Outstanding bolt-action rifles are also available from Ceska Zbrojovka (CZ). The CZ 452 American features a well-shaped, checkered walnut stock, highly polished and blued metal parts, and true sporting rifle styling. They also have barrels that are threaded into the steel receivers. Several versions of the CZ 452 are available, but the typical retail price for the CZ 452 American is about $350 to $375. Evaluations on the performance of two of these fine CZ rifles in 22 LR and 17 HMR calibers are included in Chapter 13. Other versions of the CZ 452 series include the Lux, Varmint, Style, Silhouette, and FS, which differ in stock and barrel materials. The Varmint has a shorter barrel of heavier weight and a stock that is of a target shape. The Lux version features a longer barrel and a stock of European design, and the FS (full-stock) version has a fulllength or Mannlicher style stock. Synthetic stocks are found on the Style which has nickel finished metal and the Silhouette which has blued metal.
This listing of options should show that Ruger and CZ bolt-action rifles are available in an array of models that allow a selection to suit almost any taste. Even though these rifles are priced below the models from Anschutz, Cooper, Kimber, and Sako, do not assume that they are drab in appearance. For most of us, the Ruger and CZ models represent stylish rifles that also deliver excellent performance. Of course, models are available in 22 LR, 22 WMR, 17 HMR, and 17 Mach 2 calibers. If you want to consider them as fine sporting rifles for shooters on a somewhat limited budget, it would not be inappropriate.
Rimfire shooters who favor lever-action rifles and want outstanding performance can choose the elegant Winchester 9422 Legacy.
The Marlin Model 39A has been produced for many years. It is well known as a dependable, accurate rifle.
The Browning BL-22 is a lever-action rimfire that is beautiful and reliable.
Autoloader fans have available a deluxe model in the stylish Remington 552.
With its heavy hammer forged barrel, the Ruger 10/22T is well known for its accuracy.
All of these Ruger and CZ models are bolt-action repeaters. The CZ has a grooved receiver and can accept any of the popular scope mounts that clamp in these grooves. The Ruger has the integral base configuration that requires Ruger rings or those made by other companies that fit the curved notches that are milled into the Ruger receiver. Rings are supplied with the Ruger rifles so the slightly higher cost of the Ruger compared to the CZ is partially offset. Both the Ruger and CZ rifles have performed extremely well for me, and they are widely available.
Up to this point, the discussion of rifles in the $300 to $500 range has been concerned with boltaction models, but it certainly should not be limited to that action type. Also in the $300 to $500 range are the Winchester 9422, Marlin 39A and Browning BL-22 lever-actions all of which are fine rifles for almost any sporting purpose. The Winchester 9422 and Marlin 39A (which has the distinction of being the rimfire long gun in longest production) have retail prices around $400 or slightly more. The Browning BL-22 sells for approximately the same price. Like other lever-actions, this rifle makes use of a tubular magazine held under the barrel and typifies the superb fit and finish for which Browning firearms are famous. The Ruger 96 lever-action, which has a receiver with a rounded profile with no external hammer, is produced in 22 WMR as the Model 96/22M and in 17 HMR as the Model 96/17. An evaluation of the Winchester 9422 is presented in Chapter 13.
A rather wide selection of autoloaders fall in the $300 to $500 range. Autoloaders include the Thompson/Center Classic, the Remington 552 BDL Speedmaster, and the some of the Browning Buck Mark models. Target type autoloaders in this price range include the Ruger 10/22T, T/C Benchmark, and Browning Buck Mark Target models. The Ruger 10/22T has a heavy, beautifully finished hammer-forged barrel and comes with no sights. With a blue barrel, the list price is $445 while the stainless steel version has a list price of $495. Retail prices are normally about $100 lower. Performance of the Ruger 10/22T is discussed in Chapter 13. For shooting that may involve low-level bench rest or silhouette competition, the choice would be a toss up between the Ruger 10/22T and the T/C Benchmark depending on personal preference. At 7.5 pounds without sights, the Ruger 10/22T and T/C Benchmark are somewhat heavy for general field use, but either would be an outstanding rifle for the hunter who likes to sit in the woods watching for squirrels. Keep in mind, there is a lot of personal preference in these suggestions (not necessarily to be taken as the author’s recommendations), but they are based on experience with several of the rifles described.
Built on the same action as the pistol with the same name, the Browning Buck Mark is a reliable, accurate rifle with unusual appearance.
The Thompson/Center Classic is known for outstanding accuracy. It is also one of the most elegant autoloaders available.
One of the most stylish autoloaders ever produced is the Browning Semi Automatic.
The MA 2000 from Majestic Arms offers the rimfire shooter a takedown semiautomatic that features the Aluma-Lite barrel that has a Lothar Walther insert.
The T/C Classic has a well-shaped and finished walnut stock and metal parts that are highly polished and blued. Unlike most other 22 LR autoloaders, the receiver is made of steel. It comes drilled and tapped for attaching Weaver-style scope bases (see Chapter 5). The 20-inch match-grade barrel is threaded into the receiver to provide rigid attachment that doubtless contributes to the high level of accuracy that this model exhibits. This is an elegant auto-loading sporting rifle that has a retail price around $300, and it has established an enviable reputation for accuracy as will be described in Chapter 13.
In addition to the Classic version, the T/C autoloader is also available with a stainless steel barrel and receiver combined with a black composite stock. This version, known as the Silver Lynx, is impervious to the elements and is a good choice for those hunters who encounter a wide variety of weather conditions. T/C also produces the 22 Benchmark which features a heavy barrel that is 18 inches long and a laminated hardwood stock giving a rifle that weighs almost 7 pounds without sights. A 10-round magazine is standard on the Benchmark. This is the target version of the Classic sporter, and both are known for their superb accuracy.
One of the best-known 22 LR autoloaders of all time is the Browning Semi-Auto 22 (known as the Model SA 22) which is one of the most streamlined rifles ever made. It utilizes a tubular magazine that is located in the stock so there is no magazine protruding from the bottom of the action or tube under the barrel. Also, empty cases are ejected from the bottom of the action so there are no cut out sections on the sides of the receiver. Left-handed shooters appreciate not having empty cases ejected across their faces from the right hand side of the receiver. Like most other Browning