BTW, I fit all this into the stock without trying too hard. Probably could have held a little more ammo in another small bag. So 10 rounds in one mag in the gun, 10 in the stored mag, and 30 - 50 rounds in bags in the stock. Just need the Phillips screwdriver on your multitool to access all this.

 

Nice review. Don't think there is an adult-size bolt .22 rifle any lighter.

You were wise to buy the RB22 vs. the 802. I have had an 802 for several years and would buy the Rossi if I were to get another (the RS22 is also better than the 702). On the 802, I like the light weight and the crisp trigger w/ virtually no creep.

Waiting to learn what ammo is best for your Rossi. :t

 

Last night I watched this Youtube review by sootch00 on the Rossi version of the 702, the Rossi RS22L1811. He really liked it. He was reviewing two copies--one with a black stock and one with an olive drab one! This was about two months ago. There is no green stock on the Rossi web site, or I would have grabbed either the semi or the bolty in a minute. I will call Rossi and ask about this....he mentioned that it takes 702 mags, without actually saying that they are essentially the same gun; or that the Rossi's stock is better. Being diplomatic IMO.

If I can get Rossi to sell me an RS stock in either color, I will grab it for my 702. And a green one for the RB. I will give feedback here about stock availability for both the semi and the bolt gun.

Plan on going to the 25 yard indoor range this week with my Mossie 46B and this RB.

 

Forgot to mention that the LOP is 13.5". It would be easy to fab up an extender to put between the buttplate and the stock for a longer LOP; or just put on a small Limbsaver.

I would consider this an ideal lightweight woods-walking gun. No need for a semi since if you miss with the first shot, the squirrel etc will be long gone before you can aim a second shot.

 

Neat video. The green stock did look good. A local farm store is selling the RS22's in a brown stock.

 

So there's all these stock colors, but they aren't on Rossi's website?!?!

Edit: found it. Rural King, color is flat dark earth. I prefer the green.

 

Another advantage with the Rossi stock is its tolerance for more types of bipods. My 702 does not like a sweeping bipod; falls off, due to the very narrow Schnabel profile. The noticeably wider forend of this Rossi RB22L stock accepts bipods much better. I just handled an RS22L in a store today; it has the same basic stock. (You can't put the 702 action in the RB22 stock or vice versa, but no doubt the 702 and RS22, and 802 and RB22, will do fine with interchanging).

Conclusion; do not ever buy a Mossberg 702 or 802 when you can get the Rossi versions.

BTW, Academy sells the green-stocked ones; $150 and only in stores, not online. My local store has two. If I can't get Rossi to sell me a green RS22 stock for my 702, I will buy the Rossi and sell the 702 to a friend. Rossi customer service is closed today for the holidays, will re-open Wednesday.

 

Another advantage with the Rossi stock is its tolerance for more types of bipods. My 702 does not like a sweeping bipod; falls off, due to the very narrow Schnabel profile. The noticeably wider forend of this Rossi RB22L stock accepts bipods much better. I just handled an RS22L in a store today; it has the same basic stock. (You can't put the 702 action in the RB22 stock or vice versa, but no doubt the 702 and RS22, and 802 and RB22, will do fine with interchanging).

Conclusion; do not ever buy a Mossberg 702 or 802 when you can get the Rossi versions.

BTW, Academy sells the green-stocked ones; $150 and only in stores, not online. My local store has two. If I can't get Rossi to sell me a green RS22 stock for my 702, I will buy the Rossi and sell the 702 to a friend. Rossi customer service is closed today for the holidays, will re-open Wednesday.

Anybody ever hear of spray paint ? Just pick the color or colors ya want.

 

Conclusion; do not ever buy a Mossberg 702 or 802 when you can get the Rossi versions.

BINGO!!!!!

Sell the 702 and buy the RS22. No, buy the RS22 and swap trigger assemblies (i. e., put the trigger assembly with the good trigger in the RS22), THEN sell the 702. One of the first things I did when I got my RS22 was to install a spare trigger assembly (from a 702) that I had done a trigger job on.

You will not only like the RS22 stock better, but also the extended bolt handle that is about 1/4" longer.

EDIT: Just looked at the 702's and the 802's on Mossberg site. Stocks have been redesigned (no more Schnabel). New stocks have sling studs and rubber recoil pads.

 

Yeah I was thinking the same thing about the trigger group swap, and selling the 702. I have several 702 trigger springs, so I would at least get the pull down to a smooth 3.5# on the Rossi's new TG in the 702. And yes the RS22 has a better bolt handle, forgot to mention that.

Coulda bought it today, but the cheaper/easier thing to do is get a green stock from Rossi (if possible). Maybe even a bolt handle.

I also saw the redesigned 702 and 802 stocks. Too little, too late. Go Rossi!

 

Had a brainstorm.

I'm gonna buy the green-stock Rossi RS22 and test it, with my 702 upgraded trigger (2.5#). Whichever one has the better barrel is the one I keep, in the Rossi stock. Selling the other one, or maybe keeping it as a spare/loaner gun. My 702 actually shoots pretty well, and definitely does well with nice inexpensive CCI AR Tac. Gotta go find test results now.....

EDIT: from The Plinkster Chronicles, post #206:

Went back to the range and shot some CCI. The usual deal: 50 yards, bipod, rear bag, 12X scope, no wind. Four groups shot per ammo. Shot 'em in this order.

Best 4.....Avg 4.....Best 5......Avg 5.....Ammo..................................Commen ts
0.98........1.08........1.03........1.35........CC I Sub-Sonic LHP............2 biggish flyers; not overly impressive
0.85........0.96........1.16........1.40........CC I MM 36gr CPHP "Choot 'em".....meh
0.68........0.74........1.05........1.19........CC I MM 36gr CPHP............gettin' respectable
0.40........0.72........0.92........1.00........CC I MM 40gr CPRN...........even better
0.18........0.43........0.66........0.94........CC I AR Tac 40gr CPRN......Wow!

I expected the best to be the Sub-Sonic and the "normal" 36gr CPHP, because that does so well in my Ruger 22s. But no. The two heavier round-noses beat them out, and very decisively in the case of the AR Tac. Best 4-shot group ever, and a couple of good 5-shots. I was pretty surprised.

AR Tac
4 shots: 0.18, 0.48, 0.52, 0.55
5 shots: 0.66, 0.68, 0.98, 1.42
So only two rounds out of 20 shot that I would consider flyers. Without that one really bad flyer, my average would have been 0.77" for the 5-shot groups! And 0.43" for the 4-shot groups. Under 1 MOA for under $140 total investment (includes MCarbo trigger spring). :bthumb:

 

Tom-in-MO, please post your test results at 50 yards, and if possible, at 100 yards also, with your two new Rossi rifles. Always curious as to how well easily affordable .22s can shoot. My first (purchased with my own money) firearm was a Marlin 99 that was, and still is exceptionally accurate, all out of proportion to the $34 I paid for it new. (You can guess by that figure that I'm creeping up on 70 years of age). Those Rossi's are so affordable that I may have to buy one of each. Great posts....do an extensive ammo test and let us know how it goes...good luck.

 

Hi Steve, as it turns out, I am going shooting tomorrow, possibly with both. If not, then one gun tmw and one on Friday.

However, this will be at a 25-yard indoor range. I don't like shooting at 25 yards for accuracy testing, but that's all I've got right now.

My Mossie 702 did great with CCI AR Tac, so that will be in the mix, along with other CCIs and some high-end ammo as well. Have to root around and see what I've got. The first 100 rounds in each gun will be 10-shot groups of CCI Mini Mag 40 gr CPRN, which the 702 did pretty well but not great with. I should be able to watch the groups shrink as I go through the ammo.

Due to production inconsistencies and the loose nut behind the trigger, I don't worry too much about 5-shot groups. But multiple 4-shot groups, of 5 rounds shot, should tell the tale of how a particular ammo is trending.

Just went and shot my Mossie 46B today. Here are the results @ 25 yards, for reference (post #22). The 46B might be my most accurate 22, the only other contender being my Armscor M20P. Have to take that to the 25-yard range soon.....

 

Alloy or Steel?

Seems very lightweight. Is the receiver alloy on the RB? If so are the areas where the bolt locking lugs steel? The thought of alloy and steel grinding together in a critical area rubs me the wrong way. Yes, pun intended.

 

Seems very lightweight. Is the receiver alloy on the RB? If so are the areas where the bolt locking lugs steel? The thought of alloy and steel grinding together in a critical area rubs me the wrong way. Yes, pun intended.

The Mossberg and Rossi receivers are steel, as is the RAR. I'm sure that a steel bolt locking lug rubbing an aluminum receiver would wear out the receiver very quickly, to the point where the lug could no longer do its job.

 

Reason I asked is the Webly & Scott Exocet has an alloy receiver.

 

The kids:

 

Took the RB to the 25-yard indoor range today to break it in and see what it liked. Bipod, rear bag, 12X scope. All are 10-shot groups for break-in, then three 5-shot groups per ammo tested. About 300 rounds shot in total.

Shot 100 rounds of 40gr Mini Mag for break-in.
Rounds 31 - 40 through the barrel gave me a 10-shot one-hole group of 0.46".
Rounds 71 - 80 gave me a 9-shot one-hole group of 0.36", with one flyer.

Then started ammo testing. Not gonna list all the group sizes, just point out some notable groups and mention what it didn't care for. Shot in the order below.
CCI SV: nice small groups; every shot touching in all three groups. 0.20" 4-shot.
CCI Green Tag: only slightly better than SV; 0.12 and 0.21 4-shots. Not worth double the price.
CCI Blazer: all good groups; 0.27 4-shot and a 0.25 5-shot!
CCI Pistol Match: not impressive.
Eley Edge: also not impressive.
Eley Force: very good; the three 5-shots averaged 0.37".
Norma Match-22: meh.
SK Pistol Match Special: more meh, surprisingly; usually keeps up with Wolf ME.
Wolf Match Extra (Eley version): three 4-shots averaged 0.27"; also 0.27" and 0.34" 5-shots. One group had opposite-side flyers.

I also shot a few 10-shot groups. Wolf gave me a 0.36 10-shot, and Fiocchi HV a 0.25 7-shot with some flyers. Federal Hunter Match was unimpressive--six separate holes! At 25 yards! The Hunter part of the name must refer to shooting the side of an elephant. I think this skinny guy is pulling our legs. The Match part must be for comic relief.....

All two hours of shooting I was blessed with the muzzle of a hand cannon about five feet from my right ear, followed by an AR. That did account for some flyers, but not all. Some were ammo and some the proverbial loose nut. I felt like I more or less kinda mostly did my part.

Other notes:
1. I used my one RB mag and all six of my Mossberg 702/Rossi RS22 mags. All did fine until near the end when I started shooting the Norma and SK. The 702/RS22 mags did not like the greasy bullets. They did not play well with the high 702 follower and different style of feed ramp from a 702/RS22. Both ammos loaded into the RB mag shot perfectly. No other ammo gave any trouble. No other malfunctions of any kind occurred.
2. The trigger was very nice, with only a quick polish job and a bit of grease. Very smooth and predictable 3# pull. Not a high-end 10/22 trigger, but very livable with. I had considered trying to source lighter replacement springs, but really there's no need. There's a very handy inspection hole in the trigger group to shoot some CLP, Dry Lube, or grease on a pipe cleaner etc to clean/lube the trigger parts. Very thoughtful.
3. Needed a smaller ocular bell. I had high rings on my Vortex Crossfire 6-18x42, but the bolt handle was still a close fit when lifting it. The objective was also a close fit on the front, with the rear open sight. Recommend a smaller scope. My Primary Arms 6X rimfire scope would have been a perfect fit, and plenty good enough for woods-walking, but I wanted more magnification and an AO for accuracy checking.

Takin' the RS22 out for a spin tomorrow.

 

You did very well.

Just as you did, I almost always get good results with the CCI SV, and it's inexpensive and easy to find.

You had better luck with using the 702 mags in the bolt action than I did. Finally gave up and bought extra 802 mags and put green stickers on the side so I don't get them mixed up w/ the 702's (red stickers on them).

After shooting the RB with the crisp trigger, the RS trigger takeup and creep will probably be noticeable until you adjust.

Good luck with the RS at the range. May everyone else be shooting BB guns.

 

The RB with my Primary Arms 6X rimfire scope. A much better fit; clears the rear open sight, and the eye relief is perfect for me as set up. More room for the bolt handle. Could possibly get away with medium rings. One of my favorite scopes.

 

BTW, the RB22 actually outshoots my RAR! And cost about $130 less OTD.

Five groups of five shots each @ 25 yards, 12X scope.

With Wolf Match Extra, the 22" sporter barrel RAR averaged 0.34". The RB was 0.32"; and with CCI AR Tac the RB was 0.34", tying the RAR. Even though the RAR has a far better trigger--1.5# single stage, as I have it set up.

 

One flyer

Have a new RB22. First time out last week I shot 150rnds with I/S at just 15yrds 'cause my mature eyes makes a 3" target look fuzzy (and the post covers the target).

Put on an optic (2-7x32 Sweet 22, BSA) and sighted it (CCI/SV) today w/ bench at 25yrd indoor range.

Pic is the first ten shot after I sighted it in. Just one flyer. Good start.

Love my little bolt Rossi rifle!

 

New member here because I just bought a RB22.

The ergonomics of this fun are what sold me on it. Ruger Americans just don't weld right for me, Savage was my second choice.

Question--does the bolt action smooth out over things at all? There's a pretty rough "click" when working it vertically in and out of battery. Or a way to smooth it out?

 

You can take some sandpaper and do a little work where the bolt handle contacts the action when closing the bolt.

 

Hi,

I just took a look. The bolt is an interesting design, the handle is like a sleeve with a ramp milled in it. As the bolt is opened, it forces the striker up the ramp which is gritty. It's also adding main spring pressure(essentially ramp causes compression).

That's why it's harder to open.

Looking at the back end of the bolt, it's not held in by a roll pin. Instead there's only one hole and a spring with a ring on it. No idea how to pull that off, so polishing of this ramp will have to wait until I figure that out.

 

Sandpaper seems a bit harsh to me. To speed up smoothing I'll slather up the moving parts with metal polish and work the action. Make sure you have the ability to clean it all out prior to putting it in there.

 

Was lazy. Shoulda mentioned that I start with 400 grit and end with 1500 grit wet/dry sandpaper. Basically it is polishing.

 

It was simple enough to disassemble, though 3 hands helps on the reassembly. The little ring on the spring just needs to be propped up and the back end rotates, releasing the single coil. It's the same bolt as the Mossberg 802 which this gun appears to be identical to except for the stock.

I only took a piece of 2000 grit sandpaper on that ramp and just knocked off any burrs. It is a little smother but still clunky. I'm not trying to make it a precision gun but I can at least rack it while shouldered now(mine was that bad).

Reassembly is easy enough, but getting the spring started is tricky since the striker is under so much pressure. I'll see if it gets smoother after some actual use.

 

Is it the firing pin causing it?