Thread: Budget Plain Jane Bolt action 22 "Sleepers"

Just a bit of fun . . . whats the best of the clip fed 22 bolt actions either current or obsolete - that were budget rifles at first cost (sorta disqualifies the Brno's and Annie's etc).

What do I mean by best - designs that have stood the test of time by the "value" shooters place on them for their accuracy and functionality . . .

I'll start the ball rolling with a suggestion of the Remington 580

I had a Stirling model 14P that kept on ticking no matter what.

Toz
Mate had one. Ugly as but it shot pretty good.

What are you setting Budgets limit at?

No limit but how about if the original cost was 1/3rd less that of a Brno Model 2 - currently a rough equivalent is the CZ 455 at about $800-$900, so up to about $600 in today's $$ - its just for a fun thought provoker . . . .

Norinco JW 15 A, roughly made, poor finish, crap wood, fucked inletting, .................shoots as well as a CZ, I know Ive had both.

I paid about $500 for my CZ452 from memory 2nd hand, and holy crap does it shoot with CCI subs, another two 'pest' birds down at 113 yards yesterday, I validated it out to 200 yards, I dial it, and if i miss its my fault, not the rifles.

Before this i tried a couple of Marlins as had read they generally shot well, a stainless 795 semi and a 25N, they werent a patch on the 452.

Originally Posted by viper

Norinco JW 15 A, roughly made, poor finish, crap wood, fucked inletting, .................shoots as well as a CZ, I know Ive had both.

I've used friends examples of both long-term and wouldn't say the JW15 shot as well. It might have shot as accurately, but thats only part of shooting well. Crude, agricultural, rough action, the safety was so stiff from new that you had to use your whole hand to move it (loosened up after a year or two along with the bolt smoothing out a bit), had to modify the magazine to even make it feed properly.

I like the Savage Mk2, good reliable shooter with the one of the best factory triggers around. Haven't tried the new version with the flush rotary mag and new stock design, but it should be good too.

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.

@Tentman

Easy then the New stainless CZ. Good fibreglass stock a stainless version of a classic mine is shot out to 300m regularly. Shoots 1-1.5moa with cci sub sonic hollowpoints and will do half moa with Tenex. The thing is a real do all. The only other one I've seen shot the same with the cci sub hps (better than the standard). And best if all $769 at reloaders so most places will match

Originally Posted by mudgripz

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.

You pretty much nailed it there.

My best value was a JW27 b/a Norinco. Didn't even intend buying one. Went into the local Gun shop with my savage stevens semi auto. It It looked well looked after and in very good nick but would not cycle more than two rounds in a sequence. Something very wrong with it. Was dropping it off as had arranged the gunsmith to look at it when he could. I was waiting patiently while the owner was serving a customer. While waiting I looked at the Norinco JW27 brand new sitting there with a $195 tag saying "buy me". Before I could say why I was there the fellow behind the counter said words to the effect of "What is the rifle you are holding?" Savage Stevens. He says " I will do you a straight swap for the Norinco but I don't want the scope. My reply was "Done, I will fit the scope to the Norinco". ( I was not one to look a gift horse in the mouth and say No thank you, and if he wasn't going to do due dillegence and ask why I was their , was that really my problem?....Had it ever since. Fired brick after brick after brick through it, still as accurate as ANY 22 I have ever owned. It is not worth a lot, but I will never part with it.

Originally Posted by viper

Norinco JW 15 A, roughly made, poor finish, crap wood, fucked inletting, .................shoots as well as a CZ, I know Ive had both.

true

Iv got two cz's and had a GC norinco and also have a wood/blue jw15 (fairly nice for norinco) the gc one I sold without shooting really seriously with it but it was great at 50m. the cz's are as expected. and the nice shoots pretty nice too. it is for sale if anyone is keen?

Bsa sportsman, that thing could knock over an empty 308 case at 30-40m every time... And that was when I was learning to shoot. Sold in a moment of madness

well bought my JW15 second hand for $150 suppressed and scoped with untold amount of rounds through it, bolt is nice and smooth and consistently shoots half moa or better at 50m, mine must be well worn in but definitely not worn out.
agreed its not pretty or refined but even after putting 1000+ rounds through it myself it definitely shoots far better than it's price would dictate or it looks would suggest.
that is a sleeper in my books.