

Last Updated August 23rd 2025
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Best 22LR Rifles at a Glance
After decades at the top, the Ruger 10/22 is still the best 22LR rifle on sale and America’s favorite rifle. But there are others you should see too.
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Ruger 10/22 |
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Savage Mk2 |
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Winchester Wildcat |
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Smith & Wesson M&P 15 22 |
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Henry Repeating Arms 22LR |
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Intro
We don’t give much thought to the best 22LR rifles on the market, because we tend to like bigger and sexier guns. Yes, we’re childish…
But the truth is that most novice shooters start out with a 22LR rifle, because it’s the cheapest training you can buy. By the time you have plinked through 1000 rounds of 22LR ammo, a cheap .22 LR will have paid for itself.
You also don’t need an AR-15 for every hunt and it will make a big mess of a squirrel. So if you’re hunting varmints, rabbits, squirrels, possums and all that jazz, then the 22LR rifles can be awesome.
So what are the top gun deals and the best 22LR rifles? Here are our picks.
The Best 22LR Rifles in 2025


1. Ruger 10/22 Autoloading Rifle
- Price: $289.99
- Action: Semi-auto rifle
- Barrel Length: 18.5″
- Total Length: 37″
- Weight: 5lb
- Capacity: 10+1
Overall Winner – America’s favorite rifle
Price | Accuracy | Capacity | Weight | Prestige |
3/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 2/5 |
We can’t deny the Ruger its rightful place at the top of the 22 LR list. This is America’s favorite rifle and has been basically forever.
Although anything other than the base versions of these semi-auto rifles are getting eye wateringly expensive these days.
Sturm, Ruger & co introduced the semi auto rimfire Ruger 10/22 carbine in 1964 and it is now one of the most famous rifles of all time. It’s a semi-automatic rifle with a rotary magazine and it’s basic design that has been replicated time and again by the competition – and yet the Ruger still outsells them.
It weighs just 5lb, is a brilliant design and Sturm Ruger has sold millions of these for a reason.
If you get deep into 22LR shooting then you can upgrade to the Ruger Precision Rifle with much more adjustability, and less portability. That could be your gateway drug into the world of long range shooting and target shooting with a Ruger Precision rifle.
Check out more Ruger rifles here.
Aftermarket Mags For Big Capacity
The rotary magazine holds a solid 10+1, but you can get an aftermarket add-on Ruger mag that takes 25+1 rounds. That is a seriously extended magazine.
The classic Ruger 10/22 takedown means you can split your trusty rifle apart and stow it in a backpack, without thinking if it will go back together. When the apocalypse comes, apparently that’s going to be the difference between life and death.
If you’re looking for something a little more radical, we love the rimfire Ruger 10/22 Tactical, b ut the base version is an extremely accurate rifle.


2. Savage Mark II FSS
- Price: $244.99
- Action: Bolt action rifle
- Barrel: 20 inch barrel
- Total Length: 39.75 inch
- Weight: 6lb
- Capacity: 10+1
Low Budget Winner
Price | Accuracy | Capacity | Weight | Prestige |
5/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 3.5/5 | 2/5 |
Do you just want a cheap rifle? If you just want to start shooting, or maybe you want a great 22LR bolt action for a child, then the Savage Mark II FSS bolt action rimfire rifle is pretty much perfect.
The Savage Mk2 FV bolt action 22LR rifle is a great little gun with a button-rifled, heavy carbon stainless steel reinforced barrel for surprising long range shooting accuracy in this price range.
The AccuTrigger system also protects against accidental discharges and offers a crisp and clean break. There’s a rugged,polymer stock, detachable magazine and not much else apart from that, and it comes in matte green, matte black and other functional colors.
These bolt action rimfire rifles are easy to strip and it’s an extremely accurate rifle. They’re not the last word in precision rimfire rifles, but they are great value and a solid pest control rifle
In short, these are some of the best 22lr rifles on the market.
We almost included the Savage Rascal, a simple one shot wonder that is ideal for newbies and kids. And maybe one day that Savage Rascal will make it into this list. But not today.


3. Winchester Wildcat
- Price: $299.99+
- Action: Semi automatic
- Barrel: 18 inch
- Weight: 4lb
- Capacity: 10+1
Our Favorite Lightweight Rifle
Price | Accuracy | Capacity | Weight | Prestige |
3/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 2/5 |
The Winchester Wildcat Sporter often gets overlooked in the best of lists, and that’s a shame, because these semi-automatic rifles are a lot of fun to shoot.
It’s a smart design, with an ambidextrous skeletonized stock, partial Picatinny rail for scopes & optics. Fully adjustable ghost ring rear sight and fiber optic front sight come fitted as standard and you’ve got all the options you could want.
This lightweight rifle is great for small game hunting, and it’s an excellent choice for the gun range too.
The Winchester Model 22 Long Rifle is well made, clever and won’t break the bank. It’s a perfect starter rifle and it’s suppressor ready.


4. Tikka T1X
- Price: $649.99+
- Action: Bolt action 22LR rifle
- Barrel: 16″
- Weight: 6.4lb
- Capacity: 10+1
Our High End Choice
Price | Accuracy | Capacity | Weight | Prestige |
2/5 | 4.5/5 | 3/5 | 3.5/5 | 4/5 |
The Tikka T1x MTR is a high quality bolt action rifle that would have won if it was just a little cheaper. Still, these are some of the best 22 rifles money can buy.
We love the T3x and that’s a star in our 308 rifles list, and plenty of others to be honest. The Tikka T1x MTR bolt action 22 rifle follows basically the same format with a synthetic stock, super accurate barrel and a great trigger.
We love the Tikka I1x. If you have the money to spend then this is probably the one you want for target shooting, precision shooting, small game hunting and the outdoor life. Inevitably you get match grade accuracy, and Tikka has a wealth of options to boost your match-grade performance to the next level.
It’s fun to shoot and a high quality rifle for hunting small game and target shooting. They’re some of the best precision rimfire rifles out there.

5. Smith & Wesson M&P 15 22 Sport
- Price: $449.99
- Action: Semi Automatic Rifle
- Barrel: 16″
- Total Length: 33.75″
- Weight: 5.5lb
- Capacity: 25+1
Top AR Style Rifle
Price | Accuracy | Capacity | Weight | Prestige |
2/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 3.5/5 |
We like the AR look and feel of the S&W M&P 15 22 Sport semi auto rimfire. It’s a perfect training gun for shooting sports and more serious stuff, and it feels just like a bigger AR-15 until you pull the trigger.
Even the two-stage trigger is designed to mimic the heavier AR-15 rifle with a two-pound pull and a 5lb break. That’s good for drills and run and gun target practice. New shooters need to spend time with one of these.
You get proper iron sights to practise with and the rear sight folds down, so you can run itwith red dot sights or an optic. This semi automatic rifle gets top rated reviews everywhere and is the best gun here if you want an AR-style rifle.
The S&W M&P15 22 Sport semi automatic rifle is a surprisingly good substitute for an AR-15 in your hands, even though the barrel is 18 inches.
The detachable magazine holds 25 rounds, plus one in the chamber, so you can fire off the shots if you’re after a fast-moving critter. With the threaded barrel, you can run a suppressor on the Smith & Wesson for the full Commando vibe. You might be doing pest control, rather than rescue missions, but that’s fine too.
Long Range Accuracy Favors the Bolt
I you want
Is this the top AR-22 rifle you can buy? At this price, we think the S&W M&P15 22 Sport has to be one of them. Certainly, it could be the leading tactical 22 in the United States. If that’s even a thing…


6. Chiappa Little Badger
- Price: $220.99+
- Action: Break Action
- Barrel: 16″
- Weight: 2.9lb
- Capacity: 1
Best Survival Rifle
Price | Accuracy | Capacity | Weight | Prestige |
4/5 | 3/5 | 0.5/5 | 3.5/5 | 2/5 |
The Chiappa Little Badger is a brilliant survival rifle that folds and fits comfortably into a backpack, which is super cool.
OK so this break action Chiappa Little Badger is a single shot rifle, but there are all kinds of times when a simple, lightweight gun that fits into a bag and takes almost no space could come in handy. It’s marketed as a survival rifle, and in many ways its smarter than the classic Henry Survival Rifle that we all know and love.
So, if you’re looking for the best survival rifle, Chiappa Little Badger could be the answer. The compact Chiappa Little Badger folds at the break action, it all comes apart and fits in a tube no bigger than a long Thermos and you get a handguard made entirely of Picatinny rail and pretty much every part of the rifle is dual purpose or just gone.
It weighs just 2.9lb and the relatively idiot-proof approach of a single-shot rifle means its ideal for young shooters, new shooters or casual shooters that like to hike and occasionally pick off a critter.


7. Bergara BMR
- Price: $526.99+
- Action: Bolt Action
- Barrel length: 18 inch
- Weight: 5.5lb
- Capacity: 5+1
Price | Accuracy | Capacity | Weight | Prestige |
3/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 |
The Bergara BMR is a line of rifles, not just this one. This is essentially the base model in a line that gets seriously complex, advanced and specialist.
If you want to get into competition shooting without going too hard, and you want a general purpose rifle, then this one fits in to the base class of the NRL22 series and you can also use it for small game and general plinking.
While it looks like a basic rifle, the Bergara BMR gives you match-grade accuracy. You can opt for an 18 or 20 inch barrel, and choose a threaded barrel for a suppressor. You can even go for a carbon barrel if you want to spend serious money on the best 22 rifles.
The stock has removeable spacers for an adjustable length of pull, and the Bergara Performance Trigger is an adjustable trigger with an external screw that means you can fix it on the fly without any gunsmithing tools. These are serious precision rimfire rifles at an affordable price point, and we like them a lot.


8. Henry Repeating Arms Lever-Action Rifles
- Price: $399.99
- Barrel length: 16.125″
- Total: 34″
- Weight: 4.5lb
- Capacity: 12+1
Price | Accuracy | Capacity | Weight | Prestige |
2/5 | 2.5/5 | 3/5 | 2.5/5 | 3/5 |
Live out your Wild West fantasies with dirt cheap ammunition and the best lever action rifle for sale that will just put a smile on your face every time you pop that large-loop lever.
Henry Repeating Arms lever actions are a fun gun, with an
This 22LR rifle weighs in at 4.5lb, you get 12 rounds between reloads and you’ll feel like a low budget Clint Eastwood with 22LR ammo.
There aren’t many true legends here, but the Henry lever action rifle is one of them. It’s not the most accurate here for target practice, it won’t be the most tactical, but you will love it. And really, that’s all that matters at the end of the day.
You can spend more on Henry Golden Boy lever action rifles and they are beautiful, but also very expensive. Have a look at the high quality Henry Golden Boy lever action rifles here.


9. Ruger American Rimfire
- Price: $387.99+
- Barrel: 16 inch
- Weight: 4lb
- Capacity: 10+1
Best Lightweight Rifle
Price | Accuracy | Capacity | Weight | Prestige |
3/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 2/5 |
The Ruger American Rimfire is a classic 22LR rifle that offers interchangeable stock modules that provide an adjustable length of pull and an adjustable cheek riser.
So the high quality Ruger American Rimfire goes the extra mile compared to the Ruger 10/22 Carbine, and it’s worth a little more money. For instance, that’s a cold hammer forged barrel and you’ll feel the difference there when you’re attempting precision shooting.
At this affordable price point, these are some of the best 22 lr rifles.
The Ruger American Rimfire is just the start. The Ruger American line covers basically every caliber and this gun has won a lot of fans thanks to its simplicity, affordability and reliability. Of course if you want something much more clever, a full on sniper rifle, then you can opt for the Ruger Precision Rifle in 22LR as well.
But if you want a general 22lr rifle for hunting small game, plinking and basic target shooting, then start with the Ruger American Rimfire. They really are some of the best 22 rifles out there.


10. Keystone Sporting Arms Crickett Youth
- Price: $118.99
- Barrel length: 16.125″
- Total: 34″
- Weight: 3lb
- Capacity: 1
Price | Accuracy | Capacity | Weight | Prestige |
3/5 | 2.5/5 | 1/5 | 3.5/5 | 1/5 |
This 22LR rifle is aimed at new shooters and kids, in a good way…
A single shot rifle keeps things simple, so easily distracted people with a limited attention span and poor impulse control can learn to shoot in the safest possible way. A relatively heavy 5lb trigger pull provides an extra degree of safety and they in at an affordable price point.
Now the single shot Crickett Youth is just a starter rifle to get people comfortable with the shooting experience. Then they move on to other 22lr rifles, but they’ll never forget their first target practice with the Keystone Sporting Arms Crickett Youth.
Great Starter Guns
The unique skillset, low cost of entry and accessibility means it’s a popular starter rifle. It also means there’s a booming industry supplying the 22LR rifle specialist hunters with 22 LR suppressors, game calls, knives, tools and other specialist equipment aimed at the backyard hunter.
Rimfire ammunition has evolved, too, to create a pretty badass hollow point selection and different types of 22LR ammo.
When big game is squirrel hunting, you can have fun dressed in wild camo on the porch, eating Hot Pockets with the best 22 LR rifle and your adjustable trigger pull. Also, firing hundreds of rounds won’t cost the Earth.
You could also buy a single action Ruger Mark IV for buttons and get going with a 22 pistol to match your 22LR rifle. Again there are serious competition shooting & small game hunting pistols.
But where do you go for 22 LR rifles, parts, accessories and upgrades? Fix your 22LR rimfire rifle here.
What About a Concealed Carry Pistol?
If you’re looking for a CCW handgun and local gun laws allow it, then we got carry options for you too. Boy howdee…
The Springfield Armory Hellcat has taken the micro compact 9mm handgun ammo world by storm. That is our top tip and the Springfield Armory Hellcat with a red dot sight on top is the recipe for success.
Some people prefer an S&W M&P Shield, but the Springfield Armory Hellcat is a great option too. That, the Glock 43x and Sig P365 in all its forms are currently fighting for the top spot.
If you want to stick with 22LR handgun ammo. a Glock G44 is a great little pistol firing the same stuff as the best 22 LR Rifles/rimfire. But we would stress that 22LR is not strong enough for home defense.
Check these lists for a variety of the concealed carry handgun options before you buy a gun online.
- 9mm Sub-Compact Handguns for CCW, including S&W M&P
- Sub Compact 1911 45 ACP pistols For Sale.
- Micro-compact 9mm pistols on sale.
Where to Find Parts & Accessories
Here is our list of the best gun stores for parts, hunting gear, survival gear etc to go with your bolt action rifles, lever action rifle etc chambered in 22 Long Rifle.
- Sportsman’s Guide – Awesome hunting accessories for small, medium and big game hunters.
- Guns.com – Save money when buying a 22LR rifle with this online marketplace on guns, optics, scopes and ammo.
- Palmetto State Armory – Deals on the best 22 lr rifles, ammo and parts.
Hi Nick.what gun better gsg 16 or HK416.Thanks
For the money, and the fun, probably the GSG. It’s a nice little package, but you can’t go wrong with either one. That’s probably less helpful than it’s intended to be!
Nick, I am thinking about going into rimfire steel compitition but cant decide on my long gun. Im set with my pistol, so Im half way there. Any suggestions? Btw great article.
Thank you! And if you’re a beginner I’d stick with the classics. The Browning Buckmark if you want to spend a little more, or a Ruger 10/22 or Mossberg Plinkster if you’re doing it on a tight budget.
If you’re just starting out, inevitably there’s a lot more to come from you than the gun anyway. Always bear that in mind when you’re getting big ideas with your budget! But if you want to go nuts, Tactical Solutions seem to offer the most rifle this side of custom gun money. Hope that helps!
What is the rifle in the very first picture with the stainless steel barrel and synthetic stock semi auto with scope
It’s an old Tactical Solutions X-Ring rifle. The current line-up is here on their site. https://tacticalsol.com/Products.aspx?CAT=13297 I just liked that old picture and never wanted to change it. It’s a pretty great looking rifle!
CZ at 22? Your off by 21 on that call.