1st .22 rf advice pls

[User702]

I went for a CZ452 as my first .22. I wanted something for vermin shooting, so it's got a short barrel and is threaded with a mod.

To be honest, it's a sold, reliable and accurate rifle with just about everything you can put down the barrel (although it prefers some makes of ammunition to others) and the only recommendation I have is to consider getting a trigger kit on it to shorten and lighten the stock trigger. I've also never seen one shot out, so second hand ones should be easily in your price range.

Of course, the child in me would go for an old BSA of the sort I used to shoot at school. If I could find one, I'd get one just for old time's sake.

[Mattnall]

I think any of the reputable make 22lr bolt rifles will do and will shoot very accurately.
Second hand is very often a good deal, the 22lrs don't wear out barrels and as long as it's not bend it should be as good as new regarding accuracy. If needs be you can get it re-crowned as this is most likely the reason for any poor accuracy in a reasonable bolt action.

I like the CZ/BRNO 452. I have 5 of them now and all are very competitive. Only the scout I bought for my son years ago was new and that couldn't out-shoot any of the others on the range that were variously aged from nearly new to ancient.

The Ruger 77 is, as mentioned above, a very solid piece of engineering and very nice to shoot. A little more than the CZ but still can be a great buy second hand.

The list is endless. Go find a second hand one from a maker that you can trust and I'll put money on it it'll be able to shoot better than you need to start with. If you do get to bench rest then you'll need to upgrade, but until then this is the way I'd go.

Good luck and happy shooting.