Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Rimfires Must own .22's........

Let's talk must own .22's. Vintage or modern marvels, doesn't matter! Bolt action, pumps, auto's, single shots, all welcome to the list!

I'm not interested in collectors items, special additions, etc. I like to hunt and shoot, not into "safe queens". Post up your list of .22 rimfire rifles that you think every shooting/hunting enthusiast should own, shoot and hunt with at least once.

I'll start with these, in no particular order:

Marlin 39
Rem 541's
Anything Anschutz
Winchester Model 62
CZ 452/453
Kimbers
Stevens Model 25
Rem 552 Speedmaster
Ruger 10/22...............



X-VERMINATOR

I've probably made my preferences known enough on this site, but the quality of these rifles is worth repeating for those who are looking for old school blue/walnut rifles that shoot well and are a joy to carry-
Some of these will shoot better than the price would indicate- My 69A's will sometimes give my 52B a run for its money with the right lot of ammo and good conditions. At 50 yards, all of these rifles are capable of 1/2" groups and the top 5 in my experience are capable of much better than that with the right ammo...

Winchester 52 Repro
WInchester 69A in its many versions
Winchester 75 Sporter
Winchester 72
Remington 541S, 541T
Remington Teens- 511, 512, 513, 514
Remington 504
Remington 547
Kimber of Oregon 82 Classic
Brno #1
Mauser 310 (IIRC)
Sako Finnfire

Man there are several on my list.. Have owned or have many of these;

BSA Martini
Remington 541S
Winchester 52
CZ 452
S&W K22
S&W Model 41
High Standard Supermatic or Victory
Colt Officer's Model Target or Match
Anschtuz

Most of these I now own or have owned



Remington 40X Repeater Sporter
Savage/Anschutlz
P-94 Sako
Remington 40 X Bench Rifle
Remington 40 X Single Shot Sporter
Mauser 201
Kimber 82 Oregon
Remington 541 S
Cooper Model 36 Silhouette
Remington 511

T/C 55 Classic
Winchester 74
Remington 597 22LR
Remington 597 22 WIn Mag

High Standard Victor 5 1/2 BBL

Winchester 1906, 22 short, long, long rifle.



Ruger Single-Six, 22LR

Nice, roundoak!!


X-VERMINATOR

Mossberg 44-USD
Ruger Single Six
Anschutz 54
Winchester 52d
V-22
Remington model 12

Cooper M57
Win 61
S&w 617

Would like to try a Kidd 10/22!

I have owned many dozen .22's of various types and vintages. These are the keepers.
CZ 452
Remington 12c (best of all the vintage pumps, in my opinion)
Winchester 1885
Ruger Mark IV Hunter

For work....
Marlin 39
CZ 452
K22
Single Six

For fun....
10-22
MKIV

Good lists.

Isn't amazing that some folks dont have or dont want a .22?

Winchester M/52 Sporter, M/61 Slide Action, M/63 Semi-auto and Springfield 1922 M2. I've also owned a BRNO Model 1 and an Anschutz M/54 Stutzen.

S&W 41 is a must have...

10/22 is a functional should have...

Nylon66 is the "nostalgia" must have

Win 69A is the sleeper must have

Win 75 is the reliable must have

I love rimfires

Cooper 57M
Ruger Walnut Sporter 10/22 (plus several customized configurations)
Marlin 39D
Volquartsen
Browning FN T-Bolt T2
Ruger 77/22
Remington 12c

I agree with a lot of what has already been said and a few others...


52
54
Smith 41-1 or 41
40xb
Single Six
Ruger Mark IV
10/22
Kimber of Oregon
Remington 12C
39A
High Standard Supermatic Trophy and/Or Victor
At a least a couple military trainers...
Vudoo

I agree with most of the choices here. I picked up a Remington 580 the other day and have to say i am impressed and believe it deserves to be included.

It isn't fancy but it is very accurate, has a decent trigger and six locking lugs, how many 22's are built that stout?

Bought it from Dennis Olson , the gunsmith in Plains, Mt. and he told me he converts them to center fire! 22 Hornet, 30 carbine etc.....

I think having one in 218 bee would be pretty cool.

For me, my only must own 22 is my Marlin Original Golden 39M 22 s,l,lr. This is kind of newer version of the Mountie made in the 70's and 80's but with a slimmer forearm and more tapered 20" barrel. So about 36" long and around 5 pounds, but solid as a rock.
The ultimate utlity rifle. And shoots everything well. Must be the micro-groove?

The other brands of lever actions are ok, and I'd take one if I had to. But none equal the Marlin to my thinking. Not the Winchester, Browning, or the Henry.
I've had a Remington 121, which was nice, but not the same durability or utility as the little straight stocked lever. Autos are fun, but none with the class or durability as the 39. I wouldn't mind a nice bolt action, but I wouldn't get rid of the 39M to get any of them.
Always had a hankerin for a 552BDL and a 597Magnum though.

Some kind of 22 pistol is good to have too. But I don't think any certain one is THE must have.
My Ruger Mark II Target Tapered is accurate, bulletproof, and a good choice. But I don't feel so strongly that another nice 22 pistol couldn't replace it. I could live with a Single Six, Single Nine, a K22 or any similar high quality double action revolver. A Colt Woodsman or various High Standards or Smith & Wesson autos. Browning Buckmark, something from Baretta, Sig, maybe Walther, or ever an SR22 could work for me. Or those mini-1911's are cool too.

+1.... I might also include an 1890 deluxe

1) Springfield M2
2) Winchester 52, in any configuration
3) BRNO No.1 and No.2
4)Remington 12C
5)Marlin 39
-Not in any particular order, depending on the job at hand or the mind set du jour.
-Add the 10/22, Winchester 69, Winchester 06, Martini 12 or 12/15 for sh*ts and grins, because why not?

So many great 22's already listed
add H&K270 and Dan Wesson 22--gotta luv those changeable barrels!!

CZ 452 full stock

Ruger 10/22 RSI
Ruger Single Six convertible
Ruger Mk III
Ruger LCR

Colt Officers Model Match

Have, have had, will have others, but standouts for me are;

Nylon 66
Rem 512
CZ452V

39A
CZ 452
For auto's, has to be a 10/22. Son pirated mine.

Have not seen the Smith and Wesson Victory 22 mentioned so I’ll add it here. Very impressed with mine. I also like my Henry’s.

Rob

Anschutz
Kleinguenthers
Remington 541
Ruger mark II
S&W 41
Winchester pumps
Mauser
Man the more I think about it there sure is some nice choices. Hasbeen

Have either had, or played with a good bit:

Marlin 82
Marlin 39M
Rem 581
Nylon 12
Nylon 66
10/22
Kimber 82
77/22
T/C Classic
Smith 41
Smith 17
Ruger Mk2&3
New Bearcat
Single Six
CZ 455
CZ453
9422
Original TBolt

All of them pretty good guns, with a couple of quirks here and there. A few were outstanding. Two I still want to try are a Browning SA and a Low Wall.

some of the "must-have" rimfires for me...

assorted Kimber 82's
Various Anschutz sporters , both 54's & 64's...
Ruger 77/22's
Rem 541's
various CZ452's
and, i like the older 500-series Remington bolt guns, in both single shot & repeater variations.

as auto-loaders go:
Remington Speedmaster
Ruger 10/22's
Nylon 66

Guess in handguns, my must-have .22 list would include
Assorted S&W K22's
and, a S&W j-frame or 2
Ruger Mark II

Marlin 39 of some variation

every man should own the following at least once in his life;
M2 Springfield
41 Smith
High Standard Victor
37 Remington
63 Winchester

“Must own” is different than what one likes but I feel you wouldn’t be complete without
Anschutz 54
Winchester 52
Plain Jane 10-22 (they just work all the time)
High zoot 10-22 (KIDD)
40x

S&W 41
Single six

Browning SA-22

And an H&R 999 is a must have for me.

MUST own? Ruger 10/22 & MKII. The rest are just fluff. I own a bunch of fluff too.

Some of my favorites:

Belgian Browning T-Bolt (Grade II, LH)
Remington 541S
Remington Nylon 66
Tactical Solutions X-Ring (Ruger 10/22)

I'll add more later. Mama is calling me to dinner.

When Mr Woodchuck shows up it's almost always a 10/22 that comes out the door. Every shooter should own at least one.
Ruger Mk I,II,or III.
Ruger Bearcat
541-s
Remington beehive bolt series
Remington 580, 581, 582
Remington 34, 341 just because that lifter system is sooooo cool
Nylon 66 just, because

Ruger Single Six .22LR/.22WM
Browning Buckmark
Browning SA .22

I have been fortunate to have owned dozens of 22 firearms ( in the past near 40 years) probably like many of you. So, I will call 22 LR ownership a journey. Buy/trade for one. Shoot it. Evaluate it. Keep it or trade it for something else. Wash, rinse, repeat.

I hope all 22 LR rifle owners have the opportunity to own and SHOOT A TRULY ACCURATE 22. Something with some heft and barrel hang. There is just something special about shooting a sub-1/2” group at something like 50 yards.

A “ must have” 22 LR rifle for accuracy? Pick one. Ones that I have owned/shot include: CZ-452 American, Anschutz 1411 ( 54 action), Rem 540xr, Marlin 880 SQ, Win 310, Marlin model 60 ( still own all of those).

Others I sold: Win 75 target, Win 69a ( gave to my niece), Marlin 39a ( gave to my other niece), Rem 521, 510, 511,580, 37, Mossberg 144 , Rem fieldmaster, Savage 22/410, Erma bolt military trainer ( brother has it), Ruger 10/22, and several others. I have enjoyed the journey.-hope to play with a couple more of them.

Townsend Whelan wrote, “Only accurate guns are intetesting”. He has a point.

Side note: research the writings of Don Lewis. He wrote for Pennsylvania Gun News for decades (1960s- 1980s?, 1990s+?),and many other magazines. I remember an article he wrote in the 1977 Gun Digest ( dark blue cover with flintlock rifles on the cover- still remember it). He wrote an article about squirrel hunting with accurate 22 rifles. He liked an Anschutz model 64 medium weight target rifle with a 6x Unertl. He had accuracy results of about a dozen 22 rifles shooting different ammo. He praised the accuracy he got from standard velocity ammo instead of HV ammo. That article got me going on 22 rifles for hunting. Great article, try to find it.

Older 22's, for the most part, are my favorite must have's, walnut and blue steel.

Anschutz either 54 or 64, both good
Rem 541 S or T, again both good
Kimber of Oregon 82
CZ452 American
Ruger Mk I or II
Ruger Single Six
Marlin 81/781
Rem 581 or 582
Rem 550-1

These are or were in my inventory at one time or another and I am glad I had a chance to shoot them.

Others that were forgettable were

Ruger 10/22
Rem 552
Ruger 77/22
Marlin 60

My must haves include my current 22 s as I don't plan on letting any of them go anytime soon.

Remington 12 (First gun I ever shot. Belonged to my Great Grandfather)
Remington 581 (First gun I bought)
Ruger 10-22
Marlin 39 A
Marlin 57 Levermatic 22
Marlin 57 Levermatic 22 Mag
Kimber 22 Classic
Ruger Single Six
Ivers Johnson .22 Supershot Sealed Eight

tend to agree with this.

Me too, except replace the Mark II with the Mark IV.

Ruger 10/22 auto

Ruger 77/22 bolt

Browning BLR lever

77/22
10/22
Single Six
BL-22
Buckmark
Win M61

Would have said Ruger MKII until I owned one....

I have a new Tikka on my list... If it would ever arrive from Finland.


Anyword there shortactionsmoker ?

For myself only, my list would be

CZ 452
Ruger SR-22
10/22 (I like the DSPs, but some of the others aren't too bad, I do NOT like the standard carbines)
CZ 455 Scout (handle one, and you won't want to put it down)
Marlin 39 or Winchester 94/22, if you can find one (I don't own one, but would love a 94/22)
Winchester 52
Winchester 61, just because.
Smith K-22

That’s funny - every .22 that I ever bought was a must own😄. My favorites are the ones that I use for squirrel hunting - Remington 541s and 40x, Kimbers, Coopers 36 & 57s, Anschutz 54s & 64s, Mausers - 201, 350s, and 410b, Winchesters 75 & 52 sporters, Mossbergs 42& 46s, Rugers 77/22, Marlins 39 & 1897, CZs, S&W 617, High Standards - any, etc.....

PennDog

CZ 452, 94/22, 10/22s, Ruger77/22 mag, Ruger 77/17, Marlin Stainless 17, Marlin stainless 22 Mag
and Marlin 25 in 22 Mag...

Ruger 10/22
Remington 513T
Browning 1911-22
Winchester 9422
Remington 552 Speedmaster

Anything Rem 5teen.
CZ 455s. Varmint and fullstock here
Pre war Colt Officer Models are nice.
Old semi autos made by High Standard are sleepers
Didn't care for the Mk III 22/45 I used to have
There are others. Fluff as mentioned

If a bunch of us were closer, it would be a hoot to get together with the rimfires and have a range day. Sounds like some serious rimfire loonies on the forum...

Bob

A few times a year a couple of us get together and shoot nothing but .22’s for a few days....

For me there is only one "must have" 22lr and that is the 1958 Brno model 5. All else is optional.

One of my bigger gun selling mistakes was a nice Brno #5 I had that got sold to fund something else, long since forgotten. That was a stupid move!

Oh damn! Wish you guys were closer, I would love to join that party.

My must own start with:
39A
521T
513T
CZ
K-22's..

I would like a model 94/22 to match my .22 mag..

My 10-22 is fun, but I seldom shoot it..

enjoy my colt match target .22 handgun, 572 rem fieldmaster. have a zastava mdl five i shoot now, the cz452, and the iver johnson m-1 carbine with peep sight is pretty much kept in the safe. and then there's the hi-standard double niner i wouldn't sell.

39 Mountie
1948 browning auto
smith m 18
smith m pre 17
Cooper JSR
Cooper Classic
Kimber of NY every model and some duplicates
Everybody needs a 10/22

I wish I still had my finfire, rem apache and my old colt new frontier buntline....

Rem speedmaster...just got my first one, awesome little gun
10/22
77/22
I'm a fan of any old nice single shot, win/rem, just picked up a springfield/savage 120a that is accurate as all get out
Old pumps, currently have an 1890, 62, and rem 121
CZ 452
Really impressed with a Win 320 I just purchased.
Ruger MkI or II, single sixes, bearcats

I just love 22s. Really want an old model 63, got a buddy who has two from when he was a kid and I'll get a chance at them at some point

Xverminator: I feel lucky that I currently own all my "must have" 22 Rifles!

Including:
#1: Remington 40X
#2: Kimber M-22 H/S (Hunter/Silhouette)
#3: Sako P-94S (heavy barrel)
#4: Kimber 82-G (heavy barrel)
#5: Ruger 77 V/T (heavy barrel)
#6: Winchester Model 75 Target
#7: Remington 541-T
#8: Marlin 39A
#9: Ruger 77/22 All Weather
#10: Marlin 39-TDS
#11: Ruger 10/22 Deluxe

Long live the 22 L.R.!
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I presently have a Cooper 57M Classic, a CZ switch-barrel 455, a Ruger 10-22 Sporter with some great wood, Shilen sporter barrel and Timney trigger. Just fell into a Winchester 69A for $100 Canadian with a Weaver B4 on it and spare magazine....shoots well and has found a new home.

I've owned but sold a Browning T-bolt T2 with nice wood I bought new in high school for $74, a Remington 541S (maybe the most accurate .22 I've owned with the crappiest magazine), a Winchester M52E heavy barrel, M52 pre-A with light target barrel, a Winchester M75 target, a Browning Auto Takedown, a Remington 511 clip and an Anschutz (lowest grade model sold in Canada, not accurate?). No regrets from moving on from any of this list and owning the first list above.

Short answer is

Start with a single shot rifle - no scope! - so that you develop focus and marksmanship. Keep one around for the rest of your life.

For "blue collar" guns:

A Ruger MkII (any model with adjustable sights) will do whatever you want to do with it for as long as you choose to do it. There are plenty of other good 22 pistols out there, but thats the "must own" one to me. Opinions will vary 👍

For a bolt - again, many good ones. In torn between the Remington 58X series and the CZ 45X guns. I like th CZ better in general especially the American models but the Remingtons are consistently top notch shooters as well and definitely cost less.

For semi auto rifles - NOT an OEM 10-22. My must owns are a Remington 552 and the Nylon 66, for different reasons.


For when you're ready to invest a bit more in your passion:

A Smith 41. They really are something.

For a bolt, I would say a Kimber sporter like the Cascade, or a 64 action Anschutz sporter.

For an auto, it really has to be the 10-22. There is no end to what you can do with it, and building one up just adds to the fun.
I have 1 upgraded 10-22 and it is the best shooting rimfire I have ever owned. Probably took $1,000 to get it there though. And I still want a Kidd trigger.


And last but definitely not least, the "just for fun" guns:

Any sort of lever (for me its a Winchester 9422 by a hair over the Marlin & Browning) or a pump. Throw in a single action revolver like the Ruger or Uberti's and go tear up some cans. Walk the woods and take home some squirrels. Teach a kid. Whatever. All that ammo youve been hoarding isn't gonna shoot itself. lol

And at some point, go buy yourself a good old Winchester or Remington bolt gun. Just so you know what's missing from the common injection molded ammo cyclers being sold today. There's nothing actually wrong with them, but boy have they lost their soul.

Siingle_Six, or Colt new Frontier, Ruger Bearcat, and Marlin 39's.

I can see the single six, but the Bearcat has come up a few times here and I sure wonder how come? I bought an original one back in the late '60's for $39.95 brand new and couldn't hit a thing with it. I sold it for $35.00 and was glad to have it gone.

I have a new Bearcat that shoots excellent. Hitting shotgun emptys sitting at the bench waiting for a centerfire rifle to cool was easy. 20 yards or so was uncommon to miss, more hits than not at 30, and hits at 40 was not uncommon Not long ago bought a 1959 model, so far just plinked 50 rounds or so, best I could tell it shoots as well as the new one.

My first gun was a Remington 511. I still have it, and it's every bit as accurate today as it was 56 years ago. We were overrun with squirrels 2 years ago, and I killed 50 with it. I'll never get rid of it.

I have a 10-22, one that I put a bull barrel on. Shoots absolutely great. If you miss with it, it's not the rifles fault.

Also have a Winchester 1906. It has no bluing left, and the bore is pretty worn, but it get's packed quite often.

I don't believe I have seen a Marlin model 56 listed. Great gun.

I'm heartened to see all of you guys are as big a fan of the .22LR as I am.

Being a rimfire looney, I've owned almost every one mentioned so far at one point or another; but as the years went by I focused more on my favorites. To my detriment, I've let some truly great ones slip through my fingers also, but who hasn't right?

Now I'm down to a much smaller collection, but the ones I do have will shoot with the best of them as I've tried to focus more on quality and accuracy.

Quite a few Win 52's with period scopes and irons - one of them is a true Bull barrel.
A couple Rem 541T's and a 541S.
A customized Kimber 82G.
And my most recent addition: a NULA Model 20 that I call "The Hammer of Thor" because it kills everything I point it at like it was struck by lightning.

I also have a Ruger Govt. model mark II with a Leupold scope that I've had for around twenty years that still shoots bug holes, as well a couple other pistols that I keep as training guns, and an M1 replica .22 LR just because I like it.

The .22LR is by far my favorite caliber. . .

I have access to a few more, but I own only one .22lr. A Glenfield model 60.


https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/gallery/80/full/73321.jpg

The only 2 "must haves" that I have are the Marlin 39A and a Ruger 10/22. The little Henry lever action .22 is really nice too. That action is slicker than deer guts on a door knob.

Winchester 9422, and Marlin model 60

smith & wesson model 17

I have owned two Anschutz 54 Sporters. Both accurate, but I could never get along with the rollover stock for a walk about field rifle. Off the bench, they were great. After I moved on they came out with the American style stock. I know that in .22s, ammo is everything, but my Kimber of Oregon and repro 52 were disappointing.

I have two Marlin 39A Golden Mounties (59 and 67), Remington 510 (inherited) and a Nice 511 ($40 pawn shop find a few years ago), that all eat less than target grade ammo and are accurate. Two Browning SA made in Belgium that work for me nicely

As to handguns, I have both Dad's and Mom's Ruger Mk I pistols and my own bull barrel Mk I that all pass muster. My Bearcat likes Yellow Jackets and honestly, my SS Super Single Six is still a virgin. I have had it 6-7 years. Got to see if it is a keeper?

Jack

I am just getting back into the 22lr game. I shot IHMSA for several years but drifted away from all shooting & hunting. I have started looking at 22lr rifles primarily for BR shooting at a near by club range. I am looking at a Kimber 82 Gov model and an Anschutz, anyone willing to give me your input on the two rifles, positive and negatives of each. I know there is a big difference in price but is there that much difference in accuracy? Thanks Daniel

P.S. I would welcome any other suggestions provided you have actual experience with that brand & model.

It's hard to go wrong with a 54 action Anschutz. There are tons of older 54's on the market not to mention new ones as well.

There will always be the rare exception, but I haven't seen a Kimber Government model that will hang with an Anschutz.

My two current favorites are my LCR and a Stevens Favorite.

Pretty much have what I'd call must own.

Marlin 39A
Tony Kidd 10/22
CZ 452
Ruger MKIII with TacSol threaded uppper
Ruger MKII

May add to this list some time.

One of my might adds.. or maybe a 63.

several years back i plunked down $800 for a 98% 50s vintage one ... about what youd pay for the new production MIM version. whether or not i overpaid, it has been worth the $$.

Nice!

I ordered a CZ bolt rig today, no frills.
Had a 2-7X Leupold laying around.........needed a rifle

Did see a 651 Smith at a shop last week..........wasn't overpriced.
Tempting.

My Favorites ones that I own.

1. Winchester Model 63 (1941)
2. Winchester Model 74 (1940) LR with original peep.
3. Remington Model 12 (1926)
4. Remington Model 33 (1934)
5. Remington Model 552 (1986)

all are great shooters!!!

I may own a lot of different 22`s and yes they are all a lot of fun,but my favorite is still a Marlin 39a I own 3 and still kill alot of varmints at my home place out in the country all year long.

Might as well put in my 2 cents worth...
Win 52 Sporter (Pre A)
Win 75 Sporter
Win 69A/72A
Browning Semi-Auto Belgian wheel sight, 22 LR and 22 Short
S&W K-22
Colt Woodsman Match Target 4" & 6"

I think every 22 enthusiast should shoot a Winchester 52 Sporter at least once...100 rounds.

A lot of great 22s listed in all these posts!

Kidd 10/22 is a dream to own. Just wish I had opted for the two stage trigger vs the single.

My favorite is a Kleinguenther K 22. Known for accuracy. Very light weight. Hasbeen

Yep, I had the plain version of the Kleinguenther. One of the most accurate and probably the best trigger I have ever seen/felt. Also one of the worst mistakes I've made when I sold it. That one is a dandy.

The only difference I know off is the stock. The deluxe has a walnut and the standard a birch. There is also a little decorative plate on the magazine. They all shot about the same. The triggers on mine are all set at 1 lb. Hasbeen

Anschutz, model based on individual budget and purpose.

Just added this Kimber Classic 22 to my "Must Own" collection today.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/galleries/13028647/kimber-22#comments

Kimber 82 Custom Classic
Marlin 39A
Anschutz
Ruger 10/22
Remington Nylon 66

Don't go there Don't go there.Don't go there (talking to myself). I have five scopes on the shelf right now.

I danged near came home with a blued 455 Synthetic today, myself. Made a road trip to Whittaker's this AM, and had to force myself to walk away. I already have two 455s and a 452, and if I'd had another set of rings on hand, I might have relented and brought it home. CZ rings can be pricey, but I like theirs better than anyone else's rings, and I KNOW they'll fit those confounded 11mm dovetails.

CZ's synthetic stocks are a cut above cheap US made stocks, they feel pretty good. I took one off my 455 stainless and put it on a 455 Scout, while dropping the stainless action into a walnut American stock. Both rifles look better that way.

In all honesty, I have enough rifles to keep me busy and I didn't really want another rifle right now. Unless I trip over something different and unusual, of course.