Another dilemna - which rimfire to get?

[greywolf2112]

I must say that I LOVE Sako and Tikka rifles.  The fit, finish, SMOOOOOOTH as butter bolts, and triggers.  I would like to get a nice .22LR bolt gun, plus a .17 HMR or Mach2.

I was surfing around and saw the Sako Quad - for about $1250-$1400 I can have one rifle with 4 interchangeable barrels (.22LR, .22WMR, .17 Mach 2, .17 HMR).  Or I could spend about $800 and get one caliber and eventually get the others (probably a little more expensive that way).

But I am reading good things about the CZ 452 rifles as well.

So . . . . don't know what to do - would a Sako .22 rifle that I can eventually change into other calibers be preferable to going with a CZ 452?  I can get the CZ, stainless, with synthetic stock, for about $310.  I suppose I could then also get a CZ in .17 for about the same - seems like under $700 for 2 rifles is kinda nice compared to about $1100 for the Sako and one barrel.

But is the CZ comparable in accuracy, trigger feel, and most importantly bolt smoothness?

[TScottO]

On the expensive end I would look at Kimber or Ansultz. For modest price guns I do not think you will find better gun to gun consistence than CZ.

Take Care,
Scott

[Lawdog]

I must say that I LOVE Sako and Tikka rifles.  The fit, finish, SMOOOOOOTH as butter bolts, and triggers.  I would like to get a nice .22LR bolt gun, plus a .17 HMR or Mach2.

I was surfing around and saw the Sako Quad - for about $1250-$1400 I can have one rifle with 4 interchangeable barrels (.22LR, .22WMR, .17 Mach 2, .17 HMR).  Or I could spend about $800 and get one caliber and eventually get the others (probably a little more expensive that way).

But I am reading good things about the CZ 452 rifles as well.

So . . . . don't know what to do - would a Sako .22 rifle that I can eventually change into other calibers be preferable to going with a CZ 452?  I can get the CZ, stainless, with synthetic stock, for about $310.  I suppose I could then also get a CZ in .17 for about the same - seems like under $700 for 2 rifles is kinda nice compared to about $1100 for the Sako and one barrel.

But is the CZ comparable in accuracy, trigger feel, and most importantly bolt smoothness?

Why not get a Ruger M77/22M for less than $400.00 and then order a set(2) of Green Mountain barrels for another $179.95.  then you would have a .22 WMR and a .17 HMR with, in my opinion, the best barrels for rimfires available today.  Easy to switch them around any time you feel the need.  Lawdog
 

[greywolf2112]

I must say that I LOVE Sako and Tikka rifles.  The fit, finish, SMOOOOOOTH as butter bolts, and triggers.  I would like to get a nice .22LR bolt gun, plus a .17 HMR or Mach2.

I was surfing around and saw the Sako Quad - for about $1250-$1400 I can have one rifle with 4 interchangeable barrels (.22LR, .22WMR, .17 Mach 2, .17 HMR).  Or I could spend about $800 and get one caliber and eventually get the others (probably a little more expensive that way).

But I am reading good things about the CZ 452 rifles as well.

So . . . . don't know what to do - would a Sako .22 rifle that I can eventually change into other calibers be preferable to going with a CZ 452?  I can get the CZ, stainless, with synthetic stock, for about $310.  I suppose I could then also get a CZ in .17 for about the same - seems like under $700 for 2 rifles is kinda nice compared to about $1100 for the Sako and one barrel.

But is the CZ comparable in accuracy, trigger feel, and most importantly bolt smoothness?

Why not get a Ruger M77/22M for less than $400.00 and then order a set(2) of Green Mountain barrels for another $179.95.  then you would have a .22 WMR and a .17 HMR with, in my opinion, the best barrels for rimfires available today.  Easy to switch them around any time you feel the need.  Lawdog
 

Lawdog - I can't seem to find any references on Ruger's site, or anywhere via Google, to the M77/22M - is that a .22LR rifle to start with?  Could you give me a link to more info on the rifle?

I own a Ruger 10/22 - but have never operated a M77, so don't know much about their triggers, smoothness of bolt, etc.

[greywolf2112]

OK, confused here - but what's new?  :wink:

So, why would I buy a Ruger 77/M22 (which I assume is a .22 Magnum rifle) and then buy a .17 HMR and ANOTHER .22 Magnum barrel?

Is there a way to buy a Ruger 77 that is in ONE of the four calibers (.22LR, .22 WMR, .17 HMR, and .17 Mach 2) and then buy barrels for the other three calibers?  Or is there an issue regarding the action, magazine, etc. that precludes that?

And is THIS the Ruger you are talking about:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=2685605&cat=170163&type=1&dept=4125&path=0%3A4125%3A4155%3A170080%3A170083%3A170163

[Rogue Ram]

Read my range report about the CZ 452 in a thread below..........can't beat the gun for the money. The accuracy will astound you.

RR

[Coyote Hunter]

If I could only have one .22 rifle for the rest of my life it would be the Browning .22 take-down semi-auto, J.M Browning's design.

Fell in love with a Remington version of this gun as a kid back in the 60's - Granddad picked it up new for $25 during the depression and Grandma used it to head-shoot many chickens.  My brothers and I got to shoot it when we were lucky.  Decided I wouldn't live long enough to inherit Grandda's rifle so I bought a Browning in 1974 when I got out of the service.  Granddad still has his, glad I didn't wait!

[Lawdog]

greywolf2112,

So, why would I buy a Ruger 77/M22 (which I assume is a .22 Magnum rifle) and then buy a .17 HMR and ANOTHER .22 Magnum barrel?

Because Green Mountain is running a special at the moment for the $179.95 price tag.  That way you replace the thin, short factory barrel with the much more accurate ones from Green Mountain.  The M77/22 RM(rimfire - magnum, my own Ruger M77/22 has only the M after the model number)) can be found at the Ruger web site at http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=7015&return=Y, check them out there.  By the way Ruger has the best scope mounting system going today.  You can remove the scope and remount it without POI changing.  Lawdog
 

[Eddie in Delta]

I'd get the CZ.  Why pay twice the price to get the custom Ruger when you can get an already accurate weapon in the CZ?  Heck, for that price you could get two CZ's, give or take.  And aren't two guns better than one?

Eddie

[MI VHNTR]

OK, confused here - but what's new?  :wink:

So, why would I buy a Ruger 77/M22 (which I assume is a .22 Magnum rifle) and then buy a .17 HMR and ANOTHER .22 Magnum barrel?

Is there a way to buy a Ruger 77 that is in ONE of the four calibers (.22LR, .22 WMR, .17 HMR, and .17 Mach 2) and then buy barrels for the other three calibers?  Or is there an issue regarding the action, magazine, etc. that precludes that?

And is THIS the Ruger you are talking about:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=2685605&cat=170163&type=1&dept=4125&path=0%3A4125%3A4155%3A170080%3A170083%3A170163

It IS possible to take a Ruger 77/22 chambered in 22LR and convert it into a Magnum rifle. There are people over on Rimfire Central that have done this. From what I've read, it's not that big of a job to make the change. Obviously, to change from 22 LR to 17 Mach 2 would just involve a barrel change. However, to change it into a Magnum involves a bit more than a barrel. If your rifle is a wood stocked model, a new trigger guard assembly (magnum magazine length) is required, along with a barrel and magazine. The synthetic stocked model will require a Magnum stock, since the trigger guard assembly is molded into the stock. The barrel and magazine are also required. It is not really that complicated to do this.
http://rimfirecentral.com/forums/index.php
MI VHNTR

[riddleofsteel]

I know I will get blasted for recommending a Savage but...........I bought my son a Savage MARK II-BV.

http://www.savagearms.com/markiibv.htm

 His has a grey laminate stock, a bull barrel and comes with Weaver style scope bases installed.
As with all Savages the trigger needed attention. You can work over the stock trigger yourself but I installed a Rifle Basix trigger and now I have a crisp, light trigger that breaks at 1 lb.
I bought a Simmons 4.5 x 14 ATV scope with adjustable objective lens on sale at http://www.natchezss.com/ and put it in a set of high Millet rings.

After initial barrel break in we sorted thru the maze of available .22 rimfire ammo and got some real suprises when I found what the rifle liked.
Yesterday we were set up at the rifle range. My son and I were taking turns shooting soda cans, shotgun shells and scrap .223 brass off of the target frame out at 100 yards. This was using the cheap Remington Thunderbolt ammo that we get dirt cheap from Walley World!
This is with a rifle/scope combo that cost less that $250.00.

[Zachary]

I too am a huge Tikka Sako fan as pretty much everyone knows.  However, I must say that when I was looking into getting a bolt-action .22LR or .17HMR, there were a lot of choices - Remington 502, Ruger, Sako, CZ, etc.

Let me tell you, I purchased the CZ 452 American and I am so happy with it that I am going to my another.  The one I  have now is .17HMR and it is just awesome.  Very Very good quality and reasonably priced (around $330 or so).

I have NEVER heard anything bad about the CZ 452 American.  That says a lot right there.

Zachary

[greywolf2112]

I too am a huge Tikka Sako fan as pretty much everyone knows.  However, I must say that when I was looking into getting a bolt-action .22LR or .17HMR, there were a lot of choices - Remington 502, Ruger, Sako, CZ, etc.

Let me tell you, I purchased the CZ 452 American and I am so happy with it that I am going to my another.  The one I  have now is .17HMR and it is just awesome.  Very Very good quality and reasonably priced (around $330 or so).

I have NEVER heard anything bad about the CZ 452 American.  That says a lot right there.

Zachary

Zachary, would the CZ 452 in Stainless with a synthetic stock be just as nice, smooth, accurate, etc?

Now you have me intrigued  :grin:

[TennesseeNuc]

greywolf,
I would recommend theCZ 452.  I have yet to see one that wasn't a real shooter.  One that I have is a CZ American in .17 hmr that will group smaller than the crosshair intersection coverage of the target.  That's with a 24X scope @ 100 yds..
My 22rf's aren't much further behind the .17 in accuracy.
Best,
TnNuc

[greywolf2112]

greywolf,
I would recommend theCZ 452.  I have yet to see one that wasn't a real shooter.  One that I have is a CZ American in .17 hmr that will group smaller than the crosshair intersection coverage of the target.  That's with a 24X scope @ 100 yds..
My 22rf's aren't much further behind the .17 in accuracy.
Best,
TnNuc

THanks, TNNuc - btw, where do you live?  I am in Oak Ridge.

[Lawdog]

It IS possible to take a Ruger 77/22 chambered in 22LR and convert it into a Magnum rifle. There are people over on Rimfire Central that have done this. From what I've read, it's not that big of a job to make the change. Obviously, to change from 22 LR to 17 Mach 2 would just involve a barrel change. However, to change it into a Magnum involves a bit more than a barrel. If your rifle is a wood stocked model, a new trigger guard assembly (magnum magazine length) is required, along with a barrel and magazine. The synthetic stocked model will require a Magnum stock, since the trigger guard assembly is molded into the stock. The barrel and magazine are also required. It is not really that complicated to do this.
http://rimfirecentral.com/forums/index.php
MI VHNTR

And by the time you have invested all the time and money you would be time and money ahead by just purchasing a M77/22 RM to start with.  Lawdog
 

[MI VHNTR]

It IS possible to take a Ruger 77/22 chambered in 22LR and convert it into a Magnum rifle. There are people over on Rimfire Central that have done this. From what I've read, it's not that big of a job to make the change. Obviously, to change from 22 LR to 17 Mach 2 would just involve a barrel change. However, to change it into a Magnum involves a bit more than a barrel. If your rifle is a wood stocked model, a new trigger guard assembly (magnum magazine length) is required, along with a barrel and magazine. The synthetic stocked model will require a Magnum stock, since the trigger guard assembly is molded into the stock. The barrel and magazine are also required. It is not really that complicated to do this.
http://rimfirecentral.com/forums/index.php
MI VHNTR

And by the time you have invested all the time and money you would be time and money ahead by just purchasing a M77/22 RM to start with.  Lawdog
 

If you wanted all of the rimfire cartridges in one rifle, it's still quite a bit cheaper than the Sako.    MI VHNTR

[greywolf2112]

Thanks for all the advice, guys.  Ended up with a Marlin 917V today - killer deal at Wally World - it, some ammo, cleaning supplies - $220 out the door - not too shabby.

Now, to figure out what scope to put on it!  :shock:

[Zachary]

I too am a huge Tikka Sako fan as pretty much everyone knows.  However, I must say that when I was looking into getting a bolt-action .22LR or .17HMR, there were a lot of choices - Remington 502, Ruger, Sako, CZ, etc.

Let me tell you, I purchased the CZ 452 American and I am so happy with it that I am going to my another.  The one I  have now is .17HMR and it is just awesome.  Very Very good quality and reasonably priced (around $330 or so).

I have NEVER heard anything bad about the CZ 452 American.  That says a lot right there.

Zachary

Zachary, would the CZ 452 in Stainless with a synthetic stock be just as nice, smooth, accurate, etc?

Now you have me intrigued  :grin:

I honestly don't know if CZ makes their 452 American in Stainless with a Synthetic stock.  Mine is wood/blue.

Zachary

[victorcharlie]

You made a very wise decision........you can get 4 Marlins or Savages for the price of one Kimber.......The Marlin and Savages shoot very well..........I think you'll be pleased.......VC

[greywolf2112]

You made a very wise decision........you can get 4 Marlins or Savages for the price of one Kimber.......The Marlin and Savages shoot very well..........I think you'll be pleased.......VC

Thanks!  Now I just need to figure out what scope to get for it!

[victorcharlie]

One thing for sure.......with what you saved on the Marlin versus the Kimber, you can buy a really nice scope!  
 
I have a Bushnell Elite 4200 4 X 16 on my Savage 93r17 BVSS.........This is a topic frequently discussed on rimfire central.....Some say the 6 X 24 is a good power for the .17......others say a 3 X 9.......still others say fixed 4 power........and all have legitimate reasons behind the selection........
 
When I bought the 4 X 16, I was thinking that if for some reason I didn't like the .17HMR I'd put it on a bolt action .270............
 
This is the only rifle I have where I spent more on the scope than on the rifle...........
 
The .17 HMR is certainly accurate enough to justify good optics.......have fun with the new rifle and let us know how it shoots!

[riddleofsteel]

With the Simmons 4.5 x 14 ATV scope I put on my son's Savage MARK II-BV you can see .223 brass and empty 12 ga. shotgun shell on the target stand at 100 yards. These little free targets are favorites of ours. At 50 yards .22 holes are BIG.

[TennesseeNuc]

greywolf,
I live in Hamilton Co., just outside of Chattanooga.
Best,
TnNuc

[greywolf2112]

greywolf,
I live in Hamilton Co., just outside of Chattanooga.
Best,
TnNuc

Cool!  BTW - what's the "Nuc" stand for?

[260 AAR]

You`ll all think I`m nuts but so what! I am old and have good shoulders[not much else though] to take the blows. I took my old Ruger 77/22 and took off the bolt/down barrel, line bored and threaded the receiver and put a Shilen 17 cal blank on. Made into a neat little 17Mach2. I am glad I did. Then got the bug up my hindside and decided I needed a 17 WRM so I ordered a Chas  Daly 17 WRM from Jerrys sports cntr. Loved it so much I just ordered a samo in the good old 22lr. Now I have two C. Dalys and my Ruger. All told about 500.00. Not too bad! The C. Daly guns really shoot. Not as smooth as a Tikka I would assume but good enogh for me. BTW the Ruger 17 Mach2 shoots so well at 100 yds [long as no real wind] I don`t really need anything else.

Aloha, Mark