Looking for an accurate trainer

[lennyo3034]

I'm looking for an accurate .22 trainer in the $500-$600 range. Any recommendations based on this criteria:

1/2" capable at 50 yards. More accurate obviously better.
Must be able to mount sling and handstop (rail preferred)
Aperture sights
Not a Savage MKII [bought one, less accurate than my Marlin 60]
Provisions for scope would be nice but not required, would need adjustable cheek riser.

So far I've been eyeing the Kimber 82g from the CMP. The CZ offerings look nice too, I just don't know which one to get since there are so many variants. I just don't know much about Rimfires so I'm looking for suggestions. Anything else I'm missing? A 40-x is out of my price range, and I'm willing to buy used.

Thanks.

 

[usmcchet9296]

Re: Looking for an accurate trainer

If you can get a Kimber you wont be un-happy with it but if you cant then the CZ is an excellent option in your price range

 

[cjlane]

Re: Looking for an accurate trainer

my vote is for cz. Mine has been an awesome rifle so far.

 

[ltfirehunter]

Re: Looking for an accurate trainer

What your describing from the criteria the Kimber is what you need.The Kimber is a great smallbore prone rifle and very accurate that is scope ready.

 

[Rainier42]

Re: Looking for an accurate trainer

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cjlane</div><div class="ubbcode-body">my vote is for cz. Mine has been an awesome rifle so far. </div></div>

Agreed, CZ 22s are awesome rifles. At 50 yards, I am shooting out the center of my targets, at 100 yards I am consistently 1 MOA and can pop clay birds all day long.

 

[BigJimFish]

Re: Looking for an accurate trainer

1<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">/2" capable at 50 yards. More accurate obviously better.
Must be able to mount sling and handstop (rail preferred)
Aperture sights
Not a Savage MKII [bought one, less accurate than my Marlin 60]
Provisions for scope would be nice but not required, would need adjustable cheek riser.</div></div>

I have both a CZ 452 and a Kimber 82G. I am very happy with both. Your requirements are far more Kimber than CZ. It is difficult to add a handstop or rail to the CZ because the factory stocks are thin and don't really have room for the rail. The Kimber comes with one and a hand stop. The Kimber also comes with nice Aperture sights whereas the CZ either has none (American) or a pretty good barrel mounted leaf sight (Lux.) I should also mention that the Kimber has a pretty high comb on the stock and therefore fits a scope easily. The CZ Lux models are a pain to fit for a scope because of both the sight base and the low drop stock. If you go with the CZ your should go with the American or Varmint. In either case you will need a gunsmith to install a base for the front sight as it does not come with one.

Accuracy wise, I know my Kimber 82G averages better than .5" at 50 yards with at least two tested ammos. These are Eley Match and a particular lot of Fed 711b. It will average between .5" and .6" with Eley Sport and the lot of Wolf that I have tested as well. I suspect that the CZ is not quite this good, though due to the difficulty of mounting a scope to the Lux model that I have, I really can't be sure.

 

[GunKnowledge]

Re: Looking for an accurate trainer

The CZ isn't going to work at all, like others have said. Your requirements for handstop & aperture sights precludes their lineup.

The Kimber would seem to be ideal currently, but there are some very important details missing here.

1 - As a "trainer", what weapon is this training you for? Just generic training unrelated to a particular weapon/sport/application?

2 - Tying into the trainer concept, why are you requiring an aperture setup?

3 - Why do you need a handstop? Are you planning on smallbore position competitions?

4 - Why did the Savage shoot poorly? What accuracy did you get? What accuracy did you get with the Marlin 60? What ammo did you try?

5 - How much are you willing to spend on rimfire ammo?

6 - Are you capable of sub 1/2 MOA shooting? Are you capable of it shooting prone unsupported?

 

[steve123]

Re: Looking for an accurate trainer

There's plenty of used Anschutz smallbore rifles in their 64 action in that price range.

 

[russ10x]

Re: Looking for an accurate trainer

You should send the Mark II back. Mine out shoots my Win. 52 C. There has to be a problem? There have been barrel issues posted here in the Hide before...

 

[lennyo3034]

Re: Looking for an accurate trainer

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KSwift</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The CZ isn't going to work at all, like others have said. Your requirements for handstop & aperture sights precludes their lineup.

The Kimber would seem to be ideal currently, but there are some very important details missing here.

1 - As a "trainer", what weapon is this training you for? Just generic training unrelated to a particular weapon/sport/application?

2 - Tying into the trainer concept, why are you requiring an aperture setup?

3 - Why do you need a handstop? Are you planning on smallbore position competitions?

4 - Why did the Savage shoot poorly? What accuracy did you get? What accuracy did you get with the Marlin 60? What ammo did you try?

5 - How much are you willing to spend on rimfire ammo?

6 - Are you capable of sub 1/2 MOA shooting? Are you capable of it shooting prone unsupported?

</div></div>

1. General marksmanship practice, although I've started to shoot highpower matches. I can't afford to always practice with the service rifle.

2. My service rifles has an aperture [rear] sight. An aperture front is not required.

3. Good point maybe I don't need it.

4. I tried about 10 boxes of various match ammo. I recognize that my Marlin may be particularly accurate example, and can get .75" @ 50 yards consistently. .50" 10 shot groups happen but not all the time. The best part about it is that it does this with CCI standard velocity, which beats out all the match ammo out of this particular gun. The MKII [which I no longer have] was just a tad bit worse (still 1" consistently at 50), but there wasn't a point in having a bolt action that was less accurate than the semi. However, both rifles suffer from the fact that they feel like .22s and lacked the heft I prefer, especially for offhand shooting. Hence the reason I'm looking to get something else.

5. For offhand, I would probably run CCI SV if it shoots ok through the rifle. For prone position shooting, I would probably use match ammo at $10-12 per box.

6. I do quite a bit of shooting prone with sling. With and without shooting coat. Not 1/2 MOA good, but it's nice to remove the variables.

 

[RockKrawler]

Re: Looking for an accurate trainer

Look around and see if you are able to find a Kimber 82 AAM (All-American Match. Nicer wood,better triggers and more accurate than the 82 G's.
My last one was $700.00 complete with all documentation and sights.
RK

 

[stranded]

Re: Looking for an accurate trainer

From what you have mentioned any target style 22 would fit your needs. I would try rimfire central and see what is available.I think repeaters might be in your price range too.