Thread: First rifle - .22 Bolt vs Semi questions

Hi all,

I’m looking at getting my first rifle in .22LR to learn the basics and build confidence. I’m debating between a semi-auto HAMMERLI TAC R1 .22 and a bolt-action Citadel Trakr .22 (18”).

Besides the obvious style and action differences, are there any notable pros and cons between these two options? I’ll mainly be using it for target shooting/hunting rabbits.

Appreciate any advice from those with experience.

if you are serious about target shooting then go bolt action is all about the trigger and barrel quality for good target shooting you need a great trigger and many semis dont have that but for bunny shooting a semi is a lot of fun - so perhaps another forum member who has one of those mentioned can tell you what the trigger is like what does it group like and even what ammo it likes but if I was going down the path of choosing a 22 for target then anshutz would be high on my list CZ 457 get good reports as do Begara want to spend big money a volquartson semi or styre zephry bolt action

Learning..bolt action all day long. No argument at all.the basic lessons transport to bigger rifles later and you learn to aim,not spray n pray....

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

Learning..bolt action all day long. No argument at all.the basic lessons transport to bigger rifles later and you learn to aim,not spray n pray....

This was my thinking as well, as I am planning to get a Tika 308 once I am confident so it makes sense to be confident with bolt action, thank you

untill you have the ingrained safe-handling habits that should come with experience , a semi auto is the last type of firearm for a beginner.

The increased safety requirements make a semi a bad first rifle, without getting into actual shooting skills.

As others have said, all the skills from a bolt-action .22 transfer over to centerfire and hunting-type applications. Having just made the switch recently, I have experienced this first-hand. You can't go wrong with a CZ/Bruno, good scope, and a yo dave trigger spring. Spend some time playing around with the rifle, try different ammo and practice the fundamentals, all without breaking the bank, cant beat that really.

Only rifle I ever regret selling was a Brno Model 2e (actually swapped it for a Ruger 10/22, long since sold on). Now own one again and love it. My thoughts are:

1. you want something that is accurate at 50m, so you can practice shooting and know when you pull your shots, etc. Most half decent 22LRs should be able to do this.
2. A bolt action 22LR will also give you the practice of using a bolt action
3. Bolt action probably more reliable?
4. More likely to take care with your first shot out hunting with a bolt action, rather than just keep squeezing the trigger until you hit something (or not!)

Personally I would favour neither rifles but pick up a 2nd hand 22LR known to shoot well. Takes alot to wear a 22LR out. I now also have a Winchester 1906 that over 100 years old, still very accurate at 50m. Currently working on scoping it, as last couple of years eyes now struggle with the open sights.

My other opinion is don't over-scope the rifle, i.e. no need for high magnification. I had a 4-12x on mine for a bit, but recently gone back to 3-9x, as in reality most hunting is around dawn/dusk and the lower magnification is better at low light. Its been talked about in the forum elsewhere recently, someone mentioned the factor of 7, i.e. with 42mm objective, magnification higher than 6x will result in dimmer image at eye. Low mag is good for stalking, as the larger field of view is more important for quick target acquisition. I find 3x is ok, (2x would probably be better) and I crank it up to 6x for the 100m shots. Only use 9x at the range, or longer shots when the light is better.

bolt action yes for target work Sako do some very nice .22 but they will break the bank even second hand -- CZ Brno yup -

first 22 in NZ for me was a ruger 10/22. Spent lots on it trying to make it accurate and reliable.
They are a pain to clean as 22 is waxed and burns dirty.
fun to plink but they keep burning ammo with every trigger press until they jam up.

Then I went and bought a JW15. Every single trigger pull counts, my accuracy got better and I found it easy to clean and is reliable.
I have my fathers original CZ Model 2E and its even sweeter, more accurate and its 41 yrs old.

I wouldn't reccomend a semi-auto

Originally Posted by Sh3eep

This was my thinking as well, as I am planning to get a Tika 308 once I am confident so it makes sense to be confident with bolt action, thank you

In that case, get a T1x. It would be the perfect trainer.

Where will you been target shooting? At local Chch range? Just thinking I could meet you at NZHA if you wanted to try the Brno 2E, at least you will know what people are talking about (CZ457 is newer version, basically the same). Not as tactical as the options you have put forward though!

Also if you are looking on TM, GC's prices are not generally representative of the 2nd hand market prices....

Originally Posted by bjp

Also if you are looking on TM, GC's prices are not generally representative of the 2nd hand market prices....

Very good point. For reference, a good condition CZ452 on Trade Me, with basic optics, should set ya back somewhere in the $600-$700

Originally Posted by MB

In that case, get a T1x. It would be the perfect trainer.

was thinking exactly the same.

another vote for tikka t1x. excellent rifles and very accurate.

Originally Posted by bjp

Where will you been target shooting? At local Chch range? Just thinking I could meet you at NZHA if you wanted to try the Brno 2E, at least you will know what people are talking about (CZ457 is newer version, basically the same). Not as tactical as the options you have put forward though!

Yeah, planning on heading to NZHA once my license arrives, hopefully it's not too far away. But if you are ever heading out to the range, I would be able to try this under supervision so would be interested in doing this