Best Compact Bolt Action 22 LR Starter Gun For Kids/Hunting

[WeR0206]

Forgive my ignorance as I don't know much about the rimfire world (I shoot CF bolt actions and AR's mainly), I'm looking to add to my collection a solid 22 LR semi-auto rifle that I can use mainly as a starter gun for my girls when they are old enough (7yrs old and 4yrs old currently) and also for hunting/varmints here and there. I'll probably make the purchase some time within the next 6 months so right now I'm just in the research phase. Seems like the best option re: aftermarket support, reliability, etc. is a Ruger 10/22 but I wanted to see what the hide thought.

Budget for initial purchase (not including upgrades, etc.) would be <= $350

Here's what I was considering but I'm open to whatever (leaning towards a 16.25" in barrel vs. 18" since it'll be mainly used by the kids):

• Ruger 10/22 (18” barrel, hardwood stock) (# 1103) ($200)
• Ruger 10/22 Compact 22 LR (16.12” barrel) (# 31114) ($255)
• Savage 45110 64 FV-SR 22 LR 10+1 16.50" Matte (# 45110) ($145)
• Henry AR-7?

If you have any upgrade recommendations re: barrels, triggers, stocks, scopes/rings, etc. and also ammo I'm down for that as well thanks!

 

[Aftermath]

I prefer to start a kid with a 22LR single shot with open sights. Rossi makes a decent one that is not expensive. Once they have the idea that they only have the one shot to make a hit and are showing proficiency with safe handling, I move them to a 10/22 with open sight.

 

[WeR0206]

I prefer to start a kid with a 22LR single shot with open sights. Rossi makes a decent one that is not expensive. Once they have the idea that they only have the one shot to make a hit and are showing proficiency with safe handling, I move them to a 10/22 with open sight.

Good thinking, thanks for the suggestion!

 

[oldrifleman]

EDIT: removed stupid post that deserves the ridicule of all, but to save the intent of the thread and reduce my embarrassment.
For original content see reply copied below.

 

[Aftermath]

Most places will require the starting gun to be a dedicated blank pistol. Not stop you buying the 22rf you want but I would not be surprised if the events require the blank gun.

I just gotta save this for posterity.

 

[John?]

We started our kids with the single shot Savage Rascal. It is tiny so it fits smaller kids. Rudimentary peep sights. Good to learn basics.

Upgraded to Ruger American compact rimfire. Excellent tools for small game and informal target shooting. For Steel Challenge, we got them 10/22.

16” barrel balances better for youth.

 

[oldrifleman]

Good thinking, thanks for the suggestion!

Helps if you actual read with understanding. Score one goal blunder to me!
To the topic I started my kids with a cz452 scout model. When the they outgrew that I got each a kid 10/22.
Sorry for a stupid post, I and I don’t drink

 

[WeR0206]

We started our kids with the single shot Savage Rascal. It is tiny so it fits smaller kids. Rudimentary peep sights. Good to learn basics.

Upgraded to Ruger American compact rimfire. Excellent tools for small game and informal target shooting. For Steel Challenge, we got them 10/22.

16” barrel balances better for youth.

Thanks! Im leaning hard towards the below Rascal. The features/size seem perfect. Appreciate all the feedback from everyone!

Savage Rascal - RH Black (# 13775) ($115)

Also looking at:

• Henry Mini Bolt Youth G2 16.25” (# H005R) ($235)
• Keystone Chipmunk Walnut Blend (# 00001) ($170)
• Keystone Cricket Desert Tan (hard to cock firing pin compared to Rascal?) (# KSA2235) ($100)

 

[John?]

Thanks! Im leaning hard towards the below Rascal. The features/size seem perfect. Appreciate all the feedback from everyone!

Savage Rascal - RH Black (# 13775) ($115)

Yep. That’s the one we have. Bought a blue one when my oldest was 6 months old. No sense in dawdling . He is now driving. That rifle has been used by his 3 siblings. Youngest daughter has been lobbying to get a pink stock for it.

 

[WeR0206]

Yep. That’s the one we have. Bought a blue one when my oldest was 6 months old. No sense in dawdling . He is now driving. That rifle has been used by his 3 siblings. Youngest daughter has been lobbying to get a pink stock for it.

Haha nice!! Any ammo in particular it seems to like or do you just your rando plinking stuff?

 

[John?]

@WeR0206
We get best results (for kid values of best) with Federal AutoMatch and CCI SV. For practice, cheap Blazer 22 works surprisingly well.

 

[Cal97c]

Browning SA-22, besides the unique/weird loading mechanism, I think it is better suited for smaller hands and better balanced than most other 22's.

 

[WeR0206]

Something else I'm also considering if I don't go with the Savage Rascal or Henry Mini Bolt G2 single shot rifles is getting a compact bolt action 22 LR that either has factory 1 shot mags/adapters or ebay etc. adapters that are widely available. That opens my options up a bit and here's what I've added to my list:

• Ruger American Compact Rimfire 22 LR 18” (# 8303) ($315) (use with a 10/22 single shot mag (# 90344) ($13))
• Savage Arms B22 F Compact 18” (# 70214) ($245)
• CZ 457 Scout 16.5” (# 02335) ($500)

Going with the Ruger American Compact Rimfire would make for an easy transition to the 10/22 since they both use the same mags.

 

[Emerson0311]

Buy a CZ. Tigers and Savages will disappoint you with their build quality pretty quickly. Semis are not great for teaching kids much but fun conspicuous consumption. Tiny and expensive single shots are useful for a very short time. Have all of the above and several kids.

 

[WeR0206]

Buy a CZ. Tigers and Savages will disappoint you with their build quality pretty quickly. Semis are not great for teaching kids much but fun conspicuous consumption. Tiny and expensive single shots are useful for a very short time. Have all of the above and several kids.

Thanks for the suggestion and I was curious about the differences in triggers between the options. Those CZ's look damn nice for the $$$ and would last a lifetime (they also have a ton of aftermarket support). I think they come with a single shot adapter to start off with which is nice.

 

[Emerson0311]

Thanks for the suggestion and I was curious about the differences in triggers between the options. Those CZ's look damn nice for the $$$ and would last a lifetime (they also have a ton of aftermarket support). I think they come with a single shot adapter to start off with which is nice.

CZs are the Tikka of the Rimfire world. The Tikka Rimfire is not bad, but I give the nod to CZ. I competed with a Tikka Rimfire for several years. CZ is better.

 

[oldrifleman]

CZ Scout! Perfect starter rifle!