Thread: Best .22 value for money?

Not looking to buy yet- just interested to hear your thoughts.

I have a cheap Norinco jw15 that does the job but have issues with a thrifty mag release and have lost mags in past. Thinking upgrade.

What do you think is the best value for money for .22?

Preferably bolt action and 10 round mags.
Going after usual small game; rabbits, hares, possums.

Depends how you measure 'value'.
Best for $$ saved, best for accuracy, best for 'looks', best for quality of design/construction.
I like the CZ457 Varmint. Accurate, good looking, well made.
Tikka T1x maybe? I have never tried one, but some folks like them.
Howa 1100 is OKish and saves some $$.
Yeah...get the CZ457. Trust me on this!
https://www.czub.cz/en/firearms-and-...-family/cz-457

Bergara BMR gets my vote alot of gun for 1000$ compared to some mentioned bergara fit, finish and quality good value for money just like their centerfires



SPECIFICATIONS
Action: BMR
Barrel: 4140 steel matted blued finish. No. 4 taper
Twist: 1:16
Barrel length: 18”
Threaded muzzle: 1/2-28” with thread protector
Weight: 5lbs
Length: 36”
Mag capacity: 5 and 10 round magazine included
Scope mounts: 30 MOA Rail Included
Trigger: Bergara Performance Trigger. Compatible Rem700
Stock: Tactical grey with black specks.

CZ, 452, 455, 427.
Bergara.

try one of the plastic CZ mags in it.....and having owned three of them and shot many others,nope cant say Ive ever dropped out a magazine that was put in properly to begin with...slot it in and give a golly good wiggle to ensure it wont come back out....and get it fixed if it still will.... the humble norincos are a great wee rifle.

If you want a go to, work rifle, for busting bunnies etc, then I would go for either a 10/22, or a Marlin bolt.......if one of your budget was a major consideration. If you wanted a good bolt 22, then I would look at finding a tidy Brno. May be older, maybe a bit rough, but the basics will be good, and its what the Chinese copied to make your Norinco. And your lost Norinco mags will probably fit it. If your budget is huge, then a Bergara - they just bloody shoot!

Originally Posted by Husky1600

And your lost Norinco mags will probably fit it.

It doesn't matter if his lost mags fit, only the ones he hasn't lost!

I went through the same thing 2 years ago and bought a new Savage Mark II for $199. It's accurate and I'm really pleased with it. Oh; I already have a Ruger 10/22 (had it for nearly 30 years). I just wanted a basic workhorse bolt action that I could suppress for bunnies.

In the OP it asks what is best value for money rifle - then notes its for small game shooting - possums, bunnies etc. I'm guessing he's talking best value for a worker/hunter 22 bolt action, in which case expenditure on high end heavy barrel CZ or Bergara or Tikka not needed for that purpose. Doesn't need high build quality and PRS capability. Beautiful rifles yes, but there are several very effective hunter bolt actions that may fulfil his specific purpose for alot less.

Frape - first thing I'd do is get your JW release catch/mag checked - by gunsmith if neccessary. Have had/tuned 15-20 of those rifles and that's not a common issue - and likely an easy fix. Can help also to chop barrel and do recrown at same time. Almost all of our chop/modded JW15s 0.3-0.4" at 50m at best. They are brilliant wee workers, all the boys have/had them in the closet, and they've accounted for untold thousands of bunnies. Yep older ones, not Polytech or GC brand. I recall looking from truck at four bunnies on hillside ranged at 110m away. 15" barrel Norinco - boom,boom,boom,boom - all down. On another occasion walked into a small flat paddock with sparse matagouri/scrub. Bipod down, picking rest spots, and 108 bunnies down in 95 minutes. Very few misses - this with another chopped JW15. Deadly little hunters. Think twice before you sell that JW..

If you want to spend the coin to get into PRS etc then the recommendations above are good. But if function is primarily bit of bunny shooting, and you don't want to keep the JW, there are many basic bolts that would serve well. Here's a copy with some options from an earlier thread:

"Regarding most accurate bolt actions with repeatable 5 shot groups at 50m - no real surprises. Norinco Em332 (0.6" average four consec groups at 100m). Then you have the fine Marlin 25/925/880/980s etc (all 0.3- 0.4" at best), CZ and Brno (0.4s), and several Norinco JW15s which after we polished action, chopped to 16" and recrowned are consistently in 0.4s - with @gadgetman's JW shooting 0.3s for both of us. Other worthwhile field performers - Toz 78 (0.6-0.7), Toz 17 (0.7-1.0"), Savage Mk 2 (0.7"), earlier Winchesters eg models 67 and 69 etc. Less reliable performers include Brazilian makes - CBC/Magtech/Rossi etc and the Philippines made Stirling. Can be quite accurate but can also be poor construction quality. Quite a few other makes and models but can't remember them now. Surprises at first were the Marlins with their excellent microgroove barrels, and the number of JWs which once given the QC missed at factory, proved deadly and effective wee hunters. You can also consider the Euros - Krico, Voere etc but beware - parts very hard to come by now."

My suggestion is get your JW15 fixed, or possibly look at a Marlin 25/925/880 series/980 series. Very accurate wee hunters out to 100-110m. Here are some makes from quick glance at trademe:

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketpl...3?bof=jSfxGBo3

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketpl...9?bof=jSfxGBo3

and for something a little different - a lovely old classic Remmy 341. Would have snapped this up if in Chch:

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketpl...6?bof=jSfxGBo3

When I first saw the title of this thread I immediately thought of a jw15. As mentioned above by Muzza, the older ones are better shooters from what I've heard. They have MADE IN CHINA stamped into the barrel.

Is anyone familiar with the Howa 1100s? Interesting looking 22LR and they were a good deal not long back at about $799 scoped- albeit basic scope. Went to shop to check one over - found vertical pistol grip a bit too thick and squarish for my liking. Not quite an easy hand fit - but that's just me..

Have however read several links on them having consistent trouble with mag feeding - people having to return them to retailer etc. Anyone had any experience with this, able to comment on this Howa 1100??

Stirling 14 p,10 shot mag can shoot the wings off a fly at 100 yards

And by shit it has had some kills,just new stock still the old rifle.

Don't get a marlin. Mine had a bunch of issues, all resolved with great customer service from Dunedin H&F, but a pain in the butt at the time. Plus no spare magazines to be found anywhere.

i have a mint browning blr-22 (modified mag capacity to komrade stalindas requirements )
octagonal barrel, nickel plated receiver. absolutely mint condition. $1300

I ve seen two of the Rossi semis in action at the range and that sample of two shot extremely well.