Extremely light but hyper accurate 22lr rifle

jbell

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  • Jan 16, 2010
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    Jasper Arkansas
    I have moved away from most all precision centerfire and rimfire rifle stuff lately. I sold everything but my last V-22 to fund a house build and completely get out of debt. My goal in my new life is going to be more hunting, fishing, and outdoor activities. I will be building an accurate but light centerfire to bang steel and hunt with once the funds are available, I already know what I want there (well it’s down to 2-3 options). However I am struggling to come up with a rimfire to match it.

    So I thought it may be an interesting conversation with the rimfire crowd here on the Hide. As of right now the slate is completely clean and I am open to anything. Some criteria I would like are:
    -magazine fed
    -scoped
    -accurate (something capable of 1/2 MOA @ 50 yards / 1-1.25 MOA @ 100 yards is ideal, but it must me sub MOA at 50 which should not be a problem)
    -prefer a 2 stage trigger but that isn’t a deal breaker, it just has to be very clean and crisp
    -threaded for a suppressor
    -not crazy expensive

    I am open to both bolt action which I prefer or semi auto. I have been leaning to building a 10/22. I have built a few that were surprisingly accurate. Anyway, let’s hear it guys…
     
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    Kidd in a MODSHOT chassis…I have not messed with it in a long time but if I remember correctly it’s 4.1lbs with a SRO on it and little better than 1/2” at 35yds with mini mags.

    I built it for steel challenge shot 2 matches and lost interest.

    IMG_0214.jpeg
     
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    Kidd is always a good recommendation or you could look for a 10/22 LVT (Light Varmint Target) and do a little trigger work... Mine is damn accurate & meets all your requirements. You might put it in a lighter stock if you want to shed a little weight. Midway actually shows the all stainless model available in stock for $449
     
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    No rec on a bolt action, but if you are considering building a 10/22, just buy a Kidd and be done with it.
    I am very familiar with Tony's rifles and they are great but I'm not sold on them for the money. I have built a few 10/22s over the years that would hang with a Kidd full build for way less. But they are definitely on the list.
     
    I’m shocked to hear you are out of the rimfire game. Loss for the game.

    Regarding your prospective purchase I recommend a KIDD Supergrade.
    You can build a 10/22 but it will have little resale. A factory rifle is the best bet. If you find the KIDD does not fill your need it will sell for close to your investment.

    For woods use I suggest you avoid the lever mag release. It’s so sensitive you will be seeding the woods with mags. The button release is plenty fast.
     
    Sorry, your post came in while I was typing. Ignore the above.
    Good luck with your journey.
    Thank you for the kind words. I may end up with a Kidd or at least a barreled action. Their actions are the best. MOA also made some good actions but I haven't looked into them in many years. This will be a fun project for sure!
     
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    If I was going to do what you are planning on doing, I'd probably look at the 10/22 Takedown and do multiple barrels.

    I'd get a carbon fiber barrel with an RDS on it for "fast action" time (Steel Challenge, Rabbits, etc)
    I'd get a longer "match" barrel with a reasonable scope on it for the more "precise things"
    I'd get the Integrally Suppressed Barrel from Ruger just because it's so much fun.
     
    Sorry, but a 10/22 (In any form) and Hyper Accurate don't go together in the same sentence. Yes, they can be good, but hyper accurate isn't a term I would use. I suppose that can depend on your definition of hyper accurate.
     
    You may look at a custom build on a Summit action, I build precision bolt 22s, and wanted to see if a semi auto could be made as accurate, at 50 they shot very well but at 200 yards they seemed to fall off so ended up threading a Summit receiver and putting a 13 twist muller works that shot almost identical to our Vudoo bolt guns. Light weight and accurate.
     
    Sorry, but a 10/22 (In any form) and Hyper Accurate don't go together in the same sentence. Yes, they can be good, but hyper accurate isn't a term I would use. I suppose that can depend on your definition of hyper accurate.
    Accuracy is relative but when it’s prefaced with “extremely light” I think KIDD clearly meets both those criteria to the degree needed by the OP.
    A carbon fiber KIDD will shoot sub MOA 5 shot groups at 100 yards in good conditions with stunning regularity .

    I don’t think many if any on this site know more regarding rimfire accuracy than the OP. His question clearly indicated a light weight woods rifle, not a match rifle.
     
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    Sorry, but a 10/22 (In any form) and Hyper Accurate don't go together in the same sentence. Yes, they can be good, but hyper accurate isn't a term I would use. I suppose that can depend on your definition of hyper accurate.
    Agreed 100%. I know my accuracy expectations will be adjusted based on the platform. Heck hyper accurate and extremely light should not be used in the same sentence either.
     
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    Couple thoughts that maybe worthwhile to consider for readers if not the OP...

    Light is going to be defined in large part by the barrel profile, and with total rifle balance set by the way the stock and the barrel play together. The Tikka T1x is really ideal in balance out of the box, with medium profile barrel and a low-profile magazine magwell

    You'll never get a 'light' 22lr that will balance on a gamechanger unless you have a blind magazine, or somthing like the tikka -- ie, small front to back...and angled back...not forward like a bananna...so eliminate all AICS and eg Anschutz 54 10 rounders...etc.

    Ideally somebody would make a new action with very short front to back lenth (and minimally disruptive DBM) to allow builds like this to proceed with minimal gross weight, and where rifle still balance well off props (or a tripod + bag) when needed.
     
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    CZ457 Pro Varmint with McRee chassis (not considered a light weight). This one came with a test target group 11mm at 50 meters. I have not fired it yet. For a little less cash you can get a Ruger American Rimfire and get a half inch at 50yds depending on ammo.
     

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    jbell, you should browse the testing done by Josh on his Youtube channel...

    Here's an example of a custom CZ 457 he uses, which you could start with an AT-One or Pro Varmint, weighing in about 7 pounds, then add a custom barrel, and trigger, as you go. Could be a good option as a platform for you to tinker with over time.

     
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    Small game procurement

    Might want to look into a .17 HMR option for that application.
    Makes everything from 15 yards to 125 yards as easy as 5.56, and thumps the stuff that you would schwack with .22LR really well.
    Guns cost about the same as .22LR, and while ammo is a little more costly than plinker .22, it's right on par with good .22LR.

    Solid options from Tikka, CZ, Bergara, and the usual array of decent rimfire manufacturers. Lots of lightweight options as well.

    My second-hand CZ455 Varmint .17 HMR will do 1" 10-round groups at 100 with CCI 17 and 20 gr ammo.
     
    Small game procurement
    If you are wanting a hunting gun / long range gun? Tikka T1X is the go to gun. Light and very accurate. I had mine in a KRG Bravo, but I have it back in the factory stock for a sporter class / hunting gun like you are looking for. A friend of mine tons of high dollar, like Vudoo, RimX ,etc. He will not bring his T1X to the range because it will shame his high dollar guns.

    As far as a Kidd, I have a Supergrade it shoots great out to 250yds but falls out after that. I got a Barreled action and put it in a Titan stock. one fo the high cost of the Kidd is the 2 stage trigger $370, but it is the best trigger made for a 10-22 mine is set at 3oz/3oz 6 oz total

    Now for a varmint hunting / steel banging gun I have a Tikka T3x in 223.
     
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    Might want to look into a .17 HMR option for that application.
    Makes everything from 15 yards to 125 yards as easy as 5.56, and thumps the stuff that you would schwack with .22LR really well.
    Guns cost about the same as .22LR, and while ammo is a little more costly than plinker .22, it's right on par with good .22LR.

    Solid options from Tikka, CZ, Bergara, and the usual array of decent rimfire manufacturers. Lots of lightweight options as well.

    My second-hand CZ455 Varmint .17 HMR will do 1" 10-round groups at 100 with CCI 17 and 20 gr ammo.
    That's a great point and I have been thinking about it but I really want to keep it all subsonic 🤫
     
    If you are wanting a hunting gun / long range gun? Tikka T1X is the go to gun. Light and very accurate. I had mine in a KRG Bravo, but I have it back in the factory stock for a sporter class / hunting gun like you are looking for. A friend of mine tons of high dollar, like Vudoo, RimX ,etc. He will not bring his T1X to the range because it will shame his high dollar guns.

    As far as a Kidd, I have a Supergrade it shoots great out to 250yds but falls out after that. I got a Barreled action and put it in a Titan stock. one fo the high cost of the Kidd is the 2 stage trigger $370, but it is the best trigger made for a 10-22 mine is set at 3oz/3oz 6 oz total

    Now for a varmint hunting / steel banging gun I have a Tikka T3x in 223.
    The Kidd shoots great out to 250yds but falls out after that? What exactly does that mean? And not being a dick this is a genuine question.
     
    That is a very loud option that removes all I seek from a RF experience from the equation.

    RF should demand wind reading, range estimation and trajectory skills to a high degree on short notice. That is the training part.

    YMMV
    I love .22LR for that, and do it pretty frequently for fun; but if the task is to take small game I believe that there is sufficient proof that .17 HMR is better at taking small game than .22LR. I *hear* you on the "loud", but unless you're shooting subsonic suppressed .22 you really should be wearing ear-pro anyway.

    Anyway, didn't really intend to take the conversation too far off topic, just wanted to throw it out there for consideration.
     
    The Kidds shoots great out to 250yds but falls out after that? What exactly does that mean? And not being a dick this is a genuine question.
    1. You lose too much energy w a .22lr at 250 yards if you want a hunting gun. JMO.

    2. If it shoots great out to 250, it should hold out beyond that. It makes no sense to shoot great to a certain yardage then fail. Unless we're talking supersonic. But then it would be the same regardless of action/barrel.
     
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    1. You lose too much energy w a .22lr at 250 yards if you want a hunting gun. JMO.

    2. If it shoots great out to 250, it should hold out beyond that. It makes no sense to shoot great to a certain yardage then fail. Unless we're talking supersonic. But then it would be the same regardless of action/barrel.
    #2 is basically my exact question.
     
    I have a Kidd Supergrade for killing things.

    Great thing about the Supergrade is it takes 20-30sec to swap barrels. Faster than an AI. So you can have a heavy 20” SS non-threaded barrel for the times you want to benchrest, and seconds later pop on their 16” Ultralight SS-sleeved aluminum threaded barred for walking around.

    I just love that gun to death.
     
    I love .22LR for that, and do it pretty frequently for fun; but if the task is to take small game I believe that there is sufficient proof that .17 HMR is better at taking small game than .22LR. I *hear* you on the "loud", but unless you're shooting subsonic suppressed .22 you really should be wearing ear-pro anyway.

    Anyway, didn't really intend to take the conversation too far off topic, just wanted to throw it out there for consideration.
    All good, 17 is a great option for hunting & is still on the table.
     
    IMHO there's nothing even interesting enough in the 22rf world to buy other than something 1827F or 1727F based. These guns are that neat.

    I have a small collection of somewhat unique 22rf's that I like for various reasons but none come close to my go-to 1827F-N. It's lightweight, very precise, the most reliable 22rf I've owned, super ergonomic, and the Fortner action is incredible.

    My fantasy build would be a super lightweight 1727F with a petite ultra grade walnut stock coupled with engraved metal action, etc.

    J, if you want challenge for hunting I suggest delving into the high end PCP air rifle world and looking into the Daystate Revere.
    I'll be competing in a Silhouette match this afternoon consisting of the rimfire sized animal targets at 40, 50, 60, and 70 yards using my 20 fpe .177 pcp pellet gun. Off bucket and sticks we can clean a rack of chickens at 70Y if the wind is down a bit and there are 40/40 scores at times. With a .030 G1 BC at 900 fps it is a hoot!
     
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    -not crazy expensive
    So, probably not a RimX with a Proof carbon fiber barrel sitting in an MDT HNT-26 stock.

    For bolt options I would lean towards either a CZ457 or an Anschutz if you find a good price. A 10/22 can be accurate enough to fit your needs, but you might have to do a custom build (barrel,trigger) to get there. I used to use a Kidd ultralite barrel (hollow) that was surprisingly very accurate and very light. I'm not impressed with any of the 10/22 trigger options, though.
     
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