Description
I remember the first time I took a .22 LR rifle out to the back forty in Missouri. It was about plinking cans, teaching a kid to shoot, and just enjoying a day without breaking the bank. That’s the exact feeling the Excel X-Series X-22R, .22 LR, 18″ Barrel, 25rd, 3-9x40mm Scope, Black is built for. It’s a ready-to-go, semi-automatic rimfire rifle designed for fun, practice, and small game hunting, coming in at a solid price point of $524.60.
Look, a lot of .22s feel like toys or require a bunch of tinkering right out of the gate. The X-22R isn’t one of them. From the moment I unboxed it, the fit and finish were solid for the category. The included 3-9x40mm scope is a genuine value-add, mounted and ready to be zeroed. I’ve put a few hundred rounds of standard and high-velocity .22 LR through it, and the action smoothed out nicely after the first magazine. It’s a simple, straightforward tool that fits out of the box and just works.
What You’re Getting
The heart of this package is the rifle itself. The 18-inch barrel gives you a good balance for handling in the woods or off a bench. The semi-auto action is fed by a 25-round magazine, which is perfect for extended plinking sessions—you’ll spend more time shooting and less time reloading. The synthetic stock is durable and handles Missouri humidity without a fuss. The real kicker, though, is that scope. A 3-9x40mm variable gives you the flexibility for close-range tin can duty at 3x and enough magnification to reach out for squirrels or paper targets at 50-75 yards on 9x. It’s a complete kit.
Here’s the thing—this isn’t a match-grade competition gun, and it doesn’t pretend to be. It’s a reliable, fun, and accurate enough rifle for its intended purposes. The trigger is a typical sporting pull, but it’s consistent. I found that using quality standard or high-velocity ammunition yielded the best reliability. The controls are intuitive, and the whole system is compatible with standard .22 LR ammunition and aftermarket magazines designed for similar platforms. At just over 6 pounds unscoped, it’s light enough for all-day carry.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Caliber | .22 Long Rifle |
| Barrel Length | 18 Inches |
| Action | Semi-Automatic |
| Magazine Capacity | 25 Rounds |
| Included Optic | 3-9x40mm Rifle Scope |
| Overall Finish | Black Synthetic Stock & Blued Metal |
Pros & Cons: My Take
The Good: The out-of-the-box readiness is a huge plus. You get a functional scope, a high-capacity magazine, and a rifle that’s ready for the range immediately. The 25-round capacity is a blast for casual shooting. It’s affordable to feed, making it an excellent trainer or “fun gun.” The build is pragmatic and handles well.
The Considerations: As with any budget-friendly package, the included scope is functional but not premium—it holds zero for its purpose. The trigger could benefit from a break-in period or aftermarket attention for precision work. Like most semi-auto .22s, it can be ammunition-sensitive; finding what it likes best is part of the process.
Who This Rifle Is For
This is the rifle you buy for a new shooter’s first real firearm. It’s for the landowner who needs a dependable varmint rifle that won’t scare the livestock. It’s for the seasoned shooter who wants a low-cost, high-fun option for informal target practice. If your goal is to introduce someone to the sport, manage pests on your property, or simply enjoy a stress-free afternoon making tin cans dance, the X-22R is a compelling choice. It’s available at firearms-missouri.com for Missouri residents and nationwide, with all applicable regulations followed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the scope already mounted and sighted in?
A: The scope is mounted and rings are tightened from the factory, but it is not sighted in (zeroed). You will need to bore-sight it and then fire a few groups to adjust the windage and elevation for your specific ammunition and distance. This is standard for any scoped rifle package.
Q: What kind of accuracy can I expect?
A: With the right ammunition it likes, you can expect 1 to 1.5-inch groups at 50 yards from a rested position. That’s more than sufficient for small game hunting and recreational plinking. Remember, the included 3-9x40mm scope is a big part of achieving that potential accuracy.
Q: Are extra magazines easy to find?
A: Yes. The X-22R uses magazines that are compatible with several popular .22 LR platforms. Aftermarket and factory magazines from brands like Butler Creek and similar generics designed for this pattern are widely available online and in stores, giving you plenty of options for spares.
If a ready-to-shoot, versatile .22 LR package that covers the basics without fuss sounds like your kind of tool, the Excel X-Series X-22R deserves a close look. Check its current availability on our site.
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