Posted: 6/27/2026 3:28:49 PM EDT
[Last Edit: piperpa24][Edited]
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The aggravating magazine of this old M44 is finally getting me pissed. Can anyone recommend a good mag fed 22 bolt action? I need to take out some critters around here. It's apparent I've been too lenient with them and now I'm about getting overrun. This old M44 just will not feed reliably when you need it to. ETA: Been poking around at Academy and PSA but I need a recommendation. Thanks |
"I guess you already know that there are angels masquerading as people walking around this planet and your mom was the bravest one of those." - Idgie Threadgoode, Fried Green Tomatoes
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Decade ago, got my son a Savage Mark II. Thing is a tack driver and will eat anything you feed it. Had it threaded for a can. It is literally deadly quiet. |
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The usual suspects: Ruger American Rimfire Savage MK II CZ models Tika T1x I haven't used the CZ, but I have used the RAR, Savage, and Tika. The Tika is a SUPER nice action, and very nicely accurate. The Ruger is functional, "accurate enough", and uses 10/22 mags. The Savage is functional, accurate, but uses their own mags. If shopping for budget, Savage MK II. If looking for niceness, Tika or CZ. If shopping for middle of the road, Ruger American Rimfire. But yes, get one with a threaded muzzle because .22lr with a can is stupid quiet. I think Savage only threads muzzles on heavy barrels, IDK if you want a heavy barrel or not. Or, if you're going to be shooting from a bench or prone instead of walking, and you want adjustable LOP and cheek rise for the best scope weld... the Ruger Precision Rimfire is probably the cheapest way to get into that. Then get ready to spend on the scope, because (as you probably know), clarity and light gathering for our old eyes don't come cheap. 
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WOw, thanks for all the replies - Excellent info I will look at all of the ones you mentioned. Trying to keep this about $300 or so, I just want to tale out critters withing about 50 yards. I do have a good 4x weaver scope which is pretty decent, nothing fancy but does the job for what I need. I'll have to spring for some rings. Never thought about a threaded barrel but I like the idea of being able to be suppressed. Thanks all. |
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Originally Posted By piperpa24: WOw, thanks for all the replies - Excellent info I will look at all of the ones you mentioned. Trying to keep this about $300 or so, I just want to tale out critters withing about 50 yards. So, if you were OK with a single-shot bolt action, the Savage Rascal is SURPRISINGLY good for the $160 price: https://www.cabelas.com/p/savage-rascal-single-shot-bolt-action-rimfire-compact-rifle The Rascal might take a special scope mount, but at $160, there's money left over for that, AND to put more toward a good scope. Single-shot with a threaded (but heavy) barrel, the Savage FV-SR is a deal at $200: https://www.cabelas.com/p/savage-arms-rascal-fv-sr-single-shot-bolt-action-rifle Magazine-fed, non-threaded sporter barrel for $250: https://www.cabelas.com/p/savage-mark-ii-f-bolt-action-rimfire-rifle (change the options from .17hm2 to .22lr) Magazine-fed, threaded, heavy barrel for $300: https://www.cabelas.com/p/savage-mark-ii-fv-sr-bolt-action-rimfire-rifle Anything else would be over your $300 budget. You could shop online for better price, but between shipping and paying an FFL for processing, you probably wouldn't come out any better. If you want a threaded, sporter-weight barrel, you'll have to go over your $300 budget. Oh. And if you have tiny grandkids, you can always get a wood-stocked Rascal, shorten the LOP significantly with a saw and some sandpaper, put a stud on it for a bipod, and it'll do double-duty for you to carry around and for them to shoot. 
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Originally Posted By piperpa24: WOw, thanks for all the replies - Excellent info I will look at all of the ones you mentioned. Trying to keep this about $300 or so, I just want to tale out critters withing about 50 yards. I do have a good 4x weaver scope which is pretty decent, nothing fancy but does the job for what I need. I'll have to spring for some rings. Never thought about a threaded barrel but I like the idea of being able to be suppressed. Thanks all. For that money a Savage heavy barrel is a good choice. |
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Originally Posted By Bigfish9202: I went with a Bergera, but I looked really hard at the Tikka |
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After doing lots of research and considering that my budget is <$400, I'm strongly considering this one: https://savagearms.com/firearms/sku/26737 Savage Mark II Minimalist. Has the features I need plus threaded for a suppressor which I'm thinking would be nice to have. Any opinions on this one? Bergara's look super nice - just can't justify spending that much for this though. |
"I guess you already know that there are angels masquerading as people walking around this planet and your mom was the bravest one of those." - Idgie Threadgoode, Fried Green Tomatoes
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If just for critter control and not for small groups Ruger American rimfire that uses 1022 mags Light, handy and with threaded barrel, quiet |
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“Their swords, and every other terrible implement of the soldier, are the birthright of an American."
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Originally Posted By User55645: @GlutealCleft pretty much nailed it. The Savage mags aren't awesome, but use it enough and they'll be simple to use. Some people hate 10/22 mags but the RAR is a nice rifle. If you stay away from aftermarket mags, you will have a better outcome. |
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Originally Posted By wildearp: I have a CZ varmint and a Ruger 77/22. If I were just starting out, I would buy the Ruger American.  https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/41996/Ruger_77-22_Burris-2979123.jpg I want a threaded barrel and that limits what is going to be available to me. Thanks for all the info I'll post something when I finally get what I want . ETA. I am interested in the Ruger especially for the mags. But threaded barrel..... |
"I guess you already know that there are angels masquerading as people walking around this planet and your mom was the bravest one of those." - Idgie Threadgoode, Fried Green Tomatoes
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Originally Posted By piperpa24: Yeah I do like the CZ 457. It's a bit more than what I want to spend, but I'm evolving. My biggest issue right now is no matter what I decide to buy I'll have to order it. I want a threaded barrel and that limits what is going to be available to me. Thanks for all the info I'll post something when I finally get what I want . ETA. I am interested in the Ruger especially for the mags. But threaded barrel..... Originally Posted By piperpa24: Originally Posted By wildearp: I have a CZ varmint and a Ruger 77/22. If I were just starting out, I would buy the Ruger American. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/41996/Ruger_77-22_Burris-2979123.jpg I want a threaded barrel and that limits what is going to be available to me. Thanks for all the info I'll post something when I finally get what I want . ETA. I am interested in the Ruger especially for the mags. But threaded barrel..... If you do get the threaded barrel and a suppressor, pick up CCI's "Suppressor Max" rounds. 45 grains, plated, super quiet, and segmented hollow points. And they'll cycle semi-autos if you have other guns to run them in. And if you have access to a 3d printer, you can file a free Form 1 and upon approval print a suppressor which will work perfectly well for low-rate-of-fire shooting like squirrels... for about $3. There's so much of a rabbit hole to go down. With another free Form-1 approval, you could also have ADCO cut and thread the barrel of any rifle you bought, and have a handy suppressed SBR that's light and handy for walking around. |
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Originally Posted By piperpa24: After doing lots of research and considering that my budget is <$400, I'm strongly considering this one: https://savagearms.com/firearms/sku/26737 Savage Mark II Minimalist. Has the features I need plus threaded for a suppressor which I'm thinking would be nice to have. Any opinions on this one? Bergara's look super nice - just can't justify spending that much for this though. My Mark II BV is he variant and has been a great rifle over many thousands of rounds. |
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Originally Posted By Goostoff: When I was doing the very same shopping as you I looked for the most bang for the buck and ened up with the Savage Mark II FV-SR. I added the Boyds At-One stock and topped it with a Vortex 3-9X40 scope. This is my "critter gitter" https://images2.imgbox.com/c6/a1/eLVXH4Vn_o.jpg I did want to check the LGS they had a couple used rifles I want to look at next week. |
"I guess you already know that there are angels masquerading as people walking around this planet and your mom was the bravest one of those." - Idgie Threadgoode, Fried Green Tomatoes
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Originally Posted By wildearp: I have a CZ varmint and a Ruger 77/22. If I were just starting out, I would buy the Ruger American. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/41996/Ruger_77-22_Burris-2979123.jpg We could be range buddies! Cz452V and the 77/22 as well. Also have the 77/22 mag stainless boatpaddle and a 452 Scout and a 452 Fullstock. My squirrel rifles most often grabbed are the Fullstock and the 77/22. |
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I initially wanted a Ruger Precision Rifle in .22 but at the time their prices seemed to take off. So I settled on a sweet Camo Ruger American with synthetic stock and really enjoy it. Then I fell into a CZ457 At One. It's super nice. Like both still. American could be a decent hunting rifle, love 1022 mags. CZ is insanely accurate (for what I paid and what I shoot) but the mags leave a little to be desired. Both threaded, both can pop clay targets at 100 with cheap bulk ammo all day long. CZ is a little better at 100. Edit - both threaded and both sound great with a can. |
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Originally Posted By Kaldor: I have a CZ 457. It will stack CCI standards all day at 50 yards. Put a Leupold Freedom 3-9 on it. Its a great rifle. If I was going to buy another? Id probably go with a Bergara or Tikka because the scope mounts are better for higher magnification scopes. I did this with CCI standard and CZ 452 trainer over weekend 50 yards with 4-12 scope 10 shots I think It'd be better if I could put bipod on it Good for meAttached File |
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“Their swords, and every other terrible implement of the soldier, are the birthright of an American."
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 My American Rimfire Target is surprisingly accurate. Even a little better than my Precision Rimfire. DIY trigger job is a simple spring swap and you can get it quite lite if you wish. |
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Originally Posted By SteelonSteel: We could be range buddies! Cz452V and the 77/22 as well. Also have the 77/22 mag stainless boatpaddle and a 452 Scout and a 452 Fullstock. My squirrel rifles most often grabbed are the Fullstock and the 77/22. Originally Posted By SteelonSteel: Originally Posted By wildearp: I have a CZ varmint and a Ruger 77/22. If I were just starting out, I would buy the Ruger American. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/41996/Ruger_77-22_Burris-2979123.jpg We could be range buddies! Cz452V and the 77/22 as well. Also have the 77/22 mag stainless boatpaddle and a 452 Scout and a 452 Fullstock. My squirrel rifles most often grabbed are the Fullstock and the 77/22.  The CZ triggers weren't great back in the day, but factory triggers have evolved greatly. The Ruger has a Timney sear, the CZ has a Timney trigger pack that had to be inleyted a little.  |
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Originally Posted By luv_the_huskers: An oft overlooked rimfire is the CVA Cascade Rimfire. Bergara barrels and Ruger rotary mags. Reviews are very good. Price is right. Both have thread barrels, scope ready. The thing about the CVA is that it uses Ruger 10/22 mags whereas the Savage mags are similar but not 10/22 compatible. The Savage is a few bucks cheaper but they're both in the $350 range. I'm going to pull the trigger on one of them - |
"I guess you already know that there are angels masquerading as people walking around this planet and your mom was the bravest one of those." - Idgie Threadgoode, Fried Green Tomatoes
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Originally Posted By wildearp: It is odd to say these are boringly accurate rifles, but they are. Effortless shooters. The CZ triggers weren't great back in the day, but factory triggers have evolved greatly. The Ruger has a Timney sear, the CZ has a Timney trigger pack that had to be inleyted a little. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/41996/CZ_Varmint-2979085.jpg Originally Posted By wildearp: Originally Posted By SteelonSteel: Originally Posted By wildearp: I have a CZ varmint and a Ruger 77/22. If I were just starting out, I would buy the Ruger American. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/41996/Ruger_77-22_Burris-2979123.jpg We could be range buddies! Cz452V and the 77/22 as well. Also have the 77/22 mag stainless boatpaddle and a 452 Scout and a 452 Fullstock. My squirrel rifles most often grabbed are the Fullstock and the 77/22. The CZ triggers weren't great back in the day, but factory triggers have evolved greatly. The Ruger has a Timney sear, the CZ has a Timney trigger pack that had to be inleyted a little. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/41996/CZ_Varmint-2979085.jpg I picked up my CZ5452 Varmint used. Someone already swapped the spring and that trigger was just too light for my comfort. My 452 Fullstock still out shoots it. I’m just a sucker for .22s. My last .22 I bought this winter was a Winchester 75 that had a globe front and the shop already raided the junior sight. I already had an OEM Winchester brand sight that I got in a box of mystery sights that either the seller nor I knew what it was at the time. It wants to shoot but the trigger is just ok and is holding it back. I am spoiled as I bought a number of target .22s from CMP when the was emptying the warehouses of the old trainers. 2 40x, a 52C, an Anschutz 12xx super match whatever three position rifle. I am missing the hook butt plate though. |
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Originally Posted By craig24680: If just for critter control and not for small groups Ruger American rimfire that uses 1022 mags Light, handy and with threaded barrel, quiet This. I think mine came with rings, but also 10/22. |
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Update: So I had pretty well decided on a CVA but while I was visiting my daughter in GA I was discussing this with my SIL and he offered me a rifle that he bought a while back but never really used it. So he he said it was mine if I wanted it. DOH! Never ask a guy if he wants to have a perfectly working gun - he pulls it out and shows it to me and I'm immediately intrigued. I've never heard of this handy light weight rifle that's threaded for a suppressor and a rail for an optic. It's just a single shot but that isn't a show stopper for what I'll be using it for. Anyone have any experience with this critter? I cleaned and lubed it up (I can tell it was sitting in his garage for a while) but it feels pretty smooth now. Anyone have any experience with these? The stock collapses but extends back 11" from the end of the receiver. Attached File |
"I guess you already know that there are angels masquerading as people walking around this planet and your mom was the bravest one of those." - Idgie Threadgoode, Fried Green Tomatoes
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Originally Posted By piperpa24: Update: So I had pretty well decided on a CVA but while I was visiting my daughter in GA I was discussing this with my SIL and he offered me a rifle that he bought a while back but never really used it. So he he said it was mine if I wanted it. DOH! Never ask a guy if he wants to have a perfectly working gun - he pulls it out and shows it to me and I'm immediately intrigued. I've never heard of this handy light weight rifle that's threaded for a suppressor and a rail for an optic. It's just a single shot but that isn't a show stopper for what I'll be using it for. Anyone have any experience with this critter? I cleaned and lubed it up (I can tell it was sitting in his garage for a while) but it feels pretty smooth now. Anyone have any experience with these? The stock collapses but extends back 11" from the end of the receiver. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/237346/Overlander_jpg-3805715.JPG Not familiar with it, but it looks like a dressed-up Cricket. In my opinion, there are only two downsides to a Cricket - how you cock it, and potentially the trigger pull. If you don't mind how it cocks, and the trigger pull is decent on that one, see how it shoots, and you might be perfectly set. |
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Originally Posted By GlutealCleft: Not familiar with it, but it looks like a dressed-up Cricket. In my opinion, there are only two downsides to a Cricket - how you cock it, and potentially the trigger pull. If you don't mind how it cocks, and the trigger pull is decent on that one, see how it shoots, and you might be perfectly set. |
"I guess you already know that there are angels masquerading as people walking around this planet and your mom was the bravest one of those." - Idgie Threadgoode, Fried Green Tomatoes
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Originally Posted By piperpa24: I did try the trigger pull on a fired 22 and it isn't great - but when I get my scope mounted and sighted in we'll see how it runs. I had to order some rings the ones I have won't work. Buy a brick of cheap ammo and shoot it. Things will likely smooth out a bit. |
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Got the scope mounted and bore sighted. Set up a target back in the woods behind the house and made some preliminary zeroing adjustments on the scope but it's close. Still need more fine tuning but some observations: This 16" barrel is loud! I definitely need a suppressor. The trigger could be better and I'm not a fan of the collapsing wire stock - the LOP is a bit short. Have to get some drier weather to get it zero'd to see about real accuracy. UPDATE: It's dialed in the accuracy is very good but I don't like the stock, it keeps slipping and won't stay fully extended. Not acceptable and there are no reasonable upgrades for this rifle. Its a handy little backup or truck rifle but I'm pretty sure I'm going with the CVA Cascade .22 bolt action. Attached File |
"I guess you already know that there are angels masquerading as people walking around this planet and your mom was the bravest one of those." - Idgie Threadgoode, Fried Green Tomatoes
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Originally Posted By piperpa24:I'm pretty sure I'm going with the CVA Cascade .22 bolt action. |
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