The .22LR is a great starter rifle for new gun enthusiasts and is still a staple for veteran firearm aficionados.
It’s a great general purpose rifle for pleasure shooting, hunting, and home defense.
.22LR Ammunition is affordable and easy to find. Plus, the caliber’s small size, especially when compared to the size of a rifle, makes it manageable for even small shooters.
Because .22 rifles are so popular, every manufacturer makes at least one.
Many make several. So with the market so flooded with .22 LR rifles, how do you know which one is right for you?
That’s where this list comes in. Here I’ve assembled several of the best .22 rifles available.
Best .22 LR Rifles
1. Marlin Model 60
Having been in continuous production for almost 60 years (though it’s now made by Remington) and is, according to the manufacturer, the most popular firearm of its kind in the world.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
The Model 60 features a hardwood stock with walnut finish, full pistol grip, and Mar-Shield finish.
It also has a brass inner magazine tube with a 14 shot capacity. If you can find one manufactured before 1968, you can expect an 18 round capacity.
The Model 60 is self-loading with right side ejection (sorry, lefties), a straight blowback design, and both manual and automatic “last- shot” bolt hold open. Above the trigger is the cross-bolt safety, easily accessible for even small handed shooters.
Some shooters have complained that the gun is slow to reload, but the high capacity and corrosion resistance of the brass magazine help counterbalance this flaw.
Another high point is 19” micro-groove barrel. The 16 shallow grooves and quality crown make the rifle very accurate. In addition, there’s an adjustable rear sight and open front sight, plus grooving in the receiver for mounting a scope.
In addition to the classic finish, the Model 60 is available with the same specs in the Model 60C ($190) with camo finish and the Model 60SN ($160) with matte black finish.
The Model 60SB ($210) features a stainless steel barrel, an adjustable semi-buckhorn folding rear sight, and a ramp front sight with high-visibility post and cutaway Wide-Scan hood. The Model 60SS ($250) also has improved sights, but with a silver wood finish.
At well under $200 for the standard model, the Marlin Model 60 is a great choice for both new shooters and longtime firearm enthusiasts on a budget.
2. Henry AR-7 Survival Rifle
This rifle was originally designed in 1959 for use by the United States Air Force but is now a favorite among civilians for all the same reasons it was popular with military pilots.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
The AR-7 Survival Rifle is lightweight (only 3.5 lbs.), reliable, and compact. It’s also highly portable thanks to its ability to be disassembled and has all parts of the rifle stored in the impact resistant and water resistant stock.
While the full length of the assembled gun is 35”, the AR-7 Survival Rifle is only 16” long when all components are stowed. That’s small enough to fit in almost any backpack or the cargo area of even small planes and boats.
Assembly is also incredibly easy. All you have to do is attach the receiver to the stock, insert the barrel, and tighten the nut. No tools are needed.
The hardy stock is made of durable ABS plastic with a rubber buttplate pad. The 16” barrel is comprised of a steel liner surrounded by a composite housing, while the receiver is cast from aluminum. The entire rifle is Teflon coated. Like all Henry firearms, the AR-7 Survival Rifle is made in the United States.
The rifle features an adjustable peep rear sight and fixed blade front sight and has a ⅜” grooved receiver for scopability.
Plus…it shoots pretty nicely.
The AR-7 Survival Rifle comes with two eight round magazines. The low capacity is a disadvantage for this rifle, but two mags certainly help make up for it, as does the rifle’s excellent portability.
See our full review here.
3. Ruger 10/22 Takedown
Ruger claims that the 10/22 Series is the most popular .22 series in the world. If you look at the Ruger 10/22’s outstanding reputation for durability and reliability, Ruger’s claim isn’t at all surprising. Today, however, we want to specifically focus on the 10/22 Takedown.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
Similar to the Henry Survival Rifle AR-7 in that it can also be taken apart and reassembled with incredible ease and convenience. However, instead of storing within its own stock, the Ruger 10/22 Takedown comes with a backpack style storage case in which it can be stowed. In addition to the rifle, the case has room for ammunition and accessories.
This gives the Takedown the same storage convenience as the Henry Survival AR-7, but it’s not as protected from moisture or impact unless you store it in a different case.
On the other hand, the 10/22 Takedown has a higher capacity, with a removable 10 round magazine. Some reviewers also claim that the Takedown is more reliable, though both rifles are highly dependable.
The Ruger 10/22 Takedown is available in two barrel lengths, an 18.5” barrel and a 16.62” barrel ($350). The 18.5” barrel option features a brushed aluminum receiver designed to look like stainless steel. The 16.62” barrel option has a black alloy receiver. Both are heavier than the Henry AR-7. The 18.5” barrel option weighs 4.67 lbs., while the 16.62” barrel option weighs in at 4.3 lbs.
Regardless of length, the threaded rifle is precision rifled and cold hammer forged. Both length options have a black synthetic stock.
The Ruger 10/22 Takedown also features a positive, push button, cross bolt manual safety and a combination scope base adapter for both Weaver-style and .22 tip-off scope mounts.
And like other 10/22 models…there’s an awesome amount of upgrades.
What’s your take on the Ruger?
4. CZ-455 American
One of the newest in the CZ-455 lineup, the American is a follow up to another great .22 rifle, the CZ-452. While the 455 American doesn’t have the long history of the Marlin Model 60 or the collapsibility of the Henry AR-7 Survival Rifle or Ruger 10/22 Takedown. What it does have, however, is just as neat.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
The CZ-455 American’s interchangeable barrel system allows you to shoot several calibers for the price of a single rifle. While the rifle may not have the stowability of the Henry AR-7 Survival Rifle or Ruger 10/22 Takedown, it saves space by fulfilling the purposes of multiple rifles in one.
Barrels are easy to switch out, using twin set screws to fix the barrel into the frame.
The CZ-455 American is available with barrels chambered for .22 LR ($400), .22 WMR ($420), .17 HMR ($420). You can also purchase the CZ-455 American with both .22 LR and .17 HMR barrels included ($530).
And, if you just want additional barrels, you can buy .22 LR ($123), .22 WMR ($134), and .17 HMR ($134) barrels individually, each with a 5 round capacity polymer magazine of the corresponding caliber included, as well as the necessary spacer and tools.
Furthermore, actions can be swapped between any CZ-455 stock, not just among models from the American series for even greater interchangeability.
Each barrel is 20.5” long and cold hammer forged steel with a sporter taper. The stock is American style constructed from Turkish walnut and is designed for use with telescopic sights via an 11 mm dovetail rail along the top of the receiver. The CZ-455 American has an adjustable trigger mechanism and two position safety.
The CZ-455 American is one of the larger guns on this list. It has an overall length of 38.2” and weighs in at 5.85 lbs.
For those who want a quieter shot, the CZ-455 American is also available with a suppressor ready 16.5” barrel ($400), chambered for .22 LR.
5. Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 Sport
Lacking the more classic look that most of our other rifles possess, the M&P 15-22stands out from the other .22 rifles on this list because of its AR styling.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
However, the M&P 15-22 Sport is considerably more lightweight than an actual AR, only 4.8 lbs, because of its use of polymer, rather than aluminum, for the upper and lower receivers, as well as the proprietary 25 round capacity magazine ($22).
Other than its badass appearance, one advantage of the AR styling is that the M&P 15-22 Sport features a 10” handguard which incorporates Magpul’s M-LOK system. This allows M&P 15-22 Sport rifle owners to customize their rifle with any M-LOK compatible accessories without removing the handguard.
M&P 15-22 Sport rifle owners are also able to mount Picatinny rails for even further accommodation of accessories. One 2” rail is included with purchase.
In short, the M&P 15-22 Sport is compatible with most standard AR-15 components and accessories.
Additionally, the M&P 15-22 Sport features Magpul MBUS sights, a six position CAR stock, and a functional charging handle. The rifle has a two-position receiver mounted safety lever, as well as a shell deflector.
Ultimately, the M&P 15-22 Sport is a great firearm either for training shooters new to the AR world, or just for those who want an alternatively styled or particularly accessory friendly .22 rifle.
In addition to the classic Armorite finish, the Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 Sport is available in matte black, khaki, and Muddy Girl camo ($450) finishes.
6. Browning 22 Semi-Auto Rifle
Wrapping up our list is the classically styled the SA-22 is another takedown rifle, disassembling into two parts, the buttstock/receiver and forearm/barrel. A mounted scope is able to stay in place when the rifle is disassembled, saving shooters time and energy by eliminating the need to re-zero the sight.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
The one downside here is that the SA-22 neither self-stows or includes a carrying case, so you may need to purchase a case separately.
The SA-22 features a stock and forearm made from checkered American walnut with a glossy finish as well as a blued steel receiver and trigger mechanism.
The 19.25” barrel is precision rifled and drilled to accept a scope mount, though the receiver is not.
The rifle has a gold bead front sight and adjustable folding leaf rear sight.
And unlike other rifles on this list, the Browning SA-22 has a bottom brass ejection, making it a great choice for lefties and ambidextrous shooters.
Closing Thoughts
There you have it, six of the best .22 rifles on the market, each with its own unique qualities that help it stand out from the crowd. These aren’t the only good .22 rifles, but they are tried and true workhorse from some of the best gun manufacturers in the industry.
That said, I also want to give a special shout-out to the 7th pick…the Henry Golden Boy. The Golden Boy is as good as any gun on this list, but we’ve given Henry lots of attention lately, so I wanted to limit this list to only one Henry rifle. You can check out Eric’s recent review of the Golden Boy for more (and more detailed) info.
Now here’s your chance to let us know what you think.
What’s your favorite .22 rifle? What is your favorite all-purpose gun? Check out our list of the Best .22LR Pistols and our Favorite .22LR Ammo for plinking, accuracy, and stealth
85 Leave a Reply
My mom bought my dad a Marlin Model 60 for their first anniversary in 1970. I inherited it when my dad passed away in 2006. Prior to that, I had a Marlin Pappoose, basically what you would get if you crossed a Model 60 with the Ruger 10/22 Takedown. Both Marlins have been excellent guns, being both accurate and reliable. My experience with the AR-7, however, is not so great. My brother bought one around the same time I bought my Pappose, and to be honest, I wasn't terribly impressed with it -- and I really wanted to be, as I had admired the design since I was a kid. His AR-7 jammed frequently and wasn't consistent with shot placement. To be fair, I believe several manufacturers have made the AR-7 over the years, and some have been better than others. Therefore, my brother's AR-7 might not be representative of the Henry AR-7.
Agree these are the best reasonably-priced 22LR rifles. But have you tried or tested any of the more expensive/custom 22s out there? I have fired a Kidd 22 (a Ruger 10/22 design) with their custom 2-stage trigger and there really is a big difference. A big difference in price, too.
The best .22 rifle of all time - the Marlin 39A. Just sayin’.
My little Cooey 39 is still picking off center group targets after 60 years. What a great Christmas present that was...kind of like Ralphy !
I have the MOSS-BERG 715T. It is accurate and trouble free. In my area it is $100 cheaper than the S&W MP 15-22. I recommend the 715T over S&W, if you desire a tactical look. Comes with 4 rails, and the side one's and bottom rail are removable.
I just got a Henry "Evil Roy" heirloom octagon barrel 22 and I could not be happier.
Have not had the opportunity to shoot a GB, but the 9422xtr is my lever action of choice. I have several Marlin 60's and 10/22s but my favorite is the Marlin 795 appleseed. Not many mods available, but out of the box best, most accurate shooter of the bunch and has mag capacity similar to the 10/22
Evidently this article was written before the Winchester Wildcat came out. It in a league of it's own. Light weight, accurate and a breeze to clean.
Browning BL-22 deserves attention, as the easiest way to experience the short, snappy lever throw and moving trigger that differentiates Browning's BLRs from Henry and etc levers.
I can't believe you ranked the Marlin 60 ahead of the Ruger 10/22. I've owned both of them, the 10/22 wins hands down. For reliability, ease of maintenance, upgrade ability, accuracy, you can't beat the 10/22
Love the Browning have owned one for over 45 years. So sexy looking,feeling,great shooting light nimble and just different.A little expensive but very nice!
Marlin 60 is hands down a better gun than the 10/22. I have both as well. Ruger has a terrible trigger as is super picky on ammo.
The list is not in order of rank, just in order of presentation :D
Does the CZ-455 American with a Suppressor Ready Barrel include the suppressor? If not, what is the cost of the suppressor?
That would depend on the suppressor that you buy plus the $200 tax stamp and the 6-13 month wait to get it.
I bought a Marlin 39A Golden Mountie lever action .22LR in 1966, and is as accurate today as in 1966. BTW, Annie Okley shot this type Marlin in her show.
HK 416 is fantastic! A little lighter than the S&W M&P 15-22 but solidly built like a .223! I put a Cvlife 4x32 Compact Scope and purchased two Colt 30rd magazines. A can’t miss for me and I’ve gotten a few impressed looks ... only other rifle I would consider adding to my arsenal would be the Henry AR-7.
Take a look at TNW's Aero Survival rifle before you grab the Henry. It's even available in .22.
I completely agree with you on this one! Mine arrived a few days ago. I took it out to the range, slapped on a red dot, zeroed it, and it shot like a dream the entire time!
No Tippmann M4-22?
CZ has moved on from the Model 455 to the Model 457. I greatly lust after a Brno Model 2 (predecessor of the CZ bolt-action .22s). There are some from Zdenek "Denny" Jakubec's estate on sale at J&G Sales.
Great article Megan. Now I have to get approval to purchase one of these from my better half. I have a old winchester single shot bolt from my dad. Can barely see the rifling in it anymore.
Back in 1969 I traded a flight jacket for an Armalite AR-7 that I loved. This year I bought a Henry AR-7 that I will replace with a bag of marbles and a slingshot. I tried six different brands and types of ammo, different mags, ran it clean and not-so-clean and finally decided its a very poor attempt by Henry to recapture the magic of the original, reliable, SURVIVAL rifle.
I bought the Henry AR-7 a few years back and put more than five hundred rounds through it. It wouldn’t shoot ten in a row without a miss fire. I love my lever action carbine but the AR-7 is a poor excuse for a Henry Rifle.
Get a set of scales and check your ammunition , I shoot competition matches and I have to weigh my ammunition
Really??? I've owned 3, one older one and two new ones. I tried several times to kill em and they ran EVERYTHING I put through em!! Did you contact Henry or just say [email protected] it??
Don't forget about the Marlin 93 it's a great short light wait 22 that shoots 1 inch gripping at 80 yards head shots on all small game with ease cci stingers are great in them and 10/22 as well
Nothing better than a SA.22 Browning period- easy disassemble/ assemble/ clean, , lightest -22 ive ever carried and when 14-40 , could hit a squirrel Open sites sitting still routinely at 35-45 yards- longest shot, every inch of 75 yards! It’ a 1953 Belgium made Browning I’ve had since 14- I’ve owned 3 of the makes of guns on this list- 2nd best to me would be a Remington Speedmaster, then the -22 Marlin
i love mine too, it didn't show up here except in an ad, ruger acts like the 10/22 was the first two piece 22 rifle, i got mine fifty years ago, belgium made. you have to work on the ruger to make it accurate.
Marlin model 70pss "Papoose". The advantage this rifle has over the AR7; Both front and rear sights are attached to the barrel on the Marlin. The AR7 has the rear sight on the receiver and front on the barrel. Marlin is better made. I like, and own, 3 Henry rifles. They are superb. But the Marlin Papoose whips the AR7 for accuracy and quality every day of the week and twice on Sunday.
Ruger Precision 22. It's a tack driver.
good artical however you missed the boat on your choices. the smith & wesson ar15 in 22 is not legal in new york state and may not be elsewhere. and you missed the marlin 39 its been around for almost a century is take down and theyre almost indestructable maybee thats why theyve been aoun for so long and they just plain feel so good in your hands.
Leave New York then haha. Come on down to Texas!
Love my Henry Golden Boy, but my most useful .22 (tool) in the rural area where I live is still my Ruger single 6.
I have the CZ with a four power Leupold and consistently shoot 1/2 “ groups at 50 yards. Nuff said.
The Browning 22 lever action is the sweets 22 I have ever fired. Smooth lever throw with the whole lever and trigger traveling together no pinched fingers on rapid fire.
Ruger Precision?
The Keystone 722 is one of the most accurate .22 LR rifles for the money, especially the Varmint and Precision Trainer variants. Although taboo, it's common to see reports of it outperforming a CZ. If you choose a brand to feel accepted by the rimfire community, you overlooked the Keystone.
The tikka t1a is taking the CZ crown away on the rimfire boards
You really need to check out a Marlin 39A! It is the Cadillac of .22 leverguns. Ignoring it and mentioning the Henry is bordering on sacrilegious! There's a reason it's been in production since 1891! I enjoyed the article other than the 39A snub.
Obviously you were talking about the best for the least amount of money foe a 22 made in the year 2020. The browning and the CZ are 2 dandy's for the money in 2020. I like this read, thanks Megan.
Personally I like the Nylon 66, not sure why there was no honorable mention, especially with resale values so high
You don't have the Remington 597 on this list. For me it is as good as the Marlin has been.
AR S&W MP 15-22 is so fun to shoot and mine is a tack driver boy. I hav3 the 50 round barrel too with Leupold scope. Varmits stand no chance!!!
Personally, I’d take the remmy five nine seven over most of these but you did get number 2 right.
Where can I get one of those 'ten round magazines' ?, and, how do I attach it to my Auto 22's buttstock tube feed [like the one in your pictures] ? ;-)
I came here to see if anyone else was going to mention this! Thank you sir!
How much does the browning sa-22 weigh?
5.2 pounds
where can I buy extra magazines for the Browning SA .22 ? Thanks
The SA .22 has a 10 round tubular magazine feeding through the buttstock. No extra mags are needed, since the integrated tube mag doesn’t detach. To get a replacement magazine tube and plunger, contact Browning or independent parts suppliers.
Browning 22LR feeds through the stock, there is no magazine!
like my customized rugers 10/22 s just picked up old 1946 Remington target master 510 restoring it to glory .reminds me sako growing up in finland shooting many sguirels with single action.cant wait to go range with that ,,
How about Anschutz?
Great if you're a benchrest shooter or planning to ski in a biathlon. I think this article is targeted more at plinkers.
Great if you're a benchrest shooter or planning to ski in a biathlon. I think this article is targeted more at plinkers.
The Savage 64F is a great .22 and very accurate. They can be had for $110.00 to about $130.00. Lots of reviews on YouTube.
This list should be updated with TCR22
It will be ;)
Hard to beat the 10/22. Mods are readily available.....you can turn this thing into almost anything you want. Although the Marlin Model 60 would be my 2nd choice.
I have a CZ 455 stainless with synthetic stock I think it's the best all-around squirrel gun out there for the money toped with a Leupold 3 to 9 by 40 vx-2 it's really sweet
So...the Browning SA comes with two 10 round magazines...really? If the writer had bothered to actually handle the rifle in question, they would have noted the rifle has a tube magazine which is loaded thru a recess in the plastic buttpad of the stock.
Exactly, annd holds one in the barrel also, makes 11 in all...
The Browning comment makes one wonder how qualified the writer is on this subject. Anyone familiar with the Browning knows it has tub mag.
I was going to mention that also, I have one. The rounds are actually loaded thru the hole on the right side of the stock.
How do you have your cover picture be a Crickett and then not mention it?
There are so many great .22 rifles from great manufacturers and they all could never be included in a single list of any reasonable length. You would at least have to break them down into some type of sub categories such as action etc..
The Ruger Precison Rimfire is my favorite .22. At around $400 it has an excellent cost/performance ratio. It loves the CCI Mini-Mag RN and will tightly group at 100 yards. You can afford a lot of ammo and fun for .08/round or less. I won't comment on all-around because I exclusively target shoot. But i also have a Ruger 10/22 non take-down. It's a lot of fun for $200. Throw a Nikon BDC scope on it for another $100 and you can do a lot.
I love my RPR. Makes for great practice when I'm not taking it's Savage 10BA big brother to long distance.
I was looking at the Ruger Precision Rimfire, but then I found out that Tikka is coming out with the T1x - basically the T3x but in .22 LR or .17 HMR. First the Tikka, then a Ruger!
I love my American Rimfire. Very accurate and fun to use with the BX mags.
The CZ USA 455 American is the one that sells the fastest from what I know. I also know a dealer with 12 Ruger 10-22 s in Pink and has not sold one in half a year!
I have a 10/22 they are junk i bought a Thompson center tcr22 today to try out
I got to agree with you I have a Ruger 10/22 and it jams all the time. Looking for a good bolt action,
Hummm...the most widely sold and owned .22 in the world...and You, and the guy before you intimate they are junk? Gotta wonder...is it the gun... or you and the ammo you chose?
I recently got back into shooting. I now own 2 rifles: a Ruger 10/22 TALO M-1 Carbine model and a Henry Frontier edition 20" Octagonal barrel (it's essentially a Golden Boy without the Brass accents). The Ruger is loads of fun to shoot and super accurate, I go shooting with my nephew, former Marine. He owns a SCAR and a Winchester 1894. But you know which rifle he wants to shoot the most? That Henry. It's always the favorite. I think because all men who grew up watching John Wayne or Clint Eastwood have a cowboy fantasy.
Stay with my monster 46b wins every time.
My dad's old Marlin Lever Action Model 39A is still my favorite.. So worn now I can hardly read the engraving.
bought the cmmg .22 drop in conversion for one of my extra AR I have. works great if kept oiled and clean. sighted in at 50 yrds. and I can switch it back with ease.. will not work with a drop in trigger.had the ruger 10/22. it was the same. keep it oiled and clean. it was ammo picky
Marlin 60 best for the money I love my lever guns also Browning bl22 Winchester 9422m
Yup, those lever guns are FUN!
I'm a 10/22 fan.I have the 50th annv. edition. I also have an AR-7.. I bought it for the novelty of it, at my age I'm not not doing any hiking or camping. Mostly just target shooting..
Very cool, Bill!
I've shot a Marlin 60 for over 40 years and would buy another today if it wear ou (not likely).. It is very accurate for an inexpensive rifle and is especially handy on small game and varmints. Eastern Diamondbacks and gray squirrels are especially susceptible to its accuracy.. I have to mention that the gun is a hoot to shoot when it comes to plain old plinking and ammo doesn't break the bank..
Nice, Mike!