Last Updated September 10th 2023

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Winners 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.

Image	Product	Detail	Price
	Ruger 10/22	Overall Winner	Price
	Savage Mk2	Best cheap rifle	Price
	Winchester Wildcat	Best Lightweight Rifle	Price
	Smith & Wesson M&P 15 22	Best AR Style	Price
	Henry Repeating Arms 22LR	Best Lever Action Rifle	Price

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 and we like gunporn. 

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 22LR rifles can be the best option. 

Rats? Get the Best 22LR Rifles, or a Cat…

If you have got rats and want to get rid of them the old-school way, then this could work.  Well, you could go full tactical on them with the very best 22 handguns for sale. Alternatively, I’m told cats work well.

But that’s your call. If you go full silent assassin with two suppressed pistols, it could be a messed up kind of firearms fun…

Massive Variety on Sale

You can have an old-school Henry AR-7 Survival Rifle, a Henry Golden Boy Wild West lever or a cutting edge Tactical Solutions with a threaded barrel that is suppressor ready. You can even have an AR-style semi-automatic.

So what are the top gun deals and the best 22LR rifles? Here are our picks.  

The Best 22LR Rifle in 2023

1. Ruger 10/22 Autoloading Rifle

• Price: $289.99
• Action: Semi-auto
• Barrel Length: 18.5″
• Total Length: 37″
• Weight: 5lb
• Capacity: 10+1

Overall Winner – America’s favorite rifle

Price: 3/5 Accuracy: 3/5 Capacity: 4/5 Accuracy: 4/5 Prestige: 2/5

We can’t deny the best selling 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 and one of the best-sellers.

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 Rimfire with much more adjustability, and less portability. That could be your gateway drug into the world of long range target shooting and competition shooting.

Check out more of the best 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 and one-piece has evolved into a model line, too. Choose from tactical, backpacker Ruger 10/22 takedown and even a sniper. The Ruger 10/22 Takedown is very popular with campers who love a little small game hunting.

Now the engineering has improved to the point 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 22 Long Rifle that is that bit more modern and radical than the Ruger 10/22 Takedown or the Ruger 10/22 Carbine, then we do love the rimfire Ruger 10/22 Tactical . It’s cheap. fun and it’s basically the same underneath. There are a wide variety of 10/22 long rifles, inevitably.

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

Best Low Budget Rifle

Price: 5/5 Accuracy: 3/5 Capacity: 4/5 Accuracy: 4/5 Prestige: 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 rifle 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 steel reinforced barrel for a surprising long range accuracy in this price range.

The AccuTrigger system also protects against accidental discharges and also offers a crisp and clean break on this bolt action rifle. There’s a rugged,polymer stock and not much else apart from that and it comes in matte green, matte black and other functional colors.

But at this price, seriously, what more did you want? These American bolt action rimfire rifles are extremely accurate and easy to strip. Again, it’s all there…

Also there’s the Savage 64 Precision rifle to consider, which is very similar in terms of the price pint but with a few key features that mark them apart.

You can spend a little more on the Savage Rascal single shot bolt action rifle, which is set up for precision shooting with a rail to mount scopes & optics. Unlike popular break action single shot rifles, the Savage Rascal is a bolt action rifle, that you can load the next round of 22 Long Rifle ammo by lifting the bolt.

3. Winchester Wildcat

• Price: $299.99+
• Barrel: 18 inch
• Weight: 4lb
• Capacity: 10+1

Best Lightweight Rifle

Price: 3/5 Accuracy: 3/5 Capacity: 4/5 Accuracy: 3/5 Prestige: 2/5

The Winchester Wildcat often gets overlooked in the best of lists, and that’s a shame, because these bolt action rifles are a lot of fun to shoot.

It’s a smart design, with an ambidextrous skeletonized stock, partial rail for scopes/optics and fully adjustable ghost ring rear sight and fiber optic front sight give you all the options you need.

This lightweight rifle is great for hunting small game and it’s an excellent choice for range shooting at the gun range too.

The Winchester Model 22 Long Rifle is well made, clever and won’t break the bank at this affordable price point. You need one of these 22 long rifles…

4. Rossi Rio Bravo 22 LR Lever Action

• Price: $289.99+
• Barrel: 16″
• Total Length: 33.75″
• Weight: 5.5lb
• Capacity: 15+1

Best Lever Action

Price: 3/5 Accuracy: 3/5 Capacity: 4/5 Accuracy: 3/5 Prestige: 2/5

The Rossi is a high quality lever action rifle that won’t break the bank.

So if you’re looking for your first rimfire rifles and you want a cheap option, then the Rossi is an excellent choice.

Lever actions are just fun, but there’s no need to spend the Earth if you’re just going plinking with rimfire ammo from time to time.

The Rossi RS22 22LR semi auto rimfire rifle is another cheap 22 rimfire that is fast gaining a reputation. Essentially it’s based on the Ruger 10/22 classic layout with a big box magazine holding 10 rounds. That counts when you’re range shooting.

It’s a cheap rifle, but the Rossi RS22 is also a good rifle. Click here to buy one of these top rated 22LR semi automatic rifles.

5. Smith & Wesson M&P 15 22 Sport

• Price: $449.99
• Barrel: 16″
• Total Length: 33.75″
• Weight: 5.5lb
• Capacity: 25+1

Best AR Style Rifle

Price: 2/5 Accuracy: 3/5 Capacity: 5/5 Accuracy: 3/5 Prestige: 4/5

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 sorts and mor serious stuff, for that precise reason, and it’s not one you have to get used to. 

Treat it like an AR-15 and it will plink cheap ammo all day long.  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.

You even get proper iron sights to practise with and the rear sight folds down to fit red dot sights or an optic. As a practise tool, this might be the best gun here. This semi automatic rifle gets top rated reviews everywhere.

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 whole gun is 32.5 inches collapsed, or 37.5 inches fully extended. So the S&W M&P15 22 Sport is an AR-15 lite with 22LR ammunition.

The mag holds 25 rounds, plus one in the chamber, so you can fire off the shots if you’re after a fast-moving critter with these semi auto rimfire rifles and the adjustable sights.

Long Range Accuracy Favors the Bolt

The Smith and Wesson M&P15 22 Sport semi auto rimfire rifles aren’t accurate as some here, so if you want long range accuracy then you should go for something else with a bolt.

As a practice gun, though, running drills or simply plinking at the range to get your eye in, we think this M&P15 22 Sport is arguably the best 22 out there with an AR-15 layout. Before you get into high quality custom 22 rifles on this list and serious money.

Is this the best you can buy? At this price, we think the S&W M&P15 22 Sport semi auto rimfire has to be one of them. Certainly, it could be the best tactical 22 in the United States. If that’s even a thing…

6. Remington 597  

• Price: $179.99
• Barrel: 20″
• Total Length: 40″
• Weight: 5.5lb
• Capacity: 10+1

This Remington model is one of the great firearms and these bolt actions come with some neat touches. 

The 20 inch steel cold hammer forged barrel is great for velocity and accuracy and you also get twin guide rails that Remington says gives you better stability, reliability and long-range accuracy.  This autoloading 22 LR system is the greatest breakthough in 35 years, according to Remington. And well that makes it a fact…

It’s a 10-round weapon with a simple laminate stock and scope mounts that is a great starter gun, although it does weigh 5.5lb.  The matte black polymer stock is cheap, but then this is a great rifle you don’t need to coddle.

You can upgrade to something like a Christensen Arms Ranger later when you’re sure about sinking $700+ into a 22 Long Rifle.

7. Henry Repeating Arms Lever-Action Rifles

• Price: $399.99
• Barrel length: 16.125″
• Total: 34″
• Weight: 4.5lb
• Capacity: 12+1

Live out your Wild West fantasies with dirt cheap ammunition and an old-school lever gun 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, a bolt action rimfire rifle with old world walnut stock and furniture, veneer anyway, iron sights and the large loop lever-action rifles are surprisingly practical in the winter months when you’ve got gloves on.  

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 is one of them. It’s not the most accurate here, it won’t be the most tactical, but you will it. And really, that’s all that matters at the end of the day.

Henry also offer other options. You want something real different? How’s about a pump action 22 LR with adjustable sights?

We love the pump action 22 LR, if only for the novelty value. It’s more of a backyard plinker than a shooting range tool, but that’s fine too.

You can spend more on the Henry Repeating Arms Golden Boy lever action rifle and they are beautiful, but also very expensive. Have a look at the Henry Repeating Arms Golden Boy lever action rifles here.

• High end Henry rifle options here.

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 varitants, and small game hunting pistols too.

22 scopes are largely more popular than red dot sights, as the magnification helps when you’re trying to eye-shot a squirrel, which sounds slightly psychopathic when we see it in print and yet here we are. Game calls, camo clothing, suppressors and more sound nicer than squirrel murder…

But where are the best places for 22 LR rifles, parts, accessories and upgrades? Fix your 22LR rimfire rifle here.

What About the Best 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 ammo rather than get in to grown up handgun ammo. a Glock G44 is a great little pistol firing the same stuff as the best 22 LR Rifles/rimfire rifles. But we would stress that 22LR is not strong enough for home defense.

Check these lists for a variety of the best 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.
• The best Micro-compact 9mm pistols on sale.

Best Stores for 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.

1. Brownells – Great selection of range gear, 22LR ammo and an accessories shop.
2. Sportsman’s Guide – Awesome hunting accessories for small, medium and big game hunters. Lights, lasers and accessories too. Knives, tools, gun cleaning kits, outdoor cooking, pants, shorts, a rotary magazine, whatever you need. Great gift card scheme too.
3. Guns.com – Save money on your 22LR rifle with this online marketplace on guns, optics, scopes and ammo.
4. Palmetto State Armory – The best deals on 22 rifles, ammo and parts. Palmetto State Armory is one of the best gun stores online. Shop Palmetto State Armory now. Daily discounts and free shipping with the best accessories shop and gun cases.

Consider Air if Gun Laws Prohibit a 22LR

Air guns have come on in leaps and bounds. So if you can’t have 22 firearms, handguns, rifles etc, then check out pure air force. You can find 50 Cal air rifles that shoot arrows these days,

People use a wide range of BB guns for big game hunting, small game hunting, target shooting and even home defense, and black powder guns. I mean we wouldn’t recommend black powder honestly. But it happens around the world where Second Amendment rights aren’t really a thing.

These are firearms & rifles that won’t break the bank and shouldn’t break the law.

New York is one of those places that a BB gun is basically all you’re allowed. I mean New York gun laws aren’t quite that bad yet, but they are getting there. So if you live in New York, California, or a few other places, maybe consider moving to Texas?

But while you can, get a good 22lr rifle too, and look out for free shipping.