Thread: Budget Plain Jane Bolt action 22 "Sleepers"

A number of inexpensive but effective bolt action hunters available. You could look at Norinco JW15 - we've chopped and polished quite alot - only takes an hour or so - and they are usually sub 0.5" at 50m at best. Some down to 0.3s. That's sharp. Only one dud from about 20 -a Polytech brand JW. Have to say though the JWs that come from one major gunshop chain are often poorly made - like factory seconds. Bolts that don't fit, barrels with next to no rifling etc...like they bought them by the scoop load. Avoid..

Then you have the Marlin model 925 and 980 - also well under half inch at 50m. Off the bench and with right ammos both these rifles match CZ452s - and some beat them. (CZ fine rifle). Then the two Toz 22s - old model 17 pretty accurate, and newer Toz78 very good little hunter. Recorded 0.7" groups at 50m but I felt there was a bit more to come. Savage Mk 2 averaged around 0.7 - 1".

Rem 580 nice rifle as are the earlier Remingtons - the 511 Scoremaster and the 512 Sportsmaster. Delightful old 22s and often fine shooters. There are also the Lithgows (Aus) which pop up from time to time. Model 12 fine wee rifle - basic but pretty sharp shooter. Check also early Winchesters eg model 69. Any of these oldies in good condition will do the job well. Problem can be parts when things break/wear out.

Another one to watch for is the Marlin 883 15 shot tube mag - sweet little rifle and again marlin microgroove accuracy. And there is also the marlin 880 bolt action heavy barrel - not dear but seriously accurate out to 100m.