Budget rimfire builds under $1,000: T1x, CZ 457, Savage, Ruger American, Bergara BMR
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What can you get for under $1,000?
A threaded, scoped, accurate bolt .22 that's NRL22 Base legal. The table lists maker MSRPs. Street prices are often lower, and the rifle price at your dealer decides what's left for a scope.
| Rifle | MSRP | Key specs | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Savage Mark II FV-SR | $329 [1] | 16.5 in heavy fluted barrel, 1/2x28, AccuTrigger 2.5–6 lb, 5-rd mag, EGW one-piece rail, 5.5 lb, 13.9 in LOP | Basic stock; small mag |
| Savage B22 FV-SR | $409 [2] | 16.25 in heavy threaded, 10-rd rotary mag, AccuTrigger, top tang safety, 5.6 lb, 13.5 in LOP | Fewer aftermarket parts |
| Ruger American Rimfire | $469–$509 [3] | 18 in (std), 1/2-28, 3–5 lb trigger, modular comb, 10/22 mags, 5.5 lb | Owners say less consistent at 100 yd |
| Bergara BMR Steel | $699 [4] | 18 in threaded, match chamber, 5- and 10-rd mags, 5.5 lb | Higher cost; small aftermarket |
| CZ 457 (from) | $649 (Scout) [5] | Swappable barrels, adjustable trigger, huge aftermarket | Leaves little scope budget at MSRP |
| Tikka T1x MTR | $699–$749 (retailer-listed MSRP, Oct 2026) [6] | Threaded 16/20 in, T3x-compatible stock and triggers | Leaves ~$250–$300 for scope and mount at MSRP |
Is a budget Savage accurate?
Published reviews of Savage Mark II rimfires with the AccuTrigger report strong groups. Gunblast's Mark II BV review recorded 50 yd groups of 0.31–0.88 in, with repeatable 0.31 in groups on Olin standard velocity [7]. That's a different model and one rifle, so treat it as an example, not a guarantee. For the Ruger American Rimfire, Gun Tests' RAR Target review averaged 0.91 in at 50 yd across four ammo types [8].
Our range results (coming soon)
This box will hold our own groups, chronograph data and photos for this topic once we've shot and recorded them. Until then, every accuracy number on this page comes from the published source cited next to it. We have not tested these rifles or products hands-on for this article.
Example builds (street-price shopping lists)
Build 1: Savage Mark II FV-SR "NRL22 starter" (~$750–$850)
- Rifle: Mark II FV-SR (MSRP $329; the factory EGW rail is included)
- Scope: Athlon Argos BTR Gen2 6-24x50 FFP ($288.99 seen)
- Rings: 30 mm Picatinny rings (any quality brand)
- Bipod: Harris S-LM ($121.99)
- Ammo: SK Standard Plus ($81.99/500)
Build 2: Ruger American Rimfire "do-it-all" (~$750–$900)
- Rifle: RAR 8305 (MSRP $499)
- Scope: Arken EPL-4 4-16x44 FFP ($299.99 seen) or Leupold VX-Freedom Rimfire 3-9x40 ($299.99) for hunting
- Sling: Magpul MS1 ($37.95)
- Ammo: CCI Standard Velocity plus CCI Mini-Mag HP for hunting
Build 3: T1x or CZ 457 "buy once" (around $1,000 at street prices)
- Rifle: T1x MTR or a base CZ 457 (street prices vary; often below MSRP)
- Scope: Vortex Crossfire II Rimfire 2-7x32 ($129) to start, upgrading later to an FFP
- Mount: T1x Talley steel rings or CZ Talley CZ rings
- Ammo: a lot test (see ammo testing)
What about Marlin, Henry and youth rifles?
- Marlin: under Ruger, the Marlin relaunch has focused on centerfire lever actions. New-production Marlin bolt .22s weren't on shelves as of our source (secondary source, conf: low) [9]. Used Marlin XT-22s and 795s are budget options.
- Henry Mini Bolt Youth G2: single-shot, 11.5 in LOP, 3.25 lb, $335 MSRP [10]. Ideal for a first-time young shooter. As a single-shot it can't shoot NRL22, which requires removable magazines [11].
- CZ 457 Scout: 12 in LOP, about 5 lb, includes a single-shot adapter and takes 457 mags [12] [13]. A youth rifle that grows with the shooter.
How should I spend a limited budget?
- A rifle with a threaded barrel and a decent trigger.
- A scope with parallax adjustment if you'll shoot at varying distances.
- A solid mount; cheap rings cause "accuracy problems".
- 500–1,000 rounds of the lot your rifle likes.
- Support gear: bipod and rear bag.
- Upgrades later: triggers and barrels, then a chassis.
Compare the premium options: T1x vs CZ 457 vs Bergara vs RAR.
More rifles under $1,000
The wider field, all at maker or labeled retailer MSRPs (Oct 2026):
| Rifle | Action | Barrel | Trigger | Magazine | Optic mount | Weight (lb) | MSRP (source, date, confidence) | Aftermarket depth | NRL22 fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mossberg 802 Plinkster (38230) | Bolt | 18 in free-floating, 1:16 | Factory | 10-rd box | 3/8 in dovetail; fiber-optic sights | 4.0 | $231 MSRP as listed by retailers. source, 2026-10-12, conf: med | Low | Base price-eligible (not competitive) |
| Savage Mark II FV-SR | Bolt; thread-in headspace | 16.5 in heavy fluted, 1/2x28 | AccuTrigger 2.5-6 lb | 5-rd box | EGW one-piece rail included | 5.5 | $329 Savage MSRP. source, 2026-10-12, conf: high | High (Boyds/MDT stocks, triggers, rails) | Base: leaves ~$1,321 for scope |
| Savage B22 FV-SR | Bolt; top-tang safety | 16.25 in heavy threaded | AccuTrigger | 10-rd rotary | Pic rail | 5.6 | $409 Savage MSRP. source, 2026-10-12, conf: high | Medium | Base: leaves ~$1,241 for scope |
| Ruger American Rimfire | Bolt; 60-degree throw | 18 in 1/2-28 threaded (8305); other lengths by model | Marksman Adjustable 3-5 lb | 10/22 BX-1 rotary | 3/8 in rimfire base machined in; drilled and tapped for Weaver #12 | 5.5 | $509 Ruger suggested retail $509 (model 8305; other RAR models vary). source, 2026-10-12, conf: high | Medium (some stocks; uses 10/22 mags) | Base: leaves ~$1,141 for scope |
| Ruger Precision Rimfire | Bolt; adjustable bolt throw (rimfire or short-action stroke) | 18 in cold hammer-forged, 1/2-28, 1:16 | Marksman Adjustable 2.25-5 lb | BX-15 / BX-1 (22 LR); rotary (17 HMR / 22 WMR) | 30 MOA Pic base | 6.8 | $629 Ruger MSRP. source, 2026-10-12, conf: high | Medium (AR grips and stocks fit) | Base: leaves ~$1,021 for scope |
| CZ 457 Scout | Bolt; youth stock | 16.5 in threaded | Adjustable | Single-shot adapter; takes 457 mags | 11 mm dovetail; open sights | ~5 | $649 CZ-USA product page $649 (a third-party 2026 list shows $549). source, 2026-10-12, conf: high | Very high (shares 457 parts) | Base: leaves ~$1,001 for scope |
| Tikka T1x MTR | Bolt; 2-lug style rimfire; T3x-size stock footprint | 16 or 20 in, 1/2x28 threaded, 1:16.5 (.22 LR) | Single-stage, adjustable; accepts T3/T3x triggers | T1x 10-rd (5-rd flush available) | 11 mm dovetail; drilled and tapped for T1x Pic rails | 6.5 (16 in retailer spec) | $699 $699 (16 in) / $749 (20 in) MSRP as shown by US retailers; Tikka US site lists no price. source, 2026-10-12, conf: med | High (chassis from MDT/KRG/XLR/Grey Birch; triggers; rails) | Base: leaves ~$951 for scope at $699 |
| Bergara BMR Steel | Bolt; match chamber | 18/20 in threaded | Bergara trigger | 5 and 10-rd slim mags | Pic rail | 5.5 | $699 Bergara MSRP (Carbon $799; BMR-X $799). source, 2026-10-11, conf: high | Low | Base: leaves ~$951 for scope |
| Savage B22 Precision (70248) | Bolt; MDT one-piece chassis | 18 in heavy threaded, 1:16 | AccuTrigger 1.5-5 lb | 10-rd rotary | One-piece Pic (20 MOA per Gun Tests) | 7.38 | $749 Savage MSRP. source, 2026-10-12, conf: high | Medium (AICS-style chassis accessories) | Base: leaves ~$901 for scope |
MSRPs from the maker where available, otherwise labeled retailer listings, checked Oct 2026. Aftermarket depth and NRL22 fit are our editorial summaries (NRL22 Base: rifle plus scope MSRP up to $1,650). Specs are published figures, not our measurements.
Full ranking by budget: best .22 bolt actions by budget.
Where budget builds overspend
- Scope before ammo: a $600 scope can't fix a bad lot. Test ammo first.
- Cheap rings: ring slip mimics an "inaccurate rifle". Buy quality rings or use the factory rail.
- Upgrades too early: shoot 1,000 rounds and a match before swapping triggers or stocks. You'll know what you actually need.
FAQ
What is the best budget bolt action 22?
On published specs and reviews, the Savage Mark II FV-SR ($329 MSRP, threaded heavy barrel, AccuTrigger) and the Ruger American Rimfire ($469–$509) are the top value picks. The Bergara BMR ($699) is a step up.
Is the Savage Mark II accurate?
Published reviews of AccuTrigger Mark II rifles report 50 yd groups of about 0.31–0.88 in with good ammo, e.g. Gunblast's Mark II BV review.
Can I build an NRL22 rifle under $1,000?
Yes. For example, a Savage Mark II FV-SR plus an Athlon Argos BTR Gen2, bipod and ammo comes to about $750–$850 at street prices, and the combined MSRP is well under the $1,650 Base cap.
Does Marlin still make bolt action 22s?
As of our (secondary) source, Ruger's Marlin relaunch had focused on centerfire lever actions, with rimfires planned later. Check Marlin's site for current models.
Sources
- Savage Mark II FV-SR 28702
- Savage B Series FV-SR 70203
- Ruger American Rimfire 8305 spec sheet
- Bergara BMR Steel
- CZ-USA 457 Scout ($649)
- Omaha Outdoors T1x MTR listing (MSRP $699, 16 in)
- Gunblast Savage Mark II BV review
- Gun Tests RAR Target review
- Marlin rimfire production status (secondary)
- Henry Mini Bolt Youth G2
- NRL22 2027 Rules (valid May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027)
- GunsAmerica (457 Scout review)
- CZ 457 Scout page
Confidence: maker specs and prices are high confidence as of the date seen; forum and owner reports are low–medium confidence and labeled as such.
Not affiliated with Sako/Tikka, CZ, Bergara, Ruger, Savage or any retailer. We have not tested products hands-on for these guides; figures come from cited sources. Affiliate disclosure · Privacy · Terms · Rimfire Builds is operated by Tomahawk Designs LLC, Utah · [email protected]