Many shooters have fond memories of learning to shoot with the.22lr round.ย It is a great round to teach new shooters because of its low recoil, which makes it enjoyable to shoot.
We will look at a variety of rifles that represent a range from bolt-actions to semi-automatics and even 22-rifles made in the old-west cowboy gun style.ย We are looking at what I consider to be the top.22LR guns in all price ranges.
Top 22 Rifles – Best Picks
Henry Goldenboy
Henry Repeating Arms has been manufacturing lever-action rifles for more than a century.ย The Henry Goldenboy.22LR is the only.22 I would add to my collection and would keep until I pass it on to my children.
Even the most jaded AR fan can appreciate this gun’s beauty.
The lever-action is also a feature that is seeing a revival in many calibers.ย It’s a deeply satisfying feeling to shoot a lever-action and have every step of the process be intentional for the shooter.
The weight and length of the pull are perfect for adults.ย Once you get used to the sight, expect tight groups.ย The first time you reload, it can be a bit awkward, but since the tube holds 16 rounds, it won’t happen very often.
The Goldenboys can be hard to come by today due to the shortage of guns at many retailers.ย The Henry Classic, which is a much more affordable and beautiful alternative to the Goldenboys, is usually available.
Ruger Precision Rimfire Rifle
You can always learn something new about firearms.ย I didn’t know that there were real accuracy competitions in.22 calibre.ย Ruger Precision Rifle.22 LR is the best piece of kit if you are not building a custom rifle.ย Ruger has been making a name in the world of high-end rifles, and this is a good example.
This is a great bolt action rifle.ย This rifle looks like the tactical rifles that you see at the range, with its AR-style grip, heavy barrel, large bolt handle and fiberglass chassis.
The caliber is the main difference between it and its more expensive cousins.ย A.22 caliber gun could be a great training tool. Developing the muscle memory for shooting well without the flinch you get when using larger calibers would help you to become an accurate shooter, regardless of whether the gun is scaled up or not.ย This would be the perfect varmint gun for medium and long distances.
Smith and Wesson MP15-22
It was over a decade since I first saw this device. A friend of mine in the National Guard owned one to practice AR firing controls on the range for less money.ย Then, I was apprehensive.ย In 2011,.223 cost only a few cents more than.22.ย He was right.
The Smith and Wesson MP15-22, which I am offering here, is almost identical to my AR.223 in terms of the way it’s set up.ย Furniture is standard AR Stuff. This includes a collapsing stock, nice foreend, and as much rail space as anyone could want.ย This will be an AR-style blowback gun, not the gas operated standard AR. However, all controls are located in the correct place.
This one already has iron sights so I wouldn’t add anything to it.ย A red-dot and white light will give you a bit more accuracy. This is a good training tool to use with your AR, which has become expensive to feed.ย You can use the $1 hollow tip for home defense and save your AR to practice and learn new weapon manipulations.
Remington 552BDL speedmaster
Before Remington’s image began to deteriorate due to subcontractors producing substandard shotguns the company had built a worldwide presence with its excellent sporting firearms.ย The 552BDL Speedmaster was one of those.
This semi-automatic tube-fed.22LR can be used with both short and longer cartridges.ย You have two sights: a front blade, and a rear notch.ย It’s all covered in American Walnut.ย You think of this when you hear “cool old.22” and the classic design is still performing well today.ย Even if I prefer an MP5 as a home defense weapon, guns like this one will always be a part of my collection.
Ruger 10/22 Takedown
You can always learn something new about firearms.ย I didn’t know that there were real accuracy competitions in.22 calibre.ย Ruger Precision Rifle.22 LR is the best piece of kit if you are not building a custom rifle.ย Ruger has been making a name in the world of high-end rifles, and this is a good example.
This is a great bolt action rifle.ย This rifle looks like the tactical rifles that you see at the range, with its AR-style grip, fiberglass chassis and heavy barrel. It also has a massive bolt handle.
The caliber is the main difference between it and its more expensive cousins.ย A.22 caliber gun could be a great training tool. Developing the muscle memory for shooting well without the flinch you get when using larger calibers would help you to become an accurate shooter, regardless of whether the gun is scaled up or not.ย This would be the perfect varmint gun for medium and long distances.
Smith and Wesson MP15-22
It was over a decade since I first saw this device. A friend of mine in the National Guard owned one to practice AR firing controls on the range for less money.ย Then, I was apprehensive.ย In 2011,.223 cost only a few cents more than.22.ย He was right.
The Smith and Wesson MP15-22, which I am offering here, is almost identical to my AR.223 in terms of the way it’s set up.ย Furniture is standard AR Stuff. This includes a collapsing stock, nice foreend, and as much rail space as anyone could want.ย This will be an AR-style blowback gun, not the gas operated standard AR. However, all controls are located in the correct place.
This one already has iron sights so I wouldn’t add anything to it.ย A red-dot and white light will give you a bit more accuracy. This is a good training tool to use with your AR, which has become expensive to feed.ย You can use the $1 hollow tip for home defense and save the AR for range practice and to keep up with weapon manipulations.
Remington 552BDL speedmaster
The company’s global reputation was built on the quality of its sporting firearms. This was before the days when Remington lost ground due to subcontractors producing substandard shotguns.ย The 552BDL Speedmaster was one of those.
This semi-automatic tube-fed.22LR can be used with both short and longer cartridges.ย You have two sights: a front blade, and a rear notch.ย It’s all covered in American Walnut.ย You think of this when you hear “cool old.22” and the classic design is still performing well today.ย Even if I prefer an MP5 as a home defense weapon, guns like this one will always be a part of my collection.
Ruger 10/22 Takedown
Theย Ruger Ruger 10/22ย takedown is the model that most modern.22s are based on. It’s also the gun that has helped make Ruger a household name.ย This is a standard model with a black 16″ barrel and a polymer stock.ย This is the gun you need if you’re looking for a rugged, long-lasting firearm that can be customized to your liking.
If I could, I would find one of the integrally-suppressed barrels Ruger produced several years ago and attach it to this gun for a whisper quiet pest control weapon, but you’ll have a hard time finding one.
Most accurate 22lr rifle for under $400
We’ll also cover five.22-caliber rifles with a focus on accuracy that are available at an affordable price.ย We’ll explain why each rifle deserves to be on this list and what we like about it.
Marlin 60SS
The first is the Marlin Model 60.ย This one was chosen because Marlin makes absolute tack-drivers for decades and it is hard to beat at this price.ย This semi-automatic comes with a wooden laminate stock and stainless steel barrel, giving it a sleek, modern appearance.
Marlin Model 60 has several features that make it a good choice for our list of affordable.22lr guns.ย It comes with sling mountings, which may seem insignificant but makes it easier to outfit the model 60 as a hunting gun.ย The adjustable sights allow you to adjust the point of impact to your.22lr and to the shooting style of the user.ย The Marlin is not the most accurate rifle in the world, due to its blowback operated, semi-automatic mechanism. However, since these rifles have excellent triggers, we expect it to be at least as accurate and as good as the shooter or the ammunition you will be using.ย You should consider an accurate 22-caliber rifle that is not a bolt-action model. This is because you will likely be shooting from around 50 yards.
Savage Arms Rascal
Savage Arms’ Rascal is a great option if you are looking for a rifle that will give you accurate target shooting at a reasonable price.ย The bolt-action gun only holds one round in the chamber.ย This reduces both the cost and the complexity of the rifle, which in turn increases accuracy.ย A 22-caliber rifle that is accurate would benefit from a peep sight similar to the one used on the M16.ย This gun is likely to be accurate as it is a simple rifle consisting of a barrel and action with a synthetic stock and some sights.ย A single-shot 22, which is also a target gun, allows you to concentrate on accuracy.
The synthetic stock will ensure that this firearm is durable and lasts for a long time.ย It is unique, and especially in this price range, because the trigger can be adjusted. This allows you to play around with the weight until you find the right balance.ย The rifle is a good candidate for mounting aย Scope, but its built-in sights will be more than sufficient at the distances that people typically shoot at with.22lr.ย This bolt-action rimfire is an excellent tack driving training tool.
Henry Repeating Arms Lever Action Youth Model
The fact that a.22lr accurate rifle can be made in any size or shape you can think of is one thing I love about them.ย We’ve already looked at semi-autos and bolt action rifles.ย Let’s look at a lever action!ย Henry has made this action for more than a century in all sizes and calibers, and this beautiful rifle is a part of this legacy.
We like the features of this rifle.ย It’s a lever action, which is a popular style of rifle that is fun to use and still accurate.ย It can also be used with.22lr or.22 short ammo thanks to the lever action.ย It is less common to find the latter, but it is still a nice feature, especially in these times when ammunition is hard to come by.ย The wood stock combined with the blued steel barrel and metal receiver makes this gun a beautiful piece of art.
Henry Repeating Arms Classic is also available in aย adult version, which is about the same price.ย You can practice with your child using the same rifle.
Ruger American
Ruger is a top manufacturer in the rimfire rifle market. We’ve included a few of Ruger’s rifles here.ย Ruger American is their bolt-action rifle.ย This model is great for target shooting as well as hunting. It comes with a ten round magazine and excellent iron sights.
The American is a rifle that we enjoy for three reasons.ย Ruger’s large paddle magazine release makes it easier for the shooter to remove the.22lr magazine. Because.22lr mags are small, they tend to be difficult to remove.ย The trigger is also adjustable, making it an excellent rifle to shoot, even when using iron sights.ย The tang safety is the last feature.ย The safety is located on the receiver’s back, making it easier to use for people who are left-handed.ย The American rifle is a great value for the price if you’re looking for an accurate.22lr.
Ruger 10/22
The 10/22 is a must-have on any list of affordable.22lr guns. It’s a classic among rimfire rifles.ย The 10/22 comes with the same magazine as the American and is also available in 25-round versions.ย This is a classic version with a wooden stock. These can come in many different configurations including pistols.
The 10/22 has a barrel that is hammer-forged and promises accuracy. It also comes with some nice features to make it a great target rifle.ย Iron sights come with a gold-painted front post. This helps you to get on target quicker if you are in a competition.ย A scope-base adapter is included for those who wish to add a telescope.ย The stock 10/22 rifle triggers are usually excellent, and provide a great overall shooting experience.
22 Long Rifles Types
Before you purchase, you should be familiar with the different types of.22 rifles.
Bolt Action
Bolt action.22 rifles have a handle on the back of the bolt that is used to cycle the weapon manually. They are usually fed from magazines.ย They are extremely reliable and work well. Since you control the action they are great hosts for suppressors if you are interested in that.ย These are also popular because they’re easy to maintain.
Lever Action
The lever action.22 rifles also have to be cycled manually, but there is no handle on the back of bolt. Instead, you use a lever near the trigger, which allows you to load another cartridge, usually from a tube of ammunition that’s located below the barrel.ย Many of these guns are recreations from the Old West. They are very popular among people who are interested in this time period.
Pump Action
Pump action rifles are still available on the second-hand market, despite their rarity.ย They look and operate like a shotgun with a pump action, but they are smaller.ย They also use a magazine tube but, instead of using a lever to cycle the action, they use a pump which doubles as the front end of the rifle.ย They were very popular in the early twentieth century but are now hard to come by.
Single Action
There are also Single Action.22s, which work as a type of bolt action.ย These firearms, which are based on bolt-action designs, do not have magazines.ย These guns require you to manually load each round, which makes them great training tools. They are also extremely inexpensive due to their few internal moving parts.ย They aren’t the most popular guns, but they are still new and can be found occasionally at online retailers.
Semi-Automatic
Semi-automatic.22 guns are more common these days.ย These designs are popular and feed from a box mag (sometimes as many as 100 drums!).ย Each trigger pull fires the gun once.ย These firearms are easier to use than other types of.22 rifles because the action of the firearm automatically reloads.ย They are also the most expensive, but they can still be affordable.
What are the best uses for a 22LR?
Learn How to Shoot
A.22 is often used to teach people how to shoot.ย They are a great gift because they don’t have much recoil and are quieter than other firearms. This is especially true if you’re giving it to a new shooter, particularly a child.ย A.22-caliber rifle can be a good training tool for beginners, even though they are still firearms and therefore dangerous in the wrong hand.
Training
The same reasons that make the.22 such a good choice for teaching new shooters also apply to this model.ย The lack of recoil also helps you to train so that you don’t flinch before pulling the trigger.ย As an extra bonus,.22 ammo is relatively inexpensive, so you can get more rounds for your dollar.
Hunting Small Game
A.22 is a good choice for hunting small game such as ground birds, squirrels or other small animals.ย Some of the most accurate semi-autos are great hunting guns that have been used to put food on the tables and eliminate pests for over a hundred years.ย A.22 rifle can be a very effective hunting weapon in the right hands.
What to consider before buying a 22 rifle
Types of Action
When buying a.22, the first thing to consider is what kind of action you prefer.ย All have pros and cons. But deciding on this first allows us to narrow this vast range of firearms down into a single category. This will allow us to start making other, finer, comparisons, which will lead us to find a gun that we enjoy and that is useful for us.ย The rest of the process is easier if you start here.
What will you use it for?
It is also important to consider the specific use of the gun.ย A single-shot.22 might be an excellent gun for training, but if you plan to go hunting, the need to manually reload with loose ammunition makes it unlikely that you will get a second shot.ย A bolt action, semi-automatic, or pump gun might be the better option.ย Again, context matters a great deal here.
Who will be shooting it?
We then consider the person that will be using the gun the most.ย You might choose a.22 with a shorter stock and smaller length of pull for a child who is new to shooting.ย So, the child can learn to shoot accurately and comfortably from the start.ย It will hopefully keep them interested in the hobby for the rest their lives.
Do you need a scope for your business?
We also consider the ability or inability to mount optics onto the gun.ย Many new.22s come with optics or a Picatinny section that can be mounted.ย Some older models will not allow you to mount optics, and instead require a gunsmith to install a scope.ย It’s a matter of preference. We have examples of both types.
Cost
If money is an issue, or you are looking for a model that is no more produced, then consider buying used.ย You can find many gently used guns that have been well taken care of.ย A new gun and the warranty it comes with is a good choice, but buying used guns can help you get started shooting more affordably.
FAQs
What is the best use for a 22-caliber rifle?
The 22 rifle is ideal for pest control, target practice, and small game hunting.ย It can also be used as a self-defense weapon.
Can a 22-inch long rifle be used for self-defense purposes?
It is a great choice for self-defense, especially in places with stricter gun regulations.ย It is also a small caliber, which will mean it has less stopping power.ย It may be difficult to use in close quarters due to the longer barrel. A handgun would be better.ย For self-defenseย , we recommend a handgun like a.
Can a.22 stop a potential attacker?
A.22 can certainly stop an attacker.ย Due to the small size of a.22, it may take more hits in more critical areas to stop a attacker.
What is the lethal range of a.22?
A.22 can be lethal.ย All guns are lethal, and you should never fire at something that isn’t a target.
What is the best round for a 22-long rifle?
It is an excellent round for practice or hunting small game.ย It is quiet and does not cost as much as larger rounds.
Is a 22 gun legal?
A 22-caliber rifle is legal to own in all 50 US states.ย Some states may have restrictions regarding magazine capacity or open carry.
Wrap-Up
We have included in this list several of the best 22 Long Rifles, as well as 5.22lr Rifles that we consider to be a good value for the price range between $400 and below.ย It is possible to find a rimfire gun that suits your needs and fits within your budget.
You can see that the.22 platform allows you to buy any rifle that you want, and you can feed it ammunition you can afford, without having to sell a kidney, or take out a second loan.
