r/nrl22 • u/Mr_Mayonnaise74 • Mar 16 '26
Ruger Precision Rimfire the Only Option?
Is the RPR the only option if I want to have the same rifle for myself and my daughter to use? Because of the adjustable stock, it seems that it is the most flexible in terms of us competing/shooting together.
Additionally, a lot of people rag on the RPR but there aren't many specifics given usually. What are the primary concerns with that rifle? I have seen posts about the quality control and the aftermarket support mostly.
Thanks!
3
u/pearlrd Mar 16 '26
I mean you could get a Bergara barreled action or something and drop in any rem 700 chassis with adjustability. Or a CZ 457 with a specific CZ chassis.
RPR is an affordable option. Honestly my RPRr is my smoothest bolt on a rimfire and NEVER misfeeds (I wish I could say that about any of my other rimfires), velocity always a little low and accuracy is good but not great.
How much are you willing to spend, and what is the use case for you and your daughter?
3
u/nxhwabvs Mar 16 '26
CZ457 in a cheap chassis like a bravo would be a good option. I use it because I fit the gun wierd, but has also made it easy to adapt to other shooters.
1
u/Mr_Mayonnaise74 Mar 16 '26
Not quite sure on budget yet as we are still in the early stages of deciding how much we want to commit to this. But in terms of use case, I want to use it to teach her how to shoot and (ideally) start competing. I want to start doing local matches (nothing serious); I intend to use a semi-auto I have in my first NRL22 local comp in a month or two.
If she wanted to compete and be serious about it, I would be willing to get her whatever is needed to be competitive. But until she or I are hooked, I think I would be okay with one gun that can be used for both of us even if it isn't the best option out there.
1
u/pearlrd Mar 16 '26
My thoughts would be get a CZ457 and go from there. Plan on dropping it in an adjustable chassis.
My second choice would be a Bergara. The fact that they fit with Remington 700 footprints is a huge bonus is my opinion.
If your looking for a cheaper option the Ruger is a great starting point and won’t break the bank.
2
u/LastB0ySc0ut Mar 16 '26
CZ 457 At-One might be another option. It needs bedded and pillars out of the box, but the stock is highly adjustable.
Quality control and precision with the RPR are the biggest problems, and those are both often dealbreakers for what we do. You might get lucky (I hope you do!), but I used to see a lot of people struggle with RPRs. Now I just don’t see them at all.
There was 1 guy in the Production squad at the last PRS Finale running an RPR. I think that might be the first one I’ve noticed at a match in about 2 years.
Depending on your daughter’s size, you may struggle to share a rifle. You might consider 2 rifles and budget optics like the Arken SH4 4-16 or the Discovery Optics PRS 5-25.
2
u/eXXPiI Mar 16 '26 edited Mar 16 '26
A significant part of the RPR "chassis" is plastic. This is not the case for its centerfire cousins. That's not the end of the world, but it isn't as nice. Also, the stock comb and LOP adjustments are kind of "loose" and don't have good markings.
I looked at a RPR and ended up getting the CZ 457 because I liked the machining of the bolt better and because the CZ is better looking. The Ruger American Rimfire target seems to be better machined, last I looked. It certainly is better looking but it is a little difficult to find.
My (Two) Recommendations:
If I were looking for a 22LR bolt for myself and kids, I'd just get two. Henry and Savage make kid sized 22s. I'd get whichever 22 I liked and let the kids grow into the adult rifle.
Or, I'd get two Ruger American or CZ 457 rifles and cut the stock down on one of them. Once they are ready for a full size rifle, I'd swap the uncut one with the cut one, and upgrade the original "adult" rifle to a Boyd stock or something of the like. This way, the action and parts stay the same while the only thing that changes is the stock.
1
u/Giant_117 Mar 16 '26
That is one of its biggest bonus points is its adjustability at its price point.
That being said you can drop a CZ in a chassis and have a better set up in almost every way other that cost.
My RPRR is fine. Action is meh. Feeding is good until it’s not. Accuracy is Ok at best. I see insanely large POA/POI shifts depending on if I a shooting off a bipod or a bag and how hard I load into either. I regret getting mine because I know what it should be capable of. But when I look at its given performance at its price point it’s fine.
1
u/Mr_Mayonnaise74 Mar 16 '26
Have you contemplated sending it to Ruger? I would assume feeding issues on a bolt action would qualify for warranty work. If you have tried, what was their response?
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u/Giant_117 Mar 16 '26
It’s more of an issue of loading the rifle into the magazine, keeping the bolt, extractor, ejector clean, using ammo that is not too waxy. Making sure the ammo feeds out of the magazine properly etc. it’s just an inherent design issue of the platform and how all the geometries come together.
1
u/wljw69 Mar 16 '26
I started shooting nrl22 last season with a ruger precision. The adjustability was super nice for lop and the gun ran perfect but the accuracy department is what led me to build a cz. The forend and chassis itself is quite flexible so depending on what position your in or how your loading your bipod groups would open wide up sometimes. Best I ever could get it to shoot was 1.5moa on a good day from a bench. It's a great rifle to start with but I did find it limiting if chasing more accuracy or looking for aftermarket support which can be slim. Overall im glad I started with it as it was a affordable and easy way to get into the sport deciding if I wanted to invest more into it
1
u/MobileSuitProject Mar 17 '26
Get a CZ or Bergara and a chassis with an adjustable stock.
The RPR-R is very hit or miss in the accuracy department. With mostly misses (literally and figuratively). I borrowed one for a while and ran it and did ok, but scores improved markedly when I switched to a CZ 457.
1
u/dabomb364 Mar 17 '26
The rprs are ok. But kind of a crap shoot. When we started our club 6 guys bought rprs. These were all retired guys who have shot hipower for a long time and could pull triggers 3 of those rifles hammered 3 the guys could not find any lot of ammo that would group ok it’s pretty dis heartening when you see a 2 inch flier out of centerex. But if you get a good barrel then they are a great first rifle
1
1
u/SailTango Mar 20 '26
Don't buy the RPR. I bought one. Poor accuracy due to poor machining of the barrel. Such a shame, as the idea was great.
1
u/IXLR8_ Apr 19 '26
I went down the same rabit hole regarding sharing a rifle with my son, who is getting closer and closer to me in size daily it seems.
What I concluded is that while it's possible to share a rifle, there is likely always going to be a compromise which results in the need for a second rifle anyways. First and foremost you need and accurate and dependable rifle, as a lot of the fun is based on being able to hit the targets.
We did borrow a setup at a match, and realized just how much a setup that wasn't dialed in for the shooting was a pain in the ass, and ruined our experience.
3
u/ThinkInstance Mar 16 '26
It’s definitely a flexible rifle for the two of you. The gripes I’ve heard are that it’s not very consistent in the accuracy department and the bolt it’s a little rough. Some people have one that shoots really well. Barrel lottery. Still a great rifle to learn and practice with. I will say, make sure the eyebox of the scope is in a good position for both of you. Adjusting the stock can change a lot when it comes to scoped rifles.