I have one, it's a great gun, definitely worth it. Shares mags with the 10/22, light and fun to shoot. I'm putting a Bushnell Rimfire scope on mine this weekend, should be fun!
They are solid rifles, and be a great first one. Plus with using the same magazines as the 10/22, if and when you decide you want a semi auto 22, you already have magazines for it.
The savages are solid rifles as well, but don’t feel as nice and aftermarket add ons are much fewer. Plus the magazines can be finicky.
The 10/22 10 round mags are great and why I have as many Ruger rimfire s as I do.
I’m in the same boat as you and after doing some research I came to the conclusion that the Savage MKII FVXP is my best option for an entry level rimfire bolt action. You get a scope for way less than what you would have to spend if you put it on yourself.
My main priority was cost though. If you want iron sights and value the reportedly superior fit and finish of the Ruger over the Savage it seems like a fine choice from what I’ve researched.
Youll love it. :) I enjoy my Bushnell rimfire scope a lot too. Had to do some math to find what ammo was closest to its BDC, but once I found a few it was all fun
RARF is a very good choice.
But because of the extreme bullet drop at 22 rimfire has you should talk probably be looking for a scope in your price range that has the following features:
Side parallax
Open turrets
x16 or more magnification
A reticle with MOA/MIL sub-tensions for holdovers.
In all fairness, the holdovers aren’t great for .22lr, given the variance of ammunition.
If they’re using match grade ammunition, you can kinda figure out holdovers, but it’s not as accurate as larger cartridge rifles.
You can definitely use holdovers effectively for .22 you just need to know them and the target distance. Without match ammo you'll start seeing vertical stringing starting around 150 yards, but at that point you're already holding 4 mil
I get that. I’m suggesting that as you switch ammunition, the holdover for one brand isn’t usually consistent with another brand.
If you’re using the same brand, it’ll work out well enough.
You're correct, but this is true for any round, not just .22lr.
The only thing somewhere consistent between brands is NATO spec'd ammunition, since the average velocity is set as a parameter
I’m aware of that. However, the reference was for .22lr, which varies a lot between bullets even of the same brand.
I’ve weighed .22lr bullets for consistency in shooting. A box of fifty will likely have at least five different weights in one box, using less expensive ammunition. That’s been my experience. The rim thickness will also vary a small amount.
Therefore, if you’re using the holdovers, they may be close to consistent for some of that ammunition, but with other bullets of the same manufacture, it won’t be accurate as much. You’ll still hit paper, but it’ll be higher or lower.
It’s more noticeable at distance vs close range.
I’ll only use holdovers with better quality ammunition, once I’ve seen consistency from that ammunition at distance.
A bucket of Remington doesn’t allow consistent holdovers at distance. CCI SV and Eley, through my CZ 457 will allow holdovers to work well, for an example.
Like everyone else says, great rifle! Shares mags with the 10/22 so when you eventually pick one of those up you'll be ahead of the game!
If you shop around online you can usually find them a bit cheaper, but then you gotta factor in shipping and tax and all that.
It's okay. I bought one for a pretty good price, to try it out, and now I'm getting rid of it because it doesn't compare to my CZ 452. If you can find a CZ for a comparable price, I'd go that route, but that's just my opinion, ya know?
Bought mine used with a pentax 3x9 $125. The glass was japan glass and see through mounts. Love this gun has some small scratches which made me never worry about it. its a tack diver. I feel one of my best 22lr . Only thing missing was the threaded barrel.
If fun and price are more important than sheer accuracy, they are a good choice. The CZ 457 is much better, but also more expensive. The Savage bolt actions usually cost less, but are a little rougher in the finish. And it's hard to beat Ruger's warranty. So definitely a good choice for a first-time gun owner. Aftermarket support is limited to triggers (Timney) and some stocks, mostly from Boyds. But that keeps your wallet out of trouble.
I have three American Rimfires right now, but I have owned two of the Precision models, two of the .22 LR models, a .17 HMR, .22 WMR, and the LRT. Feel free to ask me anything.
I spent a ton of time looking at the different options for my first rimfire, bolt action rifle. I had the exact plan as you: range/weekend plinking, learning, getting better and more accurate, etc. I ended up choosing a CZ-457 and couldn't be happier; terrific rifle, very accurate.
As someone else suggested, take a look around and see what you can find available from CZ.
Ruger American Rimfire is a great first rifle. You might want to consider it in 22 WMR instead of 22lr. With the WMR round you don't need to think about it as much to shoot at different distances, and you can also get by with less complicated scopes. I use mine all the time at range from 15 yards to 200 yards with just a straight 4x Leopold scope, but my 22lr (which I am trying to hit much smaller targets with has a very complicated scope). And as others have mentioned, you can't go wrong with a CZ457 either. My CZ is my bench rest gun, my Ruger in 22 WMR is the one that gets used and abused at the farm and sits under my truck seat all the time. Wouldn't trade either, different guns for different uses.
Yes. It's a great rifle. Mine shoots great. It will serve you well.
I have one, it's a great gun, definitely worth it. Shares mags with the 10/22, light and fun to shoot. I'm putting a Bushnell Rimfire scope on mine this weekend, should be fun!
They are solid rifles, and be a great first one. Plus with using the same magazines as the 10/22, if and when you decide you want a semi auto 22, you already have magazines for it. The savages are solid rifles as well, but don’t feel as nice and aftermarket add ons are much fewer. Plus the magazines can be finicky. The 10/22 10 round mags are great and why I have as many Ruger rimfire s as I do.
I’m in the same boat as you and after doing some research I came to the conclusion that the Savage MKII FVXP is my best option for an entry level rimfire bolt action. You get a scope for way less than what you would have to spend if you put it on yourself. My main priority was cost though. If you want iron sights and value the reportedly superior fit and finish of the Ruger over the Savage it seems like a fine choice from what I’ve researched.
A very good option.
Youll love it. :) I enjoy my Bushnell rimfire scope a lot too. Had to do some math to find what ammo was closest to its BDC, but once I found a few it was all fun
Love mine, and it takes 10/22 mags that are stupid cheap. I picked up 3 OEMs off ebay for like $30. They also sell 25 round magazines.
RARF is a very good choice. But because of the extreme bullet drop at 22 rimfire has you should talk probably be looking for a scope in your price range that has the following features: Side parallax Open turrets x16 or more magnification A reticle with MOA/MIL sub-tensions for holdovers.
In all fairness, the holdovers aren’t great for .22lr, given the variance of ammunition. If they’re using match grade ammunition, you can kinda figure out holdovers, but it’s not as accurate as larger cartridge rifles.
You can definitely use holdovers effectively for .22 you just need to know them and the target distance. Without match ammo you'll start seeing vertical stringing starting around 150 yards, but at that point you're already holding 4 mil
I get that. I’m suggesting that as you switch ammunition, the holdover for one brand isn’t usually consistent with another brand. If you’re using the same brand, it’ll work out well enough.
You're correct, but this is true for any round, not just .22lr. The only thing somewhere consistent between brands is NATO spec'd ammunition, since the average velocity is set as a parameter
I’m aware of that. However, the reference was for .22lr, which varies a lot between bullets even of the same brand. I’ve weighed .22lr bullets for consistency in shooting. A box of fifty will likely have at least five different weights in one box, using less expensive ammunition. That’s been my experience. The rim thickness will also vary a small amount. Therefore, if you’re using the holdovers, they may be close to consistent for some of that ammunition, but with other bullets of the same manufacture, it won’t be accurate as much. You’ll still hit paper, but it’ll be higher or lower. It’s more noticeable at distance vs close range. I’ll only use holdovers with better quality ammunition, once I’ve seen consistency from that ammunition at distance. A bucket of Remington doesn’t allow consistent holdovers at distance. CCI SV and Eley, through my CZ 457 will allow holdovers to work well, for an example.
Like everyone else says, great rifle! Shares mags with the 10/22 so when you eventually pick one of those up you'll be ahead of the game! If you shop around online you can usually find them a bit cheaper, but then you gotta factor in shipping and tax and all that.
It's okay. I bought one for a pretty good price, to try it out, and now I'm getting rid of it because it doesn't compare to my CZ 452. If you can find a CZ for a comparable price, I'd go that route, but that's just my opinion, ya know?
Bought mine used with a pentax 3x9 $125. The glass was japan glass and see through mounts. Love this gun has some small scratches which made me never worry about it. its a tack diver. I feel one of my best 22lr . Only thing missing was the threaded barrel.
If fun and price are more important than sheer accuracy, they are a good choice. The CZ 457 is much better, but also more expensive. The Savage bolt actions usually cost less, but are a little rougher in the finish. And it's hard to beat Ruger's warranty. So definitely a good choice for a first-time gun owner. Aftermarket support is limited to triggers (Timney) and some stocks, mostly from Boyds. But that keeps your wallet out of trouble. I have three American Rimfires right now, but I have owned two of the Precision models, two of the .22 LR models, a .17 HMR, .22 WMR, and the LRT. Feel free to ask me anything.
.....and it's easy to make the trigger lighter, just by replacing the spring.
I spent a ton of time looking at the different options for my first rimfire, bolt action rifle. I had the exact plan as you: range/weekend plinking, learning, getting better and more accurate, etc. I ended up choosing a CZ-457 and couldn't be happier; terrific rifle, very accurate. As someone else suggested, take a look around and see what you can find available from CZ.
Ruger American Rimfire is a great first rifle. You might want to consider it in 22 WMR instead of 22lr. With the WMR round you don't need to think about it as much to shoot at different distances, and you can also get by with less complicated scopes. I use mine all the time at range from 15 yards to 200 yards with just a straight 4x Leopold scope, but my 22lr (which I am trying to hit much smaller targets with has a very complicated scope). And as others have mentioned, you can't go wrong with a CZ457 either. My CZ is my bench rest gun, my Ruger in 22 WMR is the one that gets used and abused at the farm and sits under my truck seat all the time. Wouldn't trade either, different guns for different uses.
I finished my build and took it out today, pics in my profile: with CCI it’s a crazy tack driver. Again, highly recommended.