Lifetime 22LR for a youngster

Turkish

5 year old buck +
I want to get my son a 22LR. While he’s been hunting and shooting for a few years, at 11 years old, this would be the first firearm that is HIS. I was given my first rifle about the same age.

Which new bolt action 22LR would you go with?
 
CZ makes some really nice 22 rifles. I have a Chinese knock off of the CZ and it's accurate, finish isn't as nice though.
 
I'm a huge fan of the Remington Targetmaster 510! CZ does make awesome .22's though. I have a youth model CZ that I like quite well. Wish I had an Ultralux!
 
Only down side to the CZ's are the plastic mags (which isn't uncommon these days), so it might be wise to buy a couple and stash them away.

Other option is to buy an older, quality used one of 50's, 60's. 70's vintage, possibly even "freshen up" the stock together.
 
I love my CZ rifle. You can get steel and plastic magazines. I have both. I do have a 6 or 7 year old 452 ultra lux. Do not recommend that modle for kids, 26" heavy barrel. I use to to mimic a heavier gun for quick and easy offhand practice. I mainly shoot flintlocks to practice for muzzleloader competitions locally.

Savage mark rifles are great on a 200ish dollar budget. Ruger american 22lr has most models with plastic stocks. However, they have a adjustable youth chunk piece you can put in place of the adult size. Not only adjusts length of pull, it does comb too. They have iron sights. Make him work for that 10x ring....... model 8303 isnt bad. I think both ruger and savage can be ordered with threads for a silencer if desired.

I'd lean towards a bolt or lever action rifle. I do like that bolt guns are easier to clean than levers. IF you get a spare magazine, spare extractor, ejector spring, stock screws, and bolt spring you probably be good for 2 lifetimes. I keep a few spare parts for my marlin 22's, SKS's, marlin 336's, and might add a part or two for the discontinued browning BLR.

Just fixed up an old marlin 22 for my wife. I would really like to buy her that ruger american. She's 5'3" and youth stuff fits her well.
 
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Hard to beat a Ruger 10/22. I've been killing stuff with mine for 35 years and have never cleaned it. LOL.
 
Hard to beat a Ruger 10/22. I've been killing stuff with mine for 35 years and have never cleaned it. LOL.
I agree the 10/22 is a classic however the OP asked for suggestions on a bolt gun.
 
I’ve owned a Ruger 10/22 for over 30 years, and while fun to shoot, it is nothing compared to the CZ I bought in 2017. One of the most accurate guns I own, and super quiet with the Ruger 22 suppressor.
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CZ-USA CZ 455 American Synthetic Suppressor-Ready Rimfire Rifle​
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If you're going to recommend a Ruger make it the 77/22. I just don't like rifles with a aluminum receiver.
 
We've got two 10/22's sitting in the corner. When it's time to grab a semi-auto for plinking they get left behind. Surprisingly the .22 we grab most often is the Rossi RS 22. What a great and reliable gun!
 
Gotta add.....that rather than those semi-auto rifles....I would suggest a lever action like the Henry or Marlin. They offer a larger tube magazine, pretty fair accuracy (at 22 ranges) and faster follow up shots than a bolt action. The lever guns are just plain fun for "plinking" and as a walk-around gun. Shorter, no scope required, easy to carry, etc. I appreciate the accuracy of a bolt action......but not as much FUN for a kid. Just saying. (I still like plinking with a lever action at my age...lol)
 
I'd go with a Bergara BMR steel. My brother just got one, and it's a solid gun and excellent value. The reviews all say they shoot. A kid is going to beat up a wood stock. The threaded barrel will allow for the addition of a rimfire suppressor, which is always great fun. It comes with a scope base, so just add rings and a scope.


I have a 77/22, which I like, but they're stupidly expensive now. They only come in 22 Hornet, according to Ruger's website. I'm fairly sure they discontinued the whole lineup. Not sure what's still available, or why.
 
I'd go with a Bergara BMR steel. My brother just got one, and it's a solid gun and excellent value. The reviews all say they shoot. A kid is going to beat up a wood stock. The threaded barrel will allow for the addition of a rimfire suppressor, which is always great fun. It comes with a scope base, so just add rings and a scope.


I have a 77/22, which I like, but they're stupidly expensive now. They only come in 22 Hornet, according to Ruger's website. I'm fairly sure they discontinued the whole lineup. Not sure what's still available, or why.
I had a Ruger 77/22 mag. Loved that gun as a truck gun for PD shoots. Had a Luepold VX111 in 3x9 power on it. Gave it to my grandson. Gonna miss it. Sweet trigger for a Ruger too.
 
11 year old kid, much better with a bolt or lever. semi-auto will be more fun than learning to shoot.

What kind of guns interest him? Classic hunter stuff like grandpa used, western stuff, old WWII things, or modern tactical stuff.
 
11 year old kid, much better with a bolt or lever. semi-auto will be more fun than learning to shoot.

What kind of guns interest him? Classic hunter stuff like grandpa used, western stuff, old WWII things, or modern tactical stuff.
So far he just likes whatever I hand him.

I like the look of the Bergara. I’d also noticed the T1X (now offered with wood stock). And the CZ was on my list.
 
I like tikkas but have heard mixed reviews on t1x. The guy that runs the 22 league at my local range said he'd seen a handful of issues with them. I still him and haw about buying one just to have the same trigger as the 5 or 6 centerfire tikkas i have. I have a CZ 455 "tacticool" model that i have shot a couple of the 22 matches with. It shoots pretty decent but Im not a huge fan of the controls. The trigger is pretty lousy, not sure if the 457 models are a significant upgrade in that regard?

Might go full send on a custom rimx build for the NRL 22 matches one of these days but haven't convinced myself id shoot enough to justify it yet.

A "lifetime" all around bolt action 22lr to me screams anschutz 1761 of your preferred flavor but that's also a good chunk of change!
 
I like tikkas but have heard mixed reviews on t1x. The guy that runs the 22 league at my local range said he'd seen a handful of issues with them. I still him and haw about buying one just to have the same trigger as the 5 or 6 centerfire tikkas i have. I have a CZ 455 "tacticool" model that i have shot a couple of the 22 matches with. It shoots pretty decent but Im not a huge fan of the controls. The trigger is pretty lousy, not sure if the 457 models are a significant upgrade in that regard?

Might go full send on a custom rimx build for the NRL 22 matches one of these days but haven't convinced myself id shoot enough to justify it yet.

A "lifetime" all around bolt action 22lr to me screams anschutz 1761 of your preferred flavor but that's also a good chunk of change!
I was given a 77/22 at his age. That’s my benchmark. I’m interested in something of that level of “heirloom.” Not extravagant, but not disposable.
 
I’ve got a savage with the accutrigger that’s a really nice shooting rifle and very accurate. My first 22 was a Remington bolt action with the worst trigger of any firearm I’ve ever owned. I didn’t realize how bad it was until I got a little older. I still have it but it just sits there. I think I’d try a couple different rifles and see if you can find one with a trigger that you like. He’ll shoot it much better and enjoy it much more if he shoots it really well.
 
I’ve got a savage with the accutrigger that’s a really nice shooting rifle and very accurate. My first 22 was a Remington bolt action with the worst trigger of any firearm I’ve ever owned. I didn’t realize how bad it was until I got a little older. I still have it but it just sits there. I think I’d try a couple different rifles and see if you can find one with a trigger that you like. He’ll shoot it much better and enjoy it much more if he shoots it really well.
The Bergara has an adjustable trigger. I'm 99% sure that you can swap in any Remington 700 compatible trigger too. There are some videos on how to mod the trigger to get it down to 1#. Not sure that's good for a kid
 
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