First rifle, have narrowed it down, need help

[toade]

First off, thanks to everyone on this awesome forum for all their helpful information. I've been doing a lot of homework, and am getting closer to picking a rifle, but have a couple questions.

I've always enjoyed shooting as a kid (be it bb gun, paintball) and more importantly precision shooting, but didn't really grow up around firearms (SoCal). That said, the limited number of times I've had the chance to fire rifles or handguns, I've really enjoyed it. Just went shooting with my brother, had the chance to fire his 10/22, and really enjoyed it, so it is time to get my own rifle.

I've decided I want a precision rifle. Initially I started looking into Remington 700... but have since decided that for an entry level gun, with cheep ammo, I should probably look to a 22lr. That sound smart?

Assuming 22lr is the way to go, I've kind of narrowed it down to a couple guns, naturally the Savage Mark II and the CZ 452 (with the outside chance of a used Anschutz). I'm a big believer in buy once, cry once, but the Anschutz may be much more than I need to start off with. On top of that, one of the better used Anschutz out there is a 1710D KL (~$1000) with the monte carlo stock, and I don't see a lot of info out there about putting a bipod on that stock (i'd mostly like to shoot prone).

So back to Savage v. CZ... My biggest question is the barrel. Am I better off looking for one of these guns with a heavy barrel? Looks like people are mixed on whether that really makes a difference in the accuracy of a 22... but it should better replicate the feel of a larger rifle, if I end up stepping up to a 700p or Savage 10, right? It pretty much will be used exclusively at a range.

So assuming heavy barrel, that would pit the Savage TR against the CZ 452 Varmint. Between the two, I'm starting to lean toward the CZ, but it is very very close. I like the look of the Savage, but from my reading it seems that the CZ may be built a bit better. I'm a fan of the tacticool stock, but I could always put a Boyd on the CZ and get that look/feel. I've found a couple used CZs nearby, but they are the Special and the Style, neither of which is heavy barreled. I do like the thought of buying used in case my interest fizzles out and I end up selling the gun.

I think my ideal gun (not including the Annie) would be a CZ Varmint with a Boyd tacticool stock... followed closely by the Savage Mark II TR. Would it be a big step down from either of those to get a lighter barreled version of the CZ or Mark II and add a tacticool stock, or am I better off sticking with the heavy stocked versions?

Just was hoping to get some feedback on some of these options. Thanks again for all your help, and i look forward to hearing back!

 

[Nickoglock2]

Re: First rifle, have narrowed it down, need help

Good choice on sticking with a .22 to learn on.
If you are going to be doing target shooting with is I would go for the heavy barrel, if you are lugging it through the wood messing around I would go with a light barrel.
I just got an MKII and would have went with a CZ if they were the same price, from the research I did the CZ is a better rifle, but also more expensive.

Seeing you are new here, this may help you, It is a custom seach engine for the website, it works wonders for doing research. You will have to compy past it because I dont have a way to make it a hyperlink from my phone right now..

http://www.google.com/cse?cx=010955...838166721108978%3Aqcbx5qqy10o&hl=en#gsc.tab=0

Hope this helps

 

[J_Roger]

Re: First rifle, have narrowed it down, need help

Personally I would get either the MKII FV SR or just the FV. After that you can get a Boyd's Tacticool stock and you will basically have MKII TR, but you will save some bucks for the glass. Bother of those models are heavy barreled and the fvsr even has a threaded barrel for a suppressor later on.

 

[isaaccarlson]

Re: First rifle, have narrowed it down, need help

Just get a 455. The 452's are almost gone and the 455 is better anyway. I got one this spring and LOVE it.

 

[AnschutzNerd]

Re: First rifle, have narrowed it down, need help

CZ is the more robust of the two. I have a few Anschutz rifles and think the CZ is the best value. Just get a Brooks trigger kit for the CZ.

I think the Accu-trigger is horrid.

.22 - Good Choice! Look for a Bushnell 4200 optic on close out, if you need a scope.

AnschutzNerd

 

[Remoah]

Re: First rifle, have narrowed it down, need help

CZ's are Awesome!
the 452 is being replaced by the 455, there is nothing wrong with the 452, so if you can pick a used/clearance one for cheap then i'd definitley suggest it!

I looked at savages, but i was put off because they just didnt have the *quality* feel of the CZ's. Also, the CZ mag sits flush, which is useful when carrying and moving around.
I'd say there is no difference between the Heavy and Regular barrel. Go with whatever one works for you.

Good choice on the .22LR, so many people come onto this forum with thier brand new .223 and .308 and they don't even own a rimfire. You'll learn more from this rifle than you will any other, guaranteed. Due simply to the volume of rounds you can put downrange.

 

[Unity]

Re: First rifle, have narrowed it down, need help

Hey Todae,

I have to say, your situation is pretty similar to mine. However, I actually purchased the Remington 700P before coming to the realization that buying a .22lr first would of been a much better route

Also a Southern Californian, was interested in buying my first firearm quite some time ago, and ended up buying a Remington 700P(.308). Took it out, zeroed it, and havnt been out to the range much since then! Here's what I've personally found...

1) You have to drive 50-60 miles in so-cal traffic to get to a decent range. Anything nearby(I live in orange county) will not allow .308. Even some that do, are maxed out a 100 yards

2) Ammo is sort of expensive. I don't know about you, but if I'm driving all the way to a decent range, I want to be able shoot a few boxes before I feel like going home. Between gas, cost of ammo, range fees.. that often means spending $100+ a trip.

3) Some of my friends who are may be interested in shooting are a bit intimidated by my rifle. It's nothing special, it doesn't even really have a kick, but I think they would be much more willing to sit behind a .22lr first.


So now, I'm in the market for a .22lr. So that I can visit more convenient ranges, be able to go through <span style="font-style: italic">a lot</span> more ammo before my wallet starts to feel a little light(more practice!), and so that I can bring more friends and family to the range.

As far as which rifle to get, I would vote for the CZ. I have no personal experience, but from what I've read(and been told).. CZ is the way go(aside from saving up for a Annie

)

Well, not sure if that helped at all.. Hope it did!

PS - Here's a link to my post asking a very similar question.

Good Luck,
Matt

 

[Remoah]

Re: First rifle, have narrowed it down, need help

And to answer your questions on how to mount a bipod:
Basically, the one i had on my .22 just had a little pin-clamp thingy that attached to the sling swivel stud. Very easy and could be tightened with fingers. Of course it'd never stand up to use of a big beefy centrefire, but for range work with the .22 it worked brilliantly.
Harris would be the best choice, however you can buy cheaper knock-off versions, and they'll probably do the same thing for you. Search around, i'm sure someone on the 'Hide will sell you one of their old ones for cheap.
Harris Bipod

Now, onto Heavy vs Normal barrel.
One of the advantages of a heavy barrel in shooting is that it holds the heat alot better than a light barrel. More metal = more capacity to hold heat. The hotter a barrel gets, the more likely it is to flex and bend. However, in the case of a .22, which generates very little heat compared to a bigger round, the heavy barrel can be somewhat superfluous.
I'd suggest getting a new 455, with a regular barrel. The new design has a user-changeable barrel, so in future you could simply order a heavy barrel and swap it out should you want to go that route, however i sincerely doubt you'd ever find the need for a heavy barrel in a .22LR
Save the money and buy a good 4-12x scope.

Edit.
On the topic of Ammo, you will be able to shoot 10 22LR rounds for every 1 .30 8WIN round (Australian Factory Costs, mind you).
Also, you said you enjoyed the 10/22, why not get one of those?

 

[dbateman]

Re: First rifle, have narrowed it down, need help

you cant go wrong with a CZ .

 

[BrettSass844]

Re: First rifle, have narrowed it down, need help

I went with the Savage MKII and couldnt be happier. Great little rifle and more accurate than I am!

 

[264win]

Re: First rifle, have narrowed it down, need help

The cz is a very well made 22. Better that the savage in my opinion. But due to the safety control being reversed from most other rifles , I would suggest avoiding it, particularly as a first rifle and a trainer.
My choice on a budget would probably be a used ruger 77-22 followed by savage and marlin.

 

[gjantzer]

Re: First rifle, have narrowed it down, need help

Both the savage and the CZ shoot well. My opinion is that the CZ is much better built rifle. The savage feels like it was stamped out of tinfoil to me. The torque plates are a know weakness that often will not allow the action screws to be adjusted to the guns optimal setting. Too much torque and the stocks have been known to crack. So CZ for me. The CZ 455 will allow for you to buy different barrels and run several calibers on the same receiver. The tradeoff, according to CZ gurus at rimfirecentral.com is that the receiver itself is not as nice as the CZ 452s and 453s. When CZ announced the 455 was replacing the 452 and 453 there was a rush of buyers for the 452s and 453s.

 

[tsavo303]

Re: First rifle, have narrowed it down, need help

cz or anschutz all the way!