Posted: 3/4/2026 3:00:52 PM EDT
[Last Edit: OilfieldTrash78][Edited]
| Looking to spend $400-$500 to start off, just for the rifle. What is suggested in that price range? Needs to be bolt action, and have a threaded barrel. I will be upgrading as needed over time (chassis, trigger and so on) Detachable magazine would be a plus. Just picked up a DA Mask, and need a nice host. |
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I can't reason my way into spending money on more guns, but I'd get this: https://www.bergara.online/us/rifles/Rimfire/ B-14R Crest CF ETA: opps, linked wrong one earlier. |
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Originally Posted By d4xycrq: I was keen to drop five or so on a CZ or similar until I found a Mossberg 144LSB at the LGS for two-fiddy. I bet the paper targets won't be able to tell the difference. But, why-oh-why was it easier to trip over a Mossberg from the early eighties than a CZ457? You need to try and find one of these (44US)! Also superb shooters. 
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Originally Posted By 4Truck: It’s a one hole gun with CCI Standard, haven’t even shot any match ammo out of it yet. That's the thing, isn't it. If you have a good rifle, you don't need super-expensive ammo to shoot one hole groups. Spend more on the rifle, scope base and rings, spend less on ammo. |
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Originally Posted By Trollslayer: That's the thing, isn't it. If you have a good rifle, you don't need super-expensive ammo to shoot one hole groups. Spend more on the rifle, scope base and rings, spend less on ammo. 100%. I think it’s especially true with rimfire rifles. |
| At your price point, the CZ457 has the highest potential to be a good shooter out of the box. Unlike many other rifles, finding accessories for it will be much easier. Stocks, 20,30,40 MOA scope bases, barrels, etc are easy to find for the 457. If you want to spend a bit more, and are ok with a single shot, you can step up into H&R Model 12’s, Kimber 82s, old Anschutz’s. I’d go for the Anschutz 1st, Model 12 second then the 82. Old target 22’s are usually really good shooters… |
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Originally Posted By simpletoms: Old target 22’s are usually really good shooters… I have a Remington Model 37, made in 1937. It still has its original barrel. It is very well made, all machined steel - no plastic anywhere, not even the magazine. It shoots every bit as well as my modern Anschutz. |
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Originally Posted By Trollslayer: That's the thing, isn't it. If you have a good rifle, you don't need super-expensive ammo to shoot one hole groups. Spend more on the rifle, scope base and rings, spend less on ammo. Not really. The best custom rimfire rifle won’t shoot well with sub par ammo. Not sure what people mean either by “one hole groups.” What size “hole” and at what distance? |
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Define precision? MOA? @100 yards .5 MOA? @100 yards .25 MOA? @100 yards .1 MOA @100 yards |
N&MEM, SSDR, NRA Life Member
Epstein Scalia did not kill himself.
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Gun control is literally Hitler.
Trump's actions? Watergate does not bother me, does your conscience bother you?
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Originally Posted By GimmeLibertee: Not really. The best custom rimfire rifle won’t shoot well with sub par ammo. Not sure what people mean either by “one hole groups.” What size “hole” and at what distance? Originally Posted By GimmeLibertee: Originally Posted By Trollslayer: That's the thing, isn't it. If you have a good rifle, you don't need super-expensive ammo to shoot one hole groups. Spend more on the rifle, scope base and rings, spend less on ammo. Not really. The best custom rimfire rifle won’t shoot well with sub par ammo. Not sure what people mean either by “one hole groups.” What size “hole” and at what distance? I think you missed my point entirely and seem to be making a different point of your own. I used the term, "super-expensive ammo". You used the term, "sub-par". Those are very different things, diametrically opposite, in fact. Let me offer ELEY Tenex or LAPUA Center-X as examples of super-expensive ammo. These cost as much as $200 per brick (500 rounds). Wolf Match Extra qualifies as not super-expensive at under $100 per brick. I will leave it up to you to define what "sub-par" means. Here's what a "one hole group" looks like. I previously posted this picture in another thread. Originally Posted By Trollslayer: Like IcarusY625's rifle shown above, my rifle is also an Anschutz Match 54 - a barreled action in an aftermarket stock. I use that stock because it mimics my match rifle in every way. Both my rifles have the same Anschutz trigger, too. I hadn't been out shooting for a long time, but managed to shoot a decent group while re-zeroing the rifle from 100 yards down to 50 yards.  One thing the image shows is how essential it is to purposefully offset the point of impact from the point of aim if you are shooting groups. As seen above, the original point of aim got obliterated while firing these 5 shots. It really does affect groups - the point of aim becomes a little more ambiguous with each successive shot. P.S. - the roughly 1/2 MOA group seems to be the best I can do, no matter what I do. I'm working on me. It's not the rifle. |
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Originally Posted By Trollslayer: I think you missed my point entirely and seem to be making a different point of your own. I used the term, "super-expensive ammo". You used the term, "sub-par". Those are very different things, diametrically opposite, in fact. Let me offer ELEY Tenex or LAPUA Center-X as examples of super-expensive ammo. These cost as much as $200 per brick (500 rounds). Wolf Match Extra qualifies as not super-expensive at under $100 per brick. I will leave it up to you to define what "sub-par" means. Here's what a "one hole group" looks like. I previously posted this picture in another thread. I think you missed my point. You responded to a person claiming CCI SV is "a one hole gun" which I just don't believe, unless that "one hole" is 2.0" in diameter from 50 rounds at 50 yards. CCI SV is considered "sub par" by precision rimfire standards, and will perform as such regardless of the rifle shooting it. Providing an actual group size, number of rounds in the group, and range is much more descriptive and informative than saying "my gun with CCI SV is a one hole gun," which is an essentially meaningless statement without any additional context. |
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Originally Posted By GimmeLibertee: I think you missed my point. You responded to a person claiming CCI SV is "a one hole gun" which I just don't believe, unless that "one hole" is 2.0" in diameter from 50 rounds at 50 yards. LOL, you made me laugh with that one. Thanks for that. I think maybe we were approaching this from different ends of the spectrum. I was referencing the best you can buy, you, the worst. I have this same perspective for both rimfire and centerfire ammo and shooting either. Start with the best available and see what you can make of it as a shooter (my 1/2 MOA limitation irrespective of platform). Then, step back a bit on price until it starts to show up on target as slightly larger groups. For my rimfire experience, that meant starting with LAPUA, ELEY, RWS to see what I can do. Then, scaling back to Wolf Match Extra because , for my shooting, it made almost no difference. If there was a statistically significant difference relative to my intended purpose (200 yards or less), I could not see it in my testing. Going back to 4truck and his CCI SV, he says it works in his rifle. That's fine for him. Who am I and on what basis would I call him out as being mistaken, or being liar. If it works for him in his application, that's great. Maybe he does not shoot PRS, NRL or is not shooting out to 200 yards. Certainly, CCI SV costs less than Tenex. |
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Originally Posted By GimmeLibertee: I’d have to disagree. You don’t see any of these at PRS/NRL22/MARS matches, and everyone who I’ve talked to who has owned one has regretted it. What were they using? Having an accurate rifle is critical to your development as a shooter. That's what this thread is about - the rifle gear. |
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Originally Posted By Trollslayer: What were they using? Having an accurate rifle is critical to your development as a shooter. That's what this thread is about - the rifle gear. Talking to several people at PRS22/MARS matches when I was trying to decide what rifle to buy to get into the sport. Not a single person recommended the RPR, and several said they regretted buying them and ended up selling for something else. I also haven't seen a single one on the line at the few matches I've attended thus far. I'm sure it's decent for certain applications, but it's reputation in the PRS world seems pretty poor. I admit that I don't have any personal experience with them, other than the advice from several other people whom I trust. |
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Originally Posted By GimmeLibertee: Talking to several people at PRS22/MARS matches when I was trying to decide what rifle to buy to get into the sport. Not a single person recommended the RPR, and several said they regretted buying them and ended up selling for something else. I also haven't seen a single one on the line at the few matches I've attended thus far. I'm sure it's decent for certain applications, but it's reputation in the PRS world seems pretty poor. I admit that I don't have any personal experience with them, other than the advice from several other people whom I trust. So, they were NOT using the RPR but what WERE they using? |
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I shoot a lot of precision 22 matches, and the ground floor is CZ or Tikka in the economy price range. Not great by any means but I have won matches with a humble savage mark II , and from my experience would be a much better option than the ruger. My small group of precision shooters includes a number who bought RPR’s, and except one all had problems or could give sufficient accuracy Some guys go as far as near 10 grand in a precision 22 rig. |
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Originally Posted By GimmeLibertee: I think you missed my point. You responded to a person claiming CCI SV is "a one hole gun" which I just don't believe, unless that "one hole" is 2.0" in diameter from 50 rounds at 50 yards. CCI SV is considered "sub par" by precision rimfire standards, and will perform as such regardless of the rifle shooting it. Providing an actual group size, number of rounds in the group, and range is much more descriptive and informative than saying "my gun with CCI SV is a one hole gun," which is an essentially meaningless statement without any additional context. In my case with the Bergara and CCI SV, it’s consistently sub 1/2” at 50 yards, 5 shot groups. Which is 100% acceptable for what i do with the rifle. I don’t shoot PRS or competitions with it. Does that answer your question? |
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Originally Posted By scuba_steve: How about in the $1500 range? VQ? Kidd? I have a Kidd, and have been very satisfied. Nothing stops this gun, I see more people at matches with very expensive bolt guns that choke with fair frequency. I have probably 20K rounds fired in my Kidd, and from scorching heat to 20 degrees and snow, it just runs. It is well known in precision 22 circles that high quality ( european - eley lapua SK) ammo is required to get maximal CONSISTENT accuracy from a 22. Getting lucky here and there with lesser cost ammo is possible, but for utmost consistency you will only approach that with the higher cost ammo. Having said that, it is also clear, even from my own shooting that certain types of shooting have various accuracy requirements/ thresholds that can be met at lower costs. I shoot a lot of different competitions with 22’s, and depending on the application , can meet the necessary threshold for accuracy and or reliability for some with CCI ammo, others the lower cost quality european ammo ( eley target, SK standard plus) while other events demand lapua or tenex |
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Originally Posted By scuba_steve: How about in the $1500 range? VQ? Kidd? CZ 457 action and build your own. Factory trigger is adjustable and can be made to break under a pound with a spring change. Several great drop in barrels available and barrel swaps are simple. Lots of different stocks available depending on your type of shooting. I'm well under $1500, less optic ,in this one getting some good deals parts.  |
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I'm with the others here saying CZ but they don't really meet the OP's stated budget for a new rifle. Something like the 457 Scout is $550+ and the varmint or MTR versions more suited for precision are more. Then add $50-$100 to add a scope rail. For a budget precision starter something like a Savage MKII FVSR can do very well in the $200 range and leaves room for a stock/chassis. Wal-Mart has an exclusive model MKII BVXPSR in a Boyd's AtOne stock for $349. |
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Originally Posted By captain127: I have a Kidd, and have been very satisfied. Nothing stops this gun, I see more people at matches with very expensive bolt guns that choke with fair frequency. I have probably 20K rounds fired in my Kidd, and from scorching heat to 20 degrees and snow, it just runs. Not to go off on a tangent, but out of curiosity, what action spring weight do you find your Kidd runs best with subsonic (match) ammo? Assuming you’re running the Kidd charging assembly that comes with the different spring weights. |
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Originally Posted By OilfieldTrash78: Looking to spend $400-$500 to start off, just for the rifle. What is suggested in that price range? Needs to be bolt action, and have a threaded barrel. I will be upgrading as needed over time (chassis, trigger and so on) Detachable magazine would be a plus. Just picked up a DA Mask, and need a nice host. As many others have suggested I would go with a CZ457. And I say this as a guy that has a $2500 3 Sigma/MPA built by Jonathan from MCR. My CZ with the right ammo and condition shoots darn near just as good if I do my part. My CZ is my second favorite rimfire rifle I own. Also this is a very upgradable rifle. You can start small and slowly work you way up. Lots of very good prefit barrel out there and they are easy to install. Also tons of chassis/stock on the market and endless little tweaks/upgrades for these guns. You can tinker with them alot. My CZ in the back in the FDE chassis.  |
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Originally Posted By GF99-99: As many others have suggested I would go with a CZ457. And I say this as a guy that has a $2500 3 Sigma/MPA built by Jonathan from MCR. My CZ with the right ammo and condition shoots darn near just as good if I do my part. My CZ is my second favorite rimfire rifle I own. Also this is a very upgradable rifle. You can start small and slowly work you way up. Lots of very good prefit barrel out there and they are easy to install. Also tons of chassis/stock on the market and endless little tweaks/upgrades for these guns. You can tinker with them alot. My CZ in the back in the FDE chassis. https://i.postimg.cc/x8SZSY5c/IMG-6243.jpg |
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