According to Cartridges of the World 17th Edition, the 22 Long Rifle was developed by the J. Stevens Arms & Tool Co. in 1887. The Peters Cartridge Co. is supposed to have first manufactured it, specifically for Stevens. The company’s 1888 catalog lists the Nos. 1, 2, 9 and 10 model break-open rifles as available in the new chambering with increased rifling twist. The New Model Pocket or Bicycle rifle also chambered it. The 1888 Marlin-Ballard catalog recommends the new 22 Long “Rifle” cartridge for its No. 3 Gallery rifle as being more accurate than the common 22 Long or Extra Long. In its current form, the 22 Long Rifle is the most popular match cartridge in existence, and it is also the most widely used small-game and varmint cartridge.
Gun Tests has evaluated many rifles chambered in 22 LR over the last few years, and we’ve often NOT liked some market favorites because we’re able to shoot several firearms side by side, which shows the deficiencies and strengths of each firearm. The list below includes bolt, lever, autoloader, and pump actions. The entries include the dates of the original review, but if they’re on this list, they’re worth looking for as used products, or if you’re lucky, overlooked NIB items stuffed into a dusty shelf somewhere.
With that in mind, we’ve compiled our Top 10 22 LR Rifles list below. We haven’t tested every rifle on the market, of course, so we’ll be interested to see which one is your favorite in the comments below. As always, prices reflect what we paid for the gun at the time of the test. Expect the prices of new or used guns to be different. — Todd Woodard
10 Henry U.S. Survival AR-7 Model 22 LR, $349 (January 2022)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The AR-7 is fun to shoot and packs up into a small, sealed package. The camo finish was starting to wear from multiple disassemblies. It ran flawlessly with different bullet weights and types.
9 Savage Model 64 Takedown22 LR, $212 (September 2020)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
Basically a Model 64 barrel and action attached to an abbreviated polymer stock.
8 Bergara BMR Carbon Model 22 LR, $650 (January 2024)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The BMR is super lightweight and had darn good accuracy off the bench. The stock was comfortable for adult-size shooters, and the action was slick.
7 Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 22 LR, $500 (March 2020)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 operated as we wanted and shot well. It won’t break the bank.
6 Henry Golden Boy Model H004 22 S/L/LR, $500 (February 2022)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The Golden Boy Henry shines. It is heavy and has a very smooth operating lever. This is our top-ranked lever rifle.
5 TPS M6 22 LR/410 Bore, $487 (January 2020)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The M6 follows in the footsteps of the previous M6 design and does it better. This is our top-ranked combination rifle.
4 Winchester Wildcat 521100102 22 LR, $245 (September 2022)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The Wildcat features good sights, plenty of mounting area to mount optics, red dots, and lasers, and the takedown is quite simple. It was the most accurate rifle tested. The Wildcat is a winner and is our top-ranked plinker.
3 Henry Pump Action Octagon H003T 22 S/L/LR, $500 (July 2022)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
Most accurate rifle of the trio tested in this configuration. Smooth in operation and felt substantial in hand. This is our top-ranked pumpgun.
2 Ruger 10/22 Target Model 21186 22 LR, $660 (May 2024)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The Target is a fast-handling rifle designed for steel-plate competition. For those wanting to get into steel-plate competition, it is a good rifle at a reasonable cost compared to other 10/22 target rifles.
1 Springfield Armory Model 2020 Rimfire Classic Rifle BARC92022GAA 22 LR, $710 (February 2025)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
February 2025
The Springfield 2020 is a thoroughly modern rifle with a proven 10-round magazine. Handling cannot be faulted. Excellent optics-mounting configuration.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Ruger American Rimfire Talo Exclusive 8359 22 LR, $569 (February 2025)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
This is a well-made rifle, a classic in many ways. We find the Ruger satisfactory in every way, but we simply did not like the dated optics-mounting system. However, the rifle is supplied with iron sights.
Savage A22 BNS-SR 47249 22 LR, $440 (May 2024)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The A22 had good accuracy and good looks. The trigger had some creep, and loading the magazine took practice. This is a good choice as an adult-size rimfire rifle with traditional styling.
Bergara BMR Carbon Model BMR002 22 LR, $650 (January 2024)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The BMR is super lightweight and had darn good accuracy off the bench. The stock was comfortable for adult-size shooters, and the action was slick.
Bergara BXR Steel BXR001 22 LR, $560 (May 2024)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
The BXR is an accurate and excellent all-round 22 rimfire rifle with a stock that is comfortable to shoot off a bench, prone, or offhand. It is suitable for a variety of shooter statures. The magazine was tricky to insert into the magwell.
Hunting Tactical Super Sixty HTSSA1 22 LR, $500 (November 2019)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
From the extended bolt release to the super-sharp 3.8-pound trigger, the Super Sixty is an exceptional rifle.
Ruger American Rimfire Target Model 8367 22 LR, $505 (January 2024)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The American Rimfire Target is a heavy rimfire with a fairly good trigger. Accuracy was good. The 60-degree bolt lift made manipulating the bolt fast and no fingers jammed against the scope.
Savage B22 Precision Rifle 70248 22 LR, $570 (April 2023)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
Barely more than 36 inches long, the B22 was short, handy, adaptable, and accurate. The trigger was outstanding. Another good collaboration with chassis-maker Modular Driven Technologies.
CZ-USA CZ 457 Varmint MTR 02345 22 LR $720 (April 2023)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The CZ 457 Varmint MTR shot all the ammo selections well. Add that to a great-looking piece of Turkish walnut, and we had a winner.
Adaptive Tactical Ruger 10-22 Build 22 LR, $635 (November 2019)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
We would have liked a better trigger, but we didn’t feel limited by it, as the accuracy results show.
CZ-USA CZ 455 American 02110 22 LR, $400 (June 2017)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The CZ 455 is our pick as the best all-round, go-anywhere, do-anything bolt-action rifle.
Bergara B14R 22 LR, $950 (June 2022)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The Bergara was ready to perform right out of the box. Heaviest, most accurate, most expensive.
Taurus Pump Action Rifle M62R 22 LR, $400 (July 2022)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
A Winchester Model 62 knockoff that is fun to shoot. Worth owning if you can find one in good condition.
Christensen Ranger 22 22 LR, $830 (June 2022)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
Were we to grade this quartet strictly for hunting, the Christensen would win running away.
Rossi Rio Bravo RL22181WD 22 LR, $300 (February 2022)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
Bravo to the Rio Bravo. The test rifle was accurate, lightweight, and had a smooth-cycling lever.
German Sport Guns GSG-StG44 GERGSTG44 22 LR, $330 (February 2020)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The action had very similar stampings to what you would find on the historical firearm.
Thompson Center T/CR22 12299 22 LR, $350 (November 2019)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
Reliable, accurate, and light. If we were grading for best truck gun, one of the raters said this is it.
Ruger 10/22 Carbine 1151 22 LR, $235 (September 2022)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
The 10/22’s long suit is reliability, and there are many aftermarket upgrades available. The rifle was almost the most accurate tested, losing by a hair’s breadth to the Winchester. It lost a half grade because the 10/22’s sights weren’t as good as the others.
Rossi Gallery 22 RP22181SY 22 LR, $270 (July 2022)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
We liked the updated look of the Gallery and found its accuracy to be good. Fun rifle for plinking.
Henry Classic Lever Action 22 H001 22 S/L/LR, $386 (September 2021)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
The Classic 22 Lever Henry is well made, fun to shoot and inexpensive. Accuracy was good.
Taylor’s & Co. Scout RIF/2045 22 LR, $594 (September 2021)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
Styled after a resized Winchester Model 1873. We liked the option of adding an optic. Silver finish is striking.
Savage MKII FV-SR Threaded Barrel 28702 22 LR, $248 (July 2018)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
Affordable and a great shooter. Shot lights out with the Eley subsonic load.
KelTec Model SU22CA 22 LR, $373 (September 2020)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
While not a true takedown rifle, the folding stock on the SU-22CA makes it easy to stow and go.
Browning BL-22 Grade I 024100103 22 S/L/LR, $700 (September 2021)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
The fit and finish of this lever gun were superb, and that is reflected in the cost.
Savage Mark II FVXP 26721 22 LR, $305 (January 2024)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B+
The Mark II had good accuracy and a clean breaking trigger. This is a good, low-cost training rifle and plinker. Worth the money, especially when you count the included Weaver optic.
Ruger American Rimfire Long-Range Target 8378 22 LR, $532 (April 2023)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B+
The Ruger LRT was a great shooter from the bench. Stock design was great, but inletting and finish should have been better.
Tikka T1X 22 LR, $519 Ruger Precision Rimfire 8401 22 LR, $480 (June 2022)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B+
The most pedestrian of the rifles tested this month, the Tikka would be suited for hunting afield.
CZ-USA 455 American 02114 22 LR, $373 (July 2018)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B+
Clean lines and the best shooter with the suppressor on. Would have liked a slightly higher comb or less pitch.
Mossberg 802 Plinkster Model 38230 22 LR, $190 (January 2024)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B
The 802 Plinkster is a no-frills rimfire rifle that is accurate but was fairly stiff to operate. Trigger-pull weight was heavy and wasn’t adjustable.
Browning T-Bolt 025236202 22 LR, $880 (April 2023)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B
Slightly less accurate than the other rifles in this test, primarily because it did not do well with the SK Match ammo. The T-Bolt was fast-cycling and would be our choice for hunting.
Rossi Rimfire Rifle RS22L1811-TH 22 LR, $159 (September 2022)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B
The stylish stock, good reliability, useful accuracy, good sights, and an attractive price are important features. If you like a magazine-fed gun with a single-column magazine, the Rossi is among a few available.
Ruger Precision Rimfire 8401 22 LR, $480 (June 2022)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B
Lots of features that should bring a smile to the face of competitive shooters. Would like to see more accuracy.
Walther Arms HK416 D145RS 578.03.01 22 LR, $583 (March 2020)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B
If you’re looking for an M27 clone, this one is worth thinking about.
Walther Arms Colt M4 Carbine 5760300 22 LR, $350 (February 2020)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B
The Walther Arms Colt 22 LR M4 looks almost identical to the standard-issue Colt centerfire rifle.
