Bolt-Action Rimfire Trends

Now that the “great rimfire depression” is over and new ammunition from both U.S. and foreign manufacturers is being offered, the current proliferation of .22 Long Rifle, .17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire and .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire loads is mind boggling.

- Lee J. Hoots

Equally interesting is a softening trend in regard to newly introduced top-end rifles from which to shoot all this new ammunition. More specifically, classy bolt-action rifles for the cartridges mentioned above are becoming more rare.

There are a few exceptions like the Browning T-Bolt and several rifles listed by CZ-USA and Ruger, and semi-custom makers such as Cooper, but the American consumer seems increasingly disinterested in polished blued steel and fine walnut. This begs a question for which there may be no clear answer: Does the firearms industry drive the market, or do shooting enthusiasts and varmint hunters no longer see a need to own beautifully stocked rimfires that can be passed down from one generation to the next, all the while maintaining or increasing in value?

As examples, in 2004-05 Remington introduced its Model 504 .22 LR that at the time was labeled by the shooting press as perhaps the “best” rimfire bolt rifle the company ever offered. Suggested retail was $710, meaning the rifle sold for around $600; today a Model 504 in good condition can bring the same or higher price. When Kimber introduced its Kimber 22 Classic in 1999, suggested retail was $919; if online auctions count as a “price barometer,” today used rifles in fine condition sell for $1,000 or more.

Fortunately, inexpensive rifles have not totally displaced “blued and walnut.” The Steyr-Mannlicher Zephyr II (roughly $800 retail) and the limited edition CZ-USA 452

Grand Finale (about $1,000 retail) are two examples. Yes, these rifles are costly, but consider how those listed above have maintained or increased in value.

Steyr-Mannlicher Zephyr II .17 HMR