Here are a few ideas . . .

Winchester Model 1885 Hunter Single Shot Rifle .22 WMR 24" Octagon Barrel - $1250

Chiappa Firearms Little Badger Folding Single Shot Rifle .22 WMR 16.5" Barrel - $240

Chiappa M6 O/U Single Shot 20ga/22 WMR 18.5" Barrel - $550

T/C Gen 2 but you would need to find an aftermarket 22 WMR barrel -

 

You could look for the mighty Savage model 63M! I'm sure there are other older guns by various makers out there.

I bought this one before the internet, advertised as a .22 long rifle (model 63). It was cheap enough that I kept it, but I've never fired it. At least I think I've still got it, I'm not absolutely sure.

 

Keystone/Crickett has youth models and adult models in .22 WMR. Not sure of availability or where to get them.

Scroll to the bottom for the adult models.

http://www.crickett.com/crickett_22_WMR.php

 

Thanks for the info gents! I especially want to thank chicharrones for the lead on the Cricket .22 WMR's.

I was hoping for a simple break barrel .22 Mag single shot and the Chiappa Little Badger that rjferber mentioned meets that criteria but it seems too expensive and is sort of quirky.

The little Cricket .22 WMR bolt action single shot youth at 3lbs. and it even breaks down and is only around $140.00 is the ticket for me. Even though LOP is only 12 1/2", I can deal with that and looks like a fun gun. Thanks again!

 

Handi Rifles.....

There are NEF and H&R 'Handi rifles' still around even though they are not made anymore. I just bought one in 22LR a couple weeks ago and am very happy with it. What'd I really like about it is the previous owner put an ASI AR type butt stock on it and it adjusts in seconds to different LOP. A GREAT FEATURE when young shooters try it and are totally uncomfortable with standard adult stocks with too long a LOP. Plus they think it looks cool and enjoy shooting with it.
PS- a LGS had a NEW Handi in 22 Mag a couple weeks ago. They inventoried a LOT of Handi Rifles while still being made and probably have a bunch of 'new old stock' in inventory.

 

There are NEF and H&R 'Handi rifles' still around even though they are not made anymore. I just bought one in 22LR a couple weeks ago and am very happy with it. What'd I really like about it is the previous owner put an ASI AR type butt stock on it and it adjusts in seconds to different LOP. A GREAT FEATURE when young shooters try it and are totally uncomfortable with standard adult stocks with too long a LOP. Plus they think it looks cool and enjoy shooting with it.
PS- a LGS had a NEW Handi in 22 Mag a couple weeks ago. They inventoried a LOT of Handi Rifles while still being made and probably have a bunch of 'new old stock' in inventory.

Thanks for your input Alaninga;8620618! I had a couple of the Handi Rifles back in the day and for the money, they were superb. Too bad they're gone. I'm not looking for things like adjustable LOP or whatever, just a simple single shot .22 WMR. The Crickets, even though they're not break barreled are the best going nowadays.

GeneS, you can get adult stocked 22 WMR Cricketts.

Part numbers are KSA400 for a walnut stocked blued rifle and KSA500 for stainless steel.

LMK if you're having trouble finding them; I'm an FFL in VT and a Keystone Arms dealer.

Thanks for your input dwarven1;8624850 and again, to all who have responded. I was looking for a single shot .22 WMR break barrel that is as light as possible. It seems like the Cricket, (one T or 2? Who cares!), is the only viable option. I thank you my friend but I really don't need an adult stock as again, I want as lightweight as possible.

I'm an old school person and like rifles that are simple. The trend nowadays is more complex the better. This AR rifle rage, (and I have nothing against them if you like them), has taken us to an extreme.

I have a TC Hot Shot in .22LR that I bought a couple of years back. It was advertised as a "youth rifle" with a 13' LOP. I didn't buy it for my children, I bought it for me!

It didn't fly because of it's association with kid's guns but let me tell you, it is a great rifle and it came out of the box zero'd perfectly. It will hit at 25 yds. and more and I've taken many a squirrel with it. I'm sure it didn't fly because it was advertised as a "youth rifle" but it's sweet. If TC still made it and in .22 mag, I would buy it in a heartbeat!

I'm going for the Crickett! I hope it's as accurate as my TC Hotshot.

 

GeneS, you can get adult stocked 22 WMR Cricketts.

Part numbers are KSA400 for a walnut stocked blued rifle and KSA500 for stainless steel.

LMK if you're having trouble finding them; I'm an FFL in VT and a Keystone Arms dealer.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

Today I found an H&R .22 wmr handi rifle heavy barrel, laminate stock with a cheap 3-9x32 Tasco scope. It appeared to be 90-95%. It was tagged at $299.95. We haggled down to $225.00 plus tax. I know these are scarce as hens teeth but I offered $225.00 OTD. I will check back in a couple of days and see if we can get together.
What kind of prices are you guys seeing on these?

 

I've been lusting after one of these http://www.taylorsfirearms.com/long-guns/single-shot-rifles/half-pint-sharps.html
I have a Pedersoli Sharps in 45-70 that is to expensive to 'plink' with and this would be perfect.

 

That looks impressive. Downsized and shoots .22 WMR. Nice.

 

One of the nicest single shot 22 mags I have is the Savage Stevens model 30. A falling block single shot made from 2002 top 2005. Light, Octagon barrel and accurate came in 22mag and 17mag. Model 72 which is identical came in 22lr. I have one of those also. I see them at Guns Shows pretty regularly. I see more 72s than I do 30s..

 

GeneS . . .

. . . T/C did make some Super 16 .22 Magnum barrels that would be very close to the HotShot you are happy about. They had a standard barrel profile, so were very lightweight. You would need the T/C frame, which would likely cost as much as the Crickett you are considering.

 

savage m42 22wmr/410 over/under rifle/shotgun offers two different experiences in one package.

 

TC Encore ProHunter with EAB barrel.

 

The best ones on the market right now, using quality and accuracy versus the initial cost as the criteria, are any of the .22WMR CZ452/455 variants with a regular single shot adaptor in place !

If it has to be "break-barrel" then go with one of the NEF/H&R Handi-Rifles ... I customised my original stocked unit to a Schuetzen-style and with very little work on the action it was absolutely superb

Fuzzy

 

The best ones on the market right now, using quality and accuracy versus the initial cost as the criteria, are any of the .22WMR CZ452/455 variants with a regular single shot adaptor in place ! ...

That was my first thought also but couldn't find where they make a single shot adapter for the. 22 WMR.

 

Got one of these Bob. Great little single shot .22 mag.

 

Rechamber a .22 to take .22 magnum

Way back I rechambered a Savage .22 over .410 to take the .22 magnum. It worked fine. That should open up a lot of possible rifles for you.

 

Way back I rechambered a Savage .22 over .410 to take the .22 magnum. It worked fine. That should open up a lot of possible rifles for you.

I very nearly did that with a Savage 24 Camper, but before I committed myself, found a Remington SPR-94 .22 Magnum / .410 that stopped that project in its tracks.

 

Did you say 22 magnum?? MY FAVORITE!!

I have a Lil Badger and dont think that they cost 240... at least they did not when I bought mine... 150$ is what I paid!!

I have had a couple H&R 22 Maggies and overall they shot well.

I had one re chambered from a Versa -PAC barrel then chopped it down to 16.25" for ease in and out of the truck and liked it allot for that. Took dozens of coyotes and many critters with that rifle. it shot 50g Federals very well.

This was my 50 yard zero.

I did sell mine off but only because I have many many 22Mag firearms. if you can find one they would likely work well for you.

CW

 

Very nice stuff all gents! That Little Badger survival is very cool cwlongshot. Unfortunately, I'm in Calif. and for some reason I don't think they're legal here. What is?

I got to visit my little Cricket WMR as it's locked up for 10 days, (another Calif. feature), and I'm really impressed with the build quality. Featherweight and I like the peep sights. It also breaks in half by removing 1 screw.

The LOP of course is for a youth but I plan to put a slip on recoil pad which will add another inch and it'll be doable. Seems like a nice deal for the $140.00 I paid. Hope it shoots as good as it looks!

 

Why not just re-chamber a .22 LR?
I was told by a gentleman that does bbls for a living, that the soft .22 lr bbls will work fine. They might wear out faster down the road, but probably exceed the life span of the shooter. And that the slightly tighter bore usually resulted in exceptional shooters.

Maybe cost $100 plus shipping (dunno, can't remember what he quoted).
Might be worth as much as some donor rigs.

I got out of the TC game and never pursued it.

Been on the hunt for a repeater .22 mag, a Sav/Anschutz 141M.
Of course what pops in the LGS yesterday?
A .22 Hornet 1400 series.

If it was .222 I'd have whipped out he credit card.

 

There is a beautiful custom 1885 on gun broker. Has gold prairie dogs on it.