6 Best Suppressed Rimfire Rifles For Hunting Small Game That Won’t Spook Game

You’ve stalked a group of squirrels for the better part of an hour, finally getting a clear shot at the one barking from a high oak branch. The sharp crack of your rifle echoes through the woods, dropping your target but sending every other creature within a quarter-mile running for cover. For small game hunters who want to take more than one animal from a single location, managing sound is everything.

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Why Subsonic .22LR is Key for Silent Hunting

Imagine the sound of a bullwhip cracking. That sharp noise isn’t the leather hitting something; it’s the tip of the whip breaking the sound barrier. A standard .22LR bullet does the same thing as it leaves the muzzle, creating a loud, distinctive crack that alerts every animal in the vicinity. This is the sonic boom, and it’s the primary source of noise in unsuppressed rimfire shooting.

Subsonic ammunition is the first half of the silent hunting equation. By keeping the bullet’s velocity below the speed of sound (roughly 1,125 feet per second, depending on conditions), you completely eliminate that flight-path crack. All that’s left is the sound of the rifle firing and the "thump" of the bullet hitting its target.

When you pair subsonic ammo with a quality suppressor, the results are truly remarkable. The suppressor acts like a car’s muffler, trapping and slowing the expanding gases that create the muzzle blast. The combination reduces the gunshot to a sound often quieter than a pellet gun, allowing you to take a squirrel or rabbit without spooking another one just a few trees over. This is the core principle of quiet small game hunting.

Ruger 10/22 Takedown Lite: Ultimate Portability

For the hunter who hikes deep into the backcountry or paddles a canoe to their favorite spot, pack space is a premium. This is where the 10/22 Takedown Lite shines. The rifle breaks down into two compact components—barrel and action/stock—with a simple twist, fitting easily into a backpack. Its lightweight construction means you barely notice it’s there until you need it.

The semi-automatic action offers a quick follow-up shot, which can be a real advantage when you encounter a pair of rabbits. However, it’s a tradeoff. The sound of the bolt cycling, while quiet, is still more mechanical noise than a bolt-action rifle. The vast aftermarket support for the 10/22 platform is also a huge plus, allowing you to customize everything from the trigger to the stock to fit your exact needs.

This rifle isn’t about winning benchrest competitions; it’s about practical field use. It’s the perfect companion for a multi-day trip where a reliable, lightweight, and incredibly portable small game rifle is part of a larger gear system. It’s a tool built for the journey.

Savage Mark II FV-SR: Budget-Friendly Accuracy

Getting into suppressed shooting can feel expensive, but the Savage Mark II FV-SR proves it doesn’t have to be. This rifle is arguably the best entry point for anyone looking to build a quiet hunting rig without breaking the bank. It comes from the factory with a threaded barrel ready for a suppressor and a Picatinny rail for easy optics mounting.

The bolt-action design is a key advantage for stealth. With no cycling action, the only sounds are the firing pin and the bullet’s impact. This rifle is known for its surprising accuracy, often out-shooting rifles that cost twice as much, especially once you find the subsonic ammo it likes. The AccuTrigger is also a standout feature in this price range, offering a crisp, adjustable pull that aids in precise shot placement.

Sure, the synthetic stock feels basic and the action isn’t as slick as its pricier European counterparts. But those are minor quibbles. For the weekend warrior or new hunter, the FV-SR delivers on what matters most: reliability and accuracy in a suppressor-ready package. It’s a workhorse that gets the job done, hunt after hunt.

CZ 457 ProVarmint: A Premium Bolt-Action Choice

When you’re ready to step up to a rifle that feels as good as it shoots, the CZ 457 line is where you look. The ProVarmint model, with its stiff, stable stock and heavy barrel, is a rock-solid platform for making precise shots from a rested position. It feels less like a utility tool and more like a fine piece of machinery.

CZ rimfires have a legendary reputation for accuracy, and the 457 continues that legacy. The controlled-round feed and smooth bolt throw provide a level of refinement you can feel with every shot. The trigger is excellent and user-adjustable, allowing you to tune it to your preference for a perfect, clean break. This is the kind of rifle that inspires confidence when aiming for a squirrel’s head at 50 yards.

The primary tradeoff here is weight and bulk. The ProVarmint stock is designed for stability, not for long treks through dense woods. This makes it a better choice for hunting from a fixed blind or for shooters who don’t have to hike miles to their spot. It’s an investment in precision for the hunter who values craftsmanship and tack-driving performance.

Tikka T1x MTR: Unmatched Trigger and Smooth Action

If you ask a group of serious shooters what they love about Tikka rifles, you’ll hear two things over and over: the trigger and the action. The T1x MTR brings that renowned centerfire quality to the rimfire world. The single-stage trigger is phenomenally crisp and clean right out of the box, rivaling many aftermarket options.

The bolt action on the T1x is exceptionally smooth, gliding back and forth with minimal effort. This makes for fast, easy cycling without disturbing your shooting position—a subtle but important feature for follow-up shots. The rifle shares a footprint with its big brother, the T3x centerfire rifle, meaning many stocks and chassis systems are cross-compatible, offering a huge path for future upgrades.

The T1x is a fantastic middle ground. It offers a significant step up in feel and performance from budget options without reaching the price of a full custom build. For the hunter who appreciates the tactile experience of shooting and wants a rifle that performs flawlessly under pressure, the Tikka T1x is a top-tier contender.

Bergara BMR Steel: Precision for Serious Hunters

Bergara built its name on making world-class rifle barrels, and the Bergara Micro Rifle (BMR) brings that precision-first philosophy to a compact, field-ready package. This rifle is for the hunter who obsesses over tiny groups and demands consistent, repeatable accuracy. The BMR is designed to be a hybrid, equally at home on the competition line and in the squirrel woods.

The steel version provides a bit more heft and stability than its carbon fiber counterpart, which is a benefit for off-hand or improvised field rests. The action is smooth, the trigger is excellent, and the overall fit and finish are a clear step above entry-level rifles. It feels like a scaled-down version of a serious long-range rig.

This rifle represents a commitment to precision. It’s for the shooter who meticulously tests different ammo lots to find the one that groups the best. If your goal is to maximize the effective range and ethical precision of your rimfire rifle, the Bergara BMR is built to deliver on that promise.

Ruger American Rimfire: A Versatile Workhorse

Sometimes, you just need a tool that works, no questions asked. The Ruger American Rimfire is that tool. It’s a rugged, reliable, and incredibly versatile bolt-action rifle that has become a staple in the field. One of its best features is its ability to use ubiquitous and affordable Ruger 10/22 magazines.

The rifle also includes Ruger’s Power Bedding system for a secure action-to-stock fit and a free-floated barrel, both of which contribute to its solid accuracy. A particularly clever feature is the interchangeable stock module system, which allows you to swap the comb height to perfectly align your eye with a scope—a critical detail for consistent shooting.

The Ruger American Rimfire might not have the buttery-smooth action of a Tikka or the old-world feel of a CZ. But it’s a dependable and adaptable rifle that can be configured for any shooter. For a farm truck gun, a first rifle for a new hunter, or a no-nonsense tool for putting meat in the pot, it’s one of the most practical choices on the market.

Pairing Your Rifle with the Right Subsonic Ammo

Owning a great suppressed rifle is only half the battle; you have to feed it the right ammunition. Rimfire rifles are notoriously picky, and what shoots like a laser in one rifle might produce shotgun-like patterns in another. The key is to find a subsonic load that is both consistent and accurate in your specific firearm.

Start by buying several different boxes of quality subsonic or standard velocity ammunition. Brands like CCI, Eley, SK, and Lapua are excellent starting points. Set up a target at 25 or 50 yards and shoot five-shot groups with each type of ammo, carefully labeling which group belongs to which load. The rifle will tell you what it likes best.

Don’t get discouraged if the first few types don’t group well. This testing process is part of the journey and a fun excuse to spend more time at the range. Once you find that magic combination of rifle and ammo, you’ll have a system capable of surgical precision and whisper-quiet performance in the field.

In the end, the perfect rifle is the one that gets you outside, feels good in your hands, and performs reliably when the moment comes. Don’t get lost in the pursuit of gear perfection. Pick a rifle that fits your budget and your style of hunting, find the ammo it loves, and spend your time practicing and learning the woods.