I'm thinking of getting a target .22, I started with the obvious 10-22 idea but then ditched that.  I've been thinking bolt action really.  I found that Savage makes a model called the Mark II-BV, a five shot heavy barrel model.  It looks pretty nice with it's laminated stock.  

I'm thinking a 3-9x40 scope or maybe a fixed 10x for shooting at 50-100 yards.  

Anyone have experience with this rifle?  Given the reasonable cost I expect the trigger to be lacking a bit but have a good gunsmith that should be able to improve that.  Any watchouts for me?

You going to be shooting matches with it, or just want a good plinker? When I think of a target rifle only one name comes to mind......Anschutz.

No, I'm not talking competitive/benchrest stuff here.  There is no way I'd ever consider spending that kind of cash on a rimfire anyhow!  I briefly looked at the Remington series of rimfires but they cost as much as a nice centerfire.

I've heard a lot of good things about the Savage and will probably buy one myself.  I'm pretty sure they use metallic magazines as well.  I used to have a Rem 541THB and hated the plastic magazines on an otherwise really nice rifle.  You can also add the Rifle Basix trigger to the Savage.  I understand it justs makes it a lot easier to shoot tight groups.  The rifle is supposed to drill out of the box as it is.  Check out rimfirecentral.com.

I have a Mark II BV, excellent bolt 22. The Savage uses an Anschutz action. The only thing I dislike is the extra crappy trigger pull but there are some adjustable aftermarket triggers available for it.

I have a Savage Mark II as well.  The gun is a great shooter.  The only thing lacking is the trigger like tangeant said.  I installed the Rifle Basix replacement trigger and it shoots like a dream.  I got mine here.  Good luck

==>john

If you are not going to compete in matches and just want a really accurate gun that is not a 10/22 (though I don't know why that is a criterion), look into the T/C target auto. Not cheap, but extremely well made and balls on accurate.

I have some savages and though they are nice, they are not in the same league. Their manufacturing processes include lots of stamped metal, no fitting, etc. For instance I have a Savage .22 mag that shot about 1 1/2" groups at 50 yards. Not good at all in my opinion. After about 4 or 5 hours of trigger job and bedding it is not an MOA shooter and no better.

Remember though, no matter what you choose you won't get an MOA shooter out of a .22LR.

Thanks for the input guys.  Lots of stuff to check out, Savage, Thompson (never thought of that one), and I though about CZ too.

markbo- nothing against the 10-22, I've got one.  Just want something different.

I've got the Walmart special Mk II with the thinner barrel and cheap scope, it's a very nice plinker indeed for $99. Five and ten round mags are available.

In my travels I've found a few things out about these rifles.  They're generally more than a little accurate.  The triggers are rough out of the box.  Shooting a few thousand cleans that up some, but there is a process for the WECSOG'er to shim the trigger at home which apparently does great things.  There is one aftermarket trigger kit available, Rifle Basix at around $70-80 if memory serves.

Some of these rifles develop extraction issues.  Mine did inside the first box of ammo.  The problem is a malformed extractor and a weak spring.  Savage will send you both for the asking, their customer service guys did real nice by me and had parts on my desk in 3 days.

It's my favorite rimfire for the moment actually.  Loves Super Colibris.

Will the shorter rounds feed out of the magazine (Colibris, .22 Long's, CB's, etc), or are you single-feeding them? It seems like the longs might work, but the really short ones would tumble when stacked.
-Hobbit

Colibris and super colibris are the same size, a little conical nose.  They feed just fine from the magazine.