My Favorite Bolt Action 22lr. The Ruger American Rimfire

[A_FEMALE_MAN]

I got this rifle about 6 months ago and this gun has been amazing. Took it out on a couple of Hunting trips throughout the squirrel season and only managed to get 1 grey squirrel this season but smoked about 30 ground squirrels for pest control. Got it sighted in at 25 yards with CCI Copper 21 grains and my groupings are the size of a quarter. Absolute tack driver and a very fun plinker!

Not only is it a lightweight and very comfortable rifle to hold for hours and hours on a hunt, it’s also a fantastic range gun. 1500 rounds at least through the rifle of varying loads and grain weights and it still shoots the lights out.

Have you guys had experience with this rifle? What’s your go to rifle?

[FNGGlock]

I had the RAR. Got a compact model, and added some standard pull stock from Ruger. I liked that it used the same mags as my 10/22 - and also the stock system to allow jr and sr shooters to use the rifle with a simple screw in stock. Mine initially had a cheapie BSA scope on it, but accuracy was less than desired (OK at 25 yds, but subpar at 100yds and beyond).

When I checked the stock was rubbing on the barrel. I cleared the plastic stock with a dremel, properly reassembled the stock and action, swapped the trigger spring with a MCarbo spring for a lighter pull, got a much nicer Athlon scope and also found it liked Aguila and CCI SV ammo best for 100yd accuracy. It is a pretty good shooter now, but I gave it to a buddy and switched to a CZ457 Varmint, which is a big step up in all aspects.

If I have to do it again I will just start with a CZ from the get go, perhaps the lighter weight 457s as the Varmint is great for my use, but a bit heavy. The action, materials & trigger on the CZs are a big step up from the RAR - plus they are a lot more modular. And if you factor in the DROS fee the CZ457s is not that huger step up from the RAR prices.

Attached the groupings the RAR got with CCI SV after the mods listed above.

[JTROKS]

My go to bolt action 22LR is my Savage FV SR it shoots penny size 5 shot groups at 25 yards and I feel it’ll shoot better with match ammo. Currently still stock out of the box, but action screws torqued to 18 inch/lb. It has an 8x32 power Tasco scope and it should still be good to see how it does at 50 yards. The factory stock is crap so that will have to get replaced.

[Teachu2]

I got one of the last (truly last) batch of CZ 452Vs back in March, 2015. I installed a Rifle Basix trigger and a Leupold AO scope. Smooth action, fantastic trigger, superb accuracy. The CZ Varmint barrel is just right. It's a future heirloom.

A very close second is a Savage MkII BVTS stainless, bull barrel, Accutrigger, laminated thumbhole stock.

Honorable Mention goes to a lowly Savage MKII GY (Youth) , very basic but still has Accutrigger. Short, stout, cheap, and just plain homely, bought for my grandkids to learn to shoot rifles on a gun I didn't worry about getting dinged. Shoots better groups than I'd have believed possible.

I have several other bolt .22s, but those three are keepers.

[A_FEMALE_MAN]

Honest to god one of the most fun rifles i ever shot was my buddies single shot Savage Rascal with a youth stock. Something about only having one shot in a very tiny rifle just makes it a lot of fun. Especially when you have shooting challenges with it. Like shooting 5 soda cans at 50 yards with only 10 seconds to spare.

[JohnnyMtn]

Thanks OP for the recommendation. I’ve been looking for a .22LR bolt gun. Yours seems like a very nice setup.

[RandyD]

My favorite .22 bolt action rifle is my Anschutz Model 54 Sporter. My cousin's CZ 452 comes close to the quality. I will have to look at what Ruger has produced. It sounds like a good quality rifle, but I doubt that I would replace my Anschutz.

[sigstroker]

I was going to say my favorite was an Anshutz that I handled, but never bought. Don't know what model it was but the trigger was about 6 to 8 ounces. Took me several tries to just get my finger on it without it dropping.

[A_FEMALE_MAN]

The best part of the ruger American rimfire is the fact that it uses ruger 10/22 magazines which i have a couple dozen of lol.

[A_FEMALE_MAN]

Originally Posted by JohnnyMtn

Thanks OP for the recommendation. I’ve been looking for a .22LR bolt gun. Yours seems like a very nice setup.

My pleasure! If you're able to find one with an 18inch threaded barrel version, snag it! If the store had one in stock at the time i purchased the 22inch one i probably would’ve gotten the shorter one.

[RNE228]

My go to is the Mossberg 142 my dad got for Christmas when he was a kid in the early 1950's. Been shot a ton, but it still shoot great, and is pretty darn accurate.

What I want is a Winchester 52 with a big Unertl, Lyman or Fecker scope on it. Big bull barrel with the old style long tube scopes. Saw a few at the Placeville gun show last weekend, but not in the budget right now.

Like this
https://www.eldreds.com/auction-lot/...al._3BD4127A05

[beerman]

My favorite is my Mossberg M44US.. It’s lights out accurate and gives my H&R Model12 US a run for its money. Not bad for a 79 y/o rifle.

[Mac Attack]

I’ve owned my RAR with wood stock and threaded heavy barrel for 2 or 3 years now. It’s a great rifle and an excellent suppressor host. It my walk around rifle that I am. Ot worried about scratching or beating up. My favorite rifle right now is my Winchester 52 Pre-A made in 1924 and mimics a Springfield 1903. I am waiting for some scope blocks to come in for it so I can mount my vintage Litschert 20X long tube scope.

[AR22]

My favorite is my Vintage Beretta Target training Rifle..But to be fair, it is a Bolt Action/Semi Auto Combo..Very cool..

[stormvet]

I’ve have the 18” RA-22lr, very solid 22 bolt gun. Extremely reliable and decent accuracy even with bulk ammo. Using the same mags as the 10/22 is a big plus, being able to use 15 and 25 round mags instead of being limited to 10 or less is also a big plus that many other bolt rifles don’t afford you. Although if extreme max accuracy is your goal you’ll probably want to look elsewhere, or at least step up to the Ruger Precision rimfire.

[A_FEMALE_MAN]

I honestly love my Ruger american Rimfire more than my M&P15-22 or my Ruger 10/22. All three of the guns are fantastic and i love semi auto’s but there’s something fun about just slowing down and taking your time. Making that bulk box last that much longer.

[RandyD]

Having a favorite .22 LR rifle is next to Mom, Apple Pie, and being an American.

[223556]

Looks good!
I miss having a .22 in the collection. Never had a bolt .22 though. Maybe its time to pick one up!

[JTROKS]

I bought a Remington 521T JS for my oldest boy, but he’s more interested in my scoped 10/22. Even at 70 years old the accuracy of the Remington is still very good. My kids hardly pick it up when we’re at the range. I’m usually the one shooting it and appreciating the age and accuracy. Makes me wonder how many people shot it through the years.

[yummyapology]

Originally Posted by AR22

My favorite is my Vintage Beretta Target training Rifle..But to be fair, it is a Bolt Action/Semi Auto Combo..Very cool..

Unique action! One of my fav as well! I was so ready to jump on one when I saw a fellow calgunner selling his. too bad it isn't the nicer hooded front sight model like yours!

Another fav bolt 22 of mine is the Steyr Zephyr II.

[A_FEMALE_MAN]

Originally Posted by 223556

Looks good!
I miss having a .22 in the collection. Never had a bolt .22 though. Maybe its time to pick one up!

Welp! You definitely got some options, lots of great feedback from respectable calgunners in this thread! The Ruger American Rimfire is an awesome platform if you’re budget minded but also enjoy the compatibility of 10/22 magazines. But i’ve been eye balling a CZ 457 target for a couple of days at my work and i think i might pull the trigger on that bad boy and give it a whirl.

[AR22]

Originally Posted by yummyapology

Unique action! One of my fav as well! I was so ready to jump on one when I saw a fellow calgunner selling his. too bad it isn't the nicer hooded front sight model like yours!

Another fav bolt 22 of mine is the Steyr Zephyr II.

Thanks
I actually bought two on another forum from a fella..He offered me 200.00 off if I bought both..Yes I am a sucker for a deal,LOL

Friend fell in love with them so I sold him the other..Should have kept it too..But he will enjoy it too..

The other was the light barrel with the lesser quality sight setup..I think the lighter ones were called the Sporter maybe..

They are Berettas so you do not have to worry about what ammo you use..Like all my Beretta Handguns, they will run anything you put in them..

[A_FEMALE_MAN]

Out of curiosity boys and girls, what’s your favorite semi auto rimfire rifle?

[Mac Attack]

My favorite semi is the venerable Ruger 10/22. Feeds everything and has tons of aftermarket support. Is the jack of all trades auto that you can make into whatever rifle you desire.

[A_FEMALE_MAN]

I love my Ruger 10/22 and my S&W M&P15-22! Both of these rifles have been an absolute pleasure and have been 100% reliable.

[oddball]

I still have this bolt action at my house, it is my son's Anschutz 1903 Jr model with factory sights.



My eyes are not good enough to shoot this anymore, but my son still loves this rifle.

[joefrank64k]

Originally Posted by AR22

My favorite is my Vintage Beretta Target training Rifle..But to be fair, it is a Bolt Action/Semi Auto Combo..Very cool..

That ^ was a score!!

I've been on the lookout for one. Few and far between, haha!!

[joefrank64k]

My favorite bolt action is my Sako Quad.

I love the thoughtful design behind the ease of swapping barrels. Nice trigger and a smooth action.

.22LR, .22Mag., .17 Mach2, and .17 HMR all from one gun. Just a well-made rifle.

Semi-auto: Toss up between any of my 10/22's and my S&W M&P15-22.

[A_FEMALE_MAN]

I really want to get a Henry pump action 22lr but all i ever find on shelves is the 22 magnum. I’d be happy with both but the fact that the 22lr can shoot 22 short and 22 long is so cool. I think it would hold 21 shots of 22 short.

[stevie]

My dads old Winchester Model 75 sporter.

[stevec223]

My favorite bolt action is my Remington 581 .. Was my first real rifle, 1968 or so..
My favorite semi is my Browning Bar 22… Not that it shoots better than the other semi’s.. Just because the Bar is ,, well ,, a Bar..
Cheers..

[A_FEMALE_MAN]

All really awesome guns there steve!

[stevec223]

Originally Posted by A_FEMALE_MAN

All really awesome guns there steve!

Thanks… Just a little info for you. The 580 is a single shot,, 581 is mag fed and the 582 is a tube fed.. The 541 is the target model, 2 variants.. If you run across any of these on consignment give them a good look. Great shooters…
Cheers..
PS.. My shooting buddy had a Remington military model,, can’t remember the model number,, Heavy barrel and open adjustable target sites..
Cheers..

[A_FEMALE_MAN]

Speaking of military 22s, kinda i guess.
I shot my buddies keystone arms Mini Mosin Nagant and that thing always puts a smile on my face! It’s so much fun and it’s hilarious.

[JTROKS]

Originally Posted by A_FEMALE_MAN

Out of curiosity boys and girls, what’s your favorite semi auto rimfire rifle?

Only have two semiauto 22LRs, 10/22 bought in mid 80s with a Green Mountain bull barrel, and a stock Marlin Pappoose. The 10/22 is by far the most reliable and accurate rig.

[A_FEMALE_MAN]

Originally Posted by JTROKS

Only have two semiauto 22LRs, 10/22 bought in mid 80s with a Green Mountain bull barrel, and a stock Marlin Pappoose. The 10/22 is by far the most reliable and accurate rig.

Yuuuup! The 70’s and 80’s 10/22s are awesome and are in my opinion the best of the 10/22 line up of guns.

[DArBad]

Originally Posted by A_FEMALE_MAN

Out of curiosity boys and girls, what’s your favorite semi auto rimfire rifle?

Ruger 10/22 Sporter. I just won bidding on Gunbroker.com.

It is a Lipsey's Exclusive Sporter with a stainless 22 inch barrel and birchwood stock. Its still enroute to my FFL gun dealer and I am already thinking of sending it to CT-Precision for their " tune up " package.

[Vinnie Boombatz]

Love my CZ 457 American. Stupid accurate and reliable and loves cheap Aguila Super Extra ammo. Crushed it at a Project Appleseed class where I was the only one with a bolt action.

[Handgunther]

I haven't shot the American Rimfire, but I own a Precision Rimfire, and I like it a lot. Like my other Rugers, it took a little work to make it enjoyable and error-free - in this case replacing the magazine latch and latch spring, and making sure everything was torqued down properly.
For semi-auto 22s, the 10/22 is amazing, but not out of the box. Both of mine have been heavily modified to be superb shooters; and few of the parts are left from the original guns, which were gritty and uncomfortable. My FrankenRugers are my favorite guns to shoot - they're just fun AF and the ammo is cheap.

My .22LR of choice is the CZ457 which have been fantastic guns right out of the box. They can also be modified, but it's not as imperative as with the Rugers, IMO. I have a modified Trainer in .22LR and a standard Varmint model that I set up with a .22WMR barrel. They are extremely accurate and smooth operating, and I like being able to easily swap barrels and calibers to cover the rimfire spectrum using the exact same platform.

I've also recently fallen in love with the Browning .22s. I luckily acquired a new Grade II BL22 that is absolutely gorgeous, and it is super fun to shoot. I feel like i'm in a shooting gallery. It makes me want to get the T-Bolt and also the SA22 as well. The finish of the Grade II Brownings is head and shoulders above any other gun I own, and they really feel like heirloom rifles.

[pennstater]

Originally Posted by oddball

I still have this bolt action at my house, it is my son's Anschutz 1903 Jr model with factory sights.



My eyes are not good enough to shoot this anymore, but my son still loves this rifle.

Damn! That is a slick looking rifle. Very nice indeed.
My only bolt action .22lr is a Marlin 25N with a 22" semi bull barrel that is mighty accurate. Probably not like that Anschutz 1903 tho. Beautiful rifle.

MLC