Running with a .22 caliber rifle is an excellent choice for having a fun day at the range or hunting small game.
Many higher caliber rifles have .22 caliber variants to allow for more affordable training.
If you want to have fun at a lower price, you should get a .22 caliber rifle today.
Note: There is STRONG evidence that the Biden administration is steadily working towards the banning of ALL long rifles. These include ALL rifles that they deem an ‘assault weapon‘, many of which are listed below.
It is STRONGLY recommended that, if you’ve been on the fence on buying a long gun, you get off that fence and buy one ASAP.
Table of Contents
#1. Survival Rifle 16.5IN 22 LR Matte Blue 8+1RD
- Make: Henry Repeating Arms
- Action: Semi-Automatic
- Capacity: 8+1 Rounds
- Barrel Length: 16.5”
- Overall Length: 35”
- Weight: 2.5 lbs.
The Survival Rifle 16.5” 22 LR Matte Blue 8+1RD by Henry Repeating Arms is the best rifle for an extended trip in the woods and is perfect for a survival kit.
It has a unique design, where it is fully collapsible, where the upper receiver, barrel, and magazines fit into the synthetic stock of the weapon.
With its compact size, it can be easily added to any pack without taking up too much space and can be quickly assembled when you need it.
It is super lightweight, only weighing 2.5 pounds, and is built to resist the elements with a waterproof design.
With a 32-grain .22 LR round, the velocity gets up to 1,640 ft/s making it perfect for predators, small game, and varmints.
You will have consistent, accurate shots with a 16.5” barrel, semi-automatic action, and two eight round magazines.
If you are looking for excellent performance in a compact package, the Survival Rifle 16.5” 22 LR Matte Blue 8+1RD by Henry Repeating Arms is your best pick.
It is available from Brownells. Here’s where to buy it: www.Brownells.com
#2. M&P 15-22 Sport 22 LR 25+1
- Make: Smith & Wesson
- Action: Semi-Automatic
- Capacity: 25+1 Rounds
- Barrel Length: 16.5”
- Overall Length: 30.7”
- Weight: 5 lbs
The M&P 15-22 Sport 22 LR 25+1 by Smith & Wesson is a fun AR-style rifle perfect for small game hunting, recreational shooting, and first-time rifle owners.
With a high 25-round capacity, you can have a lot of fun between reloads.
They loaded this rifle with customization options to get you the perfect fit with the accessories you want.
It is fully compatible with M-LOK accessories with a 10” M&P slim handguard and a 2” rail panel.
The polymer stock has six positions to get optimal control.
It also comes standard with MAGPUL MBUS folding sights for precision aiming, or you can equip an M-LOK optic.
You can have some serious fun with this setup and it has a fully tactical look with its faux suppressor.
To train for different scenarios you could equip various accessories such as lasers, lights, hand stops, or bipods.
The M&P 15-22 Sport 22 LR 25+1 by Smith & Wesson will quickly become one of your favorite recreational rifles with its customization options and high capacity.
It is available from Brownells. Here’s where to buy it: www.Brownells.com
#3. 10/22 Carbine 18.5” 22 LR W/Viridian Eon
- Make: Ruger
- Action: Semi-Automatic
- Capacity: 10+1 Rounds
- Barrel Length: 18.5”
- Overall Length: 37”
- Weight: 6.1 lbs
The Ruger 10/22 Carbine 18.5” 22 LR W/ Viridian Eon is a beautiful weapon that includes a performance scope.
The rifle has a solid, classic hardwood stock with a beautiful finish with a natural smooth touch.
You will have consistently accurate shots with the cold hammer-forged barrel, factory-mounted Viridian EON 3-9×40 scope, and heat-stabilized, glass-filled, polymer trigger housing assembly.
The scope has fully multi-coated lenses, is fully adjustable, fogproof, shockproof, and waterproof.
This package includes everything you need for small game hunting or fun at the range.
With a 10-round detachable rotary magazine, it provides reliable feeding.
It also includes a Ruger hard case.
If you are looking for a rifle with a classic style that includes a powerful scope, the Ruger 10/22 Carbine 18.5” 22 LR W/ Viridian Eon should be your top choice.
It is available from Brownells. Here’s where to buy it: www.Brownells.com
#4. M1100 18″ 10+1
- Make: Howa
- Action: Bolt Action
- Capacity: 10+1 Rounds
- Barrel Length: 18”
- Overall Length: 37”
- Weight: 6.3 lbs.
Howa’s M1100 18” 10+1 is a .22 long rifle mid-ranged low caliber bolt-action rifle perfect for plinking or a day in the brush hunting small game such as squirrels, rabbits, and varmints.
It has an oversized bolt handle, an 18” matte blued long barrel, a beavertail forend, and a synthetic black polymer tactical/varmint stock.
You can equip any scope that is compatible with Ruger American Rimfire rifles for improved accuracy and precision.
With an ergonomic design, you will be able to handle your weapon comfortably, and its 6.3-pound weight makes it easy to carry.
It is also available in a 17 HMR or 22 WMR caliber.
If you want a consistently small shot group while plinking, the Howa’s M1100 18” 10+1 is perfect for you.
It is available from Brownells. Here’s where to buy it: www.Brownells.com
#5. VM-22, .22 LR Rifle Magpul X-22
- Make: Volquartsen
- Action: Semi-Automatic
- Capacity: 10+1 Rounds
- Barrel Length: 16”
- Overall Length: 38.5”
- Weight: 5.4 lbs
Volquartsen’s VM-22 .22 LR Rifle Magpul X-22 is a premium semi-automatic rifle perfect for precision range shooting and small game hunting.
It has a lightweight aluminum receiver, a type III hard-anodized finish, and an X-22 polymer stock.
The stock is lightweight with a textured grip for added control in harsh weather.
With ½ inch spacers, it provides a fully adjustable LOP from 12.5” to 14.5” for a custom fit.
They threaded the barrel for increased precision, and it includes a removable aluminum forward blow compensator, which provides improved noise and muzzle control.
With a 2.25 pound trigger, you can have a steady slow squeeze to provide better trigger control.
It also includes an integrated Picatinny rail to mount your favorite scope, but it does not have front/rear iron sights.
If you want a premium .22 LR rifle for small game hunting or a day at the range, the VM-22 .22 LR Rifle Magpul X-22 by Volquartsen is an excellent option.
It is available from Brownells. Here’s where to buy it: www.Brownells.com
#6. RAK-22 .22 LR Rifle – 500.103
- Make: Chiappa
- Action: Semi-Automatic
- Capacity: 10+1 Rounds
- Barrel Length: 17.25”
- Overall Length: 34.25”
- Weight: 6.6 lbs
The RAK-22 .22 LR Rifle- 500.103 by Chiappa is a stunning .22 LR rifle that is perfect for an exciting day of plinking.
This rifle is a replica of a standard AK-47 with a durable wooden stock and foregrip.
It also includes a textured synthetic grip for better control, and it includes steel hardware for an authentic look and feel of a real AK-47.
With a 10+1 round capacity and a semi-automatic action, you can have plenty of fun.
Even though this rifle is perfect for plinking, it could also double as an AK-47 trainer by taking advantage of the lower price of ammunition.
Even though it has full steel and wood hardware the rifle is surprising light at 6.6 lbs.
If you want an excellent rifle for plinking or as an AK-47 trainer, the RAK-22 .22 LR Rifle- 500.103 by Chiappa is your best option.
It is available from Palmetto State Armory. Here’s where to buy it: www.PalmettoStateArmory.com
#7. GSG-16 .22 LR AR-15 Carbine
- Make: American Tactical Imports
- Action: Semi-Automatic
- Capacity: 22+1 Rounds
- Barrel Length: 16.25”
- Overall Length: 34.25”
- Weight: 5.84 lbs
The GSG-16 .22 LR AR-15 Carbine comes with a clean tan finish with a 22+1 round capacity.
You could purchase a drum magazine for a massive capacity upgrade, depending on your state.
It is important to note that this rifle requires high-velocity rounds to operate correctly, and if you use the improper ammunition, you will experience hiccups in its performance.
It also has a collapsible stock that fits comfortably on your shoulder, and it has a storage compartment for an extra magazine.
They equipped the rifle with a quad Picatinny rail and M-Lok handguard.
This is nice because you can add all sorts of accessories such as a bipod, lasers, or your favorite optic.
It also includes adjustable front and rear sights if you prefer iron sights.
The GSG-16 .22 LR AR-15 Carbine is perfect for those who want plenty of loadout options.
It is available from Palmetto State Armory. Here’s where to buy it: www.PalmettoStateArmory.com
#8. B-14 R .22LR Bolt Action Rifle, Gray
- Make: Bergara
- Action: Bolt Action
- Capacity: 10+1 Rounds
- Barrel Length: 18”
- Overall Length: 38”
- Weight: 9.2 lbs
The B-14 R .22LR Bolt Action Rifle by Bergara will be your go-to trainer, which will allow you to get plenty of range practice but with a .22 LR instead of more expensive ammunition.
A day at the range with the standard .380 or 6.5 Creedmoor will cost you a fortune over time, and the .22 LR rounds will cut costs while giving you valuable range time.
It has the features you want for long-range target practice or small game hunting.
The rifle has the exact dimensions as a REM700, and you can equip custom parts such as triggers, bases, bipods, optics, and stocks to match your higher caliber REM700.
Every shot will count with the precision craftsmanship of the 18” carbon fiber barrel with a 1:16 twist.
If you are looking for a high-performance REM700 clone for training, the B-14 R .22LR Bolt Action Rifle by Bergara is perfect for you.
It is available from Palmetto State Armory. Here’s where to buy it: www.PalmettoStateArmory.com
#9. 457 Scout Black/Laminate Bolt Action Rifle 22 Long Rifle – 16in
- Make: CZ
- Action: Bolt Action
- Capacity: Varies
- Barrel Length: 16”
- Overall Length: 32.76”
- Weight: 5 lbs
The 457 Scout Black/Laminate Bolt Action Rifle 22 Long Rifle –16in is the perfect beginner rifle for children to learn the basics of shooting and weapons handling.
It has simple features to get the basics down before moving to more advanced rifles.
With a 12 inch pull, it is perfect for children, and the modular design allows you to upgrade the pull and other components as your child grows out of the weapon.
It also has adjustable iron sights and includes an 11mm dovetail rail to allow the easy installation of a scope.
The stock is crafted with a beautiful beechwood laminate, and the hardware is cold hammer-forged.
You can get the perfect creep, travel, and trigger pull with an adjustable trigger to get the ideal trigger control for your child.
It comes with a single shot adapter to help with training, but you can upgrade your capacity to a larger 457/455 magazine.
If you are looking for the perfect rifle to teach your child how to shoot, the 457 Scout Black/Laminate Bolt Action Rifle 22 Long Rifle –16in is a perfect choice.
It is available from Sportsman’s Warehouse. Here’s where to buy it: www.Sportsmans.com
#10. B22 Precision Blue Titanium/Black Bolt Action Rifle – 22 Long Rifle – 18in
- Make: Savage Arms
- Action: Bolt Action
- Capacity: 10+1 Rounds
- Barrel Length: 18”
- Overall Length: 36.625”
- Weight: 7.38 lbs
The B22 Precision Blue Titanium/Black Bolt Action Rifle – 22 Long Rifle – 18in by Savage Arms is a high-performance .22 LR perfect for precision shooting.
It includes an 18” carbon steel barrel with a 1:16 rate of twist and a flush cap for an accurate shot.
You will have superior control of the rifle with an adjustable 12.75” – 13.75” pull and an adjustable comb height.
They also crafted it with a custom one-piece MDT chassis machined from billet aluminum.
They also equipped it with an adjustable AccuTrigger with a 1.5 to 4-pound pull.
It also includes a 10 round detachable rotary magazine that provides a smooth loading for consistent shooting.
With a one-piece Picatinny rail, you can add your favorite scope or optic for improved precision.
If you want a fully adjustable precision rifle, the B22 Precision Blue Titanium/Black Bolt Action Rifle – 22 Long Rifle – 18in by Savage Arms is excellent.
It is available from Sportsman’s Warehouse. Here’s where to buy it: www.Sportsmans.com
Why Choose a .22 Caliber Rifle
Cheaper Ammunition
You can take full advantage of the cheaper ammunition allowing you to save a lot of money each time you go to the range.
Cheaper ammo means you can afford to go to the range more often and for a longer time.
Increased Control
With the low caliber of a .22 LR round, you will have almost no recoil compared to larger rounds providing consistent shot groups and improved precision.
This caliber of a rifle is not as noisy at 140 dB compared to 175 dB of larger caliber rifles, which will conserve your hearing.
Availability
.22 caliber rifles are generally more affordable compared to higher caliber rifles.
The ammunition is also easier to get in larger quantities at lower prices.
Below are the 10 Best .22 Caliber Rifles.
References / Resources
Can You Use a .22LR For Self-Defense?
See Also
He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 2004 and has served over 18 years as a communications maintenance technician with three deployments to the Middle East.
He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English and Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University and a bachelor’s degree in Information System Security with a concentration in Digital Forensics from American Military University.
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