What is a good .22lr

[TheBassMan]

I am looking for a new .22lr. I was wondering what gun manufacturer makes the best one. But there also is the choice of buying a .17HMR. I will be using it on rabbits and squirrles mostly. Would it be to powerful, and totally rip them to shreds. I would like some advise

[mauser06]

i have a marlin model 25 i think it is..in 22lr.......deadly accurate....and it kills rabbit squirrels and groundhogs dead.......just head shot one at 50yds yesteday actually....the 22stinger did a nice job......im so accurate with a 22 its not funny....no recoil and ive shot mine 10000s of times...ive head shot a tree rat at 75.......dropped him like a brick......and ammo is dirt cheap.....the 17 may be faster and drop less but thats all it got on the 22......and for rabbits and squirrels distance wont be that far anyways.....and the 22 isnt going anywhere.....id go with a 22.......

[oldelkhunter]

I have a CZ 22lr and it is by far the most accurate 22 lr I have owned. I was looking at Kimbers also but cannot justify their price especially after seeing the groups this CZ shoots. I have also owned ruger 22 rifles specifically the 77/22 and the 77/22 Mag with laminated stock and none impressed me like this CZ does

[IrishLad32]

What are some thoughts on Henry repeating arms? I'm wanting to get a 22 lever action for squirrel and saw a Henry for just over $200. For the price it doesn't seem like it can be beat, but I don't want an unreliable firearm.

B S Jones

[rile1564]

I have a couple Anschutz's. They are the most accurate. BUT they come at a price. A high price. The cheap ones
are around $800.. If you were even considering one, go for a used one made in the 70's or even early 80's.
The new ones aren't worth the box they come in, and are still expensive as all hell. They are also beautiful rifles. The CZ's are really nice too.

[DearSlayer357]

Remington Speedmaster, it's a semi-auto.

[firstshot]

TheBassMan

Unless you are seriously getting into paper punching, or are not at all limited by budget, you really don't need the "best made" .22lr out there. Like rile1564 indicated, the really accurate 1/2" or less shooters like the Anschutz's, Kimber's, etc. can quickly run into the thousands of dollars.

For squirrels & rabbits & such, there are a lot of good guns out there that will get the job done. Basically anything that can consistently hit a 1" circle @ 25 Yds (minute of squirrel head) will work, although I personally like a little tighter groups than that. Which to recommend would really depend on your budget and "type of gun" preference.

In my, very biased opinion, the Marlin 39A is the best lever action out there. (No offense to the Winchester 9422 owners) I own a Marlin 1897 Century Limited (39A) with a Burris 4-12X32 and just love it. It's very solid, very acurate and just a pleasure to shoot.


For a semi-auto, my pick (although I don't own one) would be the Thompson Center 22 Benchmark.


For a bolt action (short of an Anschutz) it would be very hard to go wrong with a CZ 452.


Good luck in your search!

firstshot

[KonaBoy]

I heard the Remington 504 is a great .22 for the price.

[sot_II]

It's a good .22 for the price, but not a great one. if it were about $150 LESS it would be a GREAT .22 for the price.

ORIGINAL: KonaBoy

I heard the Remington 504 is a great .22 for the price.

[sot_II]

The Marlin 980V is a pretty darn good little gun, very accurate - has a MUCH better trigger than the 880 SQ, looks about the same and is fairly inexpensive.