I have both. Not that it’s a criteria, but if you plan to suppress the bolt is much quieter. I feel personally it’s a tad more accurate too.
I too have both and agree 100%. If 'quiet' is the priority, bolt action is the way to go.
I have two suppressed 10/22s with integral suppressors, one an AAC 'Cloak' I bought in 2003, the other an AB MELB I just got.
I have two rimfire 'cans' that I use on bolt action rifles (CZ455s & 457s) and a Ruger pistol, a YHM Phantom and an AB Little Bird.
Beyond what noise can be suppressed at the muzzle, the 10/22 has two additional sources of noise:
1) 'Port pop', where the bolt opens slightly before pressure has fully subsided, allowing gas to leak out and create a small report.
2) 'Bolt slap', the sound of the bolt cycling. It smacks open and smacks closed. Some bolt slap can be reduced by using a soft bolt stop pin. Using sub-sonic ammo also helps keep bolt speed and action noise down.
While neither of these noises are horrible, they ARE audible and do contribute to the overall sound level.
I have a few Volquartsen .22 short mags for the 10/22s and when used with CCI CB Shorts, it is incredibly quiet. Since the CB Shorts won't cycle the gun, there is minimal port pop and no bolt slap. Accuracy is mediocre and drop is pretty bad.
My bolt action rifles with either can are extremely quiet and with sub-sonic/match ammo, the main noise components are the striker dropping and the bullet hitting the target. Most people shooting one for the first time think they got a misfire.
The mainly stock 10/22 with the AAC suppressed barrel is extremely accurate, typically delivering 1/2" 5-shot groups at 50 yards with CCI standard velocity. I haven't tested the AB barrel yet. Some 10/22s, like Kidd, can be extremely precise.
The best bolt action CZ I have so far is the 455 VPT with the Manners stock. With SK ammo, it is shooting 1/4" groups or smaller at 50 yards, with or without a suppressor. I just bought a threaded match grade CZ457 VPC MTR (16" & 20" 'blems' on sale at KYGunCo) that should do at least as well, but I haven't had a chance to get to the range with it yet.
FWIW, most 'standard velocity' ammo is just barely sub-sonic, as is most match ammo, usually running around 1,060 to 1,080 fps. Most ammo marked 'sub-sonic' is only a little slower, usually running around 1,040-1,060 fps.
