Gun Tests Magazine's Top 10 22 LR Rifles for 2025
Over the past few years, Gun Tests Magazine has reviewed dozens of rifles chambered in 22 Long Rifle.
Of these rifles, we've assembled the top 10 22 Long Rifle guns that our experienced testers believe you’ll like.
For the older reviews, we've examined current versions of the guns to see if there were substantial changes between our original test guns and the current production guns. For the guns in this listicle, there aren't substantial differences between older and newer models.
We haven't tested every rifle on the market, of course, so we'll be interested to see which one is your favorite in the comments below. As always, prices reflect what we paid for the gun at the time of the test. Expect the prices of new or used guns to be different.
Number ten is a super-easy to carry and operate choice, the Henry U.S. Survival AR-7.
10 Henry U.S. Survival AR-7 Model H002C 22 LR, $349 (Jan 2022)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The AR-7 is fun to shoot and packs up into a small, sealed package. The camo finish was starting to wear from multiple disassemblies. It ran flawlessly with different bullet weights and types.
Coming in at number 9 was the Ruger 10-22 Carbon Fiber.
9 Ruger 10-22 Carbon Fiber 31220 22 LR, $520 (Aug-Sept 2025)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A- (OUR PICK)
Incredibly light while still very accurate, we think this well-designed 22 would do a great job of helping us turn money into noise. The MOE X-22 was a great stock for the rifle.
Number 8 was another carbon-fiber model, the Bergara BMR.
8 Bergara BMR Carbon Model BMR002 22 LR, $650 (Jan 2024)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The BMR is super lightweight and had darn good accuracy off the bench. The stock was comfortable for adult-size shooters, and the action was slick.
Number 7 was a Springfield Armory 2020.
7 Springfield Armory Model 2020 Rimfire Classic Rifle BARC92022GAA 22 LR, $710 (February 2025)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A [OUR PICK]
The Springfield Armory Model 2020 Rimfire Classic Rifle earned an Our Pick nod. The AA walnut was nice looking, and the free-floated barrel in the stock shot great. The mounting hardware for optics is modern, and the rail came installed. The rifle is compatible with a host of aftermarket triggers due to the Remington 700 trigger-action design. If you want an adult-configured rimfire rifle, we’d be hard-pressed to name a better one.
In at number 6 is a Henry Golden Boy.
6 Henry Golden Boy Model H004 22 S/L/LR, $500 (February 2022)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The Golden Boy Henry shines. It is heavy and has a very smooth operating lever. This is our top-ranked lever rifle.
Halfway through the list is another Springfield 2020.
5 Springfield Armory Model 2020 Rimfire 70217 22 LR, $421 (April 2025)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A- [BEST BUY]
The 2020 Rimfire rifle is accurate and built for target work, with an ergonomic stock that’s comfortable to shoot in all positions. It is a heavy, adult-size rifle. If you want to shoot small groups with a 22 LR, this is a good option. For the money, the Springfield 2020 is a Best Buy.
In fourth is a Ruger American Rimfire Talo Exclusive.
4 Ruger American Rimfire Talo Exclusive 8359 22 LR, $569 (February 2025)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The Ruger American Rimfire is an attractive and accurate rifle. Only the prospective owner may answer the question, is it worth the extra money to purchase a walnut stock and stainless-steel barreled action? The rifle is very accurate and smooth. The sole ding we put on it was we don’t like the scope-mounting system compared to more modern designs with integral rails.
Coming in at number 3 is another Henry, this one a pumpgun.
3 Henry Pump Action Octagon H003T 22 S/L/LR, $500 (July 2022)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
This was the most accurate rifle of the trio tested in this configuration. It had smooth operation and felt substantial in hand. This is our top-ranked pump action.
A Ruger 10/22 Target Model comes in second in our list.
2 Ruger 10/22 Target Model 21186 22 LR, $660 (May 2024)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The Target is a fast-handling rifle designed for steel-plate competition. For those wanting to get into steel-plate competition, it is a good rifle at a reasonable cost compared to other 10/22 target rifles.
And at the top of the list is a fun plinker, but with a twist.
1 Ruger 10/22 Takedown 11100 22 LR, $372 (September 2020)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The Ruger 10/22 Takedown has all the performance the iconic 10/22 is known for in a compact package. If you are a diehard 10/22 fan or would like to be, this is your rifle. We thought accuracy was excellent, and the ease of takedown was simple and fast. It also had the smallest length when broken down.
To see our full listing of 22 Long Rifle guns we've tested, log on to Gun-Tests.com and search for "Top 10 22 LR Rifles." You can also search with your browser for "Top 10 22 LR Rifles for 2025" and choose the Gun Tests listing in your results. The written results include accuracy tables, specifications, and other items we can't easily cover in videos.