“The Very Best Value in a 22LR Bolt Action Rifle”

The CZ-455 American 22LR is 99% of everything I want in a 22LR rifle. My most important requirements are accuracy and great looks, and the CZ-455 delivers both.

This rifle features a nicely finished walnut stock with cut checkering and beautiful matt blue solid steel action and hammer-forged barrel. For about $400 street price, this rifle gives you the accuracy associated with names like Anschutz or Cooper, or high dollar custom Ruger 1022’s. Even the standard model like the American in 22LR will produce 1 MOA or better groups with off the shelf ammo like CCI standard velocity. If you are looking for a very accurate rifle at a very reasonable price, the CZ-455 is for you.

The CZ-455 replaced the 452 series (although special 452’s are still listed on their website), and features interchangeable barrels between 22LR, 22Mag and 17 HMR. You can even get the 455 with both 22LR and 17 HMR in a combo rifle set. Just remove the stock, loosen two set screws that retain the barrel and exchange the barrel. The barrels are pre-fit with proper headspace to make the change easy, and the combo rifle comes with one 5-round magazine in each caliber. Of course, you will have to re-zero the scope because of the big differences in ballistics of the 22LR and more powerful 17 HMR or 22Mag.

The 455 models feature an integral 11mm dovetail for mounting scopes, so some rimfire rings will not work. I like BLK rimfire scope rings best for rimfire rifles with dovetail available from AMAZON . These rings will work on 3/8” or 11mm base and are perfectly machined to align with your barrel.

The Classic style stock is Turkish walnut and my rifle has a nice finish and attractive straight grain. You can get many variations of the 455 including, varmint, trainer, suppressor-ready, stainless steel, and more. If you hurry, there is still a limited quantity of 452 Grand Finale’s available. The CZ-452 Grand Finale is built using the last 452 actions ever produced, embellished with hand-engraved scroll work on the action, barrel, bottom metal and included 1” scope rings. The upgraded American walnut is trimmed with an ebony forend and grip cap, the bolt is jeweled and it has a deep glossy blue finish to the metal. This model is about $1150, over twice the price of a standard CZ-455.

Shop prices on our Amazon Affiliate PagesBLK scope ringsCZ 455 Scope Base RailVortex Diamondback ScopesLeupold 22 Rimfire Scopes

Vortex Diamondback 3×12 HP Scope

Vortex Diamondback 3×12 HP Scope ON SALE At AMAZON

I mounted a Vortex Diamondback 3x12x42 HP Scope on the CZ-455 and it has turned out to be an excellent scope for the rifle. The Diamondback HP series has the Vortex extra-low dispersion (XD) glass to increase resolution and color fidelity, and fully Multi-Coated lenses with XR proprietary coatings on all air-to-glass surfaces.

The Diamondback HP offers extremely clear, extra-low dispersion glass with XR multi-coated lenses to allow hunters to squeeze out every bit of shooting light from the day to bag their trophy. The side parallax adjustment, this rifle scope keeps a trim profile and gives you all of the features you need to be successful.

The side focus lets you shoot parallax-free down to 30 yards so it is a great scope for at 22LR or more powerful caliber. The finger adjustable turret knobs are great for making quick changes when target shooting and the Vortex Deadhold BDC (bullet drop compensation) reticle makes it easy to shoot accurately in the field. This Vortex Diamondback HP series is also available in 2×8 or 4×16 power, depending on your needs. The scope worked so well on my CZ-455, I bought more for my other 22LR and centerfire rifles. The street price is about $300.

Shooting The CZ-455 22LR

The CZ-455 is a pleasure to shoot. It just has that perfect feel of a classic hunting rifle. Everything feels right and operates smoothly. The rifle functions perfectly, the mags load easily and feed flawlessly, the trigger has no creep and breaks very well. The trigger was a little heavy, so I replaced the trigger spring with the ACE #144 spring to bring it down to 1.5lbs. There are other trigger kits like the YODAVE that has 3 springs and pin shims to give you a choice of trigger pull options for about $18. YODAVE also has bore guides, scope levels, and other handy items for the CZ-455 shooter.

I went by the range between showers today to shoot a few groups with CZ-455 and managed to shoot 3 groups worth posting. The targets below were shot at 100 yards with a 10 MPH headwind, so in good conditions and the right shooter, it should really shine. The three groups averaged just under 1 MOA. That’s really good with me behind the wheel. Ammo was my favorite, SK Match Rifle. Guess it is time to cut the cards at 100 yds again.

Leupold Mark AR 6-18×40 Scope

A Leupold Mark AR 6-18×40 Scope arrived today, so I decided to mount it on the CZ-455 and see if I can improve the 100-yard groups. It has a fine duplex reticle an a few more power to work with so I hope to shoot better at the 100-200 yard range.

WOW! Going from a 12x to 18x scope makes so much difference at 100 yards and beyond when shooting a 22LR. Zero at 50, 15 clicks up on the P5 dial, one full turn for 200 yards with Aguila HV Super Extra. First impressions of the scope are very good. You can aim at a 22 caliber bullet hole at 100 yards and the CDS type elevation dial tracked perfectly moving back and forth between yardages.

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Scopes For 22LR Rimfire Rifles

The primary difference between a rimfire scope and a high-power rifle scope lies in their intended applications and the specific features designed to accommodate those applications. Rimfire scopes are without a paralax adjustment have are paralax free (in focus) at around 50 yards. High-power rifle scopes are paralax free at about 150 yards.

If you want a scope for your rimfire rifle, make sure to get a rimfire scope or a high-power rifle scope with a paralax adjustment or your image in the scope will be out of focus at short range, ie 25-75 yards.

Let’s explore the key distinctions:

Caliber Compatibility:

Rimfire Scope: Rimfire scopes are specifically designed for use with rimfire cartridges, such as .22 LR. These scopes are optimized to withstand the lower recoil and unique ballistics of rimfire ammunition.

High-Power Rifle Scope: High-power rifle scopes are designed to handle the recoil and performance of larger, high-powered centerfire cartridges, such as .308 Win or .30-06 Springfield.

Magnification Range:

Rimfire Scope: Rimfire scopes generally have lower magnification ranges, typically a 4X or variable ranging from 3x to 9x. This is because rimfire cartridges are typically used for shorter-range shooting.

High-Power Rifle Scope: High-power rifle scopes offer a wider range of magnification options, often starting around 3x or 4x and reaching higher levels, such as 12x, 16x, or even 24x. These scopes are intended for longer-range shooting where precision and target identification are crucial.

Parallax Adjustment:

Rimfire Scope: Rimfire scopes may or may not have parallax adjustment features since rimfire cartridges are typically used at shorter distances where parallax is less of a concern.

High-Power Rifle Scope: High-power rifle scopes often feature parallax adjustment knobs or side focus controls to help eliminate parallax error, especially when shooting at longer distances. Do not choose a high-power rifle scope for your rimfire without a paralax adjustment.

Turret Adjustments:

Rimfire Scope: Rimfire scopes usually have capped turrets or turrets with low-profile adjustments, as they are designed for shorter-range shooting where frequent adjustments are less common.

High-Power Rifle Scope: High-power rifle scopes often have exposed or tactical-style turrets that allow for quick and easy adjustments, facilitating precise shots at varying distances.

Reticle Options:

Rimfire Scope: Rimfire scopes typically feature simple reticles, such as duplex or basic crosshairs, suitable for shorter-range shooting and general target acquisition.

High-Power Rifle Scope: High-power rifle scopes often offer a wider selection of reticle options, including bullet drop compensating (BDC) reticles, mil-dot reticles, or even illuminated reticles, providing additional features for long-range shooting and holdover estimation.

It’s important to note that these differences are not absolute, and there can be variations within each category. Ultimately, the choice between a rimfire scope and a high-power rifle scope depends on your specific shooting needs, preferred shooting distances, and the caliber of your firearm.

Why The 22LR May Be Most Popular Cartridge In The World

The .22LR (Long Rifle) cartridge is often considered one of the most popular cartridges in the world for several reasons:

Versatility: The .22LR cartridge is highly versatile and can be used for various purposes. It is commonly used for plinking, target shooting, small game hunting, pest control, and even in some competitions. Its versatility makes it appealing to a wide range of shooters, from beginners to experienced enthusiasts.

Availability and Affordability: The .22LR cartridge is widely available in most regions of the world. Its popularity has led to widespread production and distribution by numerous ammunition manufacturers. Due to its popularity and high demand, it is generally more affordable compared to other centerfire cartridges, making it an accessible option for many shooters.

Low Recoil and Noise: The .22LR cartridge generates minimal recoil, which makes it comfortable to shoot, especially for beginners and those who prefer a milder shooting experience. Additionally, it produces relatively low noise compared to larger calibers, making it suitable for shooting in areas with noise restrictions or populated areas.

Firearm Options: The .22LR cartridge is compatible with a wide range of firearms, including handguns, rifles, and even some semi-automatic and bolt-action rifles specifically designed for this cartridge. The availability of different firearm options, ranging from small compact pistols to full-sized rifles, contributes to the cartridge’s popularity.

Skill Development and Training: The .22LR cartridge is an excellent tool for developing shooting skills and practicing marksmanship. Its low recoil, affordability, and reduced noise make it ideal for beginners to learn and improve their shooting techniques. Additionally, the low cost of ammunition allows for extended practice sessions without breaking the bank.

Recreational Shooting: Plinking, informal target shooting, and recreational shooting are popular activities among firearms enthusiasts. The .22LR cartridge’s affordability and versatility make it a preferred choice for these types of activities, as shooters can enjoy extended shooting sessions without spending a significant amount on ammunition.

It’s important to note that while the .22LR cartridge is popular for the reasons mentioned above, its effectiveness for certain purposes, such as self-defense or long-range shooting, may be limited. Shooters should always choose a cartridge appropriate for their specific needs and requirements.

History of CZ Firearms

CZ firearms, also known as Česká zbrojovka, have a rich and storied history. Here is an overview of the history of CZ firearms:

1. Origins and Early Years (1919-1945): Česká zbrojovka was founded in 1919 in Czechoslovakia, shortly after the end of World War I. The company initially produced military and civilian firearms. One of their notable early designs was the CZ Model 27 pistol, which became the standard sidearm for the Czechoslovak Armed Forces.
2. Post-War Developments (1945-1989): After World War II, CZ firearms continued to evolve and expand. They manufactured a range of firearms, including rifles, shotguns, and pistols. One of their significant contributions during this period was the CZ 75 pistol, introduced in 1975. The CZ 75 gained international recognition for its innovative design and reliability.
3. Privatization and Expansion (1990s-2000s): With the fall of communism in Czechoslovakia, Česká zbrojovka underwent privatization. The company underwent a reorganization and focused on modernizing their manufacturing processes. They continued to produce a diverse range of firearms and gained popularity for their quality craftsmanship and competitive pricing.
4. Global Success and Expansion (2010s-present): In recent years, CZ firearms have experienced significant global success. They have expanded their product line to include various models of pistols, rifles, shotguns, and submachine guns. CZ firearms have gained a reputation for their accuracy, reliability, and ergonomic designs, attracting a growing number of enthusiasts, competitive shooters, and military and law enforcement agencies worldwide.
5. Innovation and Future Outlook: CZ continues to innovate and introduce new firearms to the market. They have developed cutting-edge technologies, such as polymer-framed pistols and modular rifle platforms. Additionally, CZ has acquired several other firearms manufacturers, expanding their portfolio and establishing a presence in different segments of the market.

Overall, the history of CZ firearms is characterized by a commitment to quality, innovation, and meeting the needs of shooters around the world. From their humble beginnings to their global success, CZ firearms have established themselves as a respected brand in the firearms industry.

Related Post CZ 452 rifle

Today I’m going to show you the best Vortex red dot sight.

In fact:

I’ve hand-tested over 10 scopes alone for this review.

The best part?

I’ve sorted the scopes by use. So whether you’re on a budget or need the best Vortex red dot, you’ll find it here.

Let’s dive in!

Red Dots vs Holographic Sights

Just quickly, what’s the difference between red dot sights and holographic sights? And which is better?

Holographic sights, or holographic optics, use a laser to project a reticle onto a glass plate. The dot is then reflected up to your eye. Vortex makes a great holographic sight, the Vortex Razor AMG UH-1.

In red dot sight models, the reticle is projected directly onto the front lens. The lens is coated with a special material that allows it to display a crisp red dot on your target.

Holographic sights may have an advantage over red dot sights in durability and weight, but if you’re looking for something lightweight and easy to use, you may want to consider getting the best red dot sight for your needs instead.

How to Choose a Red Dot Sight

A red dot sight is a type of weapon sight that uses a red dot projected onto a crosshair, creating a sighting method in which the operator looks through the scope and aims at an object. Originally developed for use in military applications, they have become popular among hunters and recreational shooters. Many red dot sights can be mounted on pistols or rifles alike to give users quick access to their weapons while preserving accuracy. There are several different types of red dot sights such as holographic and laser sights.

But what do you look for when buying a red dot sight? The first thing you need to consider is price. If you want a red dot to have a lot of magnification, but also have a good field of view, high zoom optics are recommended. In addition these sights may have other features such as illuminated reticle locations and night vision lasers. High-end optics for red dot sights can cost anywhere from $400 to $1000 or more.

Next to look into is the brightness level of the sight itself. If you don’t plan on using it in dim light environments, then a brighter sight will be fine for your needs. However, if you’re planning on shooting in dim light sometimes, then low intensity sights are preferred by many people including hunters and shooters alike. The third thing to look for is user-friendly features such as a quick-release mount and an adjustable reticle. And lastly, the type of red dot sight you decide to buy should match your needs. For example, if you want a compact and lightweight red dot sight with a small magnification range, then an auto tracking optic (ATO) may be more suitable for you. On the other hand, if your needs are more specific and require a longer range with higher magnification than you may want to go with an illuminated red dot sight that has different types of reticles such as mil dots or crosshairs.

Regardless of your needs it is best to choose a red dot sight that matches your specific needs and goals. You can go out and try different types of red dot sights with the hopes of finding the perfect one for you, but don’t expect to find something perfect. The chances are most people will not be able to find their exact needs in one purchase, and each type of red dot sight will have different capabilities and limitations based on its size and magnification.

The good news is I already did all the research for you and found the best red dot sights made by Vortex. Let’s take a look…

The Best Vortex Red Dot Sights of 2021

If you’re pressed on time, here’s a quick list of the best Vortex red dots:

1. Vortex Spitfire AR Prism Scope: Best Vortex Red Dot for AR-15
2. Vortex Crossfire: Best for the Budget
3. Vortex Viper: Best Red Dot for Glock
4. Vortex Razor: Most Premium

1. Vortex Spitfire AR Prism Scope: Best Vortex Red Dot for AR-15

The Spitfire AR Prism Scope offers all the features of Vortex’s best red dot sight on an AR-15 platform. It may not be the Vortex Strike Eagle, but it’s the best red dot around. If you shoot AR-15’s, this is absolutely the sight you need.

Let’s dive into the features!

Glass Clarity & Reticle

The AR Prism Scope is constructed from glass lenses with anti-reflective coatings, providing a crystal clear sight picture with 100% field of view.

The design of this sight is also great for people with astigmatism. You won’t see anything through the lens that you shouldn’t. When working with AR-15’s, this is key when you’re trying to fire off quick, extremely accurate shots.

Probably one of the cooler features of this sight is the etched DRT (Dual Ring Tactical) MOA reticle. It’s perfect for quick and accurate close-range firing.

The prism design on this red dot allows you to see the reticle with or without illumination, which is handy in case the battery dies. However, the reticle does have twelve different intensity levels so you can choose the perfect illumination for the surrounding conditions.

Eye Relief & Eye Box

The Vortex Spitfire AR Prism Scope allows for a large eye relief, which is great for shooters who wear glasses or protective eyewear.

Additionally, the eye box is wide enough to provide ample viewing space for shooters.

Durability

Like a lot of other Vortex sights and scopes, the Vortex Spitfire AR Prism Scope is shockproof, waterproof, and fog-proof. If you do a lot of shooting competitions, this red dot might have to be your go-to. It’s compact, resistant to corrosion, mounts squarely and soundly, and can withstand severe weather conditions.

Elevation & Windage Knobs

The bold turrets allow the shooter to make adjustments quickly and accurately. The zero-reset feature allows you to re-zero the rifle without having to re-shoot the target at 100 yards after each adjustment. Combine these two features with the fast-focus eyepiece, you can make quick shots without having to fumble around with your sight.

What’s really special about the Vortex Spitfire AR Prism Scope is the 5.56 BDC turret with settings for AR-15s up to 700 yards! This feature can only be found on the Spitfire.

Parallax & Magnification

The Spitfire AR Prism is parallax-free with a magnification of 1x. These settings are great for ARs.

Mounting Options & Included Accessories

The Vortex Spitfire AR Prism Scope comes with a collapsible mount, which can be adjusted for height or can’t easily. It allows the shooter to quickly swap between magnified (magnifier) and red dot (1x) optic. It also comes with an integrated 11-slot Picatinny rail for mounting additional accessories like lasers, flashlights, or bipods.

Summary

The Vortex Spitfire AR Prism Scope is a great alternative to the ACOG or Aimpoint PRO. It offers an easy-to-use, rugged, and lightweight red dot optic that is widely compatible with most AR platforms.

Furthermore, it provides a reticle that is open enough to accurately hold at all times, which means you won’t have to constantly re-zero your rifle. The Vortex Spitfire AR Prism Scope also comes with a high-quality lower 1/3 co-witness mount type.

If the Spitfire is a little too outside of your price range, the SPARC AR and SPARC II are less expensive, comparable alternatives by Vortex. Or, perhaps you want to check out another quality brand, like Sig Sauer Romeo 5.

All in all, the Spitfire AR Prism Scope has earned its place as one of Vortex’s best red dot sights.

2. Vortex Crossfire Red Dot Sight: Best for the Budget

I can’t stress enough how good of a value the Vortex Crossfire red dot is. When you compare the cost to the features you’re getting, it really is an unbeatable deal.

I’ve tested countless red dots in my day, and this one definitely gives the most bang for its buck.

It really is perfect for someone who simply needs an affordable option without giving up much in return.

Enough chatter, let’s see what makes the Crossfire so great!

Glass Clarity & Reticle

The glass is crystal clear. In comparison to other reflex sights, the glass is much better.

It’s made from an anti-reflective material that will not wear off over time or damage the sight’s reticle clarity in any way.

The reticle is crisp and precise. It’s also an illuminated reticle (laser). The size of the dot is 2 MOA. It doesn’t have any other types of reticles, such as mil dots or hash marks, etc.

The Crossfire’s light source comes from a high-intensity LED bulb. This bulb is very bright and will not be affected by the wind like some other red dot sights with incandescent bulbs. This means you can shoot more accurately out to greater distances than before.

Eye Relief & Eye Box

The Crossfire has unlimited eye relief, meaning you can adjust quickly and efficiently to your target.

Durability

The Vortex Crossfire Red Dot Sight has been designed for a lifetime of use, with a steel housing and a lens cover that is nearly impossible to scratch.

Its quartz-type battery lasts an entire year before it needs changing, and can be easily replaced without tools. It’s made of aluminum and has a very hard-anodized finish that increases its durability and strength.

Elevation & Windage Knobs

The max windage and elevation on the Crossfire is 100 MOA.

The knobs are pretty basic and can be a little tough to adjust, but they are completely reliable. This red dot also holds zero extremely well.

Parallax & Magnification

The Vortex Crossfire is parallax-free, and it has 1x magnification. This works great for short and long-distance shooting with your rifle or shotgun, and it allows you to quickly focus on the target.

Mounting Options & Included Accessories

The Crossfire comes with a lower 1/3 co-witness mount, low height mount, and high height mount.

You can mount it on almost any weapon or arrangement of weapons, and still get the desired result.

Summary

The Crossfire is a well-rounded, rugged, and reliable red dot sight that can be used in almost any scenario.

The glass is crystal clear, the reticle is crisp and precise, the elevation and windage are well-designed for accuracy.

It has unlimited eye relief, and the battery life lasts an entire year before it needs changing. Best of all, every Vortex product comes with an unconditional, unlimited lifetime warranty, so you can breathe easy knowing they’ll take care of you no matter what.

Overall, this red dot sight is definitely worth its price. If you’re not on a budget and want something with a tad more umph to it, check out the Crossfire’s cousins, the Vortex SPARC and the Vortex Strikefire.

3. Vortex Viper Red Dot: Best Red Dot for Glock

For those of you specifically shooting Glocks, the Viper is the Vortex optic you want.

Out of the sights I’ve tested for my own Glocks, this open has worked the best by far. It’s lightweight, durable, and very user-friendly.

Check out the specs here:

Glass Clarity & Reticle

The Vortex Viper is a 1x red dot sight. It has a fully multi-coated optical lens surface, which makes the glass crystal clear for your target.

The reticle also has unlimited eye relief and it’s an open design (no hash marks).

The dot size is 6 MOA. The illumination level can be adjusted in brightness. The reticle can be set to low or high, depending on your preference. The illumination also indicates when the battery runs low, so you don’t accidentally leave it on when you exit your vehicle in the dark. Plus, the bright red dot makes it easy to see in any lighting or weather condition.

The Viper works in both single and dual modes without needing excessive programming for Glock or other pistol calibers.

Eye Relief & Eye Box

The Viper has unlimited eye relief, which makes it easy to transition from target to target accurately.

Durability

The Viper is made from aluminum, which is extremely lightweight and strong at the same time. I’ve taken my Vipers on multiple hunting trips without any issues.

The ArmorTek finish has held up great, and the lens covers are nearly impossible to scratch or damage.

Elevation & Windage Knobs

The elevation and windage settings can be easily adjusted.

The knobs are also very durable and will not be affected by the shock or recoil of your weapon.

Parallax & Magnification

The Viper has 1x magnification, which is clear enough for you to quickly focus on your target even in low light conditions. The magnification isn’t too high either, which is beneficial for both target accuracy and battery life. It also has a parallax-free reticle.

Mounting Options & Included Accessories

The Vortex Viper comes with a Weaver or Picatinny mount and locking screws that can be used with most small compact handguns, rifles, shotguns, and even bullpups.

It also comes with an AK-style rear sight that can be mounted on almost any weapon or arrangement of weapons as well.

Summary

The Vortex Viper is a great choice for your Glock.

It’s constructed very well, easy to use, and will last you a long time without any issues. It’s perfect for anyone looking for a simple, dependable red dot sight.

4. Vortex Razor Red Dot: Most Premium

This sight, the Vortex Razor Red Dot, is cream of the crop.

If you want the best of the best, and you’re willing to pay the price tag for it, the Razor is what you need. Vortex took several of the primo features they’ve mastered and carefully crafted them into this design.

It really is a top-notch product. Let’s find out why.

Glass Clarity & Reticle

The glass is astounding. You get HD clarity without any distortion or loss of focus, so you can always see your target clearly.

The lens area is large and comfortable to look through, with unlimited eye relief for fast and easy target acquisition. It also works great in any lighting condition, including cloudy days or bright sunlight, making it easy to spot your target even when other sights may not be working well.

If you don’t have 20/20 vision, this red dot will make you feel like you do. With this sight, the dot is, well, a dot. There’s no light spreading, no glares, no flares. The Razor has nine illumination settings for different light conditions, and no matter when you’re shooting or where you’re looking, your light will always be right on target.

Eye Relief & Eye Box

The Razor has unlimited eye relief, much like the other sights we’ve looked at here, but what’s great about this red dot is the eye box is wide and has a super crisp, defined outline.

This feature, combined with the ultra-clear reticle, makes quick target acquisition a breeze.

Durability

Vortex really stacked the Razor with durability features. There are a lot, so let’s just list them out:

• XR Fully Multi-Coated lenses
• Lightweight (only 1.3oz)
• Thick aluminum coating around the window
• Single-piece chassis
• Waterproof
• Shockproof
• Matte Anodized Finish
• ArmorTek coating

These are most, if not all, of Vortex’s primo durability features all rolled into one package. And for that reason, this sight packs a big punch and can withstand an incredible amount of wear and tear.

Elevation & Windage Knobs

Just like the Razor is made from carbon fiber, so is its elevation and windage adjustment knobs.

The hard material provides a firm, precise grip. Plus, they have a cool flip-out detent so you can quickly lock them in place without any fumbling or messing with them.

Parallax & Magnification

The Razor is also incredible with parallax and magnification. Much like the other sights we’ve looked at here, it is parallax-free and has 1x magnification, which is clear enough for fast target acquisition as well as accuracy with tight groupings at longer distances.

Mounting Options & Included Accessories

The Razor’s mount is Picatinny compatible, so it can mount on multiple platforms with ease. It also has locking screws. The included battery will provide plenty of power for the sight, and if your battery runs low, the red dot will turn off to save you from ever coming up empty when it matters most.

Summary

If you want the best of the best in red dots, the Vortex Razor is what you need. It’s made from high-quality materials and performs at a high level every time without fail. It’s also got all of Vortex’s top-notch durability features that will ensure you get many years out of this investment without needing to buy another sight again.

Now It’s Your Turn

I hope you enjoyed my Best Vortex Red Dot Sights guide.

Now I want to turn it over to you:

Which Vortex red dot sight will you pick for your firearm? Or perhaps you already have one and would like to share your thoughts.

Either way, let me know by leaving a quick comment down below.

FAQ’s

Hunters who share access and hunt together tend to name treestands and blinds. It’s fun and necessary, especially when trying to identify where someone is going for the day. So, if you’re slapping a handle on a spot, why not make it creative, funny or even weird? Here are 20 real-life honey holes that fall into those categories.

1. Rut Roof Inn

Kentucky hunter Logan Beach once planted a food plot close to bedding cover. We would have bucks bed on the edge off about 30 yards and wait on does, he said. We thought of it as a hotel bed and breakfast. Thus, it became Rut Roof Inn.

2. Yellow Brick Road

Another Beach special, Yellow Brick Road is self-explanatory. It’s a set on a main corridor between a major food source and a corn pile, he said. (There was) constant deer movement, and whichever way they turned off dictated which spot they would end up at for the day.

3. Crash Site

Kyle Culbreth, another Kentucky hunter, had a scare several seasons ago. In 2009, he fell from an elevated platform. I had a treestand break and fell 25-plus feet, he said. That stand location is now called Crash Site.”

4. Church

Deer diehard Luke Koch has a spot he calls going to Church. It’s at the end of a long draw, and an old, white country church is nearby. At 9 a.m., the bells toll, and you can hear it well from the treestand.

5. Easy Pickens

Big-game hunter extraordinaire Jonathan Losli hunts a lot. And this past season, he had a treestand produce in a big way. It relinquished one elk and two deer on the opener. Now, he calls that spot Easy Pickens.

6. Maternity Ward

Audrey Pfaffe is another serious whitetail hunter, and a spot she used to hunt is aptly named. There was a wooded hillside at my grandpa’s old dairy farm that the cows would always sneak off into to have their calves, she said. We call it the Maternity Ward, as a lot of bucks would bed in there since it was so thick.

7. The Penthouse

Kate Sanford is a big-buck slayer, and one of his spots is comfortable. We have an enclosed stand that a friend built, and we call it The Penthouse because it was the fanciest we had ever had, she said.

8. Cat Gut

Dave Skinner is a hunting land real estate agent and a longtime deer hunter. A spot a friend of his hunts is called Cat Gut. I’m not creative enough to come up with good names, but Cat Gut was named after the shape the river made as it winds through the property, he said. Looks like an intestinal tract.

9. Control Tower

Zack Smith hunts the outskirts of a major international airport. We have a ladder stand on a big ridge that overlooks a huge draw, and it’s way up there, he said. So, in true airport fashion, we’ve dubbed it the Control Tower.

10. Droptine Hotel

Jason Kidd had never killed a droptine deer. Then, he wrote it into existence. When Dad and I built our first shooting houses for the farm, I came up with a name for mine, he said. I took a Sharpie and wrote on the inside of the blind that it was the Droptine Hotel. I had never killed a deer with a droptine, but it sounded cool. The next year, I killed my first deer out of that old shooting house, and it had a 4-inch droptine.

11. Terror Tower

Tommy Warder’s scariest hunting spot is called Terror Tower, and for good reason. We had a 15-foot open-topped tower stand in a brushy field, he said. The stand was wired to a tree that would sway back and forth when the wind blew.

12. The Hangover Stand

Realtree’s Will Brantley is an outdoor editor, writer, and hunting outfitter. One spot that might not get hunted often is called The Hangover Stand. It’s about 100 yards from the back door of the cabin.

13. Coke Bottle Stand

Sid Herring Jr. has tagged many deer from The Coke Bottle Stand. It got the name after he found a great treestand location in a well-traveled draw. It had an old glass Coke bottle placed in a fork, and the tree had grown around it, he said. Killed many deer out of that stand on that tree.

14. Freezer Foray

Someone once unceremoniously and disrespectfully dumped an old freezer on Kevin Thayer’s property. He decided to make the best of it and shot a big 10-point buck from it. Someone else’s massive litter worked out well for him.

15. Death Bunker

Deer hunter Aaron Mudd calls one spot Death Bunker, in respect to the many whitetails and turkeys taken from it. The name comes from all the blood shed on it in years past, he said. It’s the one spot on the farm that if someone needs a deer, we go to (it). It has never failed to produce.

16. Melting Pot

Seth Martin hunts a spot called Melting Pot, because it gets hot during early archery season. The sun bakes you, he said. But if you can stand it, it’s going to produce. Later, I put a box stand there. The name stuck.

17. Buzzard Blind

Outdoor writer Darron McDougal hunted in Georgia this past season and sat in one blind a few times. He called it Buzzard Blind because of the heavy sign of buzzards frequenting it. Eventually, toward the end of the hunt, he shot a good buck from it.

18. The Land Strip

Kyle Campbell dubbed one of his favorite spots The Landing Strip. It’s on a creek crossing, and they cleared up the brush and made the crossing so wide it looks like you can land a plane in there, he said.

19. Sunglasses

One of the deadliest treestand locations on a farm I hunt gets blasted by the sunrise. On cloudless mornings, you can’t look eastward without a set of sunglasses. Thus, it came to be known as Sunglasses. But man, it’s a killer spot, and I can think of at least 10 mature bucks taken from it since 2015.

20. Dead Man Stand

Another great stand location on a property I hunt is on the edge of an old cemetery. At first, I called it Dead Man Stand. However, out of respect to those who rest there, I later changed it to Cemetery Stand. Afterward, we started knocking down some big deer from it, and it has relinquished several 4-½-plus-year-old bucks since.

Do you have some unique, funny or downright weird treestand and ground blind location names? If so, drop them in the comments section, and tell us all about them.

(Don’t Miss: 20 Deer Hunting Lies Your Granddaddy Told You)

Classic lever-action deer rifles are undoubtedly cool. My first was a Winchester Model 94AE XTR in .30-30 Winchester, that timeless rimmed cartridge that has accounted for innumerable amounts of game. It was a gift from my father for my 15th birthday, and—at least to the young man who received it—marked a passage into manhood. I’d be hunting deer with my father the following season, and that alone was a dream come true. Like any inquisitive young man, I delved into the history and nostalgia of the .30 WCF, or .30-30, and the many names it has carried, and was honored to take my first deer—a whitetail doe—with the same cartridge that my father took his.

I’m old enough to remember when the lever guns were still highly popular among deer hunters, and my own rifle, as shiny and unproven as it was in comparison to the older gents’ worn pieces with bluing rubbed off and stock finish dulled by the elements, was a source of pride. In the deer camp mix of Savage 99s, Marlin 336s and a selection of Winchesters, many cartridges were represented, including some rarities like the .348 Winchester, but the main rivals were the .30-30 Winchester and the .35 Remington. As a matter of fact, that may have been the first campfire cartridge argument I was privy to; if only those gentlemen would’ve realized the fire they’d kindled. Let’s take a look at the two champions of the deer woods, and perhaps finish the conversation started three-plus decades ago.

The .30-30 Winchester has the unique claim of being the first cartridge designed to run on both black powder and the revolutionary smokeless powder. Deriving its name from a combination of the caliber and the powder charge (.30 caliber, 30 grains of powder) the .30-30 was introduced in 1895, in the John Browning-designed Model 1894 Winchester. At the time, .32 caliber cartridges were actually more popular than were the .30s, but it didn’t take long for the .30-30 to establish itself as a perfect deer hunting cartridge. Driving a 160-grain jacketed bullet to a velocity of just over 2300 fps, it represented a fantastic hunting cartridge for its time. Soon after, the classic 150- and 170-grain loads took root, and due to the tubular magazines of so many popular rifles, round nose bullets were employed. It has accounted for almost all, if not all, North American game species, and the famous African PH Wally Johnson used one to kill lions in his early years in Mozambique.

The .35 Remington was released—as one of a quartet of rimless cartridges from Remington—in 1906; it is a rimless affair designed for their Model 8 autoloading rifle. Alongside the .25, .30 and .32 Remington, the .35 would be the only survivor. While it has been chambered in many different rifles, the combination of the Marlin Model 336 rifle and the .35 Remington has achieved true classic status, in spite of the fact that the rifle was introduced 1948. This combination offers an affordable, hard-hitting rig which is capable of taking most common game animals, albeit at short range. The .35 Remington uses the 180- and 200-grain .358″caliber bullets, and while light-for-caliber, they are effective at the ranges a .35 Remington is used, which is usually inside of 150 yards.

Which is the more useful cartridge? Of the two, which serves the hunter better? Traditionally, the tubular magazines of the popular lever-rifles restricted the cartridges to using round or flat-point bullets, to avoid the possibility of magazine detonation, should a pointed spitzer bullet hit the primer of the cartridge ahead of it in the magazine. The exception to that rule is Hornady’s LeveRevolution ammo line, which uses a pliable tip on a spitzer bullet to afford a much flatter trajectory in both cartridges. With the traditional loads, the .30-30 will drive its 150- and 170-grain bullets to a muzzle velocity of 2400 and 2250 fps respectively, while the .35 Remington launches its 180- and 200-grain bullets at 2100 and 2080 fps. Both generate between 1,800 and 1,900 ft.-lbs. of muzzle energy with traditional loads, and the hot-rod LeveRevolution will certainly offer an improvement in ballistic figures, but the advancements are parallel between the two cartridges.

I feel the cartridges offer very similar performance, at similar ranges. If you were to give the edge to the larger frontal diameter of the .35 Remington—.358″ versus .308″—you would have a valid point. If you were to vote for the .30-30 Winchester based on its higher Sectional Density values—the 170-grain .308 bullet has an S.D. figure of .256 versus the 200-grain .358’s S.D. figure of .223e—I’d have to agree with you as well. Personally, at the ranges that these cartridges are used, I could easily call it a draw. Both come in light, handy rifles that are a pleasure to carry in the forested mountains and wooded areas where these guns shine. But, there is an issue: It seems the .35 Remington ammunition has begun to fade away. There seem to be fewer choices each year, and that’s a shame.

I give the edge to the apparently timeless .30-30 Winchester for the availability alone; there are dozens of factory loads to choose from, and being .30-caliber is never a bad thing. It’s just about perfect for the deer woods, and you can easily teach a youngster the art of shooting an iron-sighted lever rifle without punishing recoil. It will handle black bears and feral hogs—as will the .35 Remington—but sourcing ammunition is far easier if you own a good old thutty-thutty. My own 94 Winchester is coming out of the safe this year, freshly adorned with a new front sight and rear peep from Skinner Sights; even middle-aged eyes get a new lease on life, and I’m having lots of fun from the bench with my old friend.

If you shoot a .35 Remington, I see no reason whatsoever to stop doing so, just make sure you keep an ample supply of whatever load your rifle likes. However, even after 123 years on the market, the .30-30 Winchester remains the king of medium caliber lever guns; it has been in the top ten selling cartridges for Federal Premium to this day, and with millions of rifles out there chambered for the cartridge, that will probably be a fact decades from now.

Looking for previous installments of our “Head to Head” series? Click here.

I can remember it like it was just yesterday. My dad had borrowed a bow from a family member and was tinkering with it at the dining room table. I thought to myself, “Could it be? Were we about to become archery hunters?” Up until this point, my dad and I had always toted rifles in the deer woods. Watching him shoot and sight that old bow in seemed like an agonizing process. It seemed like it took days to get it right. The sight looked like something out of a junk pile when compared to those of present day. There were no fiber optic pins or bubble levels. No, these pins were painted: a poor excuse of red and yellow. Yeah, we’ve got it pretty good today in the world of bow sights. We even have the option of having one single pin or multiple pins to look at. Pretty spoiled, right? Yet, this is a common conundrum when picking out a sight and this current topic: single pin sights versus multi-pin sights. Each have their pros and cons. Let’s look down the path of each and see which one might be the better option for you.

Single pin sights

Single pin sights are exactly what they sound like. Within the sight housing, there is one pin for you to focus on and one alone. There isn’t a bunch of clutter in the form of other pins and target acquisition comes faster. It puts the confusion to a minimum and, in the heat of the moment, that could help a quite a bit. These sights operate on a slider, meaning that you can dial that one pin to exact yardage. It’s a huge benefit in terms of accuracy, which is probably why it is the most popular choice for target archers. This feature takes the painstaking task of pin gapping out of the equation altogether. For those that don’t know, pin gapping is where you aim between pins. Say you’ve got a 35 yard shot. You aim between your 30 and 40 yard pin. It’s a technique that works and gets the job done, but one that will never be better than single pin accuracy.

There are also some drawbacks of running a single pin sight. These have nothing to do with accuracy on the range, but everything to do with hunting because of having to adjust the sight to yardage, which poses a potential problem. Actually, it poses a few. The first is that things happen quickly out in the field sometimes. Say you’ve got a buck standing at 30 yards and have your sight adjusted to 30. You come to full draw and all of a sudden that buck jumps and runs out to 53 yards. Now, you’ve got to either know your exact holdover for 53 yards or have to let down and readjust your sight to 53. That is either going to potentially hurt you in accuracy or in time. Another issue is the actual act of adjusting your sight. Doing so involves movement and movement is what can bite you as a bowhunter. Drawing your bow back is movement enough. Adding more to the equation definitely has the potential of blowing an opportunity.

Pros

• Open sight picture
• Fast target acquisition
• Exact yardage accuracy

Cons

• Have to adjust sight for each shot
• Adds in movement
• Might cost one opportunity in the field

Multi-pin sights

Multi-pin sights are definitely the most popular in the bowhunting world, especially for beginners. When starting out, it’s comforting to know that you’ve got a set pin for each yardage. They come in three, five and seven pin models with the option of adding a slider to reach way out to longer yardage. These pins are usually set in 10 yard increments; often at 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, etc. That right there is probably the biggest advantage to using a multi-pin sight for hunting. It completely takes the step of adjusting the slider for each shot. That deer standing at 30, but then bounds out to 53? A hunter wouldn’t even have to let down from full draw. All they would have to do is switch the pin they were aiming with. They are a timesaver and, in the mountains, mere seconds can be the difference between notching a tag or eating tag soup. Not having to adjust to yardage also gives the advantage of less movement. And, on an archery hunt, the less movement the better.

Just like single pin sights, multi-pin sights are not all peaches and cream. While having multiple pins in the sight housing is a plus, it can also be a disadvantage. The first is clutter, especially with seven pin models. In dense cover with branches every which way covering up your sightline, having a bunch of pins doing the same thing is not optimal. It could create an issue with trying to pick a spot. All of those pins in there not only cover up the sight picture, but also add an element of confusion. If I had a dollar for every time I heard someone say “I used the wrong pin,” I could probably buy an out-of-state tag or two. It’s even happened to me. The first elk I shot at I couldn’t tell you which pin I used with how intense the situation was. That is the reality of bowhunting and why many of us thrive on it. The intensity and intimacy of close range encounters where thinking straight comes few and far between. In this regard, simpler is better with sights. There is also the issue of pin gapping, which doesn’t offer that exact yardage accuracy you get with a single pin sight.

Pros

• Great for beginners
• Have set pins for various yardages
• Timesaver in the field

Cons

• Multiple pins cover up the sight picture
• Could use the “wrong pin”
• Must be aware of pin gap for yardages in between set pins (no exact yardage accuracy)

Closing

Choosing between a multi-pin sight and single pin sight really comes down to you and your style of hunting in my opinion. Most spot and stalk bowhunters I know that are crawling around open country usually opt for a multi-pin sight. They need the ability to adjust yardage on the fly—especially for hunting the rut when bucks move every which way without a moment’s notice. This is what I prefer as that is the country in which I mostly hunt. However, someone in dense cover or hunting from a treestand might prefer the single pin. Being in close quarters, they know their yardage and can have that single pin set right to it, ready for action. My best advice is to try these sights out and see what you like better. Even if you are a spot and stalk hunter, you might find that you prefer the simplicity of a single pin. There is nothing wrong with that. The same can be said for hunting out of a tree. This is one of the coolest things about bowhunting to me. We have the luxury of molding our system exactly to what we want and how we want it. All of this is a far cry from those red and yellow painted pins bolted within that bent piece of metal I saw as a kid.

Check this out!

For another look at single vs. multi pin bowsights, check out this article here: Single pin bow sights: Are they really better?

The legendary .30-06 Springfield has been one of the most popular centerfire rifle cartridges among North American hunters for over a century. Here are a few of the best 30-06 ammo options that will serve you very well on your next hunt.

First adopted by the United States Army at the beginning of the 20th Century, the .30-06 Springfield also quickly became a favorite among hunters soon after it was released. Providing a good balance of power, accuracy, a relatively flat trajectory, manageable recoil, and plenty of killing power on medium and big game, the .30-06 is still getting it done afield well into the 21st Century.

Even lost of other outstanding cartridges like the .270 Winchester, 7mm Remington Magnum, and the .300 Winchester Magnum have hit the market in the intervening years, the .30-06 Springfield remains a favorite to this day and still consistently ranks among the Top 10 (possibly Top 5) best selling centerfire rifle cartridges in the United States each year.

Not surprisingly, virtually every single major ammunition manufacturer like Barnes, Browning, Buffalo Bore, Fiocchi, Federal Premium, Hornady, HSM, Norma, Nosler, Remington, Sellier & Bellot, Sierra, Swift, and Winchester produces several different variants of .30-06 ammo for hunting deer, elk, moose, bear, and many other big game animals.

While the .30-06 Springfield absolutely excels on deer sized game, it is also an incredibly effective cartridge for use hunting bigger game like elk and even moose when using heavy for caliber, premium ammunition loaded with controlled expansion bullets.

It’s important to realize that different hunting situations necessitate the use of different kinds of .30-06 ammo for best results and using the wrong ammunition can lead to disastrous performance.

For instance, a mild recoiling load that’s ideal for use on whitetail deer at short range would be a terrible choice for use on really big game like moose or elk.

Make no mistake, the .30-06 Springfield can be an extremely effective cartridge for hunting elk and even moose, but you do need to use proper bullets if you plan on using the .30-06 for elk.

Fortunately, hunters now have access to a great selection of controlled expansion bullets that perform very well on really big game like elk and moose.

Lightweight 125 grain and 150-grain bullets are great for deer hunting, but hunters who use those lighter bullets on larger game will very likely experience issues with poor penetration, especially on steeply quartering shots. For this reason, I strongly recommend using premium quality controlled expansion bullets that are 170 grains or heavier (ideally 175-180 grain bullets) if you plan on using the .30-06 for hunting really big game like moose and elk.

Keep all of this in mind when you select .30-06 ammo for an upcoming hunt.

Additionally, while they can be very accurate and are certainly capable of killing big game animals, I don’t recommend using bullets designed for target shooting or marketed as match ammo like the Sierra MatchKing or Hornady A-Max and ELD Match for hunting.

This is because target or match bullets usually aren’t designed for optimum terminal performance on big game animals and you may run into issues with poor penetration.

By the same token, it’s a really bad idea (and often illegal) to hunt with full metal jacket (FMJ) bullets. FMJ ammo (especially Greek or Lake City surplus ammo that’s still floating around out there) is usually very inexpensive and is great for plinking or target shooting. Just don’t hunt with that stuff.

Instead, it’s best to stick with .30-06 ammo specifically designed for hunting that uses soft point, jacketed hollow point, or similar hunting bullets.

Fortunately, there is a wide variety of .30-06 factory loads specifically designed for just almost any big game hunting situation. So, regardless of whether you’re using a bolt action Remington Model 700, a Ruger Hawkeye, a Savage Axis, a Winchester Model 70, or some other hunting rifle, there is pretty much guaranteed to be something for everyone on the list below of the best .30-06 ammunition for hunting.

In this article, I’m going to provide recommendations for the best .30-06 ammo for hunting elk, deer, feral hogs, pronghorn, black bear, moose, and all sorts of other big game. I’ll also go over the strengths and weaknesses of each individual load and so you can select the right ammunition for your specific needs.

Note: some of the links below are affiliate links. This means I will earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you make a purchase of rifle, handgun, rimfire, or shotgun ammunition through those links. This helps support the blog and allows me to continue to create free content that’s useful to hunters like yourself. Thanks for your support.

Additionally, I do not recommend using any of this ammunition in a M-1 Garand.

Barnes VOR-TX

Barnes produces a couple of .30-06 ammo options as part of their LRX and VOR-TX lines. Featuring their legendary copper Tipped Triple Shock X (TTSX) bullets or Long Range Expanding (LRX) bullets, Barnes ammunition is designed for rapid expansion, high weight retention, and deep penetration.

Available using 150 grain, 168 grain, or 180 grain .30 caliber bullets, Barnes offers three outstanding choices for hunters in their VOR-TX line regardless of what they’re after.

The 180 grain load is an excellent choice of .30-06 Springfield ammo for elk, deer, bear, and moose hunting. While it’s not designed for longer range performance, it’s great for shots at typical hunting ranges and retains over 1,500ft-lbs of energy out past 400 yards.

The load featuring a 168 grain Barnes TTSX will also work for larger game like elk in a pinch, but it’s much better suited for deer, bear, and pronghorn. The higher velocity 150-grain load is great .30-06 ammo for deer and pronghorn hunting.

Additionally, Barnes also offers 30-06 ammo as part of their VOR-TX Long Range line. This particular loading uses a 175gr LRX bullet. Designed for use at extended range, these bullets have a higher ballistic coefficient and are built to expand well at lower velocities.

Fortunately, even the LRX bullet is still very tough and will deliver great weight retention and deep penetration. You can also depend on it to perform well at close range. Not every hunter will need the extended range performance of the LRX, but it’s an excellent offering for those who want it.

All four loads are also 100% copper, which makes them an ideal choice of .30-06 hunting ammunition for use in states like California that that don’t permit the use of lead bullets.

I’m a big fan of the Barnes VOR-TX line and the TSX, TTSX, and LRX bullets in general. I’ve used this ammunition with a lot of success on both deer and pronghorn over the past few years. This ammo is also a favorite among many North America, New Zealand, and Africa hunting outfitters.

• Bullet Type: TTSX Boat Tail
• Bullet Weight: 150 grains, 168 grains, 175 grains, or 180 grains
• Ballistic Coefficient (G1): .440 (150gr) .470 (168gr), .484 (180gr), .507 (175gr)
• Muzzle Velocity: 3,000 feet per second (150gr), 2,850 feet per second (168gr), 2,750 feet per second (180gr), 2,800 feet per second (175gr)

GET BARNES VOR-TX 30-06 AMMO HERE

GET BARNES LRX 30-06 AMMO HERE

Also Available at: Brownells, Cabela’s, Lucky Gunner, MidwayUSA, Natchez Shooters Supplies, Optics Planet, and Palmetto State Armory

Nosler Partition

Nosler Trophy Grade’s line featuring the legendary Nosler Partition is my #1 recommendation for hunters who need the best 30-06 ammo for elk, moose, or bear hunting. Loaded with a 180 grain Nosler Partition bullet, this load is great for hunting really big game where it’s really important to use a heavy, well constructed bullet.

With that in mind, this is also perfect .30-06 ammunition for an African safari where really large or tough antelope like zebra, blue wildebeest, kudu, or eland are on the menu. At the same time, this ammunition is not limited to really big, tough game either and will also work great on game like whitetail and mule deer.

The Nosler Partition is a very old bullet design, but it remains one of the best hunting bullets around and has a proven track record over the course of many decades and won’t let you down at the moment of truth. There’s a reason why it’s so darn popular with those who prefer to use handloaded ammunition as well as factory loads.

With proper shot placement, this ammunition will deliver excellent performance if it hits bone or soft tissue. Just aim for the vitals, do your part as a shooter, and the bullet will do the rest.

The Nosler Partition is not the most aerodynamic bullet out there. Even so, this is still some outstanding .30-06 ammo for shots out to a couple hundred yards. Just do your best to keep shots under 250 yards or so with it.

As you’ll see here later, I also recommend the 200 grain Trophy Bonded Bear Claw for use on extremely large game like moose over the 180 grain Nosler Partition. Truth be told, there’s a lot of overlap in their capabilities and both will work great on deer, bear, elk, and moose.

That said, I give the edge to the Partition with elk (even on a really big bull) and as a general purpose hunting bullet and to the Bear Claw for use on extremely large and/or dangerous game like moose or brown bear.

Finally, Federal produces a virtually identical load with a 180 grain Partition as part of their Premium Rifle line. For all intents and purposes, I think it’s practically interchangeable with this Nosler load (links to each are below).

• Bullet Type: Nosler Partition
• Bullet Weight: 180 grains
• Ballistic Coefficient (G1): .474
• Muzzle Velocity: 2,700 feet per second

GET NOSLER 30-06 PARTITION AMMO HERE

GET FEDERAL 30-06 PARTITION AMMO HERE

Also Available at: Brownells, Natchez Shooters Supplies, and Optics Planet

Federal Premium Terminal Ascent

Federal’s Terminal Ascent line is another good option of .30-06 hunting ammo for hunters looking for really good extended range performance. This ammunition uses the new Terminal Ascent Bullet, which is also extremely aerodynamic and accurate. It’s not quite as aerodynamic as the Hornady ELD-X, but it still has a relatively high BC and is also much more robustly constructed.

With those things in mind, I personally tend to lean more towards the Terminal Ascent over the ELD-X for hunting bigger game like elk with the .30-06 Springfield. This ammo is another great option for hunters going after game out west like mule deer or pronghorn who need excellent .30-06 ammo for a long range hunting situation.

If this ammunition shoots accurately in your rifle, this is my #2 recommended load (behind the 180gr Nosler Partition) for hunters who need good .30-06 ammo for elk or moose hunting. Terminal Ascent ammo has better long range performance than the Nosler Partition, so this is the stuff you should use if a shot past 250 yards is likely on an upcoming elk hunt.

• Bullet Type: Terminal Ascent
• Bullet Weight: 175 grains
• Ballistic Coefficient (G1): .520
• Muzzle Velocity: 2,730 feet per second

GET TERMINAL ASCENT 30-06 AMMO HERE

Also Available at: Brownell’s, Cabela’s, Natchez Shooters Supplies, Optics Planet, and Sportsman’s Warehouse

Federal Premium Trophy Bonded Bear Claw

Federal Premium’s line featuring a 200 grain Trophy Bonded Bear Claw Bullet is my #1 recommendation for hunters who need the absolute best 30-06 ammo for moose, bear, or elk hunting. As they say, really big and tough game needs a really big and tough bullet. I think the 180 grain Nosler Partition (or the Swift A-Frame) is fantastic for elk, but I think the 200 grain Trophy Bonded Bear Claw is a really tough and heavy bullet that’s a little better for bigger and/or more dangerous game.

This load has over 2,800 foot pounds of muzzle energy and is perfect for hunting really big game where it’s really important to use the heaviest and most well constructed bullet possible. This is especially important for situations where you might need to use your hunting rifle on dangerous game, like a brown or grizzly bear on a hunt in Alaska.

Heavier bullets with a higher sectional density (like this 200 grain bullet), tend to penetrate pretty well, especially if they are a premium quality controlled expansion bullet like this one. The fact that this ammunition uses one of the heaviest bullet weights available in factory .30-06 ammo and the fact that it’s a bonded bullet means that this is some of the best ammo for use on the biggest and toughest game you’d conceivably hunt with a .30-06.

This is also really good .30-06 ammunition for an African safari for the bigger species of plains game like kudu and eland are on the menu. I tend to lean a little towards the 180 grain Nosler Partition for that sort of hunting, but the 200 grain Trophy Bonded Bear Claw is also an excellent choice. At the same time, this ammunition is not limited to really big, tough game either and will still work great on game like whitetail and mule deer.

The Trophy Bonded Bear Claw is not the most aerodynamic bullet out there (even less aerodynamic than the 180 grain Nosler Partition). Even so, this is still some outstanding .30-06 ammo for shots out to a couple hundred yards.

• Bullet Type: Trophy Bonded Bear Claw
• Bullet Weight: 200 grains
• Ballistic Coefficient (G1): .395
• Muzzle Velocity: 2,540 feet per second

GET TROPHY BONDED 30-06 AMMO HERE

Also Available at: MidwayUSA, Palmetto State Armory, Sportsman’s Warehouse

Remington Core Lokt

If you’re a “meat and potatoes” kind of hunter who wants some dependable and reasonably priced .30-06 ammo for hunting deer, elk, feral hogs, and black bear, then the Remington’s 180 grain Core Lokt soft point will probably work really well for you.

It’s not the latest and greatest stuff by any means. However, the Core Lokt bullet has been around for a long time and countless hunters have successfully used this ammo to take just about every species of big game in North America.

One of those bullets through the vitals of a black bear, elk, deer, or pronghorn will make for a very short tracking job. They don’t call it the “deadliest mushroom in the woods” for nothing.

That said, I don’t think this is the best choice of a hunting round for use on bigger game like elk or moose, especially really big bulls. The Federal .30-06 Springfield load using 180gr Nosler Partition I previously mentioned is my #1 recommendation for elk and moose.

However, Rem Core Lokt will absolutely work in that role and lots of elk and moose hunters use this ammunition successfully each year, especially on immature bulls or cow elk. This ammo is also cheaper and often more widely available than that Federal Load with the Partition.

Indeed, this ammunition has one of the lowest costs per round out of all the .30-06 ammo on this list. If you’re on a strict budget and can’t afford premium ammunition, then I’d suggest using the 180 grain or 220 grain Remington Core Lokt load above any of the other “budget” .30-06 ammo options.

• Bullet Type: Core-Lokt Soft Point (PSP)
• Bullet Weight: 180 grains or 220 grains
• Ballistic Coefficient (G1): .383 (180gr) or .294 (220gr)
• Muzzle Velocity: 2,700 feet per second (180gr) or 2,410 feet per second (220gr)

GET CORE LOKT 30-06 AMMO HERE

Also Available at: Brownells, Cabela’s, Lucky Gunner, Natchez Shooter Supplies, Optics Planet, Remington, & Sportsman’s Warehouse

Hornady Precision Hunter

The .30-06 Springfield has a long and distinguished history of use for precision shooting at long range. It should come as no surprise then that Hornady includes the .30-06 in their Precision Hunter line of factory ammo.

Loaded with the extremely aerodynamic Extremely Low Drag eXpanding (ELD-X) bullet, this ammo line is designed for western hunters going after game like mule deer or pronghorn antelope who need the very best ammo for a long range hunting situation. Using a 178 grain ELD-X bullet, that load is a very good .30-06 ammo option for hunters looking to squeeze every bit of long range performance out of the cartridge.

Hornady advertises that the ELD-X bullet has the best-in-class ballistic coefficients over their entire trajectory and that their Precision Hunter ammunition also offers match grade accuracy (usually sub-MOA).

Though the ELD-X does not have a bonded core like the Hornady InterBond, the ELD-X does feature a thicker jacket and the Hornady InterLock ring to help increase weight retention, control expansion, and minimize the chances of core-jacket separation. For this reason, the ELD-X is still devastating on deer and pronghorn sized game, but it’s also a much better choice than their SST bullet for use on larger game.

That said, the ELD-X is still a little too fragile for my tastes. Many hunters use this exact ammunition on elk each year with a lot of success. Personally, I prefer a tougher bullet for elk sized game (like the Terminal Ascent also on this list). I think the ELD-X is perfect for deer sized game though.

Take all that for what you will.

Any way you slice it, this .30-06 ammunition is capable of delivering great terminal performance on a wide range of big game for shots at 400+ yards without dealing with the price or recoil of the big magnum cartridges.

• Bullet Type: Hornady Extremely Low Drag eXpanding
• Bullet Weight: 178 grains
• Ballistic Coefficient (G1): .552
• Muzzle Velocity: 2,750 feet per second

GET PRECISION HUNTER 30-06 AMMO HERE

Also Available at: Brownells, Cabela’s, Lucky Gunner, MidwayUSA, Natchez Shooters Supplies, Optics Planet, Palmetto State Armory, & Sportsman’s Warehouse

Winchester Deer Season XP

The .30-06 Springfield is one of the most popular cartridges used by deer hunters in the United States. For this reason, Winchester offers a .30-06 load as part of Deer Season XP line of ammunition. The Extreme Point bullet this rifle ammo uses is similar to Winchester’s Power Point bullet, but the Extreme Point has a large diameter polymer tip that’s specifically designed to produce a gigantic wound channel along with massive impact trauma.

This often results in a short tracking job and a very easy to follow blood trail (if the deer runs at all). Additionally, Deer Season XP ammo is designed specifically to compete with other popular whitetail deer hunting ammo options like Federal Fusion, Federal Power-Shok, Hornady American Whitetail, Winchester Super-X, and Winchester Ballistic Silvertip in terms of price, terminal performance, reliability, and accuracy.

In fact, the Winchester Deer Season XP line has one of the lowest costs per round out of all the .30-06 ammo choices on this list.

So, not only is this some reasonably priced .30-06 ammo, but it also has a solid reputation for producing a giant wound channel and minimizing the distance deer run after being hit. All things considered, this Winchester ammo is one of my top recommended brands of .30-06 ammo for whitetail deer hunting.

I do NOT recommend using Deer Season XP ammo for bigger game like elk or moose. That high velocity, rapidly expanding 150 grain bullet is certainly capable of getting the job done on bigger game, but I think it expands far too rapidly at the expense of penetration for use on big game like that.

So, don’t risk it. If you need a budget ammo option for hunting bigger game, go with the 180 grain Remington Core Lokt I previously recommended.

Finally, Winchester does manufacture a lead-free version of their Deer Season XP ammo loaded with their Copper Impact bullet in 30-06 for use with hunters who are prefer (or are required to) use lead-free ammunition.

• Bullet Type: Extreme Point
• Bullet Weight: 150 grains
• Ballistic Coefficient (G1): .392 or .387 (Copper Impact)
• Muzzle Velocity: 2,920 feet per second

GET DEER SEASON XP 30-06 AMMO HERE

GET DEER SEASON COPPER IMPACT 30-06 AMMO HERE

Also Available at: Brownell’s, Cabela’s, Lucky Gunner, Natchez Shooters Supplies, Optics Planet, Palmetto State Armory, & Sportsman’s Warehouse

Nosler Trophy Grade

Nosler manufacturers a loading that uses a 180 grain AccuBond bullet as part of their Trophy Grade line. This is perfect for those in need of some quality and extremely versatile .30-06 ammo for deer, bear, or elk hunting.

Just like the name says, the AccuBond is a bonded bullet where the lead core is chemically bonded to the jacket, so you don’t have to worry about the bullet “grenading” or expanding too rapidly upon impact. It’s not quite as tough as the Nosler Partition, but the AccuBond is still a very robustly constructed bullet and these features make the AccuBond a much better choice for an elk hunt than typical cup and core bullets.

AccuBond bullets are also pretty darn aerodynamic (much more aerodynamic than Partition bullets of the same caliber and weight) and will reliably expand at lower impact velocities. All things considered, this ammunition is tough enough for close range shots on big game while at the same time providing very good extended range performance.

Some of the more specialized .30-06 Springfield loads (which I’ll also cover in this article) offer better performance in specific circumstances. However, this 180 gr AccuBond load is my #1 recommendations as an excellent all around choice for hunters who want a flexible, yet still extremely capable .30-06 hunting load regardless of whether you’re hunting deer in Idaho or elk in Colorado.

• Bullet Type: Nosler AccuBond
• Bullet Weight: 180 grains
• Ballistic Coefficient (G1): .507
• Muzzle Velocity: 2,750 feet per second

GET TROPHY GRADE 30-06 AMMO HERE

Also Available at: Brownells, Cabela’s, MidwayUSA, Natchez Shooters Supplies, Optics Planet, Palmetto State Armory, and Sportsman’s Warehouse.

Nosler Ballistic Tip

Nosler also offers a .30-06 Springfield loading using a 125 grain Ballistic Tip bullet. This bullet is also an outstanding choice for hunting thin-skinned game like deer and pronghorn.

However, this load shoots those little 125 grain Ballistic Tip bullets quite a bit faster than than the 150 grain Extreme Point bullets used in the Winchester Deer Season XP load. Even though they’re lighter and not quite as aerodynamic, this Ballistic Tip load still has a flatter trajectory than the comparable Winchester Deer Season XP load.

Ballistic Tip bullets are also designed to deliver devastating terminal effects to game upon impact. Nothing is guaranteed, but these bullets often deliver instant, knock down results on deer sized game.

All things considered, Nosler Ballistic Tip .30-06 ammo is better suited for longer range shots on game like mule deer or pronghorn than the Winchester Deer Season XP. It will also work extremely well on that same sort of game at closer range.

As the saying goes, there’s no such thing as a free lunch.

Those lightweight, high velocity bullets expand rapidly and deliver incredible shock upon impact, but they don’t penetrate very well. This isn’t usually an issue with deer-sized game, but I do NOT recommend using Nosler Ballistic Tip ammo for bigger game like elk or moose.

Instead, stick to game like whitetail deer, mule deer, and pronghorn with the 125 grain Ballistic Tip. You’ll probably be very happy with the results if you do that.

• Bullet Type: Nosler Ballistic Tip
• Bullet Weight: 125 grains
• Ballistic Coefficient (G1): .366
• Muzzle Velocity: 3,100 feet per second

GET BALLISTIC TIP 30-06 AMMO HERE

Also Available at: MidwayUSA, Natchez Shooters Supplies, Optics Planet, Palmetto State Armory, and Sportsman’s Warehouse

Hornady Custom Lite

While the .30-06 Springfield isn’t usually thought of as a great hunting cartridge for new, small framed, and/or recoil shy hunters, it’s certainly capable in that role with the right ammo. Indeed, the .30-06 is such a popular hunting cartridge that it shouldn’t be surprising that Hornady offers a reduced recoil .30-06 option as part of their Custom Lite line of ammunition.

This is a reduced power load that uses a lighter bullet fired at a slower than usual velocity. This results in an exceptionally mild recoiling .30-06 load that’s still deadly on deer sized game at short to moderate range.

This ammunition is loaded with a 125 grain Hornady SST bullet. The Super Shock Tip bullet (SST) has a reputation for great accuracy and will also still reliably expand at low impact velocities. These characteristics make it a good choice for a reduced power loading like this one.

There’s no such thing as a free lunch though. This load delivers such mild recoil by firing a light bullet at a low muzzle velocity (just 2,700 fps). For this reason, I DON’T recommend using this ammo on bigger game like elk or taking shots on deer past about 200 yards with it though.

It will deliver good terminal performance on deer sized game. Just don’t expect a complete pass through (even on a broadside shot), especially on bigger bodied animals.

With all that in mind, this is great .30-06 deer hunting ammo for recoil shy hunters. So if you need an accurate and mild recoiling .30-06 ammo choice for your child to deer hunt with, then Hornady’s Custom Lite .30-06 ammo is just about perfect.

• Bullet Type: SST
• Bullet Weight: 125 grains
• Ballistic Coefficient (G1): .305
• Muzzle Velocity: 2,700 feet per second

GET CUSTOM LITE 30-06 AMMO HERE

Also Available at: Brownells, MidwayUSA, Natchez Shooters Supplies, Optics Planet, & Palmetto State Armory

Federal Power Shok

It’s not new, trendy, or flashy, but this Federal Power Shok loading with either a 150gr or a 180gr bullet is really good 30-06 ammo for deer hunting. In addition to being very effective, this ammunition is also normally very reasonably priced and has been one of the easier 30-06 ammo options to find during the past few years.

While I think this is outstanding feral hog and deer hunting ammunition, I do not recommend using Federal Power Shok ammo for hunting bigger game like black bear, elk, or moose with a 30-06.

Instead, use one of the other loads I recommend later in this article like the Barnes TTSX, Federal Terminal Ascent, or Nosler Partition.

In addition to being effective on deer sized game, this ammunition has one of the lowest costs per round out of all the .30-06 ammo on this list. All things considered, it’s tough to go wrong with the Federal Power Shok line if you want some great 30-06 ammo for deer hunting.

• Bullet Type: Jacketed Soft Point
• Bullet Weight: 150 grains or 180 grains
• Ballistic Coefficient (G1): .313 (150gr) or .385 (180gr)
• Muzzle Velocity: 2,910 or 2,700 feet per second

GET POWER SHOK 30-06 AMMO HERE

Also Available at: Cabela’s and Natchez Shooter Supplies

Federal Premium Berger Hybrid

Berger bullets, especially the Berger VLD and Hybrid Hunter (which is less sensitive to seating depth than the Berger VLD) have long been favorites with handloaders. Fortunately, Federal Premium also offers .30-06 Springfield hunting ammunition loaded with the Berger Hybrid Hunter bullet as a factory load. So those bullets are no longer limited to those who use handloads.

These bullets are known for exceptional accuracy and for being extremely aerodynamic. In fact, this is one of the most accurate .30-06 ammunition options for many hunters.

Though they do quite often deliver match grade accuracy, the Berger Hybrid Hunter is not a run of the mill match bullet. Instead, it’s designed to provide devastating terminal performance on many species of big game.

Most hunting bullets start to expand immediately upon impact. However, Berger bullets are designed to penetrate several inches before expanding. Then, according to Berger, the Hybrid Hunter bullet will shed anywhere from 40% to 90% of its weight (depending on impact velocity) and send countless tiny fragments off into surrounding tissue.

This produces a massive wound cavity and dumps most, if not all, of the bullet’s energy into the animal.

Those features make this load an excellent choice of .30-06 ammo for longer range hunting situations, especially if do a lot of long range shooting and/or if you’re a proponent of the “energy dump” school of thought when it comes to selecting a hunting bullet.

• Bullet Type: Berger Hybrid Hunter
• Bullet Weight: 168 grains
• Ballistic Coefficient (G1): .489
• Muzzle Velocity: 2,800 feet per second

GET BERGER 30-06 AMMO HERE

Also Available at: Brownell’s, Cabela’s, Natchez Shooters Supplies, Optics Planet, Palmetto State Armory, and Sportsman’s Warehouse

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Although not as instantaneously synonymous with American culture as Coca-Cola, but the .22 Long Rifle is up there and is an even older symbol of this great country.

From teaching kids how to shoot to clearing the forest of small game, and to ringing steel targets at 200+ yards, we now live in a golden age for the often-overlooked .22 LR cartridge. No matter what your goal or budget, we have the best of the best here for you to choose your next best .22 LR rifles.

The .22 LR Caliber

Starting in 1884, the .22 LR cartridge began as a black powder cartridge designed for basically the same thing we use it for today. Training, plinking, and small game.

With dozens of manufacturers making hundreds of types of .22 LR there is a round that can do it all. From rat shot to solid copper slugs, there is a .22 LR for it. The far most common is a simple lead bullet that is a tiny 40-grains heavy.

Basically, rimfire cartridges are ones that are struck on the rim of the casing to activate the primer compound that is in the base of the casing.

Unlike centerfire cartridges that use a primer as a separate part, rimfire cartridges keep everything contained in one case. Sometimes the bullet will be washed in copper, sometimes it will be smaller to boost muzzle velocity, there are just so many options when it comes to what .22 LR you feed your rifle.

With modern manufacturers and huge growth in .22 LR competition sports in the last 10 years, there have never been more accurate, more reliable, or more expensive .22 LR options on the market.

And yet, you can still get a bucket of bullets for next to nothing.

Best .22 LR Rifles: Practical Applications

Teaching New Shooters

Because of the ultra-low recoil, quiet nature, and zero muzzle flash — .22 LR makes for a great cartridge to help new shooters learn about firearms and the fundaments that go along with them.

Safety, handling, basic marksmanship, all these are so much easier to teach someone when they don’t need to be worried about the sound and “scariness” of what they are shooting. Be they adults or kids, .22 LR is the most common caliber to start with as a new shooter.

Training

Some .22 LR ammo is crazy cheap, and some of it isn’t. Either way, though, it’s almost always cheaper than whatever centerfire caliber you’re also shooting. For long-range shooters, pistol shooters, or tactical AR shooters, .22 LR is cheaper and more accessible than anything else.

Spending less on your ammo means getting to shoot more and shooting more makes you better at it.

It isn’t a cure-all that will solve your problems, but .22 LR is a great way to test new gear, train transitions, and weapons handling, and have a great time doing it.

Small Game

Rabbits, squirrels, rats, and more — .22 LR is a humane and ethical cartridge for anything on the extra small side. While perfectly deadly to large animals (including you) .22 LR is really suited for the small stuff and at fairly close ranges. If you have pests or want to try some fried squirrel leg, .22 LR can get it done.

Competition

We’ve seen a huge growth in .22 LR competitions at a national and local level — so it’s a great time to be in the shooting sports.

Two major ones are Steel Challenge and NRL22. Steel Challenge is an excellent starter competition game that puts the shooter in a fixed static area and tasks you with shooting a set of steel targets as fast as possible. If you’ve never shot in front of people at a competition before, this is a no-stress way of getting a toe wet.

At the same time, it has lots of room for growth since it isn’t just shot with .22 LR but with other pistol calibers also.

NRL22 is the art of shooting small targets at long distances in the least-worst optimal shooting position possible. If you’re familiar with PRS, it’s that — but with .22 LR. Weird barricades, from the prone, bracing yourself on a rooftop with bags while shooting five known distances — these are everyday things you can expect at an NRL22 match. And it’s crazy good fun.

What is the Effective Range of a .22 Rifle?

Although effective at ranges of up to 150 yards (140 meters), the. 22 LR’s effective range is typically much less. If you fire a high-velocity 22-caliber rifle at 100 yards, the bullet will fall 5-6 inches below your line of sight on average. At 150 yards, it’s 20″. After 150 yards, it’s impossible to compensate for the round’s considerable “drop.”

Maximum effective range for squirrels and rabbits is 75 to 100 yards, with a more realistic range of 25–50 yards depending on the rifle and shooter. Bullet drop is negligible at such range.

The Best .22 LR Rifles

Ruger 10/22

The classic, the OG, the GOAT — the Ruger 10/22. Since 1964, the Ruger 10/22 hit the market, and over 6 million have been sold. And that doesn’t count all of the clones that have been made and sold also.

Coming in a dozen or so different flavors, the 10/22 is one gun everyone should own at least once in their lifetimes. It’s inexpensive, a simple blow-back rifle that runs and runs. Great for teaching kids, small game hunting, or just putting holes in soda cans — the 10/22 is an old faithful that will never let you down.

A huge plus to you is that because the Ruger 10/22 has been around forever and with so many units sold, there is a massive aftermarket for it. Stocks, chassis, barrels, bolts, triggers — if you want to change it or upgrade it, you can.

Personally, I like the 10/22 Takedown model the best. Able to break in half with just the pull of a lug, this is the ultimate in quick and easy.

2. CZ 457

Like the 10/22, CZ’s line of rimfire rifles is a super classic option that comes in a huge range of flavors and models.

From beautiful wooden stocks to competition-ready chassis, there is a CZ 457 for you. Something you can always count on is that the CZ 457 will be reliable, have great shooting, and have smooth action. It might not be the fanciest design, but it has iteratively improved every time CZ comes out with new versions.

Expansive aftermarket support guarantees you have room to upgrade anything you want, but even a base-level CZ 457 is a great rifle out of the box. If you want a true classic — the CZ 457 American is my recommendation. My favorite though is the CZ 457 Varmint MTR. With a big, bold wooden stock and a flat forend perfectly styled for long-range shooting — the Varmint MTR is one badass rifle.

3. Bergara BXR

Bergara isn’t very well known for the BXR, and I think it’s a shame because it’s a great rifle that really flies under the radar.

Coming standard with a 30 MOA 1913 rail for mounting a scope and a super crisp 3.5-pound trigger, this little semi-auto shooter is built for small groups at long ranges. But with the standard model weighing only 5.2-pounds and the carbon fiber model weighing in at 4.2-pounds, this is a rifle that can stay with you in the field all day.

And thankfully, Bergara didn’t reinvent the wheel regarding the magazines — standard Ruger 10/22 mags work with the BXR. You might look at this as a modernized and very high-quality 10/22. And basically, it is. But for the price point and the features Bergara gives you, this is a very compelling option.

4. Bergara B-14r

Another rifle that I’ve used in competition to great effect — I flat out love my Bergara. Period.

Bergara is a major supporter of the NRL22 sport and their B-14r rifle is a great option for anyone wanting to shoot open class with an R700 footprint rifle.

Coming standard in a Bergara HMR stock/chassis this is a great start for anyone needing an upper-class .22 LR. The HMR B-14 in centerfire cartridges is one of the best factory rifles on the market and Bergara has done a great job bringing that quality and design to the rimfire rifle.

An adjustable trigger and an outstanding barrel combine to make this simply a great rifle. And, if you want to shave some pounds off of it, you can get the B-14r in a carbon fiber wrapped option that feels wonderful in your hands.

It’s also an amazing option for anyone of smaller stature. Taking a couple of pounds off of the B-14r turns it into a super lightweight and well-balanced rifle for hunting or shooting off barricades.

5. Tikka T1x

My first upper-tier .22 LR rifle, I love my Tikka T1x. Designed on the T3x footprint the T1x will fit most stocks and chassis that the T3x fits. It also takes the same triggers, so that’s extra nice. Coming standard with an adjustable 2-stage Tikka trigger the T1x is a great little rifle for all sorts of things.

Personally, I used it as my competition rifle for a while before I upgrade. Now I keep my Tikka in the factory stock as my squirrel rifle. It’s lightweight, handy, and deadly accurate. I shot my Tikka in NRL22X matches out to 400 yards — that’s crazy far for .22 LR.

At 100 yards I found a number of ammo types that were well within sub-MOA groupings. If you want a simple small bore hunting rifle, Tikka T1x is there for you. If you want to get started in NRL22, Tikka is there for you.

Really — you won’t be disappointed no matter what you get your Tikka for!

6. Zermatt Arms RimX

I’ll admit I’m biased, I love to shoot NRL22 competitions and a Zermatt Arms RimX is my current open match rifle.

While I could write half a book on why I love this rifle, I’ll try to just give you the highlight reel. If you want a rifle that is treated with the same respect and care that a master gunsmith puts into a centerfire match rifle — Zermatt Arms RimX is for you.

Zermatt Arms has been making outstanding centerfire rifles for years and the RimX is their venture into the rimfire world. Build for people wanting a top-tier training rifle or shooting in rimfire competitions, the RimX is excellent. From the all-metal magazines with adjustable seating to the wide range of bolt handles to pick from, the RimX is as customizable as it gets.

And of course, it’s build using the Remington 700 footprint so there is a huge aftermarket selection of stocks and chassis to choose from. Right now you can only find the RimX as a bare action directly from Zermatt Arms, but some gunsmiths and retailers are offering custom rifles using the RimX action. If you’re ready to build yourself a baller NRL22 or .22 LR training rifle, I highly recommend the RimX.

7. Vudoo Gun Works V-22

One of the absolute top dogs in the high-end .22 LR game, Vudoo Gun Works is the standard that others are judged against. Always at the forefront of .22 LR bolt rifle technology, these are rifles that win national championships regularly.

Built using the Remington 700 footprint, the V-22 fits any stock and chassis that the R700 does. Frankly, you just can’t go wrong with a V-22. But you’ll have to break a piggy bank or two to cover the payments, perfection doesn’t come cheap.

While most people will think it’s madness to spend this kind of money on “just a .22 LR rifle” keep in mind that these are really designed and marketed for the competition world. If that isn’t you, there’s nothing wrong with that!

8. Smith & Wesson M&P MP 15-22

An AR-15 format that is designed and chambered to shoot .22 LR — awesome.

Using a real .22 LR barrel and a system that is actually built for .22 LR, this is the best AR-15 platform .22 LR you can get off the shelf. And it doesn’t cost too much either.

Great as a training rifle, small game rifle, or as a stepping stone before getting into the AR-15 platform completely — the MP 15-22 is a great rifle in every respect. However, while the MP 15-22 is a solid enough rifle, it does have two major weak points.

First, the lower is made of polymer instead of metal like on a real AR-15. This is fine for .22 LR, but don’t go door-kicking with it. Second, the lower is designed to not fit other AR-15 uppers. So if you have a dream of getting this cheap and throwing on a 5.56 NATO upper, you can’t.

Wrapping Up

From popping pop cans to bringing home the squirrels for the squirrel stew to slapping steel at long distances, these .22 LR rifles can do it all. It’s just a matter of finding the perfect one for you.

I have my favorites, and I’m sure you have yours, so tell me about them down in the comments. If you’d like to see more .22 LR content, let us know.

For now, take a look at these great articles:

• Best Ruger 10/22 Scopes
• Best .22 LR Handguns
• The 4 Best .22 LR Rifle Scopes
• Best Budget Hunting Rifles