Thread: .22lr rifles when did it become ok that they were all just crap?

EM 332 | Trade Me

EM332 on TM

Originally Posted by Spudattack

EM 332 | Trade Me

EM332 on TM

That's taking the piss, I paid $300 for mine not long ago.

Originally Posted by Spudattack

EM 332 | Trade Me

EM332 on TM

Trade me is supposed to email me when they get listed... but damn look at the price

I dunno if it's so much opinon as well documented actual testing and field work experience

I now see your point of view Shamus.
cheers.

You seem to be doing not too badly on your lonesome there Gadgetman

I'm getting there. I can see I kept pulling shots, and I knew as soon as I squeezed the trigger on those fliers. But you have to look to see how bad it is, just like when you cut yourself.

I think have moved away from the point of this thread, the OP wants something nice, he has money to spend but wants something that looks good, feels good and is finished nicely to a high standard and is struggling to find something that fits this bill.
He is not disputing that cheap .22s can be accurate, merely that most, even the more pricey ones, look and feel cheap and are not something he can be proud of owning.
I agree with him in this regard.
As much of a CZ fan as I am I still agree that the workmanship of the 452 is not what it was on the Brnos, I have not played with a 455 yet so cannot comment on those.

Maybe we should ask Howa to build a .22, they can make a centrefire to a extremely high standard that retails for under $800 so why not a .22?

Originally Posted by Spudattack

I think have moved away from the point of this thread, the OP wants something nice, he has money to spend but wants something that looks good, feels good and is finished nicely to a high standard and is struggling to find something that fits this bill.
He is not disputing that cheap .22s can be accurate, merely that most, even the more pricey ones, look and feel cheap and are not something he can be proud of owning.
I agree with him in this regard.
As much of a CZ fan as I am I still agree that the workmanship of the 452 is not what it was on the Brnos, I have not played with a 455 yet so cannot comment on those.

Maybe we should ask Howa to build a .22, they can make a centrefire to a extremely good standard that retailsfor under $800 so why not a .22?

You are right but this thread has helped make a decision to get something that may not be perfect but adequate and well matched for what I will do with it. Re the 455 I haven't seen close up or felt one but anything switch barrel must have a compromise to allow this in something I do not require to change the barrel ever (merely opinion about switch barrels maybe there is no compromise but it is my perception).

Your last line was pretty much the point of this thread, I am happy to spend but it must be good value for my money and rimfires compared to centrefires you must make a huge leap in cost to just take a somewhat minimal step up in quality.

Very true Makros. The difference in a bit of hand finishing and selecting a nice stock shouldn't be much.

I'm a tight arse and like to spend the least to do the best I can. Also like the odd occasion at the range where someone comes over to see what out shot their pride and joy, and they find it was a heap of junk that looks a heap of junk. The annoying thing is I bought this as the kids gun.

It has most certainly been an interesting thread.
I may well have to look closer at rimfires, I've always been a " buy a reasonable one and use it " bloke, however even my own earlier post about the Marlin 39a made me think there is a little more to them .
Howa make one, well thats certainly a good idea.

Mak - I think you've nailed it in the comment "something that may not be perfect but adequate and well matched for what I will do with it." Some of these rifles are quite humble but by heavens they are deadly at what they do. Give some thought to a marlin 795 which with an action polish, Mcarbo spring set to lower trigger to 3.5lbs, and a Boyds stock - can become an accurate wee shooter with real charm. Scroll down this rfc thread past the Boyds evolution 60 to the 795 in Target Hunter stock in Royal Jacaranda. Not near Weihrauch quality but a little carbine with real character.

Boyds target hunter stocks for 60/795s - RimfireCentral.com Forums

Ken - usually stick to hunting rounds for sporter rifle tests, though also some basic solids eg std vel CCI and Winchester Expert black packet. Have used at times SK, Lapua, Eley Club/Match/Tenex, Fiocchi Match/Supermatch but generally find there will be a hunting round they like. Can often be high velocity. I pop good scope on the wee rifles, run them through 8-15 types of ammo, then drill into preferred ammos. Mexican yeollow packet Aguila superextra of few years ago (almost identical to Fiocchi HV blue packet) would easily pop 0.5s and 0.6s at 100m in the EM332. That was overall the most accurate sporter round but not best in all rifles.

Very accurate sub 0.5" shooters (not just one occasional group which is meaningless) at 50m include: CZ, Brno, Norincos Em332/JW27/JW15, Marlins 980/925, and Marlin semiautos 795 and 60,Weihrauch HW 60 J. Consistently most accurate at 100m = Norinco Em332; most accurate at 50m = Marlin 60DL.

Other good performers 0.5 - 0.7" : Toz 78 (fine wee rifle for kiwi conditions), Winchester 9422, Savage Mk 2, and the excellent ruger 10/22 model 96 lever action - best of the rugers and a top hunter etc etc.

For the money, if you want a high grade, well finished rifle I think the Weihrauch HW 60 J is a great buy. The hog back butt stock doesn't slope down too much compared to some others with hog back butts. I have a beautiful, very accurate Brno Model 1 that I use for rabbits but I really liked the Weihrauch I saw at Reloaders a while back. I had to control my emotions, take several deep breaths and walk out of the store.

The Weihrauch HW 66 Production has the American style straight stock and you should be able to order one through the NZ distributor.
Weihrauch Sport - match and hunting

Dont get a 10/22 they said. You'll have to spend extra money on it they said

Get a marlin and buy a new stock and new spring then polish the action instead...


Haha righto

Originally Posted by Toby

Dont get a 10/22 they said. You'll have to spend extra money on it they said

Get a marlin and buy a new stock and new spring then polish the action instead...


Haha righto

Cheeky little bugger. I found that a free floppy spring and 10 minutes worked just as well.