Bolt action .22lr on a budget?

[u/NoRepublic1224]

I'm a (nearly) broke university student, but I would like to start shooting more frequently and seriously. I'm looking for a bolt action .22lr to mount a scope on and spend some good time practicing with. I'd love to pick up a CZ 457, Tikka T1X, Anschutz, Bergara, etc. but that kind of defeats the purpose of a budget rifle. I might as well just buy bucket loads of centerfire ammo and practice with that.

I'm looking for something under $400, bolt action, .22lr, able to mount a scope without drilling and tapping, and at least passably accurate.

I'm not shy of buying used guns either, most of mine were purchased used. I would love to hear stories of your old Cooeys, Lakefields, Winchesters, Mossbergs, CILs, TOZs etc. that perform above expectation.

Or maybe newer rifles like a Savage mkII, Norinco, or one of the miscellaneous Turkish models would be a better option?

I'm interested to hear your advice and experiences!

[u/Is_300_lexus_jdm]

savage mkii fv. comes with scope bases

[u/Parking_Media → u/Is_300_lexus_jdm]

I think they're still made in Canada too

[u/22GageEnthusiast → u/Parking_Media]

Most current production Savage rifles in 22LR are made in Canada.

[u/Is_300_lexus_jdm → u/22GageEnthusiast]

Put mine into a MDT field stock and it is a treat to shoot

[u/gmachine19 → u/Is_300_lexus_jdm]

I've been looking for a stock for my mark ii and this looks sexy! How much was the stock?

[u/Is_300_lexus_jdm → u/gmachine19]

I bought the stock on black Friday for 300$ after tax.

[u/22GageEnthusiast → u/Is_300_lexus_jdm]

Nice.....could you put a left hand model into that stock? If not, I wonder if MDT makes a left hand stock.

[u/BritBuc-1 → u/22GageEnthusiast]

They do

[u/22GageEnthusiast → u/BritBuc-1]

Nah I checked MDT doesn't make any left hand chassis products for the Mark II platform

[u/BritBuc-1 → u/22GageEnthusiast]

You’re absolutely right, I had seen it say “left hand available”, but it defaults to Rugger Merican SA

[u/Ashkore_The_Dragon → u/22GageEnthusiast]

Lakefield Ontario is where their .22 factory is

[u/EvilWhiteVanMan]

As far as new goes the Savage MK2 is your best option by far. Nothing else comes close under $400

[u/sdr26]

Any new Savage 22. Not prettiest rifles out there mags can be finicky but they are accurate. The accutruggers are nice and crisp for the price point. They are made in Lakefield Ontario.

[u/sdr26 → u/sdr26]

Also I know you saiid bolt action but I wanted to mention that the base model 10/22 ( model 32002) is right around your price point. They are popular for a reason. The new models have features previous did not like bolt sling shot, cleaning port in back of reciever, and magwell cutouts.

[u/LananasCourageux → u/sdr26]

Aren't the Winchester Wildcats also shockingly accurate?

[u/DecentComposer545 → u/LananasCourageux]

Mine is insanely accurate once I found the right ammo. 10 rounds in a dime at 100. For me that is pretty amazing

[u/LongjumpingChipmunk]

Norinco JW-15A is a bit rough around the edges on finish, but a solid value in your budget new. Get a CZ 452 mag to replace the janky factory one. Lots of reviews from NZ and Australia on YouTube as they sound popular there. Don't buy Turk guns.

[u/Cornpop_Cat]

I'd look around for a used CZ 455 or 457. spend a little more money and get a quality rifle you'll enjoy shooting amd want to keep the rest of your life. Buy once cry once, as the saying goes.

[u/BiggerHammer2345]

Bass pro right now has a savage markII bolt action with scope combo for 500$

They also have a ruger semi auto with scope for 520$

[u/22GageEnthusiast]

Your best bet is a Savage Mark II. They're all Canadian made and you can find them for under $400 easily. I like their factory triggers and they can be real tackdrivers for how much they're going for.

[u/BeerGunsMusicFood]

Savage Mk II g

[u/BeerGunsMusicFood]

Savage Mk II g

[u/Odd-Role9805]

I’d recommend checking out the savage mk 2 FV. Comes with an accutrigger, bases and a heavy barrel

[u/GreenMan165]

I've had and enjoyed my Savage Mk II for a lot of years, and enough that I don't see myself spending anything more for a bolt action .22, I feel quite satisfied for what I do with it. Smooth, quite accurate, nice trigger, as mentioned the mags can be a bit finnicky mainly because they're pretty cheap little things.

I've also had a JW25 from Norinco for a long time, a little Kar 98k trainer inspired .22. Certainly not as smooth as the Savage, but has been both reliable and accurate out to what I use the irons to, I love it because it scratches that milsurp itch sometimes for much cheaper per round than the real thing would, and, is a fun whimsical grouse hunter. They're fairly heavy, but a lot of fun to shoot if you appreciate old milsurps.

[u/theLordsSword]

Diana R-22

[u/Vituperate250]

+1 to Savage Mk. II mentions. I had new-condition one for a few years and it was great.

Also, chill and wait. Enjoy your studies, invest yourself in them. There will always be more time to shoot, there may not always be another time to invest in your studies.

[u/Gravy_Tanker]

Budget wise I like my Norinco NR-15. I got mine on sale and it came with 500 rounds of ammo.

I purchased a CZ 452 a few months back used. Got that for $439 shipped to my door. An absolutely beautiful rifle in every way.

[u/marley_hill]

Cooey model 60

[u/spryan-ca → u/marley_hill]

Theres the answer!

[u/marley_hill → u/spryan-ca]

A man of sophistication I see

[u/Relevant_Diver_3228]

Savage mark II is a good one.

[u/Iokua_CDN]

My gun, I don't think is wildly available anymore sadly, but it's the Marlin xt22. Bought for $225 bucks over a decade ago, and been shooting it like crazy ever since!  

[u/NoGrapefruit1213]

I really want to try out a northernrim 13” bolt action they take 10/22 mags and just look super cool imo

[u/NoRepublic1224 → u/NoGrapefruit1213]

It looks interesting, but I'm hesitant on anything Turkish

[u/JimmyKillem]

Im gonna sound like a total dickhead out of ignorance, but have you thought about checking for an estate sale, gunshop,  or auction for a Cooey?

Im sure you could someone to tap it and drop a cheap lil scope on it on a lean budget

Or save the money and shoot irons for awhile until you feel like Tom Selleck

[u/NoRepublic1224 → u/JimmyKillem]

Might be interested in getting a rifle tapped. I'm not sure what the cost of that would be generally. I'm guessing well over $100. The rifle would have to be a good deal for it to be worth it

[u/SSjGuitarist]

It’s not quite under 400, but I really like my Winchester xpert. There is one that comes with a scope, and one without, the receiver is pre tapped, will run with ruger mags if you have a 10/22 and lots of mags. There’s something about the barrel too, it’s not quite as good as a match barrel but the lockup or seating, or something is better than average so it’s in my opinion like a budget match rifle lol

[u/adhq]

As far as bugdet shooting goes, it doesn't get any cheaper than with air rifles. You could get a Gamo break barrel .22 for $300 new (comes with scope) and a box of 500 pellets costs about the same as a box of 100 .22lr rounds.

[u/Disastrous-Chard-502]

Might be able to snipe an anshutz off GP cheap if you're persistent. Check sfrc and intersurplus they both have a bunch of old .22 bolts right now

[u/julienjj]

The savage 64 precision is fun since it comes in a MDT chassis with a rail out of the box. They take 25 rounds mags and are surprisingly accurate with cheap cci ammo and a 70$ bipod.

[u/No-Principle-433]

My mk2 fv works perfect

[u/gassy_guy308]

Scorpio em322.

[u/Such-Rain]

Cooey 600, make sure it has a dovetail cut into it already if you want a scope

[u/IronSack46]

Savage BTV it’s a little over your budget but it’s an amazing budget friendly choice.

[u/old_rug]

Get a used cooey.

[u/MarkDometitaOfSurrey]

Get a norinco JW series 22 LR bolt action (tenda sells them for around 200 dollars). Its a copy of the CZ 452, which is the predecesor to the CZ 457. Not a bad gun to get on budget

[u/itsagrapefruit]

Second hand Ruger American

[u/erpvertsferervrywern]

Ruger 10/22