I need advice on 22 rifle

[Gun sage]

I want a .22 rifle for fun target practice and small game hunting but there are just so many options. What .22 rifle do you folks suggest?

 

[rfd]

Now this is interesting - a gun sage needing advice on rifles.

Riddle me this ...

What ".22" - rimfire or centerfire?
What does "fun target practice" mean to you?
What type of "small game hunting"?
What shooting distances for "target" and "hunting"?
What action type; semi-auto, bolt, lever, pump, break open?
What type of sights - open iron, peep, red dot, scope?

Probably most important, what's yer budget?

 

[Gun sage]

I should have given more details...

I'm looking at rimfire guns for sure, something I can use for easy days at the range and to get small animals within 50 to 70 yards. A simple bolt action or a solid semi-auto is what I have in mind. I'm okay with any type of sights since I can always throw a scope on later. My budget is pretty flexible, but I'm not trying to go broke in the process. I appreciate the questions and welcome any guidance you can offer.

 

[rfd]

To a mere 70 yards, there's a dearth of rimfire rifles in all action styles that will offer reasonable consistent accuracy to bag rabbits or squirrels using even simple iron sights. Having had and used many dozens of different flavor .22LR rifles over the last 70+ years I currently have but two, a CZ457 Varmint bolt action with an Arken 4-16x44 scope for excellent accuracy to 200 yards and beyond with match ammo, and a Winchester Wildcat semi-auto with Sig-Sauer Romeo5 red dot for killing whatever needs to be killed within 100 yards. If I had to have one for fun target and small game rimfire it'd be the CZ, if I had to have one for just killing stuff it'd be the uber budget friendly Wildcat - luckily I have both. No thinking about rimfire rifles is complete without mentioning the venerable Ruger 10/22 or the Henry rimfire lever guns - have had more than a few of both.

 

[K9TXS]

I agree with both rifles rfd mentioned. It's had to go wrong with either one.

Also look at the Ruger Precision Rimfire Rifle. Lots of information out there on this rifle. Does not come with iron sights, but it's still a great rifle.

 

[Sudsy]

I LOVE my Henry long barrel Frontier!!
Stupidly accurate with all different brands of LR ammo, and I never have to worry about this commie state trying to make it illegal (semiauto)

https://www.henryusa.com/firearm/lever-action-octagon-frontier-model/

 

[Barry D. Thomas Sr.]

I want a .22 rifle for fun target practice and small game hunting but there are just so many options. What .22 rifle do you folks suggest?

Ruger 10/22

 

[rfd]

The new 10/22 Carbon is a Peach of a .22LR semi-auto. I stuck on a PA 1-6x24 LPVO ...

 

[rfd]

I LOVE my Henry long barrel Frontier!!
Stupidly accurate with all different brands of LR ammo, and I never have to worry about this commie state trying to make it illegal (semiauto)

https://www.henryusa.com/firearm/lever-action-octagon-frontier-model/

Had one of the first ones Henry offered with its 24" octagonal bbl, and liked it a bunch. Set it up for irons only.

 

[rfd]

I want a .22 rifle for fun target practice and small game hunting but there are just so many options. What .22 rifle do you folks suggest?

For a semi-automatic rifle, a Ruger 10/22 ... or if on a tight budget, Winchester Wildcat.

Both will almost require better sights (red dot or scope), and cost will need to be factored for that acquisition.

There's a myriad of bolt, lever, and pump rifles that will do as well but understanding must be taken in their selection - it will be wise to seek help.