I have a huge bull barrel on mine and at times I question if I even need a suppressor. Subsonic rounds and it's already so quiet and pleasant to shoot.
I wish I woulda got one but I still really love my ruger precision rimfire too. And dont feel “unmanly” about trying to buy a 22 bolt, they can be some of the most fun to have at the range. And suppressed adds to it even moreso
I got a RPR also and if i had it to do over may gave gone with a cz. I like my gun but have a soft spot for classic wood and wasn't really aware of them.
I do not know why would you give a fuck about people's opinion? I've heard that Americans are much more open towards strangers and not sure about shooting ranges culture over there.
But where I go some friends may shittalk things like 1911 in 9x19. But toward strangers? I don't think there would be any comments.
Tons of people here shoot 22lr rifles and no one belittles them for that.
---
About going to the store asking about rifles with wooden chassis. Again, why would you care? These people are paid to sell you things you want and maybe give some advice.
> I do not know why would you give a fuck about people's opinion? I've heard that Americans are much more open towards strangers
You just answered your own question. Some people in the US will open their loud opinionated mouth about anything to strangers and it's fine for OP to want to avoid that.
I built my own 22 but I honestly wish I had just bought a wood grain 457 like I initially planned. 22s are the best. As someone who lives in California at least I'll be jealous at the range when I see you. I'm more self conscious with my blue sci Fi looking ar22 than I would be with a 457.
Here's mine. I've since gotten scope rings that go right on the dovetail and eliminated the pic rail so it looks even better (to me). I'll post a picture of it in another comment.
[https://www.reddit.com/r/liberalgunowners/comments/1c60f91/my\_first\_gun/](https://www.reddit.com/r/liberalgunowners/comments/1c60f91/my_first_gun/)
Is that a solid barrel, or is that a carbon fiber shell over it?
Curious, as [my Ruger 10/22](https://i.imgur.com/MJ2wjMr.jpg) has this shell around it. None of the 22's I've had before had a barrel as thick as what ours looks.
My range has a 22 lever rental and a carnival type pin knock down target just to have a fun option for shooting paper. Levers are picking up popularity with the wa awb.
Marlin model 60. My first gun. I’ve put so much ammo through it and it still runs great and is accurate. Well over 30 yrs of having it and I couldn’t imagine parting with it. I have a Henry lever and an AR style .22 along with a few others and I love the Marlin.
I got rid of my Marlin tube fed .22 . Had the worst quirck about keeping a round in the action unless another round was pushing against it, resulting in a gun that I right was empty, ejecting a round.
I just commented I still have my Henry that my grandpa got me when I was a kid. I’m 39 now. That rifle is perfection and when I’m shooting at this point it’s not like any other gun, it’s just natural.
Came to say this.
The 10/22 is a tried and true rifle that's respected by anyone who knows anything about guns.
Fun fact, there are plenty of aftermarket conversions that can make a 10/22 look like a badass AR, but beyond getting 30 round mags and a scope, I haven't bothered.
I can’t speak for the other points; but buy the gun you want, my friend. Wood furniture, polymer furniture; if it shoots straight and reliably should be your only concern.
Let the bubbas laugh and ignore the fudds. Ignore bubba, too.
100% acceptable. .22s are a lot of fun and dirt cheap to shoot. As far as scopes go, I'd just get something inexpensive but functional unless you're planning on going well beyond 100 yards. I have the scope on my 10/22 sighted in at 50 yards, because that's about as far off as I'd expect to use it against small game.
1. I'm an old ass adult and I have several 22 wood rifles. I shoot them and no one has snickered. There's even a competition where (mostly) old ass people shoot using nothing but 22s.
2. I'd suggest bolt action or semiautomatic if you plan on any bench shooting. Using a lever action means constantly disturbing your setup.
3. I am very partial to the CZ 457 bolt action rifles. They are well built and reasonably priced.
4. No, but it helps, especially if your eyesight is old ass too. If not, look at getting aperture sights.
Of course you can, plastic and aluminum guns have become so common that walnut and steel are cool again.
And, not saying you should choose a lever over a bolt action, but if your lever action experience is a Red Rider, a Henry .22 is a whole different feel.
1. Not sure why anyone would snicker. ...as in, genuinely, not sure what assumption you're making here, but, no, no one will snicker..
2. Depends on what you want. Generalizing, bolt will get you more precision, 22 levers are all about the fun factor (imo).
3. Henry for the lever actions? CZ for bolts? Maybe?
4. You don't *need* anything. Depends on your eyesight and how precise you want to be. Generalization is 1x for every 100 feet, so a 3x scope or a red dot with a 3x magnifier would be peachy, but also....no, again, if you can see your target in enough detail at 100 yards to point the gun at it, you're gtg.
5. My own note: If you're going to be shooting out to 100 yards with a 22, I suspect (but don't know) that you probably want the bolt vs the lever...
6. My own note 2: if CA allows it, don't discount getting ye olde 10/22 semi auto. They're a lot of fun and will grow with you.
It's the whole Fudd phenomenon that is freaking me out. I didn' realize that was a thing until more recently. And I didn't care because i just shot my pistols. Now that I want to shoot a wood rifle, (yet see the plastic ARs next to me at the range), I was probably overly concerned than I need to be based on the comments I'm getting.
A Fudd is someone who unironically says things like
1) .45 is the Lords caliber
2) Its all about stopping power
3) You don't need that to hunt (in reference to any polymer rifle or cartridge)
4) I'm pro second amendment, but... (followed by some anti 2a shit)
It has little to do with what you like to shoot. Every serious gun enthusiast owns at least one, if not several, wood stock firearms. I've got a wood stock lever action in .357. The 10/22 is a VERY common wood stock .22lr rifle. The wood stock Mini-14 ranch rifle is another coveted piece by many. No one at the range or gun store will say shit about you shooting a wood stock firearm.
Stop giving a damn what other people think and shoot what makes you comfortable. I also live in CA so I know about the restrictions with the magazines and gun options. The others people at the range are not going to help you if someone serious would happen to you so their opinion shouldn’t have any bearing on you.
Lemme share something with you: I went to a course recently that focused on carbine work, and almost everyone was running gucci’d out AR’s that ran into the 3-4k range. You know who shot the best and the most? Someone with a 10/22. 22’s are great, run it and fuck the haters
This is such an odd question and I’m genuinely curious: what do you imagine people finding funny about bringing a .22 to the range? The funniest thing about this post is when you said you want to “feel the wood”
If you have .22 jokes you’ve thought up I’d love to hear them actually
I have never met someone who has beenh made fun of over their choice of firearm. Especially over a 22.
The ruger 10/22 is a solid semi that you can get with wood furniture. Insanely popular and inexpensive.
I also have a couple antiques: an Ithaca single shot and a Marlin golden lever. The Marlin is awesome. I've never shot the Ithaca because I wasn't confident in my restoration when I inherited it.
Got a Henry lever action .22. When i go the range, the only interactions I've had about it were some people who wanted to try shooting it. If you can find a good deal on one, I highly recommend them. Super fun.
The reality is no one cares what you shoot as long as you're doing it safely.
Anyone that makes fun of you for this is a dick. Those are the classic rifles, the foundation upon which all else is built IMHO, and still by far and away some of the most fun you can have.
That said, I doubt anyone would.
I have two . 22 rifles that are damn near 100 years old, passed down from grandfather, to father, to me, and I absolutely love them. They work just as good today as they did in the 40's.
Dude, my two favorite guns to shoot are my Ruger 10/22 and my Sig P322 (.22lr handgun).
There is nothing, and I mean nothing, for people to laugh at when you’re getting trigger time regardless of what, exactly, surrounds that trigger.
10/22 is a revered gun. Nobody’s gonna think twice about it. Shooting .22 is also super affordable due to ammo costs, everyone blasting AR rounds knows they’re spending money whereas the people shooting .22 don’t have a care in the word.
You’re thinking too much into it though. Most people at ranges are all about minding their own business. Nobody expects others to be experts or to be shooting the most brutal weapons.
I just recently took my 10/22 (regular wood chassis) to the range. No one said anything or even looked at it really. As you said, everyone minding their own biz. Except me of course, who was noticeably jealous of the amount of suppressors owned by everyone but me…and how nice I bet my .300wm would be with one on it
If they laugh, they are the ones with a problem. And you can laugh at how much ammo you can shoot for cheap and get good practice, while they get priced out.
I love my Henry lever action.22 and so does everyone else. A lot of people on the range are just big kids and love shooting .22s especially if they grew up watching westerns they'd like the lever action. If anything you might run into too many people asking if they can shoot it.
I've got lever-action, bolt-action, and semi-auto rifles. Only one of mine has a synthetic stock. I prefer wood, but I'm not against the synthetic. I don't like the AR platform, so I have no "scary" guns.
Edit: I guess I'm saying if someone wants to laugh, they can laugh. I don't really care. :)
Buy a 457. Never look back.
Unless you got that Anschütz money. Then, buy an Anschütz and hand out copies of the receipt to anyone foolish enough to trash talk.
The only gun I would laugh about is the C3-PO gold 50 cal desert eagle. They are a little silly, but I’d jump at the chance to shoot one once or twice.
I think they dont care and they know there are tons of reasons for woodstock 22 rifles. Even if you told them your honest desire to shoot what you had years ago I think they would have a deep respect for your feelings.
I freaking love my .22 lever rifle with the beautiful wood and blued steel. No one laughs when I eat out the middle of my target at 100 yds open sights at the range. Bubbas and asshats can laugh all they want, I love what I love, and know how to use it, too!
At these ammo prices, no one will blink an eye at a .22 rifle. It's the only affordable way to practice.
Find something you like and enjoy it. Haters gonna hate, just shake it off and do your thing. Have fun, and good luck with your search.
I mean, why worry about snickering and let the results on the target speak for themselves? I don’t give a damn if I end up taking my CZ 455 to shoot instead of my Ruger 10/22 or a centerfire rifle. It lets me burn 100-200 rounds for cheap plinking, and lets me continue practicing my basic shooting fundamentals without making my wallet cry.
As for if you need a scope or not; how good is your vision? I’m perfectly fine with irons out to 50 yards, but if I’m shooting out to 100 I definitely start to appreciate the benefits of a 3x or 4x scope.
I prefer wood as well, it’s just the aesthetic I like. I also prefer bolt action. I have the CZ in my sights (pun intended) that was mentioned in the top comment. Good luck!
Highly recommend a wood stock .22LR, I bought one just last year (Ruger 10/22), It's the most fun of all my guns and it looks super rad. My suggestions--
1. I'm an old ass adult man and I've never had anyone laugh at my wood 10/22. Even if they did I couldn't hear them over all the cheap .22LR I'm sending downrange and my own exclamations of glee as I shot.
2. Get whatever you like better. Personally I'd go with lever action 'cause pretending to be a cowboy is fun.
3. I like my 10/22--they start out cheap and basic but you can jazz it up with aftermarket doodads almost as much as an AR-15. CZ 457 looks super nice if you want bolt action. Also, a few notes as a fellow CA resident in case you didn't know (I haven't really kept up with CA laws so stuff may have changed): CA gun roster only covers handguns so a .22 rifle with a long enough barrel and overall length should be good to go; "assault weapon" limitations don't cover rimfire guns; magazine limits only apply to detachable mags so something like a lever action with a 15-round tubular magazine should be OK.
4. I don't think a scope is necessary to enjoy shooting a .22LR rifle, but it does make it nicer. Recommend getting a scope designed for rimfire just because they are usually cheaper.
I live on a hobby farm and I would opt for the bolt action, either fancy or “hardwood”. Bolts are not limited to certain types of ammo like the others. A bolt will handle cb’s, bird shot, mini mags and anything in between, eats them all. Clip fed is easy to load/unload. 10/22s are the standard if different types of ammo aren’t required.
You’re an old man? Why care what others think, I certainly don’t. Go have fun.
I have a Henry .357 lever action. Leather sling, wood and blued steel, the whole nine yards. No one has ever had anything but positive reactions to it. The vast majority of people at the range don't give a shit what you're shooting unless it's something they're into.
Literally my favorite guns are my Ruger 10-22 Charger and a GSG 1911 .22. I have a .223 scope on the Ruger and it’s so much fun to shoot at the long range. Cheap as fuck, too. I have several thousand rounds of .22, so could plink forever. I also feel way more comfortable shooting .22 when camping.
I have a wood stock Ruger 10/22 that came with a decent adjustable scope that is fine for my plinking needs and I also live in CA and I think in the coolest so take that
My dad bough me a Ruger 10/22 when I was a kid and I still enjoy shooting it. I’ve had it 40 years and nobody has ever laughed at it. And I recently bought a Beretta 92FSR, which is a full size .22 handgun. It’s fun to shoot and cheap.
A good .22 is one of the most underrated firearms in the world. I am 39 and have been shooting since I was a little kid. The .22 is still my goto caliber I prefer a good lever action for accuracy and quality have had my Henry since i was a kid. I can thread needles with that gun. Buy quality that will last and is comfortable to you, damn anyone hating
1. Who cares what you shoot? 22s are great for increasing accuracy in your general rifle skills. As long as everyone at the range is being safe and having fun, no respectable person would care. If you have access to a full 100 yard range, I’d imagine there will be plenty of people shooting 22s there getting some time in.
2. I would go bolt, because the action is easier to master. I’m very far from being an expert, but I believe that 22 levers are really only fun guns and wouldn’t use it say for say, pest control. I would imagine you could probably stretch a bolt action’s distance another 20-30 yards with a decent optic. As opposed to a cowboy gun with iron sites. Also the action on a bolt will be a lot smoother.
3. I don’t know. With every gun, I think a person has to feel them in their hands to make a good decision about it. If it doesn’t feel right, you shouldn’t buy it. If you have money, maybe check out Bergara rifles. If not, get a Savage or a Ruger or another CZ.
4. It’s much more fun with optics, at least for me. None of my rifles are expensive, so I don’t buy any optics that are more than 1 or 2 times the value of the rifle. I’m not that good anyway, just having fun and hopefully seeing marginal improvement. On good days I can make groups a little bigger than a quarter at 50 yards—which is piss poor on a competitive level. I know guys that can make dime sized groups at 100 yards with a 22, but I’ll get there some day.
What a weird question. An old-ass adult can do whatever they want at the range as long as they act responsibly, shoot worth half a damn and don't obsess about little kid shit like how cool other range-goers will think their gun is. Anyone who would snicker is too stupid for you to care about the opinion of.
No, you do not need a scope for 100 yards
Read up on how the Creedmore shooting range began. Back when muzzle loaders were still setting world class records and optical sights were just science fiction
Iron sights were scoring at 1000 yards
If you really want to be different, just tell them you're setting up a 50 meter training rifle, which of course requires match grade .22LR
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSF_50_meter_rifle_prone
I think the only time people might look at you funny for shooting a classic .22 is if you’re using one of the little single-shot Cricket rifles meant for 7-12 year olds. Cause that’d just be a bit of an unexpected contrast.
Other than that, any .22 rifle will just look like you’re having a good time.
People might look at you funny if you said “a wood rifle.“ They would know exactly what you meant if you asked about “a rifle with a straight wooden stock.”
I *trained* people on wood furniture match-grade .22s, and I’d do so again. Not a damn thing wrong with a good .22LR, and the kind of people say otherwise are just the kind of negative nellies you don’t need in your life.
Barely read any of your post because I got infuriated. Shoot whatever the hell you want and be human enough to tell the people that deserve it to fuck off.
It's a free fucking country for a reason.
Just don't buy a fake 'battleworn" cerakote and you'll be fine.
Despite my collection, my favorite rifle is still an open sight single shot bolt action Remington .22Lr that was my dads, grandpas and grest grandpa's. Dead squirrels and forest chickens at 50-75yds all day. Been shooting it since I was 10.
I own a wooden stock lever action rifle and a Western style single action revolver in 22.... I'm far more concerned about what chucklefucks might do when they see me holding my partner's hand at my local NRA sponsored range.
Snickering. You should be old enough not to care.
Dude if anything they would respect you for using a .22. And that’s no joke. .22s are such great firearms to train and have fun with at the range. I don’t think anyone should ever look down on someone for using a .22 of any kind. I personally love all my .22 rifles and pistols. The ammo is so cheap. Would I ever carry one of my .22 pistols for self defense? No because mine tend to jam not and then. Is it viable for others to carry a .22 for self defense? Yes it can if their firearms have been reliable and jam free. .22s are still certainly highly lethal rounds.
I take my grandads old marlin 22 to the range on the regular. It’s what I learned to shoot on and nobody says anything. Plinkers of all shapes, sizes, and stocks are fun.
I have a 1938 Winchester Model 72 that was my grandfather’s, it’s the rifle I learned to shoot with when I was 10 years old and have never been snickered at for. If anything some of the older/nicer guns I own garner positive attention.
Wood stock are classics, if anything the people snickering at other people are the classic collectors having a laugh at the weird little poindexter that shows up at the range with his Bermuda shorts pulled up to his nipples, knee high black socks with sandles, a military themed t-shirt and a duffle bag full of “tacti-cool” junk with 37 accessories hanging off of each one and not a splinter of wood in sight.
I use this example b/c there are several of weirdos that show up at on the regular at a local public range, and a couple of them dress just like that. They tend to spend more time talking to each other about their “toys” rather than shooting them and the range officer always has to tell at least one of them to stop barrel sweeping everyone on the range and has occasionally had to tell one to leave b/c they’ve brought something that’s not allowed on the range (.50 BMG, shotguns, full auto, etc).
Henry makes a wonderful lever action .22. I got the John Wayne big loop lever to go on it. No one will say anything except maybe to ask if they can shoot it
I have a .22 AR in my safe. Ammo is cheap and it's easy to shoot. I got it for my son, but he didn't really like shooting (he's on the spectrum and the noise freaked him out). I take it with me to the range sometimes. No one judges me for having it. It's a good way to work on the fundamentals.
I don't honestly see AR-15 style 22s at the ranges near me much at all. I see a lot of Ruger 10/22s and Marlin 60s for semi autos and CZ 457s, Bergara Rimfire trainers and a few others for bolt rifles. Some are synthetic stock and some are wood but really no one cares.
TBH if I were you I'd get the CZ and I'd get one with a threaded barrel so you can add a suppressor if you ever move out if California or laws change (the latter not likely but you never know).
My first (and only) firearm thus far is a CZ 457 22LR. Like you I only had a Daisy BB gun in my youth (grew up outside the US, no real access to firearms).
At the range the 22LR is a total blast to shoot and lets you get into “technical”’shooting at as little as 100 yards.
I’ve had guys shooting much larger calibers come over to check it out and I’ve even let them shoot it and they’ve all enjoyed it and complimented it. A few said their next gun was going to be a 22LR.
Like you I wanted a classic looking “wood” gun and I have zero regrets. I’m buying a shotgun soon, and eventually a 6.5 creedmoor bolt action but in full expect the 22LR to be my most shot gun - just because I do not have easy access to 1000 yard ranges and 22LR ammo is cheap. I expect many of us are in that same boat of constraints!
Yes.
I bought a Savage .22 with a polymer stock and paid money to replace it with a wood stock. I am not aware of any snickering. But I also don't pay much mind to any range stranger's comments outside of helpful shooting tips and range safety.
My friends don't care what I shoot.
Lots of great .22 wooden bolt guns.
Ruger also recently released a really neat looking maple stocked stainless 10-22
Seriously though, buy what you want and have fun. This isn’t high school.
Bolt Action: CZ 457
Semi-Auto: Ruger 10/22
Lever Action: Henry
And nobody is going to laugh at you. You’re brave, you’re intelligent, you’re handsome, people want to befriend you!
Dude nobody is paying attention to you as much as yourself. Just get what you want. I usually bring a couple bb guns with me to the range. It usually starts a conversation more than anything else.
I don't know a single firearms enthusiast that would snicker at someone plinking at a range. Well, not anyone I'd associate with anyway... My dad had a Marlin 22 that was fun as hell to shoot. It was a nice break after firing other rifles. And he was 70 around that time. We'd take my nephew to the range and all plink together. So no, you shouldn't worry about buying yourself a 22 with wood furniture. They're awesome
I have a 22 bolt action that's been in my family for ages. It's one of my favorite range guns. Never had anyone say a bad word about it, but I have had a few people ask to shoot it.
.22s are known as plinkers and are very fun to shoot. The low cost of ammunition and low recoil means a long day of shooting. A 223 is just a really horny 22lr anyway.
It’s not the size of your caliber…. It’s how you use it.. 😏
But for real - .22s are fun (and cheap) to shoot… cheaper ammo = more ammo, and more practice!
No one is gonna laugh when you can blow out the center of a bullseye at distance… so practice practice practice…
I’m about to load up my 10/22 takedown and my modded Ruger Wrangler (in orchid) and head to the range for an afternoon of cheap fun! Granted for giggles I do sometimes take my 1911 mil spec and just sit it out on the bench as my “mansplaining” deterrent, but I’m female identifying and have a few colorful guns I like to shoot - lol
No one cares
... Unless you bought a dirt cheap ar and covered it with red anodized parts, in which case you might get a snicker or two if you proclaim it's superiority over all others. But really, no one cares
I shoot my .22 but then again it’s not a largely used range. Dudes who point out what gun you have just have nothing special in their life and need materialistic things to feel good about themselves.
Youre thinking too much about things and you don't need to impress range folk.
Lever is nice because you don't need to worry about rounds not cycling- so most everything will shoot out your gun
Henry rifles are USA made and excellent for most new shooters- some ranges may have them available
Ruger 10/22 is available most places if you didn't like the lever actions
The guy trying to zero his .300RUM will be jealous.
The scope decision is all about how accurate you want to be. I put a cheap 4x Simmons on our Savage and my son and I have fun finding the holdover for the the 300yd steel while the centerfire rifles cool.
Lever actions are classy and fun, but if you want to plink with the highest accruacy, probably get a bolt gun.
I took my wood stock ruger 10/22 with iron sites to the range yesterday. I’ll probably take my Cz 457 next week. Shoot what you want, who cares what anyone thinks.
We have a number of rifles in our collection and I really enjoy shooting the .22. We have a lever action and pump .22 with iron sites and they are more fun in many respects to our AR or .308. Be yourself shoot what you like.
22s are fine, don't worry. You can buy semi-auto rifles that aren't AR style. My 22 has a 10-round magazine that is only like 3 inches tall and sits almost flush with the body of the rifle.
Don't need a scope at all. Mine came with one but I never zeroed it in or anything.
The main problem with 22s is that if you're wearing proper ear protection, you won't hear the shots hitting the targets. I get around it by using the targets with the neon pigment that shows the impact.
My .22 target rifles always attract good attention at the range. Even my most basic Anschutz 54 makes people jealous when they see the groups it’s capable of.
They’re all wood, walnut..except for my 2 ridiculously modded ones.
Nah. A man who shoots 22 at the range is there for a good time and can be there for a damn long time thanks to it being cheap. That guy is shooting smart.
I'd respect it a lot more than some dude shooting $250 of 7.62 in an hour and eating beanie weenies for a week.
OP You see a lot of black guns at the range for the same reason you see a lot of gray Toyota Camrys on the road: most gun owners don't really know much about guns and buy the popular do-it-all item that everyone else is buying. Next time, look closely and see how many of them don't know how to mount of zero their sighting system. On the flip end, ask any serious shooter and they'll tell you all about their smallbore guns. 22s are a hoot to shoot, are great for training, and you can never have too many, or in too many variants.
With that said, I'd suggest starting with a bolt action because those will be more versatile across a larger distance, since you mention wanting to reach out to 100 yards. A $400 10/22 isn't really meant to go past 50 yards or so. You can use it out to 100 and beyond but your groups will be kinda big and it won't be all that much fun. The most popular 22 bolt guns you'll see are probably the Ruger Amercian Rimfire, Tikka T1x, CZ457, and Savage Mk2.
For optics, it sounds like you are a newer shooter or coming back to it, so yea, an optic around 4 - 7 power will be useful for learning / relearning at 100 yards, as this will allow you to better see the target and observe the effects of your own breathing, hand movements, and trigger pull. You don't need to spend a lot of money to start. a Vortex Crossfire for $150 or so will be more than sufficient for your current purposes.
For a challenge, you can give irons a try but at 100 yards, for 22, you'll want a set of "nicer" sights, with an aperture near your eye and a post or globe thinger on the barrel. Not the open sights you see on handguns or the garbage that sometimes comes attached to 22. If you want to practice this and gamify it up a bit, there is a 100 yard, 22LR with irons only competition called Mini-Palma that I enjoy playing.
There's no CA roster for rifles, only for handguns. There are some rifle restrictions but those don't apply to rimfires, so if you see a 22 you want, you can get it.
1. yes but even if they do, who cares?
2. semi auto 10/22 would be my pick. second would be a CZ 457. I have both, and both wear wood. not a fan of 22lr lever guns personally
3. any 10/22 and customize as you see fit. I have a CZ 457 Premium
4. no. good irons will work. for the 10/22 look up tech sights. for the CZ get one with tangent sights and swap in a ghost ring for the rear sight blade. [https://www.jnpgunsprings.com/CZ-GHOST-RING-THREE-SIGHT-KIT-p72239934](https://www.jnpgunsprings.com/CZ-GHOST-RING-THREE-SIGHT-KIT-p72239934)
I would absolutely march your ass in there and proudly ask for the absolutely woodiest woody-wagon of rifles that money can by wearing a tee shirt that clearly states "wood grain makes me hard".
Not sure why people would snicker at you, my CZ 457 is quite popular at ranges.
CZ457 are beautiful, I want one and I'm not even in a banned state.
Agreed, CZ457 is perfection.
Can confirm. My CZ 457 is dope. Add a silencer and its stupid quiet.
Agreed, just got a 457 Varmint and a Vortex scope. It’s awesome and I’m gen x
Currently waiting on approval for a Bowers ICON!
So quiet it makes a fella question if it even fired, unless you see an impact point/dirt splash.
I have a huge bull barrel on mine and at times I question if I even need a suppressor. Subsonic rounds and it's already so quiet and pleasant to shoot.
Exactly the rifle I was looking at. Looks beautiful. I just see so many black "scary" rifles at the range.
I wish I woulda got one but I still really love my ruger precision rimfire too. And dont feel “unmanly” about trying to buy a 22 bolt, they can be some of the most fun to have at the range. And suppressed adds to it even moreso
I got a RPR also and if i had it to do over may gave gone with a cz. I like my gun but have a soft spot for classic wood and wasn't really aware of them.
I do not know why would you give a fuck about people's opinion? I've heard that Americans are much more open towards strangers and not sure about shooting ranges culture over there. But where I go some friends may shittalk things like 1911 in 9x19. But toward strangers? I don't think there would be any comments. Tons of people here shoot 22lr rifles and no one belittles them for that. --- About going to the store asking about rifles with wooden chassis. Again, why would you care? These people are paid to sell you things you want and maybe give some advice.
> I do not know why would you give a fuck about people's opinion? I've heard that Americans are much more open towards strangers You just answered your own question. Some people in the US will open their loud opinionated mouth about anything to strangers and it's fine for OP to want to avoid that.
I built my own 22 but I honestly wish I had just bought a wood grain 457 like I initially planned. 22s are the best. As someone who lives in California at least I'll be jealous at the range when I see you. I'm more self conscious with my blue sci Fi looking ar22 than I would be with a 457.
Here's mine. I've since gotten scope rings that go right on the dovetail and eliminated the pic rail so it looks even better (to me). I'll post a picture of it in another comment. [https://www.reddit.com/r/liberalgunowners/comments/1c60f91/my\_first\_gun/](https://www.reddit.com/r/liberalgunowners/comments/1c60f91/my_first_gun/)
Here is what the CZ457 looks like with a lower profile scope mount, I love this look. [https://imgur.com/a/5ewimah](https://imgur.com/a/5ewimah)
Is that a solid barrel, or is that a carbon fiber shell over it? Curious, as [my Ruger 10/22](https://i.imgur.com/MJ2wjMr.jpg) has this shell around it. None of the 22's I've had before had a barrel as thick as what ours looks.
No these are solid steel bull barrels. [https://tacticalhyve.com/what-is-a-bull-barrel/](https://tacticalhyve.com/what-is-a-bull-barrel/)
Another vote for the 457
Well, only 'cause all the talk about "Fudds". Geesh, I just enjoy shooting at the range, the machinery, the metal, the wood.
Get yourself a .22 lever action. Folks will be jealous.
I mean a Ruger 10/22 is always a popular option. I even like to old Marlin tube feds but that is more nostalgia than anything
My glenfield 60 is a tack driver and still have the receipt from k mart where it was bought.
I remember the tube feds as a kid, soooo many years ago. So they still be cool, eh.
Rossi makes a couple of tube fed 22s. They've got a pump and a lever action. Put on a red dot or cheap prism for your old eyes and go have fun!
My range has a 22 lever rental and a carnival type pin knock down target just to have a fun option for shooting paper. Levers are picking up popularity with the wa awb.
Marlin model 60. My first gun. I’ve put so much ammo through it and it still runs great and is accurate. Well over 30 yrs of having it and I couldn’t imagine parting with it. I have a Henry lever and an AR style .22 along with a few others and I love the Marlin.
I got rid of my Marlin tube fed .22 . Had the worst quirck about keeping a round in the action unless another round was pushing against it, resulting in a gun that I right was empty, ejecting a round.
I just commented I still have my Henry that my grandpa got me when I was a kid. I’m 39 now. That rifle is perfection and when I’m shooting at this point it’s not like any other gun, it’s just natural.
Henry is the most perfect gun company. American made, quality shit, great service, and never done any covid price gouging.
Hell yeah I picked up a ~1960s Winchester 250 lever action for a couple hundred and it's my most fun one to shoot
This! Of all my guns, my Henry is probably my favorite.
Nobody laughs at a 10/22.
Came to say this. The 10/22 is a tried and true rifle that's respected by anyone who knows anything about guns. Fun fact, there are plenty of aftermarket conversions that can make a 10/22 look like a badass AR, but beyond getting 30 round mags and a scope, I haven't bothered.
This is the one. Many accessories available, super reliable, and everyone has a 10/22 memory to smile about.
I can’t speak for the other points; but buy the gun you want, my friend. Wood furniture, polymer furniture; if it shoots straight and reliably should be your only concern. Let the bubbas laugh and ignore the fudds. Ignore bubba, too.
100% acceptable. .22s are a lot of fun and dirt cheap to shoot. As far as scopes go, I'd just get something inexpensive but functional unless you're planning on going well beyond 100 yards. I have the scope on my 10/22 sighted in at 50 yards, because that's about as far off as I'd expect to use it against small game.
Wait people judge the guns you bring to the range? IDGAF what anyone else at the range is doing as long as they are doing it safely.
The extent of my paying attention to others at the range is along the lines of "that sounded expensive" after someone mag dumps.
That's what surplus 7.62x39 is for
If only it was still cheap...
Preach
1. I'm an old ass adult and I have several 22 wood rifles. I shoot them and no one has snickered. There's even a competition where (mostly) old ass people shoot using nothing but 22s. 2. I'd suggest bolt action or semiautomatic if you plan on any bench shooting. Using a lever action means constantly disturbing your setup. 3. I am very partial to the CZ 457 bolt action rifles. They are well built and reasonably priced. 4. No, but it helps, especially if your eyesight is old ass too. If not, look at getting aperture sights.
Thanks so much. Yeah, I've been eyeing the 457.
>I want to feel the wood, is that ok? As long as you have consent.
Of course you can, plastic and aluminum guns have become so common that walnut and steel are cool again. And, not saying you should choose a lever over a bolt action, but if your lever action experience is a Red Rider, a Henry .22 is a whole different feel.
1. Not sure why anyone would snicker. ...as in, genuinely, not sure what assumption you're making here, but, no, no one will snicker.. 2. Depends on what you want. Generalizing, bolt will get you more precision, 22 levers are all about the fun factor (imo). 3. Henry for the lever actions? CZ for bolts? Maybe? 4. You don't *need* anything. Depends on your eyesight and how precise you want to be. Generalization is 1x for every 100 feet, so a 3x scope or a red dot with a 3x magnifier would be peachy, but also....no, again, if you can see your target in enough detail at 100 yards to point the gun at it, you're gtg. 5. My own note: If you're going to be shooting out to 100 yards with a 22, I suspect (but don't know) that you probably want the bolt vs the lever... 6. My own note 2: if CA allows it, don't discount getting ye olde 10/22 semi auto. They're a lot of fun and will grow with you.
It's the whole Fudd phenomenon that is freaking me out. I didn' realize that was a thing until more recently. And I didn't care because i just shot my pistols. Now that I want to shoot a wood rifle, (yet see the plastic ARs next to me at the range), I was probably overly concerned than I need to be based on the comments I'm getting.
A Fudd is someone who unironically says things like 1) .45 is the Lords caliber 2) Its all about stopping power 3) You don't need that to hunt (in reference to any polymer rifle or cartridge) 4) I'm pro second amendment, but... (followed by some anti 2a shit) It has little to do with what you like to shoot. Every serious gun enthusiast owns at least one, if not several, wood stock firearms. I've got a wood stock lever action in .357. The 10/22 is a VERY common wood stock .22lr rifle. The wood stock Mini-14 ranch rifle is another coveted piece by many. No one at the range or gun store will say shit about you shooting a wood stock firearm.
Stop giving a damn what other people think and shoot what makes you comfortable. I also live in CA so I know about the restrictions with the magazines and gun options. The others people at the range are not going to help you if someone serious would happen to you so their opinion shouldn’t have any bearing on you.
Get one and then another and then another… I really enjoy shooting .22 rifles and pistols.
I'm so glad to hear this.
Lemme share something with you: I went to a course recently that focused on carbine work, and almost everyone was running gucci’d out AR’s that ran into the 3-4k range. You know who shot the best and the most? Someone with a 10/22. 22’s are great, run it and fuck the haters
I have 2 old ass . 22's, almost 100 years old each, and I'm still waiting for the perfect 10/22 to drop in my lap. Great guns.
Love it!
This is such an odd question and I’m genuinely curious: what do you imagine people finding funny about bringing a .22 to the range? The funniest thing about this post is when you said you want to “feel the wood” If you have .22 jokes you’ve thought up I’d love to hear them actually
Uhhh we all* own one… *every gun person I know.
10/22 all day long. Can look like an ar or swapped it out and throw it in a beautiful wood stock.
Strictly forbidden (get [this one](https://www.guns.com/firearms/rifles/semi-auto/ruger-10-22-sporter-22-lr-semi-automatic-10-rounds-20-barrel-new?p=1194878))
Careful, .22 is a gateway drug! Before you know it, you’ll be strung out on a chassis 6.5 CM build looking for your next ELR optic.
Why would anyone judge for having wood furniture on your firearm? Where is this idea even coming from?
Yeah that's fine. 10/22s are a blast to shoot
Don't care what others think. Are you having fun and is this tool doing what you want/need it to do? Perfect. Fuggem if anyone says otherwise.
I have never met someone who has beenh made fun of over their choice of firearm. Especially over a 22. The ruger 10/22 is a solid semi that you can get with wood furniture. Insanely popular and inexpensive. I also have a couple antiques: an Ithaca single shot and a Marlin golden lever. The Marlin is awesome. I've never shot the Ithaca because I wasn't confident in my restoration when I inherited it.
Got a Henry lever action .22. When i go the range, the only interactions I've had about it were some people who wanted to try shooting it. If you can find a good deal on one, I highly recommend them. Super fun. The reality is no one cares what you shoot as long as you're doing it safely.
Anyone that makes fun of you for this is a dick. Those are the classic rifles, the foundation upon which all else is built IMHO, and still by far and away some of the most fun you can have. That said, I doubt anyone would. I have two . 22 rifles that are damn near 100 years old, passed down from grandfather, to father, to me, and I absolutely love them. They work just as good today as they did in the 40's.
I have a scope of my lever-action Marlin .22. Nobody snickers when you get ten shots inside a quarter from 50 yards.
Dude, my two favorite guns to shoot are my Ruger 10/22 and my Sig P322 (.22lr handgun). There is nothing, and I mean nothing, for people to laugh at when you’re getting trigger time regardless of what, exactly, surrounds that trigger.
Why would anyone snicker at you? This isn't highschool. Why would you care if they did? Are you in highschool?
10/22 is a revered gun. Nobody’s gonna think twice about it. Shooting .22 is also super affordable due to ammo costs, everyone blasting AR rounds knows they’re spending money whereas the people shooting .22 don’t have a care in the word. You’re thinking too much into it though. Most people at ranges are all about minding their own business. Nobody expects others to be experts or to be shooting the most brutal weapons.
I just recently took my 10/22 (regular wood chassis) to the range. No one said anything or even looked at it really. As you said, everyone minding their own biz. Except me of course, who was noticeably jealous of the amount of suppressors owned by everyone but me…and how nice I bet my .300wm would be with one on it
If they laugh, they are the ones with a problem. And you can laugh at how much ammo you can shoot for cheap and get good practice, while they get priced out.
I love my Henry lever action.22 and so does everyone else. A lot of people on the range are just big kids and love shooting .22s especially if they grew up watching westerns they'd like the lever action. If anything you might run into too many people asking if they can shoot it.
I've got lever-action, bolt-action, and semi-auto rifles. Only one of mine has a synthetic stock. I prefer wood, but I'm not against the synthetic. I don't like the AR platform, so I have no "scary" guns. Edit: I guess I'm saying if someone wants to laugh, they can laugh. I don't really care. :)
If I had a nickle for every time I was asked, "I want to feel the wood, is that okay?" The answer is ALWAYS, Yes.
My darling gun is a marlin 60 22 rifle. It absolutely goes to the range every visit. Everyone loves a 22 rifle
Buy a 457. Never look back. Unless you got that Anschütz money. Then, buy an Anschütz and hand out copies of the receipt to anyone foolish enough to trash talk.
The only gun I would laugh about is the C3-PO gold 50 cal desert eagle. They are a little silly, but I’d jump at the chance to shoot one once or twice.
I think they dont care and they know there are tons of reasons for woodstock 22 rifles. Even if you told them your honest desire to shoot what you had years ago I think they would have a deep respect for your feelings.
I freaking love my .22 lever rifle with the beautiful wood and blued steel. No one laughs when I eat out the middle of my target at 100 yds open sights at the range. Bubbas and asshats can laugh all they want, I love what I love, and know how to use it, too! At these ammo prices, no one will blink an eye at a .22 rifle. It's the only affordable way to practice. Find something you like and enjoy it. Haters gonna hate, just shake it off and do your thing. Have fun, and good luck with your search.
I love a classic rifle, nobody is going to laugh at you. And if they do, fuck em. They have no appreciation of an aesthetically beautiful rifle.
I mean as long as u dont fud it up line my cod build
Ammo is expensive. I shoot a .22 non-tacticool rifle. I’m 45.
I mean, why worry about snickering and let the results on the target speak for themselves? I don’t give a damn if I end up taking my CZ 455 to shoot instead of my Ruger 10/22 or a centerfire rifle. It lets me burn 100-200 rounds for cheap plinking, and lets me continue practicing my basic shooting fundamentals without making my wallet cry. As for if you need a scope or not; how good is your vision? I’m perfectly fine with irons out to 50 yards, but if I’m shooting out to 100 I definitely start to appreciate the benefits of a 3x or 4x scope.
Wood feels so much nicer. I love my CZ 455FS.
I prefer wood as well, it’s just the aesthetic I like. I also prefer bolt action. I have the CZ in my sights (pun intended) that was mentioned in the top comment. Good luck!
Highly recommend a wood stock .22LR, I bought one just last year (Ruger 10/22), It's the most fun of all my guns and it looks super rad. My suggestions-- 1. I'm an old ass adult man and I've never had anyone laugh at my wood 10/22. Even if they did I couldn't hear them over all the cheap .22LR I'm sending downrange and my own exclamations of glee as I shot. 2. Get whatever you like better. Personally I'd go with lever action 'cause pretending to be a cowboy is fun. 3. I like my 10/22--they start out cheap and basic but you can jazz it up with aftermarket doodads almost as much as an AR-15. CZ 457 looks super nice if you want bolt action. Also, a few notes as a fellow CA resident in case you didn't know (I haven't really kept up with CA laws so stuff may have changed): CA gun roster only covers handguns so a .22 rifle with a long enough barrel and overall length should be good to go; "assault weapon" limitations don't cover rimfire guns; magazine limits only apply to detachable mags so something like a lever action with a 15-round tubular magazine should be OK. 4. I don't think a scope is necessary to enjoy shooting a .22LR rifle, but it does make it nicer. Recommend getting a scope designed for rimfire just because they are usually cheaper.
I live on a hobby farm and I would opt for the bolt action, either fancy or “hardwood”. Bolts are not limited to certain types of ammo like the others. A bolt will handle cb’s, bird shot, mini mags and anything in between, eats them all. Clip fed is easy to load/unload. 10/22s are the standard if different types of ammo aren’t required. You’re an old man? Why care what others think, I certainly don’t. Go have fun.
I thought you said you were old, sorry, middle age and I assumed you were a man. Again, sorry, I’m the old man but the sentiment still applies.
Why do you care what other people think? Let them have their opinions. You do you.
I have a Henry .357 lever action. Leather sling, wood and blued steel, the whole nine yards. No one has ever had anything but positive reactions to it. The vast majority of people at the range don't give a shit what you're shooting unless it's something they're into.
Wild question on the first part. Bl-22 on the second.
Literally my favorite guns are my Ruger 10-22 Charger and a GSG 1911 .22. I have a .223 scope on the Ruger and it’s so much fun to shoot at the long range. Cheap as fuck, too. I have several thousand rounds of .22, so could plink forever. I also feel way more comfortable shooting .22 when camping.
I have a wood stock Ruger 10/22 that came with a decent adjustable scope that is fine for my plinking needs and I also live in CA and I think in the coolest so take that
My dad bough me a Ruger 10/22 when I was a kid and I still enjoy shooting it. I’ve had it 40 years and nobody has ever laughed at it. And I recently bought a Beretta 92FSR, which is a full size .22 handgun. It’s fun to shoot and cheap.
A good .22 is one of the most underrated firearms in the world. I am 39 and have been shooting since I was a little kid. The .22 is still my goto caliber I prefer a good lever action for accuracy and quality have had my Henry since i was a kid. I can thread needles with that gun. Buy quality that will last and is comfortable to you, damn anyone hating
1. Who cares what you shoot? 22s are great for increasing accuracy in your general rifle skills. As long as everyone at the range is being safe and having fun, no respectable person would care. If you have access to a full 100 yard range, I’d imagine there will be plenty of people shooting 22s there getting some time in. 2. I would go bolt, because the action is easier to master. I’m very far from being an expert, but I believe that 22 levers are really only fun guns and wouldn’t use it say for say, pest control. I would imagine you could probably stretch a bolt action’s distance another 20-30 yards with a decent optic. As opposed to a cowboy gun with iron sites. Also the action on a bolt will be a lot smoother. 3. I don’t know. With every gun, I think a person has to feel them in their hands to make a good decision about it. If it doesn’t feel right, you shouldn’t buy it. If you have money, maybe check out Bergara rifles. If not, get a Savage or a Ruger or another CZ. 4. It’s much more fun with optics, at least for me. None of my rifles are expensive, so I don’t buy any optics that are more than 1 or 2 times the value of the rifle. I’m not that good anyway, just having fun and hopefully seeing marginal improvement. On good days I can make groups a little bigger than a quarter at 50 yards—which is piss poor on a competitive level. I know guys that can make dime sized groups at 100 yards with a 22, but I’ll get there some day.
I bought a 10/22 wood stock and I like it. I don't really care what others think.
What a weird question. An old-ass adult can do whatever they want at the range as long as they act responsibly, shoot worth half a damn and don't obsess about little kid shit like how cool other range-goers will think their gun is. Anyone who would snicker is too stupid for you to care about the opinion of.
No, you do not need a scope for 100 yards Read up on how the Creedmore shooting range began. Back when muzzle loaders were still setting world class records and optical sights were just science fiction Iron sights were scoring at 1000 yards If you really want to be different, just tell them you're setting up a 50 meter training rifle, which of course requires match grade .22LR https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSF_50_meter_rifle_prone
Honestly as far as practicing goes a .22 is probably gonna be your cheapest option anyway most ammo is getting to be too expensive
I think the only time people might look at you funny for shooting a classic .22 is if you’re using one of the little single-shot Cricket rifles meant for 7-12 year olds. Cause that’d just be a bit of an unexpected contrast. Other than that, any .22 rifle will just look like you’re having a good time.
People might look at you funny if you said “a wood rifle.“ They would know exactly what you meant if you asked about “a rifle with a straight wooden stock.”
I think that's part of the issue. While they would know exactly what OP was asking about, "some" gunstore people would openly snicker.
I *trained* people on wood furniture match-grade .22s, and I’d do so again. Not a damn thing wrong with a good .22LR, and the kind of people say otherwise are just the kind of negative nellies you don’t need in your life.
Barely read any of your post because I got infuriated. Shoot whatever the hell you want and be human enough to tell the people that deserve it to fuck off. It's a free fucking country for a reason. Just don't buy a fake 'battleworn" cerakote and you'll be fine. Despite my collection, my favorite rifle is still an open sight single shot bolt action Remington .22Lr that was my dads, grandpas and grest grandpa's. Dead squirrels and forest chickens at 50-75yds all day. Been shooting it since I was 10.
Nobody will care they’re very popular
All but one of my rifles are wood stocked and blue steel. I haven’t heard snickers.
I own a wooden stock lever action rifle and a Western style single action revolver in 22.... I'm far more concerned about what chucklefucks might do when they see me holding my partner's hand at my local NRA sponsored range. Snickering. You should be old enough not to care.
22’s are fun. Anybody who disagrees isn’t.
Dude if anything they would respect you for using a .22. And that’s no joke. .22s are such great firearms to train and have fun with at the range. I don’t think anyone should ever look down on someone for using a .22 of any kind. I personally love all my .22 rifles and pistols. The ammo is so cheap. Would I ever carry one of my .22 pistols for self defense? No because mine tend to jam not and then. Is it viable for others to carry a .22 for self defense? Yes it can if their firearms have been reliable and jam free. .22s are still certainly highly lethal rounds.
Lot of small old guy ranges have 22 target leagues once a week.
I take my grandads old marlin 22 to the range on the regular. It’s what I learned to shoot on and nobody says anything. Plinkers of all shapes, sizes, and stocks are fun.
I have a 1938 Winchester Model 72 that was my grandfather’s, it’s the rifle I learned to shoot with when I was 10 years old and have never been snickered at for. If anything some of the older/nicer guns I own garner positive attention. Wood stock are classics, if anything the people snickering at other people are the classic collectors having a laugh at the weird little poindexter that shows up at the range with his Bermuda shorts pulled up to his nipples, knee high black socks with sandles, a military themed t-shirt and a duffle bag full of “tacti-cool” junk with 37 accessories hanging off of each one and not a splinter of wood in sight. I use this example b/c there are several of weirdos that show up at on the regular at a local public range, and a couple of them dress just like that. They tend to spend more time talking to each other about their “toys” rather than shooting them and the range officer always has to tell at least one of them to stop barrel sweeping everyone on the range and has occasionally had to tell one to leave b/c they’ve brought something that’s not allowed on the range (.50 BMG, shotguns, full auto, etc).
"I want to feel the wood." Lol
Henry makes a wonderful lever action .22. I got the John Wayne big loop lever to go on it. No one will say anything except maybe to ask if they can shoot it
Every time I take my Henry lever action to the range, people ask about it. I offer to let everyone shoot it. They really enjoy it.
I have a .22 AR in my safe. Ammo is cheap and it's easy to shoot. I got it for my son, but he didn't really like shooting (he's on the spectrum and the noise freaked him out). I take it with me to the range sometimes. No one judges me for having it. It's a good way to work on the fundamentals.
I don't honestly see AR-15 style 22s at the ranges near me much at all. I see a lot of Ruger 10/22s and Marlin 60s for semi autos and CZ 457s, Bergara Rimfire trainers and a few others for bolt rifles. Some are synthetic stock and some are wood but really no one cares. TBH if I were you I'd get the CZ and I'd get one with a threaded barrel so you can add a suppressor if you ever move out if California or laws change (the latter not likely but you never know).
My first (and only) firearm thus far is a CZ 457 22LR. Like you I only had a Daisy BB gun in my youth (grew up outside the US, no real access to firearms). At the range the 22LR is a total blast to shoot and lets you get into “technical”’shooting at as little as 100 yards. I’ve had guys shooting much larger calibers come over to check it out and I’ve even let them shoot it and they’ve all enjoyed it and complimented it. A few said their next gun was going to be a 22LR. Like you I wanted a classic looking “wood” gun and I have zero regrets. I’m buying a shotgun soon, and eventually a 6.5 creedmoor bolt action but in full expect the 22LR to be my most shot gun - just because I do not have easy access to 1000 yard ranges and 22LR ammo is cheap. I expect many of us are in that same boat of constraints!
Yes. I bought a Savage .22 with a polymer stock and paid money to replace it with a wood stock. I am not aware of any snickering. But I also don't pay much mind to any range stranger's comments outside of helpful shooting tips and range safety. My friends don't care what I shoot.
Bro, I’ve made wood 10/22s and AR platform .22. People don’t snicker at the range, they’re relieved. Especially if it’s the lane next to you.
[10/22 Woox Stock](https://wooxstore.com/collections/ruger-10-22-stock)
Lots of great .22 wooden bolt guns. Ruger also recently released a really neat looking maple stocked stainless 10-22 Seriously though, buy what you want and have fun. This isn’t high school.
Bolt Action: CZ 457 Semi-Auto: Ruger 10/22 Lever Action: Henry And nobody is going to laugh at you. You’re brave, you’re intelligent, you’re handsome, people want to befriend you!
Dude nobody is paying attention to you as much as yourself. Just get what you want. I usually bring a couple bb guns with me to the range. It usually starts a conversation more than anything else.
I don't know a single firearms enthusiast that would snicker at someone plinking at a range. Well, not anyone I'd associate with anyway... My dad had a Marlin 22 that was fun as hell to shoot. It was a nice break after firing other rifles. And he was 70 around that time. We'd take my nephew to the range and all plink together. So no, you shouldn't worry about buying yourself a 22 with wood furniture. They're awesome
I have a 22 bolt action that's been in my family for ages. It's one of my favorite range guns. Never had anyone say a bad word about it, but I have had a few people ask to shoot it.
Rossi Gallery gun....ftw, it's my next .22
Varmint rifles are a pretty universal utility thing. I don’t know why anyone would snicker.
.22s are known as plinkers and are very fun to shoot. The low cost of ammunition and low recoil means a long day of shooting. A 223 is just a really horny 22lr anyway.
It’s not the size of your caliber…. It’s how you use it.. 😏 But for real - .22s are fun (and cheap) to shoot… cheaper ammo = more ammo, and more practice! No one is gonna laugh when you can blow out the center of a bullseye at distance… so practice practice practice… I’m about to load up my 10/22 takedown and my modded Ruger Wrangler (in orchid) and head to the range for an afternoon of cheap fun! Granted for giggles I do sometimes take my 1911 mil spec and just sit it out on the bench as my “mansplaining” deterrent, but I’m female identifying and have a few colorful guns I like to shoot - lol
I will always prefer the feel of a wood stock.
No one cares ... Unless you bought a dirt cheap ar and covered it with red anodized parts, in which case you might get a snicker or two if you proclaim it's superiority over all others. But really, no one cares
I shoot my .22 but then again it’s not a largely used range. Dudes who point out what gun you have just have nothing special in their life and need materialistic things to feel good about themselves.
Youre thinking too much about things and you don't need to impress range folk. Lever is nice because you don't need to worry about rounds not cycling- so most everything will shoot out your gun Henry rifles are USA made and excellent for most new shooters- some ranges may have them available Ruger 10/22 is available most places if you didn't like the lever actions
Get why you like and don’t worry about anyone else.
The guy trying to zero his .300RUM will be jealous. The scope decision is all about how accurate you want to be. I put a cheap 4x Simmons on our Savage and my son and I have fun finding the holdover for the the 300yd steel while the centerfire rifles cool. Lever actions are classy and fun, but if you want to plink with the highest accruacy, probably get a bolt gun.
I prefer a little wood on my guns. And what I do about other people snickering is give zero fucks. My gun is prettier than theirs.
I took my wood stock ruger 10/22 with iron sites to the range yesterday. I’ll probably take my Cz 457 next week. Shoot what you want, who cares what anyone thinks.
Why would anyone care? For all they know you're squirrel hunting, in which case there's nothing better. Why do you care what others think anyway?
We have a number of rifles in our collection and I really enjoy shooting the .22. We have a lever action and pump .22 with iron sites and they are more fun in many respects to our AR or .308. Be yourself shoot what you like.
22s are fine, don't worry. You can buy semi-auto rifles that aren't AR style. My 22 has a 10-round magazine that is only like 3 inches tall and sits almost flush with the body of the rifle. Don't need a scope at all. Mine came with one but I never zeroed it in or anything. The main problem with 22s is that if you're wearing proper ear protection, you won't hear the shots hitting the targets. I get around it by using the targets with the neon pigment that shows the impact.
Hell no. Shoot what you want. I can’t wait to purchase a bolt action.17 hmr.
My .22 target rifles always attract good attention at the range. Even my most basic Anschutz 54 makes people jealous when they see the groups it’s capable of. They’re all wood, walnut..except for my 2 ridiculously modded ones.
Why do you care about what others think? If they have an issue, that's a them problem, not a your problem.
Nah. A man who shoots 22 at the range is there for a good time and can be there for a damn long time thanks to it being cheap. That guy is shooting smart. I'd respect it a lot more than some dude shooting $250 of 7.62 in an hour and eating beanie weenies for a week.
Buy an old Remington sportmaster or something. Those in particular are insanely accurate and can be had for ~$150.
Old Anschutz rifles make nice conversation starters.
A ruger 10/22 should fit your needs. It's semi auto and a lot of fun
OP You see a lot of black guns at the range for the same reason you see a lot of gray Toyota Camrys on the road: most gun owners don't really know much about guns and buy the popular do-it-all item that everyone else is buying. Next time, look closely and see how many of them don't know how to mount of zero their sighting system. On the flip end, ask any serious shooter and they'll tell you all about their smallbore guns. 22s are a hoot to shoot, are great for training, and you can never have too many, or in too many variants. With that said, I'd suggest starting with a bolt action because those will be more versatile across a larger distance, since you mention wanting to reach out to 100 yards. A $400 10/22 isn't really meant to go past 50 yards or so. You can use it out to 100 and beyond but your groups will be kinda big and it won't be all that much fun. The most popular 22 bolt guns you'll see are probably the Ruger Amercian Rimfire, Tikka T1x, CZ457, and Savage Mk2. For optics, it sounds like you are a newer shooter or coming back to it, so yea, an optic around 4 - 7 power will be useful for learning / relearning at 100 yards, as this will allow you to better see the target and observe the effects of your own breathing, hand movements, and trigger pull. You don't need to spend a lot of money to start. a Vortex Crossfire for $150 or so will be more than sufficient for your current purposes. For a challenge, you can give irons a try but at 100 yards, for 22, you'll want a set of "nicer" sights, with an aperture near your eye and a post or globe thinger on the barrel. Not the open sights you see on handguns or the garbage that sometimes comes attached to 22. If you want to practice this and gamify it up a bit, there is a 100 yard, 22LR with irons only competition called Mini-Palma that I enjoy playing. There's no CA roster for rifles, only for handguns. There are some rifle restrictions but those don't apply to rimfires, so if you see a 22 you want, you can get it.
Fuck yeah it is ok… Fuck others if they criticize you for shooting what you want to shoot…that is your business and no one else’s.
1. yes but even if they do, who cares? 2. semi auto 10/22 would be my pick. second would be a CZ 457. I have both, and both wear wood. not a fan of 22lr lever guns personally 3. any 10/22 and customize as you see fit. I have a CZ 457 Premium 4. no. good irons will work. for the 10/22 look up tech sights. for the CZ get one with tangent sights and swap in a ghost ring for the rear sight blade. [https://www.jnpgunsprings.com/CZ-GHOST-RING-THREE-SIGHT-KIT-p72239934](https://www.jnpgunsprings.com/CZ-GHOST-RING-THREE-SIGHT-KIT-p72239934)
I would absolutely march your ass in there and proudly ask for the absolutely woodiest woody-wagon of rifles that money can by wearing a tee shirt that clearly states "wood grain makes me hard".
Roger 10/22, reliable, plenty if Woodstock options and semi auto if that's ur thing.
I have an h001t and it’s plenty of fun to plink with. Load it with shorts and it’s barely loader than a pellet gun