r/canadaguns • u/NoRepublic1224 • 15d ago

Buy recommendations Bolt action .22lr on a budget?

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!

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u/GreenMan165 15d ago

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.