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Semi-automatic 22 LR rifles are a mainstay with shooters and hunters. These rimfire rifles are fun to shoot and offer fast follow-up shots when plinking, small-game hunting, informal precision shooting, or pinging steel plates. Plus, ammo is inexpensive. However, not all 22 rimfire rifles can do all things well. That’s why there are specialized models. For this match up, we wanted to look at 22 LR semi-auto rifles that could easily be used for hunting as well as dabble in fast shooting competition, or maybe punch tiny groups at the local range for bragging rights among our pals. We didn’t want to feel undergunned or overgunned in the scenarios mentioned above, but we wanted a moderately priced do-all type of rifle/scope combo. Must-haves for these rifle/scope combos were: accuracy, a trigger that would not force us to cuss, comfortable stock, and mounting an optic needed to be easy and simple. If the rifle were further customizable, it earned bonus points. The three rifles in this review are the Bergara BXR, Ruger 10/22 Target, and Savage A22.

Semi-automatic 22 LR rifles are a mainstay with shooters and hunters. These rimfire rifles are fun to shoot and offer fast follow-up shots when plinking, small-game hunting, informal precision shooting, or pinging steel plates. Plus, ammo is inexpensive. However, not all 22 rimfire rifles can do all things well. That’s why there are specialized models. For this match up, we wanted to look at 22 LR semi-auto rifles that could easily be used for hunting as well as dabble in fast shooting competition, or maybe punch tiny groups at the local range for bragging rights among our pals. We didn’t want to feel undergunned or overgunned in the scenarios mentioned above, but we wanted a moderately priced do-all type of rifle/scope combo. Must-haves for these rifle/scope combos were: accuracy, a trigger that would not force us to cuss, comfortable stock, and mounting an optic needed to be easy and simple. If the rifle were further customizable, it earned bonus points. The three rifles in this review are the Bergara BXR, Ruger 10/22 Target, and Savage A22.

Semi-automatic 22 LR rifles are a mainstay with shooters and hunters. These rimfire rifles are fun to shoot and offer fast follow-up shots when plinking, small-game hunting, informal precision shooting, or pinging steel plates. Plus, ammo is inexpensive. However, not all 22 rimfire rifles can do all things well. That’s why there are specialized models. For this match up, we wanted to look at 22 LR semi-auto rifles that could easily be used for hunting as well as dabble in fast shooting competition, or maybe punch tiny groups at the local range for bragging rights among our pals. We didn’t want to feel undergunned or overgunned in the scenarios mentioned above, but we wanted a moderately priced do-all type of rifle/scope combo. Must-haves for these rifle/scope combos were: accuracy, a trigger that would not force us to cuss, comfortable stock, and mounting an optic needed to be easy and simple. If the rifle were further customizable, it earned bonus points. The three rifles in this review are the Bergara BXR, Ruger 10/22 Target, and Savage A22.

We recently had a chance to shoot two metal-frame striker-fired compensated 9mm Luger pistols from SIG Sauer and Smith & Wesson to assess how we liked their aluminum receivers, extended magazines, night sights, and other features. In the end we think one pistol is better for competition and the other better for personal defense, but either would cross over to the other’s territory with nothing to be ashamed of. 

We recently had a chance to shoot two metal-frame striker-fired compensated 9mm Luger pistols from SIG Sauer and Smith & Wesson to assess how we liked their aluminum receivers, extended magazines, night sights, and other features. In the end we think one pistol is better for competition and the other better for personal defense, but either would cross over to the other’s territory with nothing to be ashamed of. 

• Potent Plinkers
• 6.5mm Bolt Rifles
• 45 ACP Pistols

Definitions

I’m new to the gun world, have taken a handgun safety class. It was recommended I read your magazine for continuing my research and education. Reading your article on the SIG Sauer P322-COMP, there are terms that I do not understand. Neither does my spouse, who has a concealed-carry permit and marksman awards. 

The 5.7x28mm cartridge, also called the FN 5.7x28mm or the FN 5.7x28mm NATO, seems more popular than ever, largely due to the introduction of modern handguns such as the FN FiveSeveN and Ruger-5.7. We’ve been interested in the round for a while, reviewing the FiveSeveN in the November 2011 issue (versus the 22 Magnum KelTec PMR-30) and the December 2014 issue (versus the Rock Island Armory Micro Mag Standard 51687 22 TCM) and the Ruger-5.7 in the October 2020 issue (versus the Rock Island Armory TCM044816 22 TCM and the KelTec PMR-30 PMR30BBLK 22 WMR). We also covered the FN PS90 chambered in the round (January 2018) and the 57Center AR57 PDW 5.7x28mm Upper in the March 2011 issue. It seems 5.7x28mm firearms are more affordable and more useful than ever before.

The 5.7x28mm cartridge, also called the FN 5.7x28mm or the FN 5.7x28mm NATO, seems more popular than ever, largely due to the introduction of modern handguns such as the FN FiveSeveN and Ruger-5.7. We’ve been interested in the round for a while, reviewing the FiveSeveN in the November 2011 issue (versus the 22 Magnum KelTec PMR-30) and the December 2014 issue (versus the Rock Island Armory Micro Mag Standard 51687 22 TCM) and the Ruger-5.7 in the October 2020 issue (versus the Rock Island Armory TCM044816 22 TCM and the KelTec PMR-30 PMR30BBLK 22 WMR). We also covered the FN PS90 chambered in the round (January 2018) and the 57Center AR57 PDW 5.7x28mm Upper in the March 2011 issue. It seems 5.7x28mm firearms are more affordable and more useful than ever before.

The 6.5mm is a popular caliber for both hunting and long-range shooting, and two of the most popular chamberings in this diameter are the 6.5 Creedmoor and the 6.5 PRC. We have most recently covered 6.5 PRCs in the June 2023 issue, looking at the Bergara Premier MgLite, the Christensen Arms MPR, and the Springfield Armory Waypoint 2020 BAW92465PRCCFGA. Most recently, we covered rifles chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor in the August 2023 issue, namely the Savage Impulse Elite Precision 57888, Tikka T3X CTR, and the SIG Sauer Cross 65-18B-FLC.

The 6.5mm is a popular caliber for both hunting and long-range shooting, and two of the most popular chamberings in this diameter are the 6.5 Creedmoor and the 6.5 PRC. We have most recently covered 6.5 PRCs in the June 2023 issue, looking at the Bergara Premier MgLite, the Christensen Arms MPR, and the Springfield Armory Waypoint 2020 BAW92465PRCCFGA. Most recently, we covered rifles chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor in the August 2023 issue, namely the Savage Impulse Elite Precision 57888, Tikka T3X CTR, and the SIG Sauer Cross 65-18B-FLC.

The 6.5mm is a popular caliber for both hunting and long-range shooting, and two of the most popular chamberings in this diameter are the 6.5 Creedmoor and the 6.5 PRC. We have most recently covered 6.5 PRCs in the June 2023 issue, looking at the Bergara Premier MgLite, the Christensen Arms MPR, and the Springfield Armory Waypoint 2020 BAW92465PRCCFGA. Most recently, we covered rifles chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor in the August 2023 issue, namely the Savage Impulse Elite Precision 57888, Tikka T3X CTR, and the SIG Sauer Cross 65-18B-FLC.