Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Rimfires Whats the most accurate hunting 22 rimfire ?

Hunter / tack driver to pick'n off squirrels - what's the best.

Spot

which one
Anschutz 1416D and 1710, Kimber Model 82C, Remington 541T, Ruger M 77/22, Sako Finnfire Hunter, and Winchester Model 52B

Spotshooter add the CZ 452 to your list. Mine is very impressive in the groups it punchs out.

GreggH

Anschutz 1712 FWT. & Cooper JSR (Jackson squirrel rifle)

+1 Cooper JSR

Like my CZ453 American, and an old Browning Trombone. 10/22 has always shot well for me too.

I've got experience with the Remington 541-T HB, the Winchester 52B HB, and the Ruger 77/22 HB...all very accurate. So is the Ruger 10/22T HB. Any of those would make great precision squirrel rifles.

CZ 452 is a great choice as well as Browning BPR and Marlin 60.

It's heavy, but if the wind is not up better than MOA at 100 yards. 1900's BSA Martini model 12 with peep sites. Seems to shoot the cheap box store brick ammo as well as the expensive target ammo. Maybe because the barrell says cartrdge .220...

You can also add Remington's Mod 547 and don't forget the mighty Cooper Mod 57, both are outstanding rifle's............Hillbilly.

I don't think this question really has an answer

You are right, it doesn't...................Hillbilly.

+3 Cooper JSR

Love John Moses Browning and his 22 auto, within 50yds nothings better
Don

Truly one of the greatest classics of all time.

I totally agree....

You can throw a Nula into the ring, and if you also have one in a center fire the two handle almost the same. Great way to practice and stay in tune with your BG rifle.

I love a good .22 rifle. One may be the most truly useful and practical firearm available. My current squirrel hunting .22 rifle is a Kimber Hunter. It works well for me.

Yeah, I'd love to have a Cooper...

My favorite is my CZ 452 Varmint model in .22 LR. Longest shot to date is 93 yds, dead in the head.

#2 is my Remington 513 Sporter, but it is handicapped by a low-power scope (2.75x).

most accurate? there is no correct answer. i have an old 100.00 (when bought way back then) rem 580 that will shoot 4-5 shots almost into the same hole. as for which is most likely to be very accurate, money drives the train. cooper, kimber, the various target models from win, cz, ans, etc. are likely to be the most accurate.

+ 1 on the Kimber Hunter. Mine wears a Leupold Rimfire 2x7. When I miss a squirrel, and I do, I can promise you that it was operator error and NOT the Kimber!

And, then when you try to shoot bulk WM ammo through them, you wonder why they don't live up to their reputations?

+4 on the cooper JSR

My favorite 2 are the CZ 452 and a NULA


ddj

It's been said buying a really accurate hunting 22 is well worth the cost.

I'm wanting to do more practicing on squirrels so I'm pondering that investment. I've got a sako quad which is pretty dern accurate but it's not a finfire or cooper. I like being able to pick out an eye if I have too.

Spot

Have a Kimber 82B, 541S, 513 Rem, Mossberg 144 and 146, CZ 452. 541S is consistently the most accurate. Same rifle models with different serial #'s and the results might be different. All are shooters.
dan

Winchester 52C or B Sporter! If you can't afford the original get the repro.

I own a Russian and Romanian trainer. They eat all the ammo out there better than any other 22 I've owned and that has been many dozen.

My CZ 452 American will shoot 1/2 groups all day at 50 yards. At 25 yards I can hit a marker dot all day on a piece of paper. These are great shooters. I have a 3-9x32 AO scope on it. AWESOME set up.

Spotshooter: I have and have owned MANY really accurate 22 rimfires.
I have two Kimber heavy barrel models that are sublime. I have two REALLY accurate (and relatively cheap back when I began shooting these!) Winchester Model 75's.
I have also owned several Winchester Model 52's - but they are so pricey anymore that they are not often seen out in "Hunting" type terrain.
I have owned several Anschutz rimfires and they are impressively accurate.
Another splendidly accurate rimfire Rifle I have Hunted with was a Remington Model 37. I wish I had that one back for the Gopher Wars I enjoy so much these days.
But the most consistent and reliable 22 rimfire I have used to date has to be my Remington 40X with 27 1/4" barrel.
This Rifle is just wonderful to use afield - it TEACHES you how the 22 bullets fly (drift and drop) in the slightest of conditions and changes in distance. Even with a few select Hunting type cartridges (high speed hollow-points!) it attains superb accuracy. The trigger on my 40X is in no need of any type of improvement.
I highly recommend the Remington 40X rimfire - they are great guns and a great investment.
I also think their "mass" (weight) is very advantageous to their field accuracy (Hunting situations).
Best of luck with whichever "accurate Hunting 22 rimfire" you might choose.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I agree.

Most will think I'm full of it, but my CZ 452 has done 1/2" at a 100 yards a few times (perfect conditions obviously)

+1
But would have to say if its the one you can shoot a squirrel in the eye at 50 yrds Every time, then that would be it. No matter who made it!!

Swifty

That is true, but there are companies that tend to turn out more accurate rifles than other companies.

The other factor is that we tend to shoot 22's more due to cost, lack of recoil, and fun factor. I could probably be a better large rifle shot if I shot them as much as my 22.


ddj

The goal here is improve my practical shooting by having a top of the line 22 much like a guy does when shooting skeet or trap competition - ya don't buy junk or shoot an autoloader as much as you'd buy something that is very consistent and lets you concentrate on improving your shooting skills.

CZ's issue or weak spot is the trigger
I've got a Sako Quad - that trigger on it's much better than the CZ

Anschutz is without question the Mercedes of the rimfires so they are questionably in the pool. CZ, Remy 40X, ... are also good contenders.
I hunt squirrel in Osagey thicket stuff, so I have to thread the need, and THEN shoot them in the eye. Plus getting a family heirloom is kind of cool.

Spot

I have 2- a CZ 452 Varmint with a Weaver V-16 dot and a CZ 452 FS. Either will keep five shots in less than a dime at 75 yds. I shoot remington sub-sonic hps in both.

I disagree with the trigger comment- a CZ trigger can be made as good as anyone wants with a little time and effort- rimfirecentral.com has all sorts of links to home remedies for the as-issued trigger.

I prefer to make my hunting guns sportster because of weight. Someone mentioned a 452 Varmint here but mine is too heavy to carry/shoot in the woods, when aiming up in a tree my hands wobble too much with all the weight.

I'm on the CZ bandwagon but recommend a 452 American (I actually got a Style, same weight) for hunting. If you can't get a CZ then the only cheaper rimfire I will own is Savage. Accutrigger is epic. I would get Savage if CZ's didn't have an easily installed $20 trigger kit that I love.

**For those of you wanting to know, go to ebay and search for "cz 452 trigger" - the kit is sold by formeryodave and is a GREAT kit.

A lot of truth there.

I'd add that determining the true accuracy of a .22 and .22 ammo (or any rifle for that matter) requires at least a passing understanding of some basic statistical principles. An awful lot of folks end up chasing their tails, but as long as they're happy and having fun burning powder, what's to criticize?

Paul

CZ rifles are un-questionably a great choice to have on your short list. With that being said, I would gladly put up a Cooper 57M against a CZ. The only downside to the Cooper is that they are more expensive, and for some they are worth it.

i've got a whole passel of .22s, and have killed squirrels with all of them...

have not found one yet without issues, but some very good choices are available, from the economy end to high dollar...

from my cabinet, the 3 most favored for squirrels are my remington 581, my remington 552, and my sako 78....

My accurate 22 is my Kimber 22 Hunter.

My fun to shoot 22 is my Winchester 67...

The most accurate 22 RF Sporter I've shot is my CZ 452 which grouped 3/16" at 50 yards for four shots(Last 4 shots in the box).
It is more accurate than my Anschutz 1710, but I didn't do much ammo testing with the 1710 to be honest.
The others mentioned above are good possibilities, I just haven't owned any of them.
For a semi auto, the TC Classic is THE most accurate out of the box semi auto I know about. You gotta do a lot of mod work to a 10-22 to get the same kind of accuracy as with the stock TC.

Both rifles below easily average 1/4" to 3/8" for five shots at 50 yards.Both are Cooper Jackson Hunters with Kahles CL 3-9x42 scopes.One rifle is chambered in 22LR,and the other in 17Mach2.

The most accurate I ever saw was an old Mauser that a fellow had in the early 80's. That fellow could shoot and the gun was extremely accurate.

My Win 52 target rifles are my most accurate, but their too heavy to carry and too valuable to get scratched up. The one I usually take is an old Win 69A with a Nikon 3x9 on it. If I want to use iron sights, I take an old Win 72. Yeah, I like the old Winchesters.

1953 winchester mod.61 in a longgun. 1948 smith and wesson K-22 masterpiece in the handgun. iron sights, of course....

Marlin 39A

The most accurate hunting 22's would be Anschutz, Cooper, NULA, Kimber of Oregon's.

I tested my new CZ452 Varmint Thumbhole yesterday,and with the factory trigger which was heavy,and full of creep,my 50 yard five shot groups averaged .370".I installed the $18 Yo Dave trigger kit last night,and most of the creep is gone,and the trigger now breaks at 36 ounces.The groups can only get better with the improved trigger.My Cooper 22lr averaged .400" yesterday,and my Cooper 17Mach2 averaged .330",again these were five shot groups at 50 yards.My Coopers both usually average sub 3/8",but it looks like the CZ will offer similar accuracy for a lot less money.

My Savage-Anschutz 54 Sporter is as accurate as it is beautiful. Fantastic trigger. It has a tight chamber, so I can't shove just anything in the chamber. Right now I am using SK subsonic hollow points. Absolutely deadly on squirrels. One of the guns that I will never sell.

The most accurate .22 is the one on the left here. Anschutz model 1422 (I think that you call them model 54's in the USA)
Edited because I just saw Sakoluvr's reply above re model 54.

I too would be inclined to go with an Anschutz carrying something like a 1 ounce 2-stage trigger. Regardless of make, brand of ammo will have an effect. I use one ground squirreling, and head shots at 100 yds are quite doable.

Mike- love the picture!

I have not owned them all nor that many as a matter of fact, but I do own a Cooper JSR that is WAAAAY better than I will ever hope to be. God I love that gun!

Randy

a 1422 is an earlier version of the now 1710

a 1oz. 2stage so what kinda bump would you feel there ?

The trigger effortlessly floats back about 1/8 inch and stops. Any thought of additional pressure, and it goes off. If possible, I'd install them on every arm I own. Most excellent for Beldings ground squirrels and targets. I have 3 other units with set triggers and much prefer the Anschutz 2-stage.

well i dont like a 2 stage shot several just not my thing know lots guys who do do i do shoot lots jewel triggers in stuff i like 6-8oz range for off hand target work and 2oz on a benchgun i can barely feel that before it goes off dang sure dont see how you can feel a bump in the middle of the stroke of a 1oz'r

I have to agree - I used to shoot ab 8 ounce trigger for silhouette and it was difficult to control off-hand. I have a Jewell on one of my bench rifles and have it set at 4 ounces and it is as low as I want to go,

I cannot imagine a 2-stage 1 ounce trigger and being able to feel a "bump" in the middle of the pull.

I guess all of these years of shooting must have built a callous on my finger.

drover

My late '70's vintage 541-S is hard to beat with its favorite ammo.
__________
NRA Life,Patron or Benefactor since '72

Remington 40X sporter, Winchester 52B Sporter, Coopers, Anshutz 54, 1400, & 1700 series, Remington 541-S, winchester 75 Sporter, CZ 450 series! These are just the ones I have had squirrel hunting experience with but there are many, many more Kimbers, Sakos, Kleinguenthers, etc......just pick your flavor and have fun

PennDog

For much of the 80's I looked for the most accurate .22. Went through a whole bunch of rifles from fancy ass Anschutz to Rems/Rugers. Most accurate ever was a heavy barrel Martini that would literally stack one on top of another at 50yds. About as accurate is a Mike Bellm 14" T/C.....easy to shoot IHMSA 40's. There was also a Merrill 12" unlimited that shot very very well. Those are my most accurate. But on a gun forum, what any particular person has and likes a lot because it shoots well.......that's the most accurate.

It took a few hundred rds for me to grow into the Anschutz trigger. If they are good enough for world class shooters, I figured there must be a few reasons. Several friends have given it try and are not comfortable at all. They are not as demanding of their rifles though as I am, and they have not endured for several hundred rounds either.

To begin with, one does not approach the trigger until he is absolutely on target. For me the secret is to use the same portion of ones trigger finger that he would use to feel for imperfections in a smooth surface (i.e. the tip of the first joint). The second joint that many use is not sensitive enought to exploit the trigger's potentials. Much the same reason that we should feather our brake pedals with our toes rather than the middle of ones arch when driving in slick conditions.

A second aspect is to approach the trigger from the rear and the side. That is, ones finger is actually moving forward as it's inserted into the trigger guard. He first touches the side of the trigger and then flows around to the forward surface. With a blind approach from the front, many set it off before they realize they've even engaged its surface.

I bring that unit to hunter safety classes (it can be snapped with firing pin removed), and it certainly raises the students' eyebrows.

Got a friend that hunts with one of those and it is a great gun...

Brother-in-law had one too, but got a wild-hair-up-his-xxxx, and sold it for next to nothing. Deal was over with before I knew anything about it, or I would have bought the rifle... Oh well, another story of a day late...

Having owned or still own most of the rimfires mentioned, (did I mention I'm a rimfire addict)I would vote hands down for the Kleingunther K22.

Who would have guessed your answer,given your user name.LOL.

My father has a Mauser 201,that uses the same action.

I didn't think it showed.

The 201 Mausers were very very nice also.

I will throw in the MAS standard barrel, BRNO #1, #2, #4, Winchester 75's, Remington 581 (with trigger work), and most CZ's.

Okay, so I will throw this out there and see what happens, good or bad. Just don't blast me for saying this, however I do believe its true. I just wanted to post this here because I'm interested in getting some help.

The most accurate 22 rimfire rifle I have ever seen perform consistently with a old cheap 4x scope has to be my Dad's J.C. Higgins Model 103.229. He told me it was the first gun he ever bought in 1958. It only cost him $25 with the scope. Still has all the original parts and scope on it, and has never failed to fire. I would be willing to put that gun up against any modern 22 rimfire rifle even a bolt action 22. It will put bullets through the same holes from the bench at 50 to 75 yards. It is truly a fine firearm in my opinion.

I am currently looking to upgrade the original scope on it to something newer but all the receiver mounts nowadays are 3/8in and this one is 1/2 or 12.7mm dovetail grooves. I am not about to tap the receiver or do anything like that would alter it from it's original condition. Anybody know where I can find some of these dovetail ring mounts.

Sorry to interject on the topic but I had to add my opinion and wanted some help.

A better question would be: Which is the most consistently accurate hunting ammo? The same rifle will shoot vastly different with various ammos. I'm tinkering with various HP ammo in the 1250 fps right now in my CZ 453 (single set trigger). Two flavors of CCI, two of Federal, two Remington, one Eley. I can find out which one groups best from my rifle, but I still won't know how the performance is until I draw blood. Yellowjackets shot real good from my old Sears semi-auto, but they made a mess of things. I think they're just too fast.

I saw a sweet mint Remington 504 at the gun show this weekend. Had to try hard to resist its allure. I bet with the right ammo, it would shoot as good as any hunting grade 22.

How you doin' there Mike?

MS wow thought you fell off the earth !

I have always had better luck with match ammo or CCI's then anything with the word "remington" on it - but rifles like what they like.

Rifles do have something to do with the accuracy part though.

I think rank wise from an accuracy perspective.

Annie's
Sako Quad
CZ

After that it seems to plane out

Sometimes, Mike, I think I did fall off the world.

good to see yer still kickin around though.