nicest .22 ever made in your opinions?

[Reid Jones]

nicest .22 ever made in your opinions?

[rezavoirdog]

Ruger 10/22!

[Jim in Mo]

Reid, No good answer because most shoot so damn well. I have an old Rem 572 pump that is the most accurate 22 I ever shot but my sons Marlin M60 auto is awfully good. Sometimes I think a 22 rifle is more finicky about ammo than a centerfire rifle.

[Edward J. Palumbo]

This really is a subjective issue, a difficult question to answer because there are (were) some excellent .22 rimfire rifles and you're asking for the "pick of the litter". I offer opinions, not definitive answers, because there are many experienced shooters on this forum who will differ and they're opinions are every bit as valid as mine, but I suspect if there are sufficient responses, you'll see some repetition, some agreement, as well as a spectrum of other choices with which I have no experience (therefore, no opinion). In some cases, the rifles I mention may be found as used firearms because they're out of production.
As far as bolt actions are concerned, the Anschutz 1416D, the Winchester Model 52, and the Ruger M77/22 are fine choices.
Lever actions? The Marlin 39A, AS and Mountie are very good choices that have retained their value, and the Winchester 9422 is another very good choice.
Autoloaders? There were many that are serviceable and reliable, but the Ruger Model 10/22 Deluxe Sporter was (is) a solid choice. It's well supported by Ruger's guarantee and by many aftermarket options. The reliable magazine fits flush with the stock (I find those protruding magazines an eyesore) and it is accurate, fun to shoot.
My best experience with pump action .22s was a Remington 572. I have no criticism of it. I'm sure I could come up with other options if I take more time to consider it, but these are the first that come to mind.

[Del in KS]

The 1980's vintage Kimber BA .22's are the creme de la creme. Can't remember the model #'s but the Super America was top of the line.

[steve182]

Before Kimber started making the best production centerfire rifles available, they produced The Best (production)Rimfire .22 rifles on the planet. Weatherby makes some sweet .22s also, Both are pricey.

[MLH]

I am partial to the old guns so like the Winchester M-52. The one that was the most fun, however, was a Remington M-572 pump.

[BuckTheSystem]

I like my Remington Viper, but having to do over I would NOT choose this one. It functions as good as I would expect, but the stupid Clinton ban era gun only has a 10 rnd mag. And with a .22, that sucks for target shooting/plinking.

[wallofsam]

My Remington Nylon 66 .22LR

[ishawooa]

It is very difficult to separate "nicest" from "favorite" .22 RF rifles. My favorites include Marlin M-39, Winchester M-61 & M-62, Ren M-572 & Nylon 66, of course the vernerable 10/22 & 77/22, and the little Browning take down semi-auto (plus Remington equivalents) and Browning trombone. Anschultz has turned out some real winners as has Sako and Walther. I suppose overall I consider the older Oregon Kimber bolt actions to be the "nicest". An old friend has it in his will that his old Kimber is to be buryed with him. Maybe Dave should take it upon himself to select the top fifty .22 RF rifles and handguns as another list to be presented on this blog. Everyone loves a .22 RF...if you can locate any ammo for them. What a strange ending to a paragraph and one that would not have been predicted as little as 6-12 months ago.

[Beekeeper]

Del is correct the old Kimber's we really sweet .22's. On the more affordable side the Ruger 77/22 is a good one as is the CZ452 and 453.

[shane]

Narrow this question down, then I can answer. Way too much variety.

[jer4570]

marlin semi auto.30 years old and still smooth

[hjohn429]

Henry Golden Boy is second only to the Ruger 10/22.

[870 wingmaster 101]

A Winchester model 69 with iron sights is great. It is simple, looks great, and is relible. They last made about 45-60 years ago. A nice one tat is mint runs for about $500-600.