31 Best Beginner Rifles

So you're looking for a rifle for your kid, eh? Congratulations! You came to the right place!
We surveyed gun owners in a number of big box stores on Black Friday of 2022 while they were waiting in line at the gun desks and we asked which guns they would consider for their kids' first guns.
And then we threw out most of that list because some options were ridiculous, but we kept everything that made sense. Our reasoning is simple...if it's any of the .22 caliber guns you find at the big stores, it has a chance. If we feel like it would be a good tool to get kids interested in shooting sports, it stays on the list.
Using the arrows, cast your votes on which gun on this list is the best for a kid's first rifle!

From $373.15

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Ruger American Rimfire

The American series from Ruger consists of bolt-action rifles chambered from 22LR rimfire up to large centerfire rifles such as the 30-06 SPG, and were designed to be an innovative yet affordable rifl... read more

GunCritic Score

95%

User Rating

99%

#32

Best 22 Caliber Rifles

Best Inexpensive 22 Magnum Rifles

#17

best guns for stacking zombies

From $112.46

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Savage Arms CUB T

Rimfire rifles add more fun to shooting than almost anything else for the money. Savage has known this for over a century and continues to improve and expand on this great rifle series. From casual pl... read more

GunCritic Score

100%

User Rating

99%

From $243.26

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Keystone Sporting Arms Crickett 722

Crickett's 722 Sporter 22LR features a manual cocking single-shot bolt action made from alloy nickle plated steel and comes with standard iron sights. read more

GunCritic Score

83%

User Rating

99%

From $448.18

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CZ 457

The CZ 457 series thus offers exceptional user comfort due to its easy, fast and reliable operation, even with a riflescope attached. To ensure maximum safety, there is a positive safety on the right... read more

GunCritic Score

80%

User Rating

99%

#58

best guns for stacking zombies

#54

Best 22 Caliber Rifles

From $547.74

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Chiappa Firearms RAK-22

The RAK is made from steel with exceptional fit and finish. It features a 17.25" barrel, uses standard AK furniture and comes with two 10 round magazines. read more

GunCritic Score

50%

User Rating

99%

#53

Best 22 Caliber Rifles

From $548.25

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Savage Arms B22 Precision

Savage Arms - B22 Precision, 22WMR, 18" Barrel, MDT Chassis, Picatinny Rail, 10-rd Detachable Mag read more

GunCritic Score

50%

User Rating

99%

#58

Best 22 Caliber Rifles

#90

best guns for stacking zombies

#15

Best Precision Rifles

From $340.00

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Remington 597

The Remington Model 597 is an American semi-automatic rifle that was manufactured by Remington Arms at the company's Mayfield, Kentucky and Huntsville, Alabama plant. The .22 Long Rifle version has a... read more

GunCritic Score

93%

User Rating

99%

Best 22 Caliber Rifles

From $351.70

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Chiappa Firearms M1-22

Chiappa Firearms' M1-22 creates the look and feel of the venerable USGI M1 Carbine but chambered in the inexpensive and easy to shoot .22lr. A great .22 rimfire rifle in its own right, the M1-22 has t... read more

GunCritic Score

93%

User Rating

99%

#22

Best Surplus and Reproduction Firearms

#52

Best 22 Caliber Rifles

From $500.65

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Henry Golden Boy Youth

Whether you choose one chambered for .22 LR, .22 Magnum, or .17HMR, the Henry Golden Boy is a masterpiece of fine crafted gunsmithing. Any shooting enthusiast who closely examines one is immediately i... read more

GunCritic Score

96%

User Rating

99%

#15

Best 22LR Rifles

#24

Best Henry Rifles

#63

Best 22 Rifles for Home Defense

From $270.52

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Henry U.S Survival AR-7

Like the original Henry U.S. Survival Rifle, this innovative, semi-automatic model is lightweight (3.5 lbs.) and highly portable. At just 16.5 long, when all the components are stowed, it easily fits... read more

GunCritic Score

92%

User Rating

99%

Best 22LR Rifles

#22

best guns for stacking zombies

#27

Best 22 Caliber Rifles

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