Thread: .22LR rifle suggestions to upgrade from my marlin

I recently compared 4 22s in the "round $1000" mark - the Tikka, CZ457, Ruger American Stainless, and a Savage. I initially walked out with the CZ, but when I got home logic kicked in and I went back and swapped it for Ruger American Target, it ran the nicest, was the smoothest (by some margin) and it has shot well. The Tikka had the best trigger, although the CZ trigger can be adjusted to be as good, but the 10 shot mags on them both stick out, as does the Savage. The Ruger has shot very well, although my all time favourite 22 bolt is still the Lithgow LA101, these come up secondhand for $900-1200. Cheers

Originally Posted by Tentman

I recently compared 4 22s in the "round $1000" mark - the Tikka, CZ457, Ruger American Stainless, and a Savage. I initially walked out with the CZ, but when I got home logic kicked in and I went back and swapped it for Ruger American Target, it ran the nicest, was the smoothest (by some margin) and it has shot well. The Tikka had the best trigger, although the CZ trigger can be adjusted to be as good, but the 10 shot mags on them both stick out, as does the Savage. The Ruger has shot very well, although my all time favourite 22 bolt is still the Lithgow LA101, these come up secondhand for $900-1200. Cheers

@Tentman why did you choose the CZ initially? And why did you swap over for the Ruger?

Originally Posted by Tentman

I recently compared 4 22s in the "round $1000" mark - the Tikka, CZ457, Ruger American Stainless, and a Savage. I initially walked out with the CZ, but when I got home logic kicked in and I went back and swapped it for Ruger American Target, it ran the nicest, was the smoothest (by some margin) and it has shot well. The Tikka had the best trigger, although the CZ trigger can be adjusted to be as good, but the 10 shot mags on them both stick out, as does the Savage. The Ruger has shot very well, although my all time favourite 22 bolt is still the Lithgow LA101, these come up secondhand for $900-1200. Cheers

I had a tikka and a Lithgow at the same time as couldn't decide which one to get.
Lithgow has the nicer action and the tikka better trigger.
I ended up keeping the Lithgow as I had a 55moa rail custom made which could get me out to 460m.
Hindsight should of kept both.
Also rated the cz455 when I had it.
They all shot about the same with the ammo they liked.


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Well, the CZ has that high bolt lift that makes scope mounting a pain unless you can get an old style leupold with a small ocular bell.

If you shoot a tikka centrefire I would have thought the tikka would be best. Interesting that @andyanimal31 didn't keep the T1.

Its not much help at the $1000 price point, I know, but the Sako Finnfire II is elegant, has good trigger and stock.

I can advise on rings. The leupold are small and very nice and Sportsmatch are also highly thought of.