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Best .22 bolt-action rifles by budget (2026): from $231 to custom actions

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Quick answer

Under $350: Savage Mark II FV-SR ($329) is the value pick; the Mossberg 802 ($231) and Henry Mini Bolt ($335, single-shot youth) are entry options. $350–$750: Ruger American Rimfire ($509), Ruger Precision Rimfire ($629), CZ 457 Scout ($649), Tikka T1x ($699–$749), Bergara BMR ($699), B22 Precision ($749). $750–$1,300: CZ 457 Varmint MTR ($999), Bergara B-14R ($1,229), Sako Finnfire II (~$789 dealer). $1,300+: Anschutz 1761 ($2,495–$2,995), Vudoo V-22, Zermatt RimX. Prices are maker MSRPs, or labeled retailer prices, as of Oct 2026.

How we picked

We compared published specs and prices, not our own testing: maker MSRP, threaded barrel, trigger adjustability, magazine capacity, optic mounting, aftermarket depth and NRL22 Base fit. Every row links to its price source and date. Accuracy figures are cited where a published test exists. Owner reports are labeled low confidence.

All models at a glance

Rifle	Action	Barrel	Trigger	Magazine	Optic mount	Weight (lb)	MSRP (source, date, confidence)	Aftermarket depth	NRL22 fit
Mossberg 802 Plinkster (38230)	Bolt	18 in free-floating, 1:16	Factory	10-rd box	3/8 in dovetail; fiber-optic sights	4.0	$231 MSRP as listed by retailers. source, 2026-10-12, conf: med	Low	Base price-eligible (not competitive)
Savage Mark II FV-SR	Bolt; thread-in headspace	16.5 in heavy fluted, 1/2x28	AccuTrigger 2.5-6 lb	5-rd box	EGW one-piece rail included	5.5	$329 Savage MSRP. source, 2026-10-12, conf: high	High (Boyds/MDT stocks, triggers, rails)	Base: leaves ~$1,321 for scope
Henry Mini Bolt Youth G2	Single-shot bolt	Stainless (see Henry spec)	Factory	Single-shot	Fiber-optic sights	3.25	$335 Henry MSRP. source, 2026-10-11, conf: high	Low	Not allowed: NRL22 requires removable magazines
Savage B22 FV-SR	Bolt; top-tang safety	16.25 in heavy threaded	AccuTrigger	10-rd rotary	Pic rail	5.6	$409 Savage MSRP. source, 2026-10-12, conf: high	Medium	Base: leaves ~$1,241 for scope
Ruger American Rimfire	Bolt; 60-degree throw	18 in 1/2-28 threaded (8305); other lengths by model	Marksman Adjustable 3-5 lb	10/22 BX-1 rotary	3/8 in rimfire base machined in; drilled and tapped for Weaver #12	5.5	$509 Ruger suggested retail $509 (model 8305; other RAR models vary). source, 2026-10-12, conf: high	Medium (some stocks; uses 10/22 mags)	Base: leaves ~$1,141 for scope
Ruger Precision Rimfire	Bolt; adjustable bolt throw (rimfire or short-action stroke)	18 in cold hammer-forged, 1/2-28, 1:16	Marksman Adjustable 2.25-5 lb	BX-15 / BX-1 (22 LR); rotary (17 HMR / 22 WMR)	30 MOA Pic base	6.8	$629 Ruger MSRP. source, 2026-10-12, conf: high	Medium (AR grips and stocks fit)	Base: leaves ~$1,021 for scope
CZ 457 Scout	Bolt; youth stock	16.5 in threaded	Adjustable	Single-shot adapter; takes 457 mags	11 mm dovetail; open sights	~5	$649 CZ-USA product page $649 (a third-party 2026 list shows $549). source, 2026-10-12, conf: high	Very high (shares 457 parts)	Base: leaves ~$1,001 for scope
Tikka T1x MTR	Bolt; 2-lug style rimfire; T3x-size stock footprint	16 or 20 in, 1/2x28 threaded, 1:16.5 (.22 LR)	Single-stage, adjustable; accepts T3/T3x triggers	T1x 10-rd (5-rd flush available)	11 mm dovetail; drilled and tapped for T1x Pic rails	6.5 (16 in retailer spec)	$699 $699 (16 in) / $749 (20 in) MSRP as shown by US retailers; Tikka US site lists no price. source, 2026-10-12, conf: med	High (chassis from MDT/KRG/XLR/Grey Birch; triggers; rails)	Base: leaves ~$951 for scope at $699
Bergara BMR Steel	Bolt; match chamber	18/20 in threaded	Bergara trigger	5 and 10-rd slim mags	Pic rail	5.5	$699 Bergara MSRP (Carbon $799; BMR-X $799). source, 2026-10-11, conf: high	Low	Base: leaves ~$951 for scope
Savage B22 Precision (70248)	Bolt; MDT one-piece chassis	18 in heavy threaded, 1:16	AccuTrigger 1.5-5 lb	10-rd rotary	One-piece Pic (20 MOA per Gun Tests)	7.38	$749 Savage MSRP. source, 2026-10-12, conf: high	Medium (AICS-style chassis accessories)	Base: leaves ~$901 for scope
Sako Finnfire II	Bolt	22 in cold hammer-forged free-floating	Adjustable single-stage	5-rd detachable	11 mm dovetail	—	$789 Dealer price $788.99 (.22 LR); no US MSRP confirmed. source, 2026-10-12, conf: low	Low	Base price-eligible
CZ 457 Varmint MTR	Bolt; 60-degree throw; swappable barrel	Heavy, match chamber; many lengths	Adjustable (weight/creep/overtravel)	CZ 457 polymer 5/10-rd	11 mm dovetail; Pic rails available	varies by model	$999 CZ-USA product page $999 (a third-party 2026 list shows $849). source, 2026-10-12, conf: high	Very high (barrels, chassis, triggers, mags)	Base: leaves ~$651 for scope
Bergara B-14R Steel	Bolt; Rem 700-footprint trainer	18 in heavy threaded	Rem 700-compatible triggers	AICS-pattern single stack	Rem 700 bases	8.1	$1,229 Bergara MSRP (Brownells listed $1,149.99). source, 2026-10-11, conf: high	Medium-high (Rem 700 stocks, bases, triggers)	Base: leaves ~$421 for scope
Anschutz 64 MP R	Bolt; Match 64 action	25.5 in heavy	Single-stage adjustable	5-rd	11 mm dovetail	—	$1,574 Retailer prices $1,499-$1,649; no US MSRP confirmed. source, 2026-10-12, conf: low	Low-medium	Base: little or no room for scope
Zermatt RimX action	Bolt action (sold as action / barreled action)	Builder's choice	Rem 700-pattern	10-rd included	Builder's choice	varies	$1,150 Action only $1,150; barreled actions about $1,955. source, 2026-10-12, conf: med	High (Rem 700 footprint)	Open only
Vudoo V-22 Gen II	Bolt; Rem 700 footprint; AICS-style mags	Custom	Rem 700-pattern triggers	Vudoo AICS-pattern	Varies by build	varies	$2,290 Retailer listing (NPS); custom builds from $2,800. source, 2026-10-12, conf: med	High (Rem 700 stocks/chassis)	Open only
Anschutz 1761 AV threaded 18 in	Bolt; 3-lug; 60-degree throw	18 in heavy threaded 1/2x28	5061 single stage	5-rd	11 mm dovetail	6.17	$2,595 Anschutz North America price (other 1761s $2,495-$2,995). source, 2026-10-12, conf: high	Low	Open only (over cap)

MSRPs from the maker where available, otherwise labeled retailer listings, checked Oct 2026. Aftermarket depth and NRL22 fit are our editorial summaries (NRL22 Base: rifle plus scope MSRP up to $1,650). Specs are published figures, not our measurements.

Full sortable table: rimfire rifle comparison table.

Under $350: entry and value

Savage Mark II FV-SR ($329): a heavy threaded 16.5 in barrel, AccuTrigger 2.5–6 lb and an EGW rail included ^[1]. It's the best spec per dollar here. Gunblast's review of the related Mark II BV recorded 0.31–0.88 in at 50 yd ^[2].
Mossberg 802 Plinkster ($231, retailer-listed MSRP): 18 in free-floating barrel, 10-round mag, fiber-optic sights and about 4 lb ^[3]. Basic, but cheap. Gun Tests reviewed it ^[4].
Henry Mini Bolt Youth G2 ($335): a single-shot with an 11.5 in LOP ^[5]. A first rifle for small kids.

$350–$750: the sweet spot

Savage B22 FV-SR ($409): 10-round rotary mag ^[6].
Ruger American Rimfire 8305 ($509): takes 10/22 mags; 3–5 lb Marksman trigger ^[7].
Ruger Precision Rimfire ($629): AR-style chassis, 12–15.5 in LOP, Marksman trigger 2.25–5 lb, a 30 MOA rail, and a bolt throw adjustable to mimic a short action ^[8]. A strong trainer for Ruger Precision Rifle owners.
CZ 457 Scout ($649 CZ-USA): youth stock, but the full 457 system ^[9]. Other 457s step up from there.
Tikka T1x MTR ($699 / $749, retailer-listed): fits T3x stocks and triggers ^[10] ^[11].
Bergara BMR Steel ($699): match chamber, 5- and 10-round mags ^[12].
Savage B22 Precision ($749): MDT chassis, 1.5–5 lb AccuTrigger ^[13].
Savage A22 FV-SR ($439) is the semi-auto alternative in this range ^[14].

Our range results (coming soon)

This box will hold our own groups, chronograph data and photos for this topic once we've shot and recorded them. Until then, every accuracy number on this page comes from the published source cited next to it. We have not tested these rifles or products hands-on for this article.

$750–$1,300: match-ready factory rifles

CZ 457 Varmint MTR ($999 CZ-USA): match chamber, heavy barrel ^[15].
Bergara B-14R ($1,229): a Rem 700-footprint trainer with AICS-pattern mags. It takes Rem 700 stocks, bases and triggers ^[16].
Sako Finnfire II (~$789 dealer price, .22 LR): 22 in cold hammer-forged barrel, 5-round mag ^[17]. We found no US MSRP.
Tikka T1x UPR ($1,319 MSRP in retailer listings): factory adjustable stock ^[18].

$1,300 and up: high-end references

Anschutz 64 MP R (retailer prices $1,499–$1,649; no US MSRP confirmed) ^[19], and the 1761: $2,495–$2,995 at Anschutz North America, e.g. the 1761 AV threaded 18 in at $2,595 and 6.17 lb ^[20].
Vudoo V-22 Gen II: $2,290 at one retailer; Rem 700 footprint ^[21].
Zermatt RimX: $1,150 action only with a 10-round mag; barreled actions run about $1,955 ^[22]. One owner pairs a RimX trainer with a Zermatt Bighorn centerfire ^[23].

These are Open-division rifles for NRL22, because their MSRP leaves little or nothing for a scope under the $1,650 Base cap ^[24].

Used and discontinued

CZ 455: discontinued in 2018, replaced by the 457 ^[25]. Shares the swappable-barrel concept; check 457 barrel fit before buying parts.
Marlin XT-22 and other bolt rimfires: Marlin's site says the XT series is not in production ^[26]. Used rifles can be bargains. Inspect them with our used-rifle checklist.

What about the CZ 600?

The CZ 600 is a centerfire platform. It shares some accessories with the 457 (for example a 457/600 cheek rest ^[27]), but not the action or controls. Unlike the T1x/T3x or B-14R/Rem 700, it isn't a direct rimfire twin.

Best pick by use

Use	Pick	Runner-up
Cheapest NRL22 starter	Savage Mark II FV-SR	Ruger American Rimfire
Trainer for a Tikka	Tikka T1x	—
Trainer for a Rem 700-pattern rifle	Bergara B-14R	Vudoo / RimX (high end)
Trainer for a Ruger Precision Rifle	Ruger Precision Rimfire	—
Most upgradeable	CZ 457	Tikka T1x
Youth	CZ 457 Scout	Henry Mini Bolt
Classic sporter	Sako Finnfire II	CZ 457 American

Add a scope and essentials

Scopes: Vortex Crossfire II Rimfire ($129), Athlon Argos BTR Gen2 ($288.99), Vortex Diamondback Tactical 6-24x50 ($449).
Ammo: CCI SV, SK Rifle Match, Lapua Center-X.
Support: Harris S-LM, Magpul MS1.

Head-to-heads: T1x vs CZ 457 vs Bergara vs RAR · Savage vs Ruger American · T1x vs 10/22 · CZ 457 vs 10/22 · budget builds.

FAQ

What is the best .22 bolt-action rifle for the money?

On published specs, the Savage Mark II FV-SR ($329 MSRP) offers the most for the money: heavy threaded barrel, AccuTrigger and an included rail. The CZ 457 and Tikka T1x cost more but have bigger precision aftermarkets.

What is the best .22 bolt action under $500?

Savage Mark II FV-SR ($329) or B22 FV-SR ($409). The Ruger American Rimfire 8305 is $509 MSRP but often sells under $500.

What is the best precision .22 rifle?

Among factory rifles, the CZ 457 MTR, Tikka T1x, Bergara B-14R and Anschutz 1761 are common choices. Vudoo and Zermatt RimX are high-end custom-style options.

Which .22 is the best trainer for a centerfire rifle?

Match the platform: T1x for Tikka T3x, B-14R or Vudoo/RimX for Rem 700-pattern rifles, Ruger Precision Rimfire for the Ruger Precision Rifle.

Sources

Confidence: maker specs and prices are high confidence as of the date seen; forum and owner reports are low–medium confidence and labeled as such.

Not affiliated with Sako/Tikka, CZ, Bergara, Ruger, Savage or any retailer. We have not tested products hands-on for these guides; figures come from cited sources. Affiliate disclosure · Privacy · Terms · Rimfire Builds is operated by Tomahawk Designs LLC, Utah · contact@rimfirebuilds.com