Best 22 LR Rifles: 17 Picks From Youth Guns to Competition

There isn’t one best .22 LR rifle, because a youth trainer, a general-purpose plinker, an AR-style trainer, and a precision competition rifle solve completely different problems. This guide covers seventeen rifles across those lanes with current street pricing, honest notes on what each does well, and who should skip it. New to the cartridge? Start with our complete .22 LR guide.

Best .22 LR Rifles: Quick Picks

What Matters in a .22 LR Rifle

The difference between a .22 that gets shot constantly and one that sits in the safe comes down to a handful of factors.

The Main Types of .22 LR Rifles

Before the individual reviews, here’s the map. Most .22 LR rifles fall into one of these general types, and understanding them makes it much easier to narrow the field.

• Youth and single-shot. Small, light, one round at a time. Built to teach fundamentals safely.
• General-purpose semi-auto. The default for most adults. Fast, fun, deep aftermarket.
• Traditional bolt-action. Slower and more deliberate, often with triggers and configurations aimed at hunting or precision shooting.
• AR-style trainer. Same controls as a centerfire AR at a fraction of the ammunition cost.
• Lever-action. Manual operation with more engagement than a bolt gun and real nostalgic appeal.
• Precision and competition. Match barrels, adjustable triggers, optics rails, and the features that decide matches.

Best .22 LR Rifles for Young Shooters (Ages 5–12)

Single-shot .22 rifles prioritize safety and deliberate shooting over speed. There’s no magazine to manage and no semi-auto cycling to explain — just load one round, aim carefully, break the shot cleanly. That’s exactly what builds good habits.

Savage Rascal — The Gold Standard for First Rifles

Around $146. Best for: Kids ages 5–10, first-time shooters of any age, and anyone teaching basic marksmanship fundamentals.

The Rascal isn’t just cheap and safe — it’s legitimately well-designed. That AccuTrigger is the same system Savage puts on centerfire rifles, adjustable from 2.5 to 6 pounds without gunsmithing. Most youth rifles ship with triggers north of 6 pounds. The Rascal lets a new shooter learn what a clean break feels like from day one.

The peep sight system forces proper sight alignment in a way that notch-and-post sights don’t. You can’t cheat it. The rifle weighs 2.7 pounds, making it easy for small shooters to handle safely, and the 11.25-inch length of pull fits kids who’d be swimming in a full-size stock.

Check the Savage Rascal at Guns.com →

Crickett Synthetic Single-Shot — The Cheapest Safe Entry

Around $123. Best for: Budget-conscious parents, youth shooting programs, grandparents buying a first rifle.

The Crickett strips everything back to basics: single-shot bolt action, synthetic stock, simple iron sights. No AccuTrigger, no peep sights, no fancy features. Just safe, deliberate, one-shot-at-a-time shooting at a price that won’t hurt if it gets dropped in the mud — and the synthetic stock handles that abuse better than wood.

It fits the same size kids as the Rascal. The trigger isn’t adjustable and runs heavier than ideal, but for families on a tight budget or programs buying several rifles at once, the Crickett delivers.

Check the Crickett Synthetic at Guns.com →

Henry Mini Bolt — Stainless Steel Durability

Around $285. Best for: Families in wet climates, kids learning in all-weather conditions, anyone who wants a youth rifle that’ll still look good in 20 years.

Henry built the Mini Bolt with a stainless steel barrel and receiver and a synthetic stock specifically for durability. This is the kind of rifle built for truck-bed duty, damp mornings, and rough outdoor use, where stainless construction and a synthetic stock make more sense than blued steel and wood. It uses a red fiber optic front and green fiber optic rear sight setup that helps young shooters acquire targets quickly — something standard black sights struggle with when a kid’s still figuring out sight picture.

At 3.25 pounds with a 16.25-inch barrel, it’s in the same size class as the Rascal and Crickett. The receiver comes drilled and tapped, so adding an optic later is straightforward. The extra money over a Crickett buys corrosion resistance and better sights.

Bottom line: If your kid’s rifle is going to live in a truck or get used in rough conditions, the stainless construction justifies the price. For indoor range use or careful storage, the Rascal costs $139 less and has the better trigger. Henry offers several stock finishes including camo patterns, so check which one a listing shows. Check the Henry Mini Bolt →

Crickett Gen 2 Model 722 — For Older Youth and Competition Prep

Around $340. Best for: Teens preparing for precision shooting, older youth (12+) with serious competition interest, families building a training rifle that bridges to adult precision guns.

The 722 breaks from typical youth rifles by focusing on precision rather than just safety and small size. The bull barrel, chassis, adjustable stock, and threaded muzzle mirror adult competition rifles. At around 6.5 pounds, it’s significantly heavier than other youth options — that’s intentional. The weight stabilizes the rifle for precision work.

This isn’t a first rifle for a seven-year-old. This is what you buy a thirteen-year-old who’s outgrown the Rascal and wants to learn long-range rimfire fundamentals before stepping up to centerfire precision.

Check the Crickett Gen 2 722 at Guns.com →

Chiappa Little Badger — Ultra-Light Survival Trainer

Around $250. Best for: Backpackers, survival kit builders, minimalists who want a packable .22, older teens interested in ultralight setups.

The Little Badger is weird and specific: a break-action single-shot with a wire skeleton stock that folds in half. At 2.9 pounds and 16.5 inches when folded, it stows in a backpack or behind a truck seat. The entire design prioritizes portability over comfort.

This isn’t a precision trainer or a comfortable plinker. It’s a packable .22 for situations where you need something that takes up minimal space. The wire stock is uncomfortable without padding, but you can add a cheek rest or wrap. The threaded barrel accommodates suppressors, which makes sense on a survival-focused rifle.

Bottom line: Buy this for packability and survival kit use, not for teaching kids to shoot. At $250 it costs more than a Rascal and does far less as a trainer. The wire stock and minimalist design serve one specific purpose — if that’s not your purpose, get almost any other rifle here instead. Check the Chiappa Little Badger →

Best .22 LR Rifles for Beginners & General Use

These rifles work for everyone, from confident teenagers to adults buying their first gun. They balance ease of use with enough capability to stay relevant as skills develop, and they cover the semi-auto, bolt-action, lever-action, and AR-trainer types.

Ruger 10/22 Carbine — The Default Choice for Good Reason

Around $276. Best for: First-time adult shooters, anyone wanting maximum customization options, people who value parts availability and long-term support.

The 10/22 is the Honda Civic of .22 rifles. It’s not the fanciest, fastest, or most accurate option, but it’s dependable, parts are everywhere, every gunsmith knows how to work on them, and the aftermarket is absurd. You can build a 10/22 into whatever you want — from a basic plinker to a precision trainer to a tactical trainer with rails and accessories.

The 10/22 has a long reputation for dependable operation, and its rotary magazine is designed for reliable feeding. As with any rimfire semi-auto, individual rifles can still show preferences for particular ammunition. At 5 pounds with an 18.5-inch barrel, it balances well for adults and older teens.

This matters when: You want a rifle you can modify over time rather than buying multiple guns. Start with the basic carbine, add a better trigger later, upgrade the stock when you want, swap barrels if you decide to suppress it. The 10/22 grows with you.

If you think you’ll eventually customize, buy a standard 10/22 first rather than an expensive tactical clone. The aftermarket exists precisely because the factory rifle is such a solid foundation.

Check the Ruger 10/22 Carbine →

Savage Mark II F — The Best Value in This Guide

Around $146. Best for: Shooters who want bolt-action precision without premium pricing, small game hunters, and anyone prioritizing accuracy over speed.

The Mark II F delivers Savage’s AccuTrigger at a price that undercuts everything else here. That trigger adjusts from 2.5 to 6 pounds without tools or gunsmithing — something you’d normally pay considerably more for. The bolt action forces deliberate shooting, which is exactly what builds good fundamentals.

At 5.5 pounds with a 21-inch barrel, it’s light enough for extended carry while hunting but heavy enough to stay stable for target work. The detachable 10-round magazine combines bolt-action precision with reasonably fast reloads.

Check the Savage Mark II F →

Henry Classic Lever Action .22 — For People Who Actually Like Shooting

Around $344. Best for: Shooters who value manual operation, anyone who finds semi-autos boring, people introducing kids to lever guns before buying a .30-30.

Henry’s lever action is smooth in a way that’s hard to describe until you run one. The action cycles cleanly, the walnut stock feels substantial, and the whole experience is more engaging than mag-dumping a semi-auto. You can run .22 Short, .22 Long, and .22 LR interchangeably through the tube magazine without adjustment.

The 15-round tube capacity for .22 LR keeps you shooting without constant reloads, while the lever action maintains that deliberate rhythm that helps with fundamentals. At 5.5 pounds and 18.25 inches of barrel, it balances beautifully.

Check the Henry Classic Lever →

Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 Sport — The Polymer AR Trainer

Around $455. Best for: AR-15 owners who want cheap trigger time, new shooters learning tactical shooting fundamentals, anyone building muscle memory for AR controls.

The 15-22 replicates AR-15 controls: same safety selector, same magazine release, same charging handle operation, same bolt catch. You’re building the same muscle memory as a centerfire AR while shooting far cheaper ammunition. For tactical training, competition prep, or understanding how ARs work before buying a real one, it’s purpose-built.

At 4.6 pounds, it’s noticeably lighter than a loaded AR-15, but the controls are what matter. The standard 25-round magazines provide plenty of capacity for training and plinking, while the polymer construction keeps the rifle relatively light.

Check the M&P 15-22 Sport →

Tippmann M4-22 — The Better AR Trainer at Current Pricing

Around $460. Best for: Anyone training for AR-15 proficiency, shooters building a suppressor-ready .22 AR, people who want realistic weight and feel.

The Tippmann M4-22 delivers what the M&P 15-22 doesn’t: full aluminum upper and lower receivers that feel like a real AR-15. At 6 pounds it has weight and balance closer to a centerfire AR, which makes malfunction drills and manipulation training more realistic. The threaded barrel comes standard, and it accepts most AR-15 furniture and accessories.

Historically, this cost meaningfully more than the polymer competition, and the advice was to save the money unless realism mattered. That’s no longer the tradeoff — at roughly $5 apart, you’re getting aluminum construction, more realistic weight, and factory threading for essentially the same outlay.

Check the Tippmann M4-22 →

Marlin Model 60 — Classic Semi-Auto (Used Market Only)

Best for: Buyers shopping used guns, anyone who inherited a Model 60, people who want simple tube-fed reliability.

The Model 60 was discontinued after Remington’s bankruptcy and Ruger’s acquisition of the Marlin assets. Ruger said in 2025 that it had no near-term plan for the Model 60 and that the rifle was not part of Marlin’s current product roadmap, so buyers should treat it as a used-market rifle unless that changes. Over 11 million were built during the model’s 60-year run, so they’re common used and parts remain available through third-party suppliers.

The tube magazine holds 14 rounds of .22 LR, and Marlin’s Micro-Groove rifling built a strong accuracy reputation relative to the rifle’s price. The Monte Carlo stock fits many shooters comfortably, and the simple blowback design helped make the Model 60 one of the most widely owned rimfire rifles of its era.

Browse used Marlin Model 60 listings at Guns.com → Because the Model 60 is discontinued, this links to current used listings rather than a single gun, and pricing varies widely by condition and variant.

Best .22 LR Rifles for Precision & Competition

These rifles are purpose-built for accuracy. Expect match-grade triggers, quality barrels, and features that support serious marksmanship development.

Savage Mark II FV-SR — The Precision Value Pick

Around $260. Best for: Shooters planning to suppress, precision enthusiasts on a budget, anyone wanting a heavy barrel for benchrest work.

The FV-SR takes the Mark II platform and adds a heavy fluted barrel threaded 1/2×28 for suppressors or muzzle devices. The heavier barrel adds thermal mass during longer strings and puts more weight into the rifle, which can help provide a steadier setup from a bench or supported position.

This is the clearest value in the precision section by a wide margin. At around $260, it costs slightly less than the basic 10/22 Carbine featured in this guide while adding an adjustable trigger, heavy barrel, and factory-threaded muzzle aimed more directly at precision and suppressed use.

The 16.5-inch barrel is shorter than typical precision rifles, but the heavy profile and fluting keep the package manageable, which matters more once a suppressor is hanging off the end.

Check the Savage Mark II FV-SR →

Ruger American Compact Rimfire — For 10/22 Magazine Owners

Around $373. Best for: Shooters already invested in 10/22 magazines, hunters wanting lightweight bolt-action precision in a compact package.

The American Rimfire brings Ruger’s centerfire-rifle design ideas to .22 LR, including the adjustable Marksman trigger and compatibility with Ruger 10/22 rotary magazines. The compact version shortens the overall package for easier field handling.

You also get interchangeable stock modules for scope or iron sight use, and Ruger’s PowerBedding system integrating the action and stock.

Check the Ruger American Compact Rimfire →

Bergara BMR — Competition-Ready Rimfire Value

Around $532. Best for: NRL22 and precision-rimfire competitors, shooters who want a factory 30 MOA rail, and buyers who value Remington 700-style trigger compatibility.

The BMR uses Bergara’s compact Micro Action and ships with a factory 30 MOA Picatinny rail for longer-range optics setups. Its Bergara Performance Trigger can also be replaced with aftermarket trigger assemblies using the Remington 700-style trigger system, giving precision shooters meaningful upgrade options without turning the rifle into a full custom build. You can choose steel or carbon fiber barrels depending on weight and budget.

Check the Bergara BMR →

CZ 457 — The Modular Precision Standard

Around $554. Best for: Shooters serious about precision rimfire, NRL22 competitors, anyone building a rifle platform for the long term.

The CZ 457 isn’t a single rifle — it’s a modular system. The action, barrel, and stock are all interchangeable, which means you can start with a basic model and upgrade components as your skills and budget allow. The CZ 457 has built a strong reputation for precision with quality ammunition, while its adjustable trigger and modular barrel system give shooters room to develop the platform over time.

The 457’s fit, action feel, adjustable trigger, and modular design are a noticeable step up from basic entry-level rimfires, which is a major part of the platform’s appeal to serious shooters.

How the modularity plays out: Buy the base rifle. Shoot it for a year in local matches. Decide you want a heavier varmint barrel for benchrest — swap barrels. Later decide the factory stock isn’t cutting it — swap to a chassis. You end up with a rifle built exactly to your specs, bought in pieces as your skills developed rather than all at once.

Check the CZ 457 →

If you want the heavy varmint profile specifically, the CZ 457 Varmint in right-hand configuration runs around $800. That’s $246 above the base rifle for the heavier barrel — worth it if benchrest work is the plan, harder to justify otherwise given that the base action accepts barrel swaps later.

Tikka T1x MTR — Centerfire Quality in Rimfire

Around $649. Best for: Shooters who want their .22 to match their centerfire Tikka, precision enthusiasts who value smoothness, anyone building a training analog to a T3x.

The T1x brings Tikka’s reputation for smooth actions and quality machining to .22 LR. The cold hammer-forged barrel and stainless steel bolt are built for longevity, while the modular synthetic stock accepts T3x accessories — which matters if you’re already invested in the Tikka ecosystem.

Smooth bolt operation is one of the characteristics for which the Tikka platform has built its reputation, and the T1x is designed to give rimfire shooters a training experience closely related to the company’s centerfire rifles. You’re paying for refinement and the Tikka name, but you’re getting a rifle that feels like a scaled-down centerfire precision gun.

Bottom line: If you own or plan to own a Tikka T3x centerfire rifle, the T1x gives you matched training at a fraction of centerfire ammo costs, and the stock compatibility means near-identical ergonomics. If you’re not already in the Tikka ecosystem, the CZ 457 offers more modularity for $95 less, and the Bergara offers more competition readiness for $117 less. Check the Tikka T1x MTR →

The Field Compared Side by Side

If We Were Choosing a .22 LR Rifle Today

Now that you’ve seen the whole field, here’s how the decision actually shakes out.

Best .22 LR Rifles by Budget

What a .22 LR Rifle Actually Costs to Own

The rifle is only part of getting set up, though .22 LR remains the cheapest serious shooting available. Budget for:

• The rifle. Ranging from about $123 to $800 in this guide.
• An optic. Most .22 rifles benefit enormously from a scope or red dot, and a poor optic wastes a good rifle. Our .22 LR scopes guide covers the range.
• Rings and a base or rail, if the rifle doesn’t include one. Easy to forget until the scope arrives.
• Spare magazines. Inexpensive for a 10/22, more costly and harder to find for proprietary systems. Check before you commit to a platform.
• Ammunition. The recurring cost, and the reason people buy .22 in the first place.
• Eye and ear protection. Non-negotiable, even with a quiet cartridge.
• A case for transport and storage.
• Cleaning supplies. .22 LR ammunition can leave substantial powder, lubricant, and lead residue, particularly in frequently fired semi-autos, so basic cleaning supplies are worth having.
• Range fees, if you don’t have private land.
• Optional: a suppressor. If that’s the plan, buy a threaded barrel from the start and read our .22 suppressors guide. The federal transfer tax is now $0, but suppressors remain regulated under the NFA and the Form 4 approval process still applies.

Common .22 LR Rifle Buying Mistakes

Accessories & Maintenance

The rifle is just the foundation. A few things improve the experience considerably.

Optics

Entry-level scopes: The Vortex Crossfire II is the standard answer at this price point, with a rimfire-specific model whose reticle is built around .22 LR trajectory. Our Vortex Crossfire II review covers it in detail.

Red dot sights: Faster target acquisition than traditional scopes, especially for young shooters who struggle with eye relief and parallax. Good for plinking where precision beyond 50 yards isn’t required.

For the full picture, our complete .22 LR scopes guide covers everything from budget red dots to competition-grade optics.

Support Equipment

Shooting rests: A Caldwell DeadShot front and rear rest set provides stable support for sighting in and shooting groups. Front and rear bags together let you achieve repeatable positions that show what the rifle is actually capable of — which matters enormously when you’re testing ammunition.

Slings: A quality sling enables proper carrying and shooting positions while teaching responsible rifle handling. Look for adjustable length and quick-detach swivels.

Ammunition storage: An MTM Case-Gard 100-round .22 LR flip-top box keeps rounds organized by brand and lot. When you’re testing ammunition for accuracy, tracking which lot shoots best in your rifle matters more than you’d expect.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Complete cleaning kits: The Hoppe’s Deluxe 62-piece kit includes brushes, patches, rods, solvent, and oil in a universal set covering pistols, rifles, and shotguns. For something .22-specific, the Clenzoil .22 cal kit is a tidier option if the .22 is your only gun.

Quick field cleaning: A Hoppe’s BoreSnake provides a convenient way to pull a cleaning surface through the bore without full disassembly — just make sure you order the .22-caliber version, since they’re bore-specific.

Maintenance Schedule

• After shooting: Check the rifle for obvious fouling, moisture, damage, or loose hardware and wipe down exposed metal as appropriate.
• As fouling accumulates: Clean the bore and action according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Semi-auto .22s often accumulate significant residue because rimfire ammunition can be dirty.
• If reliability changes: A sudden increase in feeding, extraction, or ignition problems is a good reason to inspect the chamber, action, magazine, extractor, and ammunition.
• Before long-term storage: Follow the manufacturer’s storage recommendations and protect exposed metal from corrosion.

Always follow the cleaning and lubrication instructions for your specific rifle rather than relying on a universal round-count schedule.

Questions People Ask About .22 LR Rifles

The Bottom Line

There’s no single best .22 LR rifle, because the categories solve genuinely different problems. For most buyers the answer is the Ruger 10/22 at around $276 — dependable, endlessly modifiable, and easy to sell if you change your mind.

But the value story of this guide is the Savage Mark II F at around $146, and the Mark II FV-SR at $260 if you want a threaded heavy barrel. Both cost less than a base 10/22 Carbine while offering features aimed more directly at deliberate, accuracy-focused shooting.

Teaching a kid, the Savage Rascal. Building a precision platform, the CZ 457. Training for an AR, the Tippmann M4-22. Competing, the Bergara BMR.

Whichever lane you’re in, buy the rifle that fits the job and spend the rest on ammunition. Volume is what builds skill, and cheap volume is the whole reason this cartridge exists.

Continue Your Research

Authority reference: firearm laws vary considerably by state and locality — see the ATF’s State Laws and Published Ordinances compilation before purchasing or transporting a rifle.