Hey fellow Ingo rimfire shooters. Like a lot of folks I've been talking to lately, spending more time with the 22 stuff seems to be a good way to help conserve centerfire ammo, given the current "pandemic". I've had 22LR bolt guns on the brain again for awhile now and I'm hoping some other opinions can help me make a decision here.
I have a stockpile of CCI SV and Aguila SV ammo, so any decisions need to be made with that ammo in mind. Which might be the limiting factor also.
I mainly shoot benchrest at 50 yards.
Here's what I want to accomplish:
- Shoot consistent 1 moa groups at 50 yards, migrate to 100 yards and then eventually spend time learning to hate the wind at 200 yards.
- Use the ammo I already have.
Here's what I want to spend:
- My comfort area on guns has always been in the $500-$600 range, but I've been known to splurge and get over $1000 at times, if the extra cost is really worth it in regards to performance/quality/etc.
So, we'll say $500 is the budget, unless I can really convince myself that the $1000 rifle would perform $500 better.
Here's my experience with rifles I've owned before:
- Savage MKII FV-SR. Good accuracy, tight chamber, had issues with extraction, hated the mag design, flimsy plastic stock. BUT...it was a $250 rifle. This was many years ago.
- Ruger Precision Rimfire w/Green Mountain barrel. Good accuracy, eventually grew tired of the plastic chassis as it seemed a little flimsy (mainly in the stock area). Hard to explain, but the rifle just didn't feel like quality to me. Averaged 0.702" groups with CCI SV at 50 yards.
*Not bolt guns, but mentioning for accuracy reasons/comparison:
- M&P15-22. Averages 1.173" with CCI SV at 50 yards.
- Tippmann M4-22. Averages 0.741" with CCI SV at 50 yards. I have upgraded to a Larue trigger that I've got down to 3lbs using the Tippmann OEM springs. So my average has potential for improvement on this rifle. Have not shot with new trigger yet.
Rifles I've been looking at, in order of interest:
- Tikka T1X. Around $500, I've handled in person, really like the smoothness of the action, seems well made, the factory plastic stock leaves me uncertain if I will grow to not like it and want to get aftermarket.
- Savage B22 Precision. Also around $500. I really really like the MDT chassis on this one, action not as nice as the Tikka, questionable reliability based on internet forums/reviews (extractor, mags, bullet scraping, accuracy).
- Savage B22 FV-SR. Around $300. Save money over the Precision if it shoots as accurately? I fondled one at the Sportsmans Warehouse (We The People / Overwatch version) and the stock was flimsier than the Tikka.
- CZ 457 Pro Varmint or AT-One. $550 - $750. Friend has the AT-One, it's awesome, but will it shoot well for me? Pro-Varmint is available on GB for $200 less. Never shot one before (that I can remember).
- Bergara B-14 R. $900. This is really pushing the budget. I've heard good things, but not handled one. I've handled the BXR, though that's not really the same, it did give me a glimpse of the build quality. Seemed nice.
Do I have unrealistic expectations with the ammo I have on hand? I'd hate to buy match ammo in this current market.
Should I just spend more time with my Tippmann and save money?
Should I take up knitting, puzzles and reading books instead of being on the internet?
I have a stockpile of CCI SV and Aguila SV ammo, so any decisions need to be made with that ammo in mind. Which might be the limiting factor also.
I mainly shoot benchrest at 50 yards.
Here's what I want to accomplish:
- Shoot consistent 1 moa groups at 50 yards, migrate to 100 yards and then eventually spend time learning to hate the wind at 200 yards.
- Use the ammo I already have.
Here's what I want to spend:
- My comfort area on guns has always been in the $500-$600 range, but I've been known to splurge and get over $1000 at times, if the extra cost is really worth it in regards to performance/quality/etc.
So, we'll say $500 is the budget, unless I can really convince myself that the $1000 rifle would perform $500 better.
Here's my experience with rifles I've owned before:
- Savage MKII FV-SR. Good accuracy, tight chamber, had issues with extraction, hated the mag design, flimsy plastic stock. BUT...it was a $250 rifle. This was many years ago.
- Ruger Precision Rimfire w/Green Mountain barrel. Good accuracy, eventually grew tired of the plastic chassis as it seemed a little flimsy (mainly in the stock area). Hard to explain, but the rifle just didn't feel like quality to me. Averaged 0.702" groups with CCI SV at 50 yards.
*Not bolt guns, but mentioning for accuracy reasons/comparison:
- M&P15-22. Averages 1.173" with CCI SV at 50 yards.
- Tippmann M4-22. Averages 0.741" with CCI SV at 50 yards. I have upgraded to a Larue trigger that I've got down to 3lbs using the Tippmann OEM springs. So my average has potential for improvement on this rifle. Have not shot with new trigger yet.
Rifles I've been looking at, in order of interest:
- Tikka T1X. Around $500, I've handled in person, really like the smoothness of the action, seems well made, the factory plastic stock leaves me uncertain if I will grow to not like it and want to get aftermarket.
- Savage B22 Precision. Also around $500. I really really like the MDT chassis on this one, action not as nice as the Tikka, questionable reliability based on internet forums/reviews (extractor, mags, bullet scraping, accuracy).
- Savage B22 FV-SR. Around $300. Save money over the Precision if it shoots as accurately? I fondled one at the Sportsmans Warehouse (We The People / Overwatch version) and the stock was flimsier than the Tikka.
- CZ 457 Pro Varmint or AT-One. $550 - $750. Friend has the AT-One, it's awesome, but will it shoot well for me? Pro-Varmint is available on GB for $200 less. Never shot one before (that I can remember).
- Bergara B-14 R. $900. This is really pushing the budget. I've heard good things, but not handled one. I've handled the BXR, though that's not really the same, it did give me a glimpse of the build quality. Seemed nice.
Do I have unrealistic expectations with the ammo I have on hand? I'd hate to buy match ammo in this current market.
Should I just spend more time with my Tippmann and save money?
Should I take up knitting, puzzles and reading books instead of being on the internet?