Rimfire rifle for girlfriend

[BehindBlueI's]

With the understanding that I claim no expertise or wide base of knowledge, I like my Savage .22s. The Savage Accu-trigger is quite nice.

For a real purdy wood stock, maybe: https://www.savagearms.com/content?p...ummary&s=70210 ?

[JHC]

So my girlfriend has expressed an interest in buying a rifle. Specifically, a .22. She is very into lite prepping and wants a rifle that would be fun to learn the basics of marksmanship with, but also would be practical for taking small game. Planning on buying this for her as an Xmas gift.

No real preference on semi vs. bolt. Would prefer a traditional looking rifle (ie. wood stock or similar). I want this to be her gun, so something that is reasonably user friendly to field strip would be a plus (bolt guns have appeal here).

Currently looking at the 10/22 and the CZ 457 Rimfire series. Any other suggestions? Also will probably want some kind of reasonably inexpensive optic to go with this - not sure about scope vs. red dot, but open to suggestions.

The last rimfire rifle I owned was a Marlin Model 60 that was a massive POS that I literally gave away, so I have no experience in this regard whatsoever. All advice is appreciated. thanks!

Oh boy I just bought a 10/22. The Compact model. Youth length 12.5" stock and 16" barrel. $240 @ my LGS. Fiber optic iron sights and synthetic stock. It weighs just over 4 lbs!

Out of the box perfectly zeroed for 40 gr at 25 yards. What's up with that? A 62 year first! Good trigger too.

It's a screaming riot to shoot.I can't wait to have my wife and DILs shoot it.

[Totem Polar]

The 10/22 is solid; I have a couple myself. I’m quite fond of the takedown version (with 2-7 Leupold) that I can trot around in a copper basin backpack designed for covert carry. Cheap, greasy spycraft fun.

https://www.ruger.com/products/1022Takedown/models.html





(The above version has contrasting fiber optic sights, and the clever stock holds 3 extra rotary mags—it comes with a total of 4 rotary 10-rounders. Again, turnkey.)


A good second choice to throw into the mix for the quaisi-heirloom vibe is the Henry "small game carbine" in .22LR. Great looks, fit and finish, with the octagon barrel and medium-large loop lever, and it comes with a cool peep sight as standard. GTG for levergun fun right out of the box (carbine on bottom).

https://www.henryusa.com/rifles/henr...carbine-rifle/



For full-on prep lite goodness, one could get the above lever in .22mag instead, and pop the rear sight off the receiver and bolt on the optic of choice, and be insta-survivor, no problem, although the ammo is more expensive; squarely in 9mm territory. JMO. Lots of cool options.


ETA: I forgot to address the optic; check out this thread, wherein I received typically solid P-F advice on the subject. I couldn’t be happier with the Leupy that LL recommended...)

https://pistol-forum.com/showthread....e-for-my-10-22

[JHC]

The 10/22 is solid; I have a couple myself. I’m quite fond of the takedown version (with 2-7 Leupold) that I can trot around in a copper basin backpack designed for covert carry. Cheap, greasy spycraft fun.

https://www.ruger.com/products/1022Takedown/models.html





(The above version has contrasting fiber optic sights, and the clever stock holds 3 extra rotary mags—it cones with a total of 4 rotary 10-rounders. Again, turnkey.)


A good second choice to throw into the mix for the quaisi-heirloom vibe is the Henry "small game carbine" in .22LR. Great looks, fit and finish, with the octagon barrel and medium-large loop lever, and it comes with a cool peep sight as standard. GTG for levergun fun right out of the box (carbine on bottom).

https://www.henryusa.com/rifles/henr...carbine-rifle/



For full-on prep lite goodness, one could get the above lever in .22mag instead, and pop the rear sight off the receiver and bolt on the optic of choice, and be insta-survivor, no problem, although the ammo is more expensive; squarely in 9mm territory. JMO. Lots of cool options.

How does your take down handle holding zero?

[ACP230]

Got several .22 rifles hanging around here.

The ones I shoot most are the 10/22s, a Ruger bolt 77/22, and
a Marlin 39A. The Rugers are scoped and the Marlin lever rifle has
a peep sight. Hard to go wrong with any of those.

[Totem Polar]

How does your take down handle holding zero?

Surprisingly well. I would go so far as to say that I am less consistent range trip-to-range trip than the zero. A better shooter with better eyes and/or a longer range could differ. No issues with minute-of-soda can that I’ve found, either.

[Nephrology]

The 10/22 is solid; I have a couple myself. I’m quite fond of the takedown version (with 2-7 Leupold) that I can trot around in a copper basin backpack designed for covert carry. Cheap, greasy spycraft fun.

https://www.ruger.com/products/1022Takedown/models.html





(The above version has contrasting fiber optic sights, and the clever stock holds 3 extra rotary mags—it comes with a total of 4 rotary 10-rounders. Again, turnkey.)

Re: 10/22s, is there anything I need to know about older models? Purely for economic reasons the 10/22 is very appealing. Lots of used ones in the $100-200 range. Any vintages that are good/bad?

[CCT125US]

Savage MKII FVSR is silly inexpensive compared to its capabilities.



Also very hard to go wrong with a 10/22, we have the pistol takedown version. The rifle length TD may appeal to the prep side of things.

[OlongJohnson]

ETA: I forgot to address the optic; check out this thread, wherein I received typically solid P-F advice on the subject. I couldn’t be happier with the Leupy that LL recommended...)

https://pistol-forum.com/showthread....e-for-my-10-22

If you can find one, these are nice, too.

https://www.leupold.com/scopes/rimfi...mfire-2-7x28mm

Been out of production for a few years. I have one on the way for my 512.

[OlongJohnson]

Savage MKII FVSR is silly inexpensive compared to its capabilities.

That's the one Savage I have.