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Posted: 2/3/2026 8:46:31 PM EDT
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Hello everyone. I’m looking to buy a .22 LR rifle mainly for relaxation and occasional practice shooting at targets (and maybe, at some point, I’ll get more serious about it). I’d be shooting at distances of around 35 meters, up to a maximum of about 100 meters. I’ve been a licensed hunter for three years, but I don’t really have much experience with .22 LR rifles, so I hope I won’t be asking any stupid questions. Based on what I’ve read so far and on other people’s experiences, I’m currently leaning toward buying a CZ 457. Could someone please explain the differences between the various models and designations (Synthetic, Royal, Ergo, MDT, Varmint, etc.)? What scope would you recommend for this kind of use? I would mostly be shooting on my own property, in the woods behind my house, where it generally wouldn’t disturb anyone. Still, just to be considerate toward the nearest neighbor, I’m thinking about adding a suppressor. Is a suppressor even necessary if I’m shooting subsonic ammunition? And maybe one last (possibly silly) question: if you shoot a .22 LR a lot, can that negatively affect your shooting with larger-caliber rifles where recoil is involved? I’ve read something along those lines somewhere ?? |
| The bolt action CZ is quite accurate. If you want a fun 22 rifle I would start with a Ruger 10-22. The lever guns are fun also and over time you may have several 22 rifles or you may find that how you use a rifle makes more sense to move to a center fire rifle. I’d start with a 10-22 but with kids I’d start them with a bolt action or lever action to slow the rate of fire and encourage aiming. There are a few “Rimfire” scopes those have parallax set at 50 yds. Vortex or Leupold would be a good choice. Shooting Rimfire helps you learn skills applicable to shooting center fire rifles. |
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The different models are about the size of the barrel, and what the stock is made of and looks like. Look at the pictures on their website, you'll get the idea pretty quick. CZ makes a fine rifle, if you want a bolt action. Rimfire won't hurt your shooting. In fact, getting trigger time without recoil can help your fundamentals. I don't know a serious shooter who lacks a rimfire version that's close to his chosen platform. |
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Originally Posted By LogarAnton: (snip) I would mostly be shooting on my own property, in the woods behind my house, where it generally wouldn’t disturb anyone. Still, just to be considerate toward the nearest neighbor, I’m thinking about adding a suppressor. Is a suppressor even necessary if I’m shooting subsonic ammunition? And maybe one last (possibly silly) question: if you shoot a .22 LR a lot, can that negatively affect your shooting with larger-caliber rifles where recoil is involved? I’ve read something along those lines somewhere ?? Ammo - Buy "standard velocity" ammo. All true target or match grade ammo is "standard velocity", usually around 1100 fps. This is subsonic but differs from ammo labeled as "subsonic" ammo. Silliness - I don't know where you ever heard that. Everything I've ever read and personally experienced is the exact opposite. You will find that rimfire practice HELPS your shooting skills. As mentioned, I made sure my rimfire trainer matches my centerfire rifle in ergonomics, trigger, sights, etc. |
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I would recommend a 10/22 for semi-auto and a Tikka T1k for a bolt action. All the CZ's are weird with super long barrels if you're specifically looking for a threaded barrel for a suppressor. The Scout is the only version under 20" with a 1/2-28 thread. If the Royal 16" came with 1/2-28 threads it would be the perfect 22 rifle... Supersonic ammo and subsonic ammo are almost the same loudness without a supressor (very loud). With a suppressor the difference is huge, you only want to shoot subsonic ammo. Most all 22 ammo is subsonic from a handgun, CCI Standard Velocity bulk packs is generally regarded as the best "cheap" subsonic rifle ammo. Rimfire shooting can absolutely only improve centerfire rifle shooting. Think about it like weight training or aerobatic training for any sport. It can only help. Shooting a few tens of thousands of rounds of 22 immensely helped me with both handgun and rifle shooting. I had a bad flinch when I first got into handguns (I got a few subcompact .40's because they were all the rage). With 22 handguns I was able to correct all my issues over a decade of shooting for fun on my own property and jumped right into a IDPA match with a few friends and was able to place in the top 50% my first match. I think 22's are even more important for rifle shooting. I am a MUCH better shot when I'm hunting with centerfires solely because of my 22 rifle shooting. I like to shot from standing, braced against a tree, etc. I am so much more confident in the woods after burning through 50 or so bricks of Federal Automatch from my 22 rifles. The most important thing: 22's are amazingly fun! I walk about 100 yards to my range. It's a mix of about 25 steel targets and a few pallets I can staple paper targets to. In the winter, I head out with 200 rounds or so and blast steel with my Ruger MkIII or Ruger 10/22 or Tikka T1x. In the summer I do more real target shooting with better ammo. There is nothing better than working from home and spending my lunch shooting a few 22's. A 22 can changes the game completely. Get a can, get a 22 rifle and a 22 handgun and have a blast! |
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Originally Posted By Macchina: I would recommend a 10/22 for semi-auto and a Tikka T1k for a bolt action. All the CZ's are weird with super long barrels if you're specifically looking for a threaded barrel for a suppressor. The Scout is the only version under 20" with a 1/2-28 thread. If the Royal 16" came with 1/2-28 threads it would be the perfect The CZ 457 Pro Varmint SR has a 16.5” barrel threaded 1/2-28. |
I'm in the middle of building a 10/22. Sadly it looks like both my VQ barrel and VQ bolt were lost in shipping.  Got a great deal on the VQ barrel and was going to be all in on the setup for less than $750 until I had to switch to an aftermarket bolt...now lost in transit. |
Tom Sawyer.
"If The Rules brought us to this, what use are they?"
"If The Rules brought us to this, what use are they?"
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Originally Posted By LogarAnton: And maybe one last (possibly silly) question: if you shoot a .22 LR a lot, can that negatively affect your shooting with larger-caliber rifles where recoil is involved? I’ve read something along those lines somewhere ?? No, it will not negatively effect shooting rifles with more recoil. Just the opposite. It allows you to work on marksmanship skills like breathing and trigger control without the added distraction of heavy recoil. After repetition those skills become second nature and carry over to larger cartridges. |
