New .22

[Fly Rod]

I am going to buy a 22lr to decimate the ground squirrel population in the orchard. I am bouncing between a CZ 452 and a Savage Mark II BV. I am leaning towards the Savage because I like the idea of the accutrigger. I have learned a ton of great info from rimfirecentral.com. Including some tweeks to get the accutrigger dialed in.

I am also in the process of choosing a scope to mount on the gun. I bought an BSA Sweet 22 3x9 but am thinking of returning it. The RFC guys are all hot on the Mueller 4.5-14x40 AO. I am not familiar with it.

What say the mudders on building a great squirrel getter in 22lr?

[bigndn]

If it's within your budget, the CZ453 has a 'single set trigger' thats pretty bling. I recently acquired 2 - 10 rd magazines for my 452.

CZ 453 American

[flintknapper]

Both rifles have a good reputation for accuracy, so its a wash in that dept.

A trigger that breaks cleanly with little or no creep is desirable, as I'm sure you know.

For your purposes I would select the Savage, put a good scope on it and use premium .22 ammo.

Those varmints are gonna hate you.

[beaufort-fj60]

use a 243

[Fly Rod]

Originally Posted by beaufort-fj60

use a 243

For shooting at 20-50 yards with neighbors 1/4 mile away? Oh yes then there is the issue of $14 per 500 rounds and $14 per 20 rounds.

Do you use a 30-378 for deer at 100 yards?

[Fly Rod]

Originally Posted by bigndn

If it's within your budget, the CZ453 has a 'single set trigger' thats pretty bling. I recently acquired 2 - 10 rd magazines for my 452.

CZ 453 American

I looked at that one yesterday. Very nice gun. Unfortunately that is more than my gun and scope budget.

[porkysan]

I own one of the Meuller APV scopes. Also used on a .22 LR. Great scope. If the power range works, then I definitely wouldn't hesitate to buy one of those.

If you already have the other scope, you might give it a try first.

Can't help with the rifle choice....but they both look good.

[Fly Rod]

Originally Posted by porkysan

I own one of the Meuller APV scopes. Also used on a .22 LR. Great scope. If the power range works, then I definitely wouldn't hesitate to buy one of those.

If you already have the other scope, you might give it a try first.

Can't help with the rifle choice....but they both look good.

Do you feel the low end is still to high for squirrels @ 30 yards? I always felt that 1.5 - 2 x was a better bottom end. But then this will be the first rifle I plan to puch alot of holes in paper with. That is why I like the higher end of this scope.

[stevezero]

Dicks Sporting Goods has a savage bull barrelled synthetic thumbhole stocked combo with a 3-9x scope package for $299.00. Its got the accutrigger set. Laminate is natural wood colored (like a nutmeg color pattern, not the gaudy wierd color packages). Its heavy, so it may not be the best for toting in the woods. I think its a .920 barrel. But they are extremely accurate. I believe the scope is made by simmons. If youre shooting off a bipod or bags, that would be the way to go. You can always sell the scope and replace it with something higher powered.

I bought a simmons prairie master 8-32x x 44mm AO scope for my marlin 99m1. I got it online at natchezss.com for $72.99 for Christmas. They have 6-24x scopes for $62.00 or so. I like it quite a bit. The turrets are very tall (target turret knobs), but the adjustment stays very true. Its focusable down to about 10 yards.

I'll try to take some pics later.

[splitshot]

Originally Posted by stevezero

Dicks Sporting Goods has a savage bull barrelled synthetic thumbhole stocked combo with a 3-9x scope package for $299.00. Its got the accutrigger set. Laminate is natural wood colored (like a nutmeg color pattern, not the gaudy wierd color packages). Its heavy, so it may not be the best for toting in the woods. I think its a .920 barrel. But they are extremely accurate. I believe the scope is made by simmons. If youre shooting off a bipod or bags, that would be the way to go. You can always sell the scope and replace it with something higher powered.

I bought a simmons prairie master 8-32x x 44mm AO scope for my marlin 99m1. I got it online at natchezss.com for $72.99 for Christmas. They have 6-24x scopes for $62.00 or so. I like it quite a bit. The turrets are very tall (target turret knobs), but the adjustment stays very true. Its focusable down to about 10 yards.

I'll try to take some pics later.

X2, on Natchez, bought a prarie master and a Browning scope from them this last year. Great prices and service.

As far as the rifle, if it has a trigger and the accuracy as my 110s, I would definetly go Savage. Feed it CB's and the neighbors wont even notice.

[porkysan]

Originally Posted by Fly Rod

Do you feel the low end is still to high for squirrels @ 30 yards? I always felt that 1.5 - 2 x was a better bottom end. But then this will be the first rifle I plan to puch alot of holes in paper with. That is why I like the higher end of this scope.

The low end is fine.....for squirrels or paper, and your groups on paper will certainly appreciate the higher power.


I've found it to be a great all around scope, provided you don't need more than 14 power.

Good luck on the search. Keep us posted on how it works out for you.

[KArmstrong]

I must have killed hundreds of squirrels with my Grandfather's 1903 pump Winchester during high school.

Keep it low velocity ammo and at short ranges, with a little familarization, almost anything should work just fine for you.

[Fly Rod]

I ordered the Savage MK-II BV today. Now for the scope. The Mueller APV is looking real good. The Bushy Elite 3200 4-14AO is also looking good, except for the extra $200 cost.

Decisions, decisions.

[splitshot]

Might be albe to save some $$ here. Browning's are 3200's

Natchez - page 17

[Fly Rod]

Originally Posted by splitshot

Might be albe to save some $$ here. Browning's are 3200's

Natchez - page 17

I saw that one. Alot of guys at rimfirecentral.com have picked those up. It looks good at that price. I am going to let the grey matter stew on it until the gun gets here.

[splitshot]

I bought the 8-24 x 40, I'm impressed (I couldn't afford another 6.5x24 Leupold).

[Fly Rod]

I just ordered the Muller 4.5-14x40 APV. It comes with a sun shield delivered for $115. The guys on rimfirecentral are pretty high on this scope. Now the wait begins for all the pieces to arrive.

[splitshot]

Wow, that was quick, I guess that hole burning in your pocket was hotter than the stewing grey matter

Let us know what you think when it arrives.

[Fly Rod]

Originally Posted by splitshot

Wow, that was quick, I guess that hole burning in your pocket was hotter than the stewing grey matter

Let us know what you think when it arrives.

Some stews cook faster than others.

[blueticker17]

Both the above mentioned are great guns.
I built a great gun out of a 10/22.
I threw away everything but the receiver and built up from there.
Flutted bull barrel, new trigger group, and a new stock.
Topped with a luepold, I have killed more critters with this setup than any other. I like auto when hunting tree rats.
Good luck and have fun.

[flintknapper]

Originally Posted by Fly Rod

Some stews cook faster than others.

A well known fact.




BTW,

Very good choices on both rifle and scope.

You won't be disappointed.

[Atticus]

Originally Posted by Fly Rod

Do you feel the low end is still to high for squirrels @ 30 yards? I always felt that 1.5 - 2 x was a better bottom end. But then this will be the first rifle I plan to puch alot of holes in paper with. That is why I like the higher end of this scope.

I've never had occasion, even shooting deer at less than ten yards, to think that anything under 3x was necessary. If you are worried about target acquisition, I would recommend that you keep both eyes open when you shoot. That may help.

[Fly Rod]

Originally Posted by Atticus

I've never had occasion, even shooting deer at less than ten yards, to think that anything under 3x was necessary. If you are worried about target acquisition, I would recommend that you keep both eyes open when you shoot. That may help.

Left eye dominant, right hand shooter. Makes shooting with both eyes open questionable. When you have had an elk at 8' you begin to think about these things. Granted the 22 will never be used for elk.

Yes I know, I should shoot lefty. I have a tough time commiting to do that. I can't even pick my nose with my left hand....