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10 Great .22 Mag Bolt-Action Rifles Right Now

Rimfire guns are popular with shooting enthusiasts. When it comes to .22-caliber rifles, many are fans of the higher velocity and additional applications the .22 WMR has over the .22 LR. Here are 10 .22 Mag bolt-action rifles to consider for your next purchase.

10 Great .22 Mag Bolt-Action Rifles Right Now

The .22 Magnum is a great hunting cartridge, outperforming the .22 Long Rifle on small game and varmints by a considerable margin.
March 23, 2022By Payton Miller

The late 1970s rise of hyper-velocity .22 Long Rifle loads and the later advent of various .17s threw a bit of shade on the .22 Magnum’s status as the muscle rimfire. But the fact remains that the .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire, introduced in 1960, is never a bad choice. A .22 Mag. rifle is capable of handling projectiles from 30 to 50 grains in weight and at velocities from 1,600 fps to nearly 2,300 fps. In a good scoped bolt-action specimen, you will have to step up to a centerfire .22 Hornet to beat it by much.

The .22 Magnum is, primarily, a hunting cartridge. As such, it outranges and outperforms the .22 Long Rifle on small game and varmints by a considerable margin. It is not really an optimum coyote load, but I have seen it do a respectable job on called-in coyotes out to 50 to 60 yards or so. And it tends to be an accurate cartridge. Over the years I have shot examples of modestly priced .22 Mag., and with loads they liked they would stay at an inch—often under—at 100 yards.

And speaking of hunting, in many areas rimfire hunters are close to civilization, and as such, suppressors are becoming ever more popular. Not only is it safer for the shooter’s hearing, suppressed gunshots are less likely to annoy landowners, livestock and neighbors. So today many .22 Mag. rifles are threaded for suppressors, and that is a great thing.

Let us look at some of the newest entries in the bolt action category. They are presented from least expensive to most expensive.

1. Rossi Rimfire

10 Great .22 Mag Bolt-Action Rifles Right Now

Rossi is best known for its lever actions, but the company also manufactures bolt guns, including a .22 Mag. The rifle comes with a stylish polymer stock, and the 21-inch matte black barrel is free-floated for accuracy. It is a nice, light 5.6 pounds, perfect for the hiking hunter, and a crossbolt safety is in the forward portion of the trigger guard. The rifle feeds from a five-round detachable box magazine. RossiUSA.com, $221

2. Citadel Trakr-22M

10 Great .22 Mag Bolt-Action Rifles Right Now
The Citadel Trakr-22M features an adjustable synthetic stock and a threaded 21-inch barrel.

With its collapsible black synthetic stock, this tactical-looking .22 Mag. import is available through Legacy Sports International. Its threaded 21-inch barrel will squeeze out every bit of velocity from the .22 Mag. cartridge, and it features a 5-round detachable box magazine and a push-button safety as well as a cocking indicator that protrudes from the rear of the bolt when cocked. There are no iron sights, but Weaver scope bases come installed. Weight is 6.3 pounds. $249

3. Savage 93 Minimalist

10 Great .22 Mag Bolt-Action Rifles Right Now
The Savage 93 Minimalist is a handy rifle at just 5.5 pounds with its partially skeletonized stock, and the 18-inch barrel is threaded.

The name may imply bare bones, but this little .22 Mag. rifle features a distinctive partially skeletonized wood laminate stock. Further, the 18-inch barrel is threaded for a suppressor, and it includes Savage’s user-adjustable AccuTrigger. The minimalist aspect really comes into play when you talk about weight, and the 93 Minimalist’s 5.5-pound weight should make it a dream to carry. It feeds from a 10-round detachable box magazine, and it comes with Weaver bases for scope mounting. It is available in green or brown versions. $359, SavageArms.com

4. CZ 457 American Synthetic Suppressor-Ready

10 Great .22 Mag Bolt-Action Rifles Right Now
The 457 American Synthetic Suppressor’s American-style stock boasts twin swivel studs up front for mounting a bipod and sling simultaneously.

The 457 is an expansive line from a company that really knows how to make a rimfire. The 457 American Synthetic Suppressor has all the features a hunter could want—starting with an all-weather American-style synthetic stock with twin sling swivels up front so you can mount a bipod and a sling simultaneously. The 20.5-inch cold-hammer-forged barrel is threaded 1/2×28, and the rifle features a fully adjustable trigger. In an update over older CZ models, the safety now pushes forward to Fire. The 60-degree bolt throw ensures it will clear today’s big-ocular scopes. No iron sights, but it has a grooved 11mm dovetail for scope mounting. Weight is 5.4 pounds. $519, cz-usa.com

5. Savage B22 Magnum BNS-SR

10 Great .22 Mag Bolt-Action Rifles Right Now
Savage B22 Magnum BNS-SR has an ergonomic stock with a higher comb for scope use and a vertical pistol grip. Its 18-inch barrel is suppressor-ready.

This new model features a good-looking, ergonomic stock with a higher comb for scope use and a vertical pistol grip for proper hand placement when shooting prone or from a rest. Its 18-inch carbon steel barrel is button-rifled and threaded for a suppressor. And Savage does not skimp on accuracy just because it is a rimfire. The BNS-SR uses the same thread-in, zero-tolerance headspacing for its barrel as centerfire rifles do, and the gun comes with Savage’s user-adjustable AccuTrigger. Weight is a Goldilocks-right 6.6 pounds—easy to carry and solid from shooting positions. Feeding is from a 10-round rotary magazine, and the gun comes with two-piece Weaver scope bases. $529, SavageArms.com

10 Great .22 Mag Bolt-Action Rifles Right Now
The Ruger American rimfire is available in a version with Go Wild Camo Brush synthetic stock and Burnt Bronze Cerakote finish. The 18-inch barrel comes with a brake and is threaded 1/2×28.

The Americans have been well-received by hunters and shooters because of their features and typically excellent accuracy. For the .22 Mag. fan looking for something a little different, the version with a Go Wild Camo Brush synthetic stock and Burnt Bronze Cerakote (model 8373) is a good-looking, hard hunting rifle. It comes with interchangeable modules that change length of pull and comb height, and these are easily changeable. The 18-inch barrel comes with a brake and is threaded 1/2×28 if you want to change to a suppressor. The barreled action is Ruger’s Power Bedding, with an integral block to locate the receiver and free-float the barrel, and the Marksman trigger is adjustable. It comes with a Picatinny rail attached to the receiver for easy scope mounting, and the 60-degree bolt throw will clear even big-ocular scopes. Feeds from a nine-round rotary magazine, and weight is a handy 5.9 pounds. $559, ruger.com

7. CZ 457 Lux

10 Great .22 Mag Bolt-Action Rifles Right Now
The 457 Lux has a European hogback-style stock in Turkish walnut, and its long 24.8-inch barrel provide a great sighting radius for the gun’s adjustable irons.

For the hunter who appreciates the finer things in life, the 457 Lux is served up with a European hogback-style stock in Turkish walnut. The design is just right for use with the adjustable iron sights that come on the rifle, and the receiver also sports a grooved 11mm dovetail for scope mounting. Its long, 24.8-inch cold-hammer-forged barrel provides an excellent sighting radius for the irons. Weight is a just-right 6.1 pounds, and like other 457s it now features a safety that pushes forward to Fire like Americans expect. The 60-degree bolt throw ensures it will clear today’s big-ocular scopes. $605, cz-usa.com

8. Browning T-Bolt Target

10 Great .22 Mag Bolt-Action Rifles Right Now

The Browning T-Bolt Target is a classy rifle with a satin-finished Grade 1 black walnut stock, and its.16.5-inch bull barrel is threaded.

If it is traditional elegance you are looking for, plus the rapid-fire capability of a straight-pull bolt action, this .22 Magnum addition to the straight-pull T-Bolt stable features a 16.5-inch bull barrel with target crown that is threaded for a suppressor. The stock is satin finished Grade 1 black walnut. Overall length is 34.75 inches and the weight is 6 pounds, 2 ounces. The detachable box magazine holds 10 rounds, and it is drilled and tapped for scope mounts. $720, browning.com 9. Bergara B-14R Carbon

10 Great .22 Mag Bolt-Action Rifles Right Now

The Bergara B-14R Carbon has a threaded carbon fiber 18-inch barrel, and the HMR stock is adjustable for cheekpiece height and length of pull.

This respected Spanish company is now offering its full-size trainer in .22 Magnum. The barrel is 18-inch carbon fiber with a No. 6 taper and threaded muzzle/thread protector. It features the company’s HMR stock with a full-length mini-chassis, adjustable cheekpiece and length of pull. It is compatible with Remington M700 scope mounts, has a 38-inch overall length (with spacers) and an 8.1-pound weight. The rifle features a 10-round AICS-style magazine: There is also a steel-barrel version for about $100 less. $1,245, bergara.com

10. Anschutz Model 1761 AV Threaded Classic

10 Great .22 Mag Bolt-Action Rifles Right Now

The Anschutz Model 1761 AV Threaded Classic is suppressor-ready and comes with Anschutz’s excellent two-stage trigger and a classic wood stock.

Anschutz is one of the most respected brands in the world when it comes to competition rifles, but the company makes sporting guns, too, including models in .22 Mag. The 1761 AV Threaded has an 18-inch barrel with a heavy contour and is, like it says, threaded—1/2×28 in this case. The stock is wood, styled classic, and one of the big selling points for some people will be its two-stage trigger. Anschutz triggers are among the finest on the planet, and it contributes a lot to accuracy. The rifle feeds from a five-round magazine. Weight is 6.1 pounds. $1,850, AnschutzNorthAmerica.com

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War

RUSSIAN KA-52 ALLIGATOR ATTACK HELICOPTER: AN ENDANGERED SPECIES?

By Peter Suciu

Much has been made in the Western media and shared across the social platforms of the potentially thousands of Russian tanks and other armored vehicles that have been destroyed in Ukraine since the Kremlin launched its unprovoked invasion in February 2022. However, less attention has been paid to the nearly three dozen Ka-52 “Alligator” reconnaissance and attack helicopters that have been shot down in the fighting.

Russian Air Force Kamov Ka-50
The Russian Air Force Kamov Ka-50 shown above is a single-seat version of the Ka-52 helicopter. Image: © Dmitriy Pichugin/GNU Free Documentation License 1.2

It was on May 24 that the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) claimed its soldiers successfully downed one of these rotary aircraft. Though unconfirmed, it would be a significant setback for the Kremlin, which only produced about 170 of the Russian helicopters, with each costing roughly $16 million. The AFU didn’t specify which unit had downed the Ka-52.

In early April, the Ukrainian 10th Separate Mountain Assault Brigade “Edelweiss” had claimed on Facebook to have destroyed a Ka-52 helicopter with a Piorun portable air-defense system. That particular incident reportedly occurred near the fiercely contested city of Bakhmut.

Ka-52 at Torzhok Air Base
A Ka-52 hovers at Torzhok Air Base in Russia. Visible are the helicopter’s multiple hard points for attaching munitions. Image: © Alex Beltyukov/CC BY-SA 3.0

There are reports that upwards of one-third of the 100 or so Russian Ka-52s that were in service at the start of the war have been destroyed.

The first Russian Ka-52 lost in Ukraine was confirmed destroyed in the opening weeks of the invasion when it was hit by a surface-to-air missile (SAM). Another had reportedly been damaged on the first day of the invasion on February 24, 2022, but it was able to land on its own. It remains unclear if it was returned to service.

The Washington-based think tank, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), described the Ka-52 as being generally comparable to the U.S. Army’s AH-64 Apache.

Origins of the Ka-52 Attack Helicopter

Though aviation innovator Nikolai Ilyich Kamov died in November 1973, nearly a decade before the Soviet military adopted the Ka-52, his impact is seen with the rotary aircraft. The Soviet aerospace engineer was a pioneer of helicopter design, and he founded the Kamov Design Bureau.

[Note: Today, the Kamov Design Bureau is part of Russian Helicopters, a holding company owned by Rostec State Corporation. Rostec is a defense corporation owned by Russia.]

Ka-52 alligator
The Kamov Ka-52 Alligator is sometimes described as a flying tank. Some Western analysts suggest the helicopter is roughly analogous to the AH-64 Apache. Image: Vlsergey/CC BY-SA 3.0

A characteristic of nearly all his designs, beginning with the Ka-8 Irkutyanin developed immediately after the Second World War, was the use of superimposed co-axial rotors to give a greater amount of lift to the vehicle. This was perfected with the Kamov Ka-15 (NATO reporting name “Hen”), a two-seat utility helicopter. It first flew in April 1952, and it went on to become the world’s first mass-produced coaxial rotary aircraft.

This eventually led to the development of the Kamov Ka-50 “Black Shark” (NATO reporting name “Hokum A) in the 1980s. Progress was slow, however, with operational testing being conducted from early 1985 through the middle of 1986. The advantage of its coaxial contra-rotating rotor system was that it removed the need for the entire tail rotor assembly and also improved the helicopter’s aerobatic capabilities. Though it reportedly requires a skilled (perhaps even daring) pilot, the Black Shark could perform loops, rolls, and “the funnel” (circle-strafing).

The Ka-50 was also noted for featuring a NPP Zvezda K-37-800 ejection seat to provide greater pilot survivability. The system actually blows away the rotor blades before an ejection seat deploys. How successful this is in practice isn’t entirely clear.

Ka-52 instrument panel
The above photo shows the instruments in the Ka-52 helicopter. Image: © Leukhin Fedor/CC BY-SA 2.0

The single-seat attack helicopter only finally entered service with the Russian Army in 1995, although fewer than two dozen are believed to have been built. Even as the development of the Ka-50 continued, the Kamov design team opted to produce a helicopter that could be utilized to conduct battlefield reconnaissance, provide target designation, support and coordinate group attack helicopter operations.

That effort led to the development of a two-seat variant of the Black Shark, where the second crew member could operate the optronics/radar reconnaissance suite. Kamov’s designers also opted to employ a side-by-side seating arrangement, which was meant to improve cooperation between the pilot and co-pilot.

The Ka-52 “Alligator” in the Crosshairs

This twin-seat variant was subsequently designated the Ka-52 “Alligator” (NATO reporting name “Hokum B”). Today, the twin-seat, all-weather attack aircraft is considered among Russia’s best attack helicopters. It can be armed with anti-tank and air-to-air guided missiles, while it is also fitted with a 30 mm main gun.

Ka-52 demonstration
A Ka-52 at the International Military & Technical Forum Army in 2018. Image: © Vitaly V. Kuzmin/CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

According to Russian state media, the Ka-52 can provide target acquisition and designation while it is furnished with signature control devices, electronic warfare, and active anti-jamming systems. The rotary aircraft was also designated to destroy tanks, armored and non-armored vehicles, manpower, rotorcraft, and other enemy aircraft on the frontline and in the tactical depth, in any weather conditions, and at any time.

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National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day – My dads War NSFW

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All About Guns Allies

Worshipful Company of Gunmakers by John Richardson – From No Lawyers, Only Guns and Money

The Worshipful Company of Gunmakers was incorporated by Royal Charter in 1637 to promote and regulate gunmaking. Unlike many of the old guilds and livery companies, it still performs that role through its management of The Proof House which is also known as the London Proof House.

According to its history, King Charles I bestowed the Royal Charter upon the Company. There had been an argument going back to the 1300s over which guild or company should govern gunmaking. The Blacksmiths and the Armourers each thought they should be the ones in charge. A royal commission was established and its recommendation was that an independent company be given the charter.

The Charter defined the role that the Gunmakers still play today. It created a proof mark, a stamp of the letters ‘GP’ surmounted by a crown. The mark is stamped on guns that meet the statutory safety requirements. Only the Company can bestow it, and it is illegal to sell a gun without a recognised proof mark. To administer proof, the Company was given broad powers of “search, gage, proof, trial and marking of all manner of hand guns in London or … imported from foreign parts”.  The power to search (with a constable) for unproved guns and seize them is still vested in the Company today.

The Proof House along with the Birmingham Proof House has the responsibility to proof barrels, to improve gun safety, and to certify de-activation of certain firearms. Proofing a barrel involves firing a proof cartridge through it that exceeds the maximum theoretical service pressure by anywhere from 25% to 50%. This is done remotely. After a reinspection of the barrel and making sure its measurements are still within spec, then it has the proof mark affixed.

From Worshipful Company of Gunmakers

The Worshipful Company of Gunmakers also certifies those that through training or apprenticeship can be called Gunmakers. The Gunmakers’ Certification requires a minimum of four years work in a specific gunmaking craft such as barrel making, engraving, or stockmaker. The candidate submits a portfolio of his or her work along with other evidence to a committee of Master Gunmakers for evaluation. If they pass, they are awarded the Certification. The Company also recognizes Master Gunmakers who usually have 20 or more years in the trade. Like the apprentices, they submit a portfolio. If they pass, they are deemed Master Gunmakers and can affix the title “MAsR.G” after their names. For example, it would be Mr. John Bull, MAsR.G.

I mentioned guilds and livery companies earlier. While many no longer serve to govern a trade, they still have a legal role in the governance of the City of London. They elect the Sheriffs, the Bridgemasters, and Ale Conners of the City of London and endorse the election of the Mayor of the City of London. As an aside, the term “livery” comes from the clothing and regalia adopted by the guilds and companies to distinguish themselves in times gone by.

The Worshipful Company of Gunmakers ranks number 73 in precedence. The oldest is the Worshipful Company of Mercers (general merchants) whose charter dates to 1394. Gunmakers rank ahead of lawyers, insurers, lightmongers, and tax advisors in terms of age and precedence. The responsibility for approving new livery companies is that of the Court of Alderman who act like an upper chamber in the legislative administration of the City of London. The primary role for most livery companies now is charity and education. Many also have affiliations with British military units. The Gunmakers, for example, are affiliated with the Light Dragoons.

I stumbled across a link to the Worshipful Company of Gunmakers from a posting on the AfricaHunting.com forum. There had been a discussion of what gun shops and gunmakers to visit while in London.

One last note: the Gunmakers have been in their present location on Commercial Road in Aldgate, London since 1675. They were one of the few guilds or livery companies to have been located outside the old walls of the City of London but this was presumably done for safety reasons back in the day.

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Old School Noggin protection

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Ammunition Scam Sites Are Infesting The Internet

Ammunition Scam Sites Are Infesting The Internet, iStock-1307675090
Ammunition Scam Sites Are Infesting The Internet, iStock-1307675090

U.S.A. — The old saying “buyer beware” has now been extended to the Internet age. There has been an epidemic of scams proliferating the World Wide Web, and the firearms community is not immune from criminals trying to separate people from their hard-earned dollars.

These scammers target their victims with incredible deals that are hard to pass up. When it comes to the firearms community, these deals are usually for ammunition. You might see deals that proclaim to save the buyer over 50%. These deals litter the pages of social media sites like Instagram with messages like “DM for orders.”

These scammers have also launched websites with names similar to legitimate ones, including AmmoLand News. We recently received reports of a website named Ammolandusa.com selling ammunition at massive discounts. Once a user places an order, they will receive an email asking the buyer to send money through Cash App, PayPal, Venmo, or Zelle.

Active Scammer Websites
Active Scammer Websites

If a purchaser sends money, the seller will disappear. The buyer will be out of their money and will never receive their purchase. PayPal has buyer protection, but most scammers insist that the money be sent via the “friends and family” option. The “friends and family” option removes all protections for the end user.

There are several signs to recognize a scam. If a deal looks “too good to be true,” it probably is an attempt to steal your money.

The markup on ammunition and firearms is less than in other industries. If real, the prices on these scam sites would mean the businesses would be selling products at a loss.

Beware of any online retailer that only sells through social media. If a company has no website and only sells through Instagram, it is most likely a scam. Since it violates Instagram’s terms of service to sell ammunition and firearms on their site, no business will put their livelihood in the hands of the social media giants.

Just because a seller has a website does not mean they are legit. Look at the site contact information for a phone number. Be very careful if a retail site doesn’t have a phone number. If a phone number is listed, call it. If the site is a scam, the number will likely not work or go to a voicemail system. Scammers tend to use services like Google Voice to appear legitimate. In the rare instances when a scammer answers the phone, they will most likely have a thick accent. Most fake companies are run out of Nigeria, India, or Eastern Europe.

If the seller does have a website, check out the privacy policy. Many scam sellers do not write a privacy policy and take the shortcut of copying the text from a reputable seller. These scammers know that most buyers will not look at these policies. Most do not take the time to remove the company names they copied from. If you are on a site that lists a legitimate site’s name in its policies, it is most likely a scam.

Ammunition Scam Sites Are Infesting The Internet by AmmoLand Shooting Sports News on Scribd

Finally, look at the payment methods. Never use PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle. These payment methods have policies against selling ammunition and firearms; legit businesses do not use these services. Scammers know it is almost impossible for buyers to recover money from these apps. Also, never give in requests for payment via Bitcoin. Once the Bitcoin leaves your wallet, it is impossible to recover.

There is no way to prevent these criminals from attempting to scam online buyers, but we can bring awareness to the gun community. Only when the scamming stops being profitable will these scammers stop.

About John Crump

John is a NRA instructor and a constitutional activist. John has written about firearms, interviewed people of all walks of life, and on the Constitution. John lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and sons and can be followed on Twitter at @crumpyss, or at www.crumpy.com.

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All About Guns Fieldcraft

Tactical Training Scenario- Random Gunfire

For the last couple years, there has been an epidemic of mass shootings targeting people in bars, malls, and outdoor parties.  These have generally been gang members targeting other gang members.

 

It’s spring.  We see this stuff every year as the temperatures warm.  This year seems even worse, with lots of “Spring Break” parties targeted.  That, combined with “de-policing” means criminals are going to do what criminals do with no one to stop them.

 

 

Understand that if you get caught up in a mess like this, the cops won’t be speeding to your rescue.  The community doesn’t want the cops arresting bad people anymore.  The cops will respond, getting there after all the shots have been fired to coordinate medical care and write a nice report.

 

I’ve received several emails similar to this one lately.

 

“Let’s say I’m at a place of business or some other public place and a scuffle breaks out resulting in shots fired such as at Polaris this week or another mall last week or in front of a bar last night. Last night, 15 shots were fired. Being armed competently what should I do? What would you do?”

 

I’m going to answer this one simply and directly.  You off-duty cops and legally armed citizens have exactly one role in this situation:  Make sure you and your family/friends don’t get shot.  That’s it.  End of lesson.

 

 

When I hear shots nearby, I immediately get down on the ground or behind cover.  I assess where the shots are coming from and I plan a path of retreat in the opposite direction, ideally moving between large pieces of cover as I make my escape.  That’s it.  There is absolutely nothing else you should do.

 

These are young thugs fighting other young thugs.  These are gang bangers fighting other gang bangers.  These are drunken idiots who decide to whip out a pistol when they are insulted.  None of those situations involves you in any way, even if you are in danger of catching a stray round.

 

They don’t want to shoot you.  The only way you will get hit is by accident.  Don’t go looking for trouble.  Don’t try to intervene.  There is no “innocent third party” to protect.  Let the dumbshits shoot each other.  You don’t have to play their game.

 

And you don’t have to “be a good witness” either.  If these jackasses get arrested, do you want them getting you and your family’s names, addresses, places of employment, and phone numbers?  As soon as their court appointed attorney files for discovery, all of that information goes directly to them.  Now you’ve become an active player in their game.  And in that game, they don’t care about the same rules you do.

 

A friend of mine’s 18-year old son was at a mall where there was a gang shooting.  A ricocheting bullet hit him in the arm, but didn’t penetrate his jacket.  He was listed on the police report as a victim and the boy (he was still in high school) was issued a subpoena to testify against the accused who had fired the shots.  My friend’s son didn’t see anything and provided no useful information for the prosecution, he was still ordered to appear in court.  Does that sound like a good plan to you?  Would you instruct your teenage child to “be a good witness?”  Not me.

 

 

Don’t involve yourself in this stupidity.  It will only harm you in the long term.  If you intervene, you will either get shot by the thugs, shot by the cops, sued by the person you shoot, or criminally arrested.  If that doesn’t happen and you make a statement to the cops  you take the chance of being  hunted down by the arrested party’s crew at a future date before trial.

 

Say it again with me:  “Not your people, not your problem.”

 

Get out.  Not playing is the only route to victory.

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Browning model 65 .218 Bee

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Battle of Quebec 1759

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Well they looked like nice Ladies at the time! NSFW

I quess that I was wrong as usual on this subject! Grumpy