Hello all, Posting in this group since there are obviously a lot of gun owners here, but my firearm experience is precisely the opposite of what many of you probably grew up on. I started with pistols and never learned how to properly shoot/sight in a rifle. I do okay with a handgun. I do okay with a shotgun. But I never learned much about what most would consider the fundamentals. Long story short, I'm in the market for a bolt-action rimfire for training. I'd like to start with iron sights before working with a scope (again, working on the fundamentals). Any suggestions? I'm mostly leaning toward a Marlin XT-22, but I'm open to other ideas.
Really depends on several things, including cost. I was a crack shot with my J.C.Higgins, beat up, bent front sight, bottom of the basket, bolt action .22 when young. Both of my girls in their early teens saved up (with a little help) and bought Anshultz .22s that put my skills to shame in comparison games with theirs, but they were expensive. Lot’s good used .bolt .22s from a lot of sources, including estate sales. Head to a gun show and see what feels good. If you have a 10/22 check out Ruger’s American... same mags.
Heard great things of the CZ and I definitely have a respect for their handguns, so if the quality translates, I'm sold. And good points on buying used (and +1 for the avatar image, An Taibhse).
Thanks. I have a friend with a CZ, 455 I think; he raves on the accuracy of his... but then while I can’t remember the optic he has for it, it likely cost more than the rifle. Not sure if he has hunted with it, seemed pretty long for my taste; my 10/22 is plenty accurate for my hunting purposes and seems more handy in the woods.
.22LR still a bit hard to find around here (most stores stock it, but limit purchase to two boxes per customer per day, and still run out half the week). But they never seem to run out of .17 HMR or .22 Win Mag. I've never shot either, but both are most commonly bolt actioned and i figure would likely be great starters/plinkers.
I like the Savage rifles with their quick change barrel and AccuTrigger © I like the concept of a versatile rifle you don't need heavy shop tools to work on. Very economical as well.
For iron sights the .22 is basically a Kentucky windage gun. It doesn't really have the range for significant sight adjustments, and many models don't really have any options, aside from elevation on the back sight. If you plan to go for a scope anyway, just make sure its mounted correctly, and then the precision adjusts will actually become more important. That's my opinion and experience with .22. I guess it really matters what you want it for and what you are willing to spend.
Depends on the .22, the shooter, and the practicality for the application. Rabbits and squirrels under 35 yrds, stationary or running, familiarity with the gun, eye sight, type of open sights...lots of factors. Watching my girls before they made 15 competing against each other in one of their games, picking off, aspirin at distances I could’t see them was pretty amazing.
Very true, I suppose its just the caliber in my mind, not one I associate with zeroing and anything outside of Kentucky windage and fun shooting...
I've got a savage 10fp in .308 that I may rebarrel to 6.5 creedmore. Other manufacturers are moving to quick change barrels now as well.
I know you said bolt action but if you're looking for a fun gun to shoot with iron sights, the Henry Golden Boy in 22lr is a whole lotta fun. But if set on bolt action you can't go wrong with either savage or CZ as recommended above.
Savage makes a really nice rifle with an "accutrigger" it comes with a five round magazine but the basic Savage Ten rounder works. It has nice target sights. This is it and it is the best rifle, IMHO to teach basic to advanced rifle skills. I used to shoot a Anschutz 54 in competition, I wish this savage was available back then to train with https://savagearms.com/content?p=firearms&a=product_summary&s=28800
Thanks for all of the advice, folks! I went with the CZ, but I appreciate the other opinions. I'll check back in for my next purchase. Lots of good input.
Great choice. I taught both my kids to shoot with one. It’s a fun accurate rifle. Youll be impressed when you’re tagging targets out to a hundred yards.