Best Rifles for NRL22: Factory Bolt Guns That Can Compete

You don't need a custom build to shoot precision rimfire. You need a factory bolt gun with a decent trigger, a magazine that drops free, and a stock that sits on a barricade.

NRL22 asks a lot of a .22. You shoot it off barricades, tank traps, buckets and prone, at steel and paper out to 100 yards in the standard format, against a par time, with a cartridge that drifts in the faintest breeze. The rifle won't win the match for you, but the wrong one can lose it: a heavy trigger, a magazine that won't drop free, a stock that won't sit on a prop.

The good news is that you don't need a custom build. Several factory bolt guns are built with this game in mind. This guide covers the ones worth a look and what the rules require. It's an editorial reference drawn from the official NRL22 rulebook and manufacturer specs, not a range test.

What the rules require of a rifle

Start with the rulebook, because it rules some rifles out before you look at specs. Per the 2027 NRL22 rules:

.22 LR only. .17 HMR, .22 Magnum and similar rimfire cartridges are not allowed.
Removable magazines are required. Rifles with fixed tubular magazines are not allowed, so a Marlin 60 or a lever gun is out.
One rifle per match. Switching after a breakage needs the Match Director's permission.
Any sights are legal, but the rules strongly recommend a magnified scope with exposed turrets.
Distances: standard targets are at 100 yards or closer. An optional format can stretch beyond 100 but not past 200 yards.

There are eight divisions: Open, Base, Young Guns, Ladies, Air Rifle, Old Guns, Semi-Auto and Adaptive. Bolt guns dominate the Open and Base fields, and a Semi-Auto division exists for anyone who wants to run a 10/22-style rifle.

The Base division ceiling

Base is where most new shooters start, and it has real equipment rules. The combined manufacturer's MSRP of the rifle and scope must be at or under the threshold printed in the current rulebook. The MSRP that counts is the one on the maker's website on the first day of the season, not what you paid. Base also bans aftermarket triggers (spring swaps and safe weight adjustment are allowed), barrel tuners and internal weights, and requires the stock or chassis to stay factory-configured with a few listed exceptions. Threaded barrels and suppressors are allowed.

NRL22 publishes an MSRP list and a combo checker on its rules page. Use it before you buy, because the threshold and the list get reviewed between seasons. Our Steel Challenge vs NRL22 comparison covers what that cap means for a first-season budget.

What makes a good NRL22 rifle

A clean, adjustable trigger. Base forbids aftermarket triggers, so the factory trigger is the one you live with.
Reliable detachable magazines that seat without fumbling and ideally hold ten.
A stock that works on props: a flat or squared forend, an adjustable cheek riser, and a sling stud or rail for a bipod.
Scope mounting that fits your optic: 11mm dovetail on many European rimfires, Picatinny on others.
Enough weight to settle on a barricade without being a chore to carry between stages.
A threaded muzzle if you plan to run a suppressor where it's legal.

The rifles

The common benchmark

Tikka T1x MTR

.22 LR · 20-in cold hammer-forged barrel · 10-round detachable · 11mm dovetail receiver · 1/2x28 threaded muzzle

American Rifleman notes that the T1x action occupies the same footprint as Tikka's T3x centerfire rifles and can share many of its aftermarket stocks and accessories. That means you can train on a .22 in the same chassis you run on your centerfire match rifle. The trigger is adjustable, and the muzzle comes threaded 1/2x28 with a thread protector. Its MSRP has historically left room under the Base ceiling for a capable scope, but check the current list.

Best for: shooters who also run a T3x, and anyone who wants a proven factory baseline. Skip if: you want to swap barrels at home or need a factory adjustable stock out of the box.

See the T1x MTR at Ammunition Depot →

The budget start

Ruger American Rimfire

.22 LR · 18-in free-floated barrel · rotary magazine from the 10/22 BX family · Ruger Marksman trigger

The Ruger American Rimfire is the way to shoot your first few matches without a big outlay. It uses Ruger's Marksman trigger and the same BX-series rotary magazines as the 10/22, and on the Standard model you can swap the buttstock comb between iron-sight and scope height. A low MSRP leaves room in a Base build for a better scope, which often matters more at 100 yards than the rifle does. The standard sporter stock isn't built for barricades, so many shooters add a bag rider or move to a chassis later, which Base rules limit. Check before you modify.

Best for: trying NRL22 on a modest budget. Skip if: you already know you'll stick with it. Buying a match-oriented rifle first is often cheaper than upgrading twice.

See the Ruger American Rimfire at Ammunition Depot →

Quick comparison

Rifle	Magazine	Scope mount	Standout	Watch out for
Tikka T1x MTR	10-round detachable	11mm dovetail	Shares T3x footprint for many stocks	No factory barrel swaps
CZ 457 (heavy-barrel models)	Detachable box	11mm dovetail	Swappable barrels, 60-degree bolt lift	Big range, so pick the model carefully
Bergara B-14R	AICS-pattern, 10	Check the model's spec sheet	Full-size centerfire trainer feel	MSRP close to the Base threshold
Ruger American Rimfire	Rotary (10/22 BX family)	Check the model's spec sheet	Low entry point, swappable comb heights	Sporter stock on props

Optics, support gear and ammo

Scope. You need parallax adjustment that focuses down to 25 yards or closer, turrets you can dial with confidence, and a reticle in the same units as your dope card. Many centerfire scopes won't focus that close. Read our rimfire vs centerfire scope guide and the rimfire optics roundup, then browse Ammunition Depot's rifle scope category. Remember the scope's MSRP counts toward Base.

Support. A bipod and a rear bag are standard. Bags and bipods sit outside the Base MSRP calculation. Our rests and bipods guide covers the options.

Ammo. Precision .22 shooters favor standard-velocity 40-grain lead solids, because they don't pass back through the sound barrier on the way to 100 yards. Good starting points are CCI Standard Velocity 40-grain and Wolf Match Long Range 40-grain. Test several brands at 50 and 100 yards, then buy the winner by lot. Our ammo pairing method works for any bolt gun.

Bottom line

If you want one name, the Tikka T1x is the common benchmark for a reason. The CZ 457 is the pick for tinkerers, the Bergara B-14R for PRS shooters who want the same feel in rimfire, and the Ruger American Rimfire for trying the game on a modest budget. Whatever you choose, check the current NRL22 rules and MSRP list before you buy, then spend your effort on wind reading and position building. That's where the points are.

Editorial note: This is an independent editorial reference built from manufacturer information, retailer listings and published reporting. We have not performed hands-on testing of the products discussed, and nothing here is a performance promise. Verify specifications, compatibility and legality for your own situation.

Frequently asked questions

Can I shoot NRL22 with a 10/22?

Yes. NRL22 has a Semi-Auto division with no price or attachment restrictions, but you must engage the safety and call "safe" when moving with a closed bolt. Most Open and Base shooters use bolt guns.

Can I use a .17 HMR or .22 Magnum in NRL22?

No. The rules require .22 Long Rifle and specifically exclude .17 HMR, .22 Magnum and similar rimfire cartridges.

Are tube-fed rifles allowed in NRL22?

No. The rules require removable magazines and do not allow rifles with fixed tubular magazines.

How does the NRL22 Base division price limit work?

The combined manufacturer MSRP of rifle and scope must be at or under the threshold in the current rulebook, using the MSRP listed on the maker's website on the season's first day. What you actually paid doesn't count.

Are suppressors allowed in NRL22?

The rules allow suppressors and threaded barrels in Base division. Local and state law and range rules still apply.

Sources and further reading

This independent educational article does not replace manufacturer instructions or legal guidance. Re-check sources before relying on time-sensitive details.