What do you like in 22LR rifle?

[Boriqua]

Playing with the idea of getting the wife a 22lr Rifle to play with at the indoor range. She is a crack shot with her handgun in 22 and I still have a fair amount of ammo and it seems in this rush .. 22lr is still available.

So ... what do you like in an Inexpensive range toy. Notice I said inexpensive and not cheap. Dont want a problem child piece of junk but if there is a good bargain gun I would like to hear about it.

That henry survival seems pretty neat but ... its not for me and Im not sure she wouldnt be happier with something like a model 60.

Im all ears .. not really a 22 guy so know next to nothing about them.

 

[QuietM4]

The Henry Survival is a POS.

Ruger 10/22. S&W M&P15-22 line. Bergara BXR. T/CR22.

 

[Gunslinger808]

Agree with Quiet on all counts, the Henry is terrible, can’t go wrong with the other choices.
I will add if you want a really nice bolt action .22, the Savage Mk II series are excellent for the price.

 

[needsmostuff]

A .22 rifle at an indoor range ???????
Sounds like an oxymoron of some sort. :? Get it outside where you can have some fun.
I prefer bolt guns but she may not. Find out what kind of action she likes semi, bolt ,lever and go from there . If you don't ask then you are just buying another gun for yourself.
As far as basic , easy to find affordably used , universally fun plinkers , you really can't beat a Marlin mod. 60. Often around $100 in decent shape.

 

[knockonit]

any of the older semi autos also are awesome as are the pumps, any .22 is the shitz, good ones are as accurate as can be and a hoot to shoot, only drawback is the dirty clean up afterwards, and keeping mags loaded, hehehe, but the smile on face does not change whether a bolt, semi auto, pump or mag fed, smiles remain
Rj

 

[Flash]

Mrs. Flash has a S&W 15-22 which we both really like.

 

[needsmostuff]

any of the older semi autos also are awesome as are the pumps, any .22 is the shitz, good ones are as accurate as can be and a hoot to shoot, only drawback is the dirty clean up afterwards, and keeping mags loaded, hehehe, but the smile on face does not change whether a bolt, semi auto, pump or mag fed, smiles remain
Rj

Spoken like a true 22oholic. :clap:
In truth almost ANY .22 is capable of shooting better than the person holding it .
To me spending money on a new 22 is almost a waste of money and akin to buying a dog at a pet store.
The world is full of orphan 22s of all flavors and pound puppies.

 

[Old Jeff H]

It's pretty hard to beat a 10/22

 

[smithers599]

10/22 is ideal, but an AR platform in .22 teaches familiarity with the controls and operation in case the day ever comes when she needs to know that.

But, wait a minute -- are you saying you don't already have a 10/22? What's up with that -- comrade?

 

[Hammer 35]

I wouldn't mind a lever gun in 22.

... or a bolt gun

... or a semi...

As long as they're accurate and reliable.
I think I'm most interested in a Henry lever or maybe a Savage bolt gun. The lever actions are just plain fun, but those Savages are accurate for the price.

A 10/22 is hard to beat for general purpose though. You can trick it out to make just about anyone happy.

 

[pvreb]

Lots of good suggestions here. My personal preference is a Winchester 62A. They are very pricey, tho, when you can find them. Some of the imitations are good, but some aren't.

I have longed for a quality bolt action .22, but have always cheaped out and regretted it later.

 

[tunnug]

I finally got to shoot the Henry lever .22 that I got from needsmostuff and boy howdy was it accurate, popping a soda can at around 100yrds, with open sights no less, wonder what it could do with a scope.

 

[Longhair1957]

Find a cz455, I own three different models. Super accurate and not too expensive.

 

[effjaybay]

10/22's and Model 60's are great. There are quite a bit of accessories and "upgrades" for 10/22's everywhere but that can get expensive. My kids grew up shooting the Rugers and Marlins. What I've been doing the last few years is I've been going to pawn shops and buying old, sometimes pre-serial numbered, single shot bolt action .22's for around 60-80 bucks. The wife did tell me to stop but those are actually very fun to shoot. They slow you down and make you pay more attention to your target. My youngest son would rather blast away with a 10/22 but when he takes out the old Savage Mk1, he takes his time and shoots better.

 

[watchthewind]

Find a cz455, I own three different models. Super accurate and not too expensive.

I'm with Longhair on this. There is also a CZ457 now available
Scott

 

[Winmagbill]

Find a cz455, I own three different models. Super accurate and not too expensive.

I'm with Longhair on this. There is also a CZ457 now available
Scott

Or the original 452. They have a 16” barrel model with a full size stock or the Scout with a shortened length of pull that’s a hoot to handle and shoot. If you are shooting irons you’ll appreciate the quality. Not sure they are in the inexpensive category anymore. Every time I see one for sale I raise an eyebrow; sometimes both.

 

[Delfuego]

Henry/marlin lever
10/22
CZ457
M&P22

 

[Bottom Gun]

I would say get something with some accuracy potential. If you’re doing most of your shooting at a range, your wife will probably want to see how accurately she can shoot. I would get something she won’t want to upgrade later.

Mrs Bottom Gun enjoyed shooting my old Remingtons and other rifles but was never really thrilled until I set up a 1416 Anschutz for her. She shot it so much better than the other rifles that she became very excited to shoot it. As her interest level increased, so did her skill. She even saved some of her targets.
We have fun comparing different brands of ammo for accuracy.

I also set up a synthetic stock Savage MKII with a Leupold 2-7X rimfire scope for her. It makes a lightweight little package with decent accuracy. She enjoys plinking with it and shoots it well.

Good luck in your search.

 

[Boriqua]

Thank you everyone for your input!! some great ideas. ... Fortunately or unfortunately I was smart and I told her what I was thinking and she said ... "well ... I was really thinking about a 22lr Revolver like the one we saw the other day"

So ... Might be a Heritage Rough Rider. She wants something Cowboy looking (she is an italian girl from the bronx?) so she dismissed the Ruger wrangler.

 

[QuietM4]

The Ruger Wrangler is a much better gun than the Heritage. A Single Six is best.