot. they explode really nicely and make a good, cheap reactive target. especially fun shooting suppressed with subsonic ammo. they make a nice WHACK when they explode.