Inexpensive and accurate 22

DC Bigdaddy

DC Bigdaddy

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Beulaville, NC
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If some one came up to you and said they had a $400 budget and wanted their child to be competitive in a youth shooting sports program, what would you recommend?

Let me give you the guide lines.

must weigh less than 7.5 pounds
no bull barrels
trigger must be 3 pounds or greater
scope can be any power, but will be taped at 6x or less
50 yard max targets.

No AR style or Precision Style rifles.

There is a telescopic class and open sight class. Peep sights fall under Telescopic class

Looking straight out of the box with no modifications.

This is the guide lines for NC's 4H program.

My boys shoot CZ 455 or 457, the other instructor's kids shoot a CZ 457 but not all parents are willing to or can't drop $7-8-900 for a competitive squirrel gun.
and some are not competitive as we are and don't have that desire for their child to win.

Seeking real world experience

Thanks -
 
DC Bigdaddy said:
If some one came up to you and said they had a $400 budget and wanted their child to be competitive in a youth shooting sports program, what would you recommend?

Let me give you the guide lines.

must weigh less than 7.5 pounds
no bull barrels
trigger must be 3 pounds or greater
scope can be any power, but will be taped at 6x or less
50 yard max targets.

No AR style or Precision Style rifles.

There is a telescopic class and open sight class. Peep sights fall under Telescopic class

Looking straight out of the box with no modifications.

This is the guide lines for NC's 4H program.

My boys shoot CZ 455 or 457, the other instructor's kids shoot a CZ 457 but not all parents are willing to or can't drop $7-8-900 for a competitive squirrel gun.
and some are not competitive as we are and don't have that desire for their child to win.

Seeking real world experience

Thanks -
Click to expand...
Where are you seeing $7-8-900 CZ 455/457's?

I've bought a couple over the last several years on the secondary market for $350-400.

I don't think the Savage would pass, it's got a stout barrel. Very front heavy, but the one I had was accurate.
 
DC Bigdaddy said:
Don't know if that barrel would pass inspection.

have you shot this rifle?
Click to expand...
Unfortunately, I can't answer whether it would pass or not. The Savage MK2 line up has variations in barrel types / sights. I'm not sure how much diffrence, but may be worth check them out.

I have shot this specific rifle a lot! I picked it up while collecting 22's for when my kids come of age and out of all of them, I enjoy this one the most. It's decently accurate with bulk ammo, and only gets better with quality ammo.
 
Exspiravit said:
Where are you seeing $7-8-900 CZ 455/457's?

I've bought a couple over the last several years on the secondary market for $350-400.

I don't think the Savage would pass, it's got a stout barrel. Very front heavy, but the one I had was accurate.
Click to expand...
by the time you put the scope and rings on it. $500 rifle, $300 scope
I run a Leupold on mine.
 
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I bet I could put one together cheaper than that. Max magnification is 6x? Do they allow prisms?
 
Exspiravit said:
I bet I could put one together cheaper than that. Max magnification is 6x? Do they allow prisms?
Click to expand...
no on the prisms scope can be any power, but it will me set at 6 or less and taped so the range officers can see it the tape has been messed with.
 
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I'm assuming your kids are on sportsman type teams and rules. My kids both were on youth sportsman's teams while in school. I bought the CZ and Anschutz type rifles. Several kids shot these Winchester rifles and if your willing to find some match ammo and take the time to keep lot numbers together and test different types, you will find they are pretty dang good rifles. Most kids don't have the range time to really concentrate on shooting fundamentals every single shot. Positioning your body, trigger discipline, breath control. follow through etc.
When it comes to optics mild to wild as we all know, but when mounting quality mounts and a quality torque wrench are priceless.

www.sportsmans.com

Winchester Xpert Gray Bolt Action Rifle - 22 Long Rifle - 18in

Winchester Xpert Gray Bolt Action Rifle - 22 Long Rifle - 18in - The new Xpert from Winchester Repeating Arms combines accuracy, dependability and style in a lightweight bolt-action package. Chambered in 22 Long Rifle, the Xpert features a precision Rimfire M.O.A. Trigger, button-rifled barrel...
www.sportsmans.com www.sportsmans.com
 
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DC Bigdaddy said:
If some one came up to you and said they had a $400 budget and wanted their child to be competitive in a youth shooting sports program, what would you recommend?

Let me give you the guide lines.

must weigh less than 7.5 pounds
no bull barrels
trigger must be 3 pounds or greater
scope can be any power, but will be taped at 6x or less
50 yard max targets.

No AR style or Precision Style rifles.

There is a telescopic class and open sight class. Peep sights fall under Telescopic class

Looking straight out of the box with no modifications.

This is the guide lines for NC's 4H program.

My boys shoot CZ 455 or 457, the other instructor's kids shoot a CZ 457 but not all parents are willing to or can't drop $7-8-900 for a competitive squirrel gun.
and some are not competitive as we are and don't have that desire for their child to win.

Seeking real world experience

Thanks -
Click to expand...
I'm a big fan of Project Appleseed

Project Appleseed | Project Appleseed

appleseedinfo.org appleseedinfo.org

which maps pretty well to the same equipment and marksmanship goals.

Ok, real world:

I bought a brand-new Ruger 31114 for $290, added the youth high-comb stock adapter for $25 or so.

This scope for $125 is darned nice for youngsters ... it has AO for the 25 meter Appleseed ... and on that rifle, use a $30 chinesium cantilever so they can manage positional shooting when they need to, and they should.

The fiber optic sights that come on the rifle are perfectly usable, by the way.

Now, with the nice scope that's not $400 but it isn't $500 either and you're getting a sporter-barreled rifle that is broadly supported and upgradeable.

A used but nice condition version of this same setup might save $100 ...
 
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If a Winchester 67 with open, original sights and the original single shot artillery bolt works, I know somebody that would sell one to a kid in need for $5. Probably even throw in a brick of .22LR Ammo, if said kid promised to practice with it is a safe manner, and pass it along to another kid in need one day in the future.
Great Uncle D&T for Weaver scope blocks, but he lost the blocks. I have owned and shot this plain but accurate rifle for 45 years.🥳
 
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Basic Ruger 10/22. While folks have fun pouring $$$ into them, as stock, the only thing I'd feel the *need* to replace is the sights with these: https://www.tech-sights.com/ruger-products/ or a scope (it's been a while since I purchased glass and most of what I like is either expensive or no longer produced).

@mostly22lately has the right idea.
 
dahlonegaarmory.com

Savage 26700 Mark II F 22 LR 10+1 21' Black Matte Blued Right Hand

<p>Mark II rimfire rifles add more fun to shooting than almost anything else for the money. From casual plinking to serious hunting, this versatile rifle can handle it all with match-grade accuracy. It's everything you want in a bolt-action 22 repeater. AccuTrigger is a standard feature offering...
dahlonegaarmory.com dahlonegaarmory.com

I had one of these and it was plenty accurate. Probably better with better ammo. I'd enjoy bedding it, maybe working on the trigger and turning it into a "sleeper" rifle.

www.primaryarms.com

Primary Arms Classic Series 6x32mm Rifle Scope - ACSS Reticle - 22 LR

DetailsThe Classic Series™ proves that entry-level optics don’t have to be poor quality optics. Unlike some other brands, they don’t use the word “value” as a euphemism for “junk”. Classic Series scopes are perfect for the budget conscious and the new shooter. They take the time to 100% inspect...
www.primaryarms.com
Dedicated 22lr 6x scope.

$304.28 before buying rings, tax, and shipping, etc.
 
I picked up a Ruger American rimfire for a song. Put a Nikon rimfire scope. I am so impressed with the accuracy that I’ve even participated in some rimfire PRS matches. I’ve held my own against people with rifles that people have thousands invested in.
Plenty of accessories, uses 10/22 pattern mags.
Trigger is adjustable up or down
Stock has spacer to shorten or lengthen the length of pull
It shoots well with just about any ammo and really does well with CCI standard velocity
 
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Dollar for dollar … and thinking about how long the little rifle will give service a CZ-45x American … new or even light used … is about the first answer to pop up with anyone who’s been into rimfire fun for anytime. $450-$500 amortized over the years the kid(s) will get use out of one is a few bucks per year … buy once cry once … especially with ammo being the bigger cost if you look at the overall picture to own an operate.

As to glass, people will laugh but I put a Simmons 3-9X on my kid’s CZ-452 Scout years back and it worker great … and still is working as a fun gun for shot in CCI Quiet with any kid or new shooter to teach transition from irons to scope (I even had the barrel threaded). Yeah it’s cheap ... maybe $60-$70 … and not fancy BUT it has a simple reticle where the kid only have to worry about the crosshairs not some BDC or such information.
 
I‘d look for a used CZ Scout. Or a 457. They are around for $400-$500 if you can time it right. And if they are all really $800-$900 now I might be selling my 452 soon. 😁
 
DC Bigdaddy said:
If some one came up to you and said they had a $400 budget and wanted their child to be competitive in a youth shooting sports program, what would you recommend?

Let me give you the guide lines.

must weigh less than 7.5 pounds
no bull barrels
trigger must be 3 pounds or greater
scope can be any power, but will be taped at 6x or less
50 yard max targets.

No AR style or Precision Style rifles.

There is a telescopic class and open sight class. Peep sights fall under Telescopic class

Looking straight out of the box with no modifications.

This is the guide lines for NC's 4H program.

My boys shoot CZ 455 or 457, the other instructor's kids shoot a CZ 457 but not all parents are willing to or can't drop $7-8-900 for a competitive squirrel gun.
and some are not competitive as we are and don't have that desire for their child to win.

Seeking real world experience

Thanks -
Click to expand...
Is this hypothetical?
It sounds like you have your kids taken care of but you know of kids in the 4H program that need assistance.

I'm a little surprised the 4H program doesn't have loaners. Every firearms class I've ever taken had loaner guns available for a small fee. I've just checked and most chapters of the 4H programs are 501c3 tax deductible.

I have some thoughts, but I'm wanting more detail as to what's the situation behind the question.
 
Timfoilhat said:
Is this hypothetical?
It sounds like you have your kids taken care of but you know of kids in the 4H program that need assistance.

I'm a little surprised the 4H program doesn't have loaners. Every firearms class I've ever taken had loaner guns available for a small fee. I've just checked and most chapters of the 4H programs are 501c3 tax deductible.

I have some thoughts, but I'm wanting more detail as to what's the situation behind the question.
Click to expand...
Is this hypothetical? no, those are the state's tournament rules.

as a club, we have made the decision not to own any firearms. Being in Duplin County, most folks have their own. I'll let most any kid shoot what I have if they need a firearm.
I ask the question, do you want to be competitive or just have a good time. Most of our kids want both, but most of them are shooting what they have already.
One of the counties in the middle part of the state, they have bunches of firearms for their club. They've been at it longer than us and he has the grant process down to a science.

We've one or 2 that'll do what it takes. We had one parent this year to buy a CZ457. One last year, but I ended up with it at the end of the season due to lack of interest once he got started.

I'm fortunate to be able to be able to put good equipment in my boys' hands. But, I know others can't spend that kind of money on a setup like mine. Therefore, that's why I was asking for your real experience on some of the less expensive guns.

Thank you all for the information, especially on the Savage line.
NCFubar said:
Dollar for dollar … and thinking about how long the little rifle will give service a CZ-45x American … new or even light used … is about the first answer to pop up with anyone who’s been into rimfire fun for anytime. $450-$500 amortized over the years the kid(s) will get use out of one is a few bucks per year … buy once cry once … especially with ammo being the bigger cost if you look at the overall picture to own an operate.

As to glass, people will laugh but I put a Simmons 3-9X on my kid’s CZ-452 Scout years back and it worker great … and still is working as a fun gun for shot in CCI Quiet with any kid or new shooter to teach transition from irons to scope (I even had the barrel threaded). Yeah it’s cheap ... maybe $60-$70 … and not fancy BUT it has a simple reticle where the kid only have to worry about the crosshairs not some BDC or such information.
Click to expand...
This was my thinking when I bought my 1st CZ. Spend the money and I'll have a nice rifle for a long time.


I have a Wal-Mart special Remington Semi-auto 22 with a Simmons 44 Mag scope on it. If you run CCI Mini-Mags in it, it'll keep up with any of them.
 
DC Bigdaddy said:
Is this hypothetical? no, those are the state's tournament rules.

as a club, we have made the decision not to own any firearms. Being in Duplin County, most folks have their own. I'll let most any kid shoot what I have if they need a firearm.
I ask the question, do you want to be competitive or just have a good time. Most of our kids want both, but most of them are shooting what they have already.
One of the counties in the middle part of the state, they have bunches of firearms for their club. They've been at it longer than us and he has the grant process down to a science.

We've one or 2 that'll do what it takes. We had one parent this year to buy a CZ457. One last year, but I ended up with it at the end of the season due to lack of interest once he got started.

I'm fortunate to be able to be able to put good equipment in my boys' hands. But, I know others can't spend that kind of money on a setup like mine. Therefore, that's why I was asking for your real experience on some of the less expensive guns.

Thank you all for the information, especially on the Savage line.

This was my thinking when I bought my 1st CZ. Spend the money and I'll have a nice rifle for a long time.


I have a Wal-Mart special Remington Semi-auto 22 with a Simmons 44 Mag scope on it. If you run CCI Mini-Mags in it, it'll keep up with any of them.
Click to expand...
In which case I'll leave it at this. Tell your club parents to sign up and reach out here if there's a real case of extreme need. We've got a section in the BST where we ask others to help us find things, and I'd bet we have some members here who would be moved by the story of a country kid with good grades but bad family finances that wants to learn some skills on the club rifle team. Maybe it results in a donation, or maybe it's a rifle priced at the asker's ability to pay and travel to the place where it would be picked up.
 
jrdropped said:
This may not be ideal but I have two of the old stevens model 55 single shot bolt guns. And both of them are iron sight tack drivers. I see them all the time at pawnshops around the state
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I agree with you.

I would say many/most vintage bolt action .22's are more accurate than most shooters are (including me). The older Winchesters in particular.... either a single shot or a mag fed like a Model 69 are very accurate rifles still.
 
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I had an old mossberg 22 bolt action that I liked but had fewer scope mount options than newer rifles.

Edit to add: my old mossberg (60s vintage ) also took old metal mags no one makes and were hard to find / ridiculously expensive if you could find them. And the fit was sloppy because the one I had was old and bent slightly, caused occasional issues. So that was another thing I appreciated when I moved to a new gun that took 10/22 mags.
 
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Timfoilhat said:
In which case I'll leave it at this. Tell your club parents to sign up and reach out here if there's a real case of extreme need. We've got a section in the BST where we ask others to help us find things, and I'd bet we have some members here who would be moved by the story of a country kid with good grades but bad family finances that wants to learn some skills on the club rifle team. Maybe it results in a donation, or maybe it's a rifle priced at the asker's ability to pay and travel to the place where it would be picked up.
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Second this so much.

CFF could sponsor an entire team.
 
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dct said:
I have a Ruger American Rimfire that I am pretty happy with. Takes 10/22 mags so they are cheap and plentiful. Accurate enough for me, light enough to carry around the woods for squirrels too.
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That was gonna be my suggestion. They make a couple models that come with a rail and oversized bolt handle. But the price of a new one doesn’t really leave room for a scope if the budget is $400.
 
Winchester wildcat, a ruger 10/22 clone. You can find the threaded barrel version on sale for $10 more
www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com

Winchester Wildcat 22 LR Semi-Auto Rifle

Winchester: Wildcat 22 LR Semi-Auto Rifle for sale at Sportsman's Outdoor Superstore.
www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com

This guy ia kinda new to the scene
dahlonegaarmory.com

YTA BOLT ACTN 22LR BL/SY 18'

<p>YOUTH RIFLE|12' LENGTH OF PULL</p>
dahlonegaarmory.com dahlonegaarmory.com
 
I haven’t bought one yet but the savage MkII would be my vote in whatever config fits the rules. Friend has one, seems like you can’t find a better accuracy for the price. Magazines aren’t great is the biggest weakness.
 
CZ Scout if you can find a used one or a Savage Mark II. I have a Savage Mark II FV and it shoots right up there with my pricier .22 rifles.
 
The Savage MKII FVSR is extremely popular and is often recommended. The stock sucks and is usually replaced. The mags are not great. What most people don't know is that they upgraded this platform years ago, the new model is the B22 FVSR. Better stock and better (rotary style) mags. The difference in price is negligible, $50-$75 IIRC.
 
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Keystone Sporting Arms 722 series rifles. They come in a wide variety of stock profiles.

They’re probably most known for their cricket lined but I have and absolutely love a 722 target varmint. I even asked if they knew a supplier for a 30moa rail for kicks, and they milled one for me.

I have no hands on experience with their youth line, outside of the cricket, but they do have them and wouldn’t hesitate to buy one if I found myself in need of a youth 22.

I have been nothing but impressed with the rifle and the company, and recommend them often.
 
For what it's worth, my marlin model 60 with a cheap scope will shoot one ragged hole at 30 yards if I do my part.

Pissed off a bunch of my brother's friends shooting 10-22's. Anywhere from mostly stock to one that had a bull barrel and the Hubbell telescope mounted on it. 10 shots into a 1 inch ring; got the 1st and the most with my "kids toy".
 
Mossberg 151 if you can find one. I rescued one years ago from the bargin barrel of a local gun shop. Installed a new firing pin(old one was missing), cleaned it up and it is by far the most accurate of all of my 22's. As for the scope if 6 power is all you can use then that is all you should buy. No need for tape then.
 
I had my little sister's rossi rs22 up at the house awhile back giving it a custom hydrographic finish for her and figured I'd better shoot a few rounds and try the little cheap plinker out. They sell for around 140 bucks. It had a cheap Tasco scope on it. I was shocked just how well it shot. And I was just using federal automatch bulk box ammo. Here's 50 yard target with 5 shots. Shooting from bench with sand bag under front20230929_162924.jpgand here's her custom finished rossi rs22. This pic still shows the cheap Tasco scope I put a old Bushnell on it before sending it back down the road with her.20220415_174645.jpg
 
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