The new .22 rifle selection is dismal,,, - Page 2

stinkeypete · September 8, 2021, 11:03 AM

I decided to buy myself the present of an “elite” .22 hunting rifle because life is short, I have the money, and the dog got me out walking woods and fields again in the autumn sunshine.

There are nice bolt action .22s from Savage, Ruger, and CZ and Anshutz and Tika. That runs the range from a couple hundred bucks to about $1500.

It took some doing and some enjoyable weekend drives, but I got a look at the first three. The Savage and Ruger looked nice. When the clerk took the CZ out of the box, all the fellas in the gun shop crowded around.
“What’s that?”
“That’s mine, and that’s my credit card.”
I bought it because it came with two barrels (.17 and .22) and the wood was nice. It’s a beauty, and any fella that sees me with it is thinking “that’s a good looking little rifle.” Not “that’s a tired looking fat old man.”

Now, I have a 10/22 as well. Everyone should have a 10/22 unless you have a Marlin or a Plinkster and wear that warpaint when they have a football game. After much smoothing, crafting, enjoyable work with sandpaper, drill bits, and epoxy, a new trigger group and a pillar to bed the stock, the 10/22 shoots about 1.5 inch groups (10 shots, extreme outer edge to extreme outer edge.) at 50 yards. The CZ does 1.0 inch out of the box.

The number of squirrels in your game bag will be the same.

I enjoyed home-building my 10/22 and am very fond of it. It looks fine, until you put it beside the CZ. Then it looks like a 2x4 with a scope and barrel. Many fellas don’t care, many have more important places to put the $250 difference in price. But I hope my daughter will love my CZ like I do and maybe in 100 years it’ll still be in the family, looking good in hardwood when everything else is plastic.

Are the Premier $1500 .22s worth it? Yes, just not for my budget and needs.

My only problem was finding a good gun shop that had them all to look at, as I did not want to go to a giant warehouse store. I like the little guys better, and finding the CZ took a bit of searching.

I could say “just order the CZ online” but that’s not as fun as seeing it before you throw money at it.

aarondhgraham · September 8, 2021, 11:37 AM

So, I hit my LGS yesterday morning,,,
I wanted to see if he could order a CZ 457 LRP for me.

He said he would go online and try,,,
But he guaranteed that even if he could find one,,,
The distributors would not ship to him because he's too small a fish.

He said they are only shipping to the larger gun stores,,,
The little stores like his just aren't getting any stock.

Something about showing "loyalty" to their biggest customers.

Yesterday afternoon I sat down and called over 20 larger gun shops in the Tulsa/Broken Arrow/Ok City area,,,
Not a one of them had the rifle I want and all said they couldn't (wouldn't) back order one.

This is what I mean when I say the "...selection is dismal."

Aarond

.

TruthTellers · September 8, 2021, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aarondhgraham

So, I hit my LGS yesterday morning,,,
I wanted to see if he could order a CZ 457 LRP for me.

He said he would go online and try,,,
But he guaranteed that even if he could find one,,,
The distributors would not ship to him because he's too small a fish.

He said they are only shipping to the larger gun stores,,,
The little stores like his just aren't getting any stock.

Something about showing "loyalty" to their biggest customers.

Yesterday afternoon I sat down and called over 20 larger gun shops in the Tulsa/Broken Arrow/Ok City area,,,
Not a one of them had the rifle I want and all said they couldn't (wouldn't) back order one.

This is what I mean when I say the "...selection is dismal."

Aarond

.

I feel your pain, Aaron, my small LGS that I have do my transfers is at the mercy of whoever will distribute to them. When I was there a couple weeks ago and saw airgun stuff I knew things were bad. Yeah, they had some consignment guns, they always do, but for new I'm not seeing much. It really doesn't make sense to me to buy new from them anyway, not when I go online and get the same gun and pay no sales tax on it.

stagpanther · September 8, 2021, 01:43 PM

Quote:

It took some doing and some enjoyable weekend drives, but I got a look at the first three. The Savage and Ruger looked nice. When the clerk took the CZ out of the box, all the fellas in the gun shop crowded around.
“What’s that?”
“That’s mine, and that’s my credit card.”
I bought it because it came with two barrels (.17 and .22) and the wood was nice. It’s a beauty, and any fella that sees me with it is thinking “that’s a good looking little rifle.” Not “that’s a tired looking fat old man.”

Sounds like the 457 American convertible. You'll be plenty happy with it I bet.

aarondhgraham · September 8, 2021, 03:57 PM

After almost a year I finally "pulled the trigger",,,
I found a CZ-457 Varmint AT-ONE with 24" barrel in stock at Buds.

This was my 2nd choice after the CZ-457 LRP.

I decided that I was tired of waiting/searching and ordered the dang thing.

So, by the end of next week I should be the proud owner of a new CZ,,,
This rifle is my long awaited retirement gift to myself.

It's a bit late as I retired back on Jan the 8th,,,
But you know, Covid!

I am very excited!

Aarond

.

dgludwig · September 8, 2021, 06:57 PM

Good choice-and I prefer the 24" barrel on a "varmint" rifle.

stagpanther · September 9, 2021, 03:35 AM

excellent!

PzGren · September 21, 2021, 10:16 AM

I have no problem finding a .22 l.r. to spend my money on.

10-96 · September 21, 2021, 01:12 PM

Aarond, The suspense is killing us! Have you picked up the rifle yet? Shot it yet?

BornFighting88 · September 21, 2021, 06:32 PM

Oh I am all about the 10/22 Ruger! Aftermarket parts a plenty. Can get a skin and bones stock model, and do whatever you wish to it!! Price is right, too. IMO.

I had a charger, shot great. Mine was a take down model and I loved taking it down and putting it in its little case to tote around. Sold it for something else.

aarondhgraham · September 22, 2021, 11:41 AM

Aarond, The suspense is killing us! Have you picked up the rifle yet? Shot it yet?

I did pick the rifle up from my LGS,,,
And after a few days trying to find some purple Loctite,,,
I finally have the Weaver adapter rail and the Scope mounted and leveled.

Today is my regular scheduled day of "lawn work grunt labor",,,
I'll be taking the rifle out to the range on Thursday morning.

Aarond

.

Jack O'Conner · September 22, 2021, 12:18 PM

Henry purchased the ERMA patent for their 22LR levergun. This is a reliable action originally designed in West Germany. Accuracy is quite good when fitted with a good scope sight and Winchester hollow tip ammo.

Leverguns are not for everyone but I love 'em!

Jack

stagpanther · October 3, 2021, 10:36 PM

Your new rifle probably has a similar barrel to mine; it's expensive ammo but be sure to try some RWS R-50, most ammo shoots very well out of mine but the R-50 is lights out the best of them all in my CZ457.

BornFighting88 · October 6, 2021, 04:32 PM

Ruger 10/22 modified to be my range day tack driver!! I can’t say the 22 selection has gone dismal. Just gotta know what you are looking for and never stop until you find it.

chadio · October 7, 2021, 11:51 AM

Enjoying this thread very much!

darkgael - please tell us more about the Anschutz

PzGren - same, please tell us more about your Anschutz

BornFighting88 - that is one terribly cool 10/22 pup, please tell us more

(last but certainly not least)

aarondhgraham surely you've had a chance to fire that lovely CZ, tell us about it!!!

BornFighting88 · October 7, 2021, 07:46 PM

Sadly, the chap that made the custom stock for the 10/22 passed away recently. He was a great asset to the firearms community, and his loss is tragic. I don’t know if any of you have purchased his goods before, but it was a Mr. Matt Schuster out of California. Ironic how some of (arguably most of) the best firearm add-ons or upgrades come out of Khalif-Arabia…

Just a chassis system of sorts. You have to purchase your own aftermarket bull barrel. WhistlePig Barrels was the one he suggested and I purchased. Reasonable, for sure. Had to do just the tiniest bit of fitting, as the barrel shank was a tad fat. No big deal. Have done it before, and can do it again if need be. He provided detailed instructions on how to put it together, too. Super simple. Set of SAE hex wrenches, your receiver, new barrel added, and some time. I also had to send my trigger unit out to him for him to fit the linkages to make it a true bull pup. Stellar work.

Thing weighs a proverbial ton. Recoil absorbed as if you can just keep yanking that trigger, and it does go bang, but doesn’t even move the crosshairs off of the target.

Fashioned after the venerable Walther WA2000, as you can all plainly see. Much easier on the wallet than a real one.

darkgael · October 8, 2021, 06:02 AM

Quote:

darkgael - please tell us more about the Anschutz

Well….ok. It is not really a hunting rifle, though it could easily be used for that purpose. It is designed to be carried on one’s back over snow covered trails and to function reliably in bad, cold, weather.
It comes with five magazines. It has an accessory rail which allows attachment of a sling and a quick off-on harness.
It does not come with a rear sight. Ya gotta buy that. $$$$ (although no one says that you have to buy an Anschutz rear.) It slides on to a dovetail. I had a scope mounted on mine for a while, for hunting. High rings were a must as the Front sight is integral.
The straight pull bolt is very smooth and reliable. It functions with, literally, a flick of the wrist. It is a very robust firearm.
The downside is cost. Current prices are more than double what I paid back in 2022. (Current = $4500 - $5600 + the rear sight)

aarondhgraham · October 8, 2021, 11:39 AM

aarondhgraham surely you've had a chance to fire that lovely CZ, tell us about it!!!

I'm almost too embarrassed to admit it.

Between the rainy weather,,,
The onset of a week long malady,,,
And emergency home repairs that couldn't be delayed,,,

I haven't fired the rifle as yet.

It's all ready to go,,,
Scope mounted and leveled,,,
Stock adjusted to (I hope) optmal configuration,,,
Targets and Ammo all ready in the trusty old range bag.

I'm hoping for this Sunday.

Aarond

.

September 8, 2021, 11:03 AM	#26
stinkeypete Senior Member Join Date: July 22, 2010 Location: Madison, Wisconsin Posts: 1,293	I decided to buy myself the present of an “elite” .22 hunting rifle because life is short, I have the money, and the dog got me out walking woods and fields again in the autumn sunshine. There are nice bolt action .22s from Savage, Ruger, and CZ and Anshutz and Tika. That runs the range from a couple hundred bucks to about $1500. It took some doing and some enjoyable weekend drives, but I got a look at the first three. The Savage and Ruger looked nice. When the clerk took the CZ out of the box, all the fellas in the gun shop crowded around. “What’s that?” “That’s mine, and that’s my credit card.” I bought it because it came with two barrels (.17 and .22) and the wood was nice. It’s a beauty, and any fella that sees me with it is thinking “that’s a good looking little rifle.” Not “that’s a tired looking fat old man.” Now, I have a 10/22 as well. Everyone should have a 10/22 unless you have a Marlin or a Plinkster and wear that warpaint when they have a football game. After much smoothing, crafting, enjoyable work with sandpaper, drill bits, and epoxy, a new trigger group and a pillar to bed the stock, the 10/22 shoots about 1.5 inch groups (10 shots, extreme outer edge to extreme outer edge.) at 50 yards. The CZ does 1.0 inch out of the box. The number of squirrels in your game bag will be the same. I enjoyed home-building my 10/22 and am very fond of it. It looks fine, until you put it beside the CZ. Then it looks like a 2x4 with a scope and barrel. Many fellas don’t care, many have more important places to put the $250 difference in price. But I hope my daughter will love my CZ like I do and maybe in 100 years it’ll still be in the family, looking good in hardwood when everything else is plastic. Are the Premier $1500 .22s worth it? Yes, just not for my budget and needs. My only problem was finding a good gun shop that had them all to look at, as I did not want to go to a giant warehouse store. I like the little guys better, and finding the CZ took a bit of searching. I could say “just order the CZ online” but that’s not as fun as seeing it before you throw money at it. __________________ My book "The Pheasant Hunter's Action Adventure Cookbook" is now on Amazon. Tall tales, hunting tips, butchering from bird to the freezer, and recipes. Last edited by stinkeypete; September 8, 2021 at 11:16 AM.

September 8, 2021, 11:37 AM	#27
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	So, I hit my LGS yesterday morning,,, So, I hit my LGS yesterday morning,,, I wanted to see if he could order a CZ 457 LRP for me. He said he would go online and try,,, But he guaranteed that even if he could find one,,, The distributors would not ship to him because he's too small a fish. He said they are only shipping to the larger gun stores,,, The little stores like his just aren't getting any stock. Something about showing "loyalty" to their biggest customers. Yesterday afternoon I sat down and called over 20 larger gun shops in the Tulsa/Broken Arrow/Ok City area,,, Not a one of them had the rifle I want and all said they couldn't (wouldn't) back order one. This is what I mean when I say the "...selection is dismal." Aarond . __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

September 8, 2021, 03:57 PM	#30
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	After almost a year I finally "pulled the trigger",,, After almost a year I finally "pulled the trigger",,, I found a CZ-457 Varmint AT-ONE with 24" barrel in stock at Buds. This was my 2nd choice after the CZ-457 LRP. I decided that I was tired of waiting/searching and ordered the dang thing. So, by the end of next week I should be the proud owner of a new CZ,,, This rifle is my long awaited retirement gift to myself. It's a bit late as I retired back on Jan the 8th,,, But you know, Covid! I am very excited! Aarond . __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

September 8, 2021, 06:57 PM	#31
dgludwig Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2005 Location: North central Ohio Posts: 7,486	Good choice-and I prefer the 24" barrel on a "varmint" rifle. __________________ ONLY AN ARMED PEOPLE CAN BE TRULY FREE ; ONLY AN UNARMED PEOPLE CAN EVER BE ENSLAVED ...Aristotle NRA Benefactor Life Member

September 9, 2021, 03:35 AM	#32
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 11,789	excellent! __________________ "Everyone speaks gun."--Robert O'Neill *I am NOT an expert--I do not have any formal experience or certification in firearms use or testing; use any information I post at your own risk!*

September 21, 2021, 10:16 AM	#33
PzGren Senior Member Join Date: August 14, 2001 Posts: 1,260	I have no problem finding a .22 l.r. to spend my money on.

September 21, 2021, 01:12 PM	#34
10-96 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Tx Panhandle Territory Posts: 4,160	Aarond, The suspense is killing us! Have you picked up the rifle yet? Shot it yet? __________________ Rednecks... Keeping the woods critter-free since March 2, 1836. (TX Independence Day) I suspect a thing or two... because I've seen a thing or two.

September 21, 2021, 06:32 PM	#35
BornFighting88 Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2021 Posts: 455	Oh I am all about the 10/22 Ruger! Aftermarket parts a plenty. Can get a skin and bones stock model, and do whatever you wish to it!! Price is right, too. IMO. I had a charger, shot great. Mine was a take down model and I loved taking it down and putting it in its little case to tote around. Sold it for something else.

September 22, 2021, 11:41 AM	#36
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	Hello 10-96,,, Aarond, The suspense is killing us! Have you picked up the rifle yet? Shot it yet? I did pick the rifle up from my LGS,,, And after a few days trying to find some purple Loctite,,, I finally have the Weaver adapter rail and the Scope mounted and leveled. Today is my regular scheduled day of "lawn work grunt labor",,, I'll be taking the rifle out to the range on Thursday morning. Aarond . __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

September 22, 2021, 12:18 PM	#37
Jack O'Conner Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2005 Location: Manatee County, Florida Posts: 1,976	Henry purchased the ERMA patent for their 22LR levergun. This is a reliable action originally designed in West Germany. Accuracy is quite good when fitted with a good scope sight and Winchester hollow tip ammo. Leverguns are not for everyone but I love 'em! Jack __________________ Fire up the grill! Deer hunting IS NOT catch and release.

October 3, 2021, 10:36 PM	#38
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 11,789	Your new rifle probably has a similar barrel to mine; it's expensive ammo but be sure to try some RWS R-50, most ammo shoots very well out of mine but the R-50 is lights out the best of them all in my CZ457. __________________ "Everyone speaks gun."--Robert O'Neill *I am NOT an expert--I do not have any formal experience or certification in firearms use or testing; use any information I post at your own risk!*

October 7, 2021, 11:51 AM	#40
chadio Senior Member Join Date: June 29, 2011 Posts: 931	Enjoying this thread very much! darkgael - please tell us more about the Anschutz PzGren - same, please tell us more about your Anschutz BornFighting88 - that is one terribly cool 10/22 pup, please tell us more (last but certainly not least) aarondhgraham surely you've had a chance to fire that lovely CZ, tell us about it!!! __________________ Ex - Navy, Persian Gulf Veteran. Loved shooting the M14, 1911, M60, M2

October 7, 2021, 07:46 PM	#41
BornFighting88 Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2021 Posts: 455	Sadly, the chap that made the custom stock for the 10/22 passed away recently. He was a great asset to the firearms community, and his loss is tragic. I don’t know if any of you have purchased his goods before, but it was a Mr. Matt Schuster out of California. Ironic how some of (arguably most of) the best firearm add-ons or upgrades come out of Khalif-Arabia… Just a chassis system of sorts. You have to purchase your own aftermarket bull barrel. WhistlePig Barrels was the one he suggested and I purchased. Reasonable, for sure. Had to do just the tiniest bit of fitting, as the barrel shank was a tad fat. No big deal. Have done it before, and can do it again if need be. He provided detailed instructions on how to put it together, too. Super simple. Set of SAE hex wrenches, your receiver, new barrel added, and some time. I also had to send my trigger unit out to him for him to fit the linkages to make it a true bull pup. Stellar work. Thing weighs a proverbial ton. Recoil absorbed as if you can just keep yanking that trigger, and it does go bang, but doesn’t even move the crosshairs off of the target. Fashioned after the venerable Walther WA2000, as you can all plainly see. Much easier on the wallet than a real one.

October 8, 2021, 11:39 AM	#43
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	Hello chadio,,, aarondhgraham surely you've had a chance to fire that lovely CZ, tell us about it!!! I'm almost too embarrassed to admit it. Between the rainy weather,,, The onset of a week long malady,,, And emergency home repairs that couldn't be delayed,,, I haven't fired the rifle as yet. It's all ready to go,,, Scope mounted and leveled,,, Stock adjusted to (I hope) optmal configuration,,, Targets and Ammo all ready in the trusty old range bag. I'm hoping for this Sunday. Aarond . __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)