Best .22lr Target Rifle

[Munkey1973]

I bought a Bergara B14 Carbon Fiber barreled action in December and dressed it up with all my favourite Remington 700 aftermarket bits and pieces over the winter.

Finally had time to test it out couple weeks ago.

While it does not like subsonic ammo too much, its stupid accurate with CCI mini mag.

After one session I already know that I will like this Bergara a lot more than my old CZ (which shot well too).

 

[Maple57]

I bought a Bergara B14 Carbon Fiber barreled action in December and dressed it up with all my favourite Remington 700 aftermarket bits and pieces over the winter.

Finally had time to test it out couple weeks ago.

While it does not like subsonic ammo too much, its stupid accurate with CCI mini mag.

After one session I already know that I will like this Bergara a lot more than my old CZ (which shot well too).

I have a B14R... It is now called the Jamomatic Supreme

For a while it was just called the Jamomatic but after my last match with it, the name got an upgrade.

I did fix what was wrong with it though... Cost me $2500 for a Vudoo.

I will say this about the B14R... While reliability screams for a gen 2 fix, the accuracy of mine is better than I expected. Accuracy is more the result of ammo selection than anything else. It will shoot as good as any gun out there... seriously.

 

[grauhanen]

I have a B14R... It will shoot as good as any gun out there... seriously.

Now there's an optimistic claim.

By comparison, besides your CZ 452 Varmint (if you still have it), what else do you regularly shoot? Do you have the Vudoo to which you refer above?

 

[Maple57]

Now there's an optimistic claim.

By comparison, besides your CZ 452 Varmint (if you still have it), what else do you regularly shoot? Do you have the Vudoo to which you refer above?

No I no longer have the CZ452. I sold that a while ago. Nice rifle but I could not configure it they way I wanted. I cheaped out and replaced it with a B14R... The reason I did that was because I could rebarrel it with the barrel configuration I wanted and still have less invested than a Vudoo which did not offer the 24 inch barrel I wanted.

I never upgraded the barrel because of the reliability problems I encountered with the B14R, but accuracy was never a problem. I'll stand by that statement. I video recorded a side by side accuracy comparison between the B14R, two Vudoos, a RimX and Anshutz54 and pretty sure even my CZ452, and the B14R was more accurate than any of them. (at least on that day with the ammo we were using... SK Long Range Match) (I have yet to get around to posting that video, but I plan to, I'm just real busy with other obligations.)

But the reliability with the B14R is just not there and there is just no way to make it what it needs to be in that regard. So for that reason I never upgraded the barrel.

On that note I finally caved in and got a Vudoo V22 with a 22 inch MTU barrel.

In terms of accuracy, I have found zero difference. Its really just about selecting the best ammo for each rifle.

The Vudoo is infinitely more reliable though. The Vudoo is so minimally cleared around the bolt, that there is no place for a spent case or even a live round to hang up. The B14R is practically designed to capture and trap brass in the worst possible places. This includes behind the mag and on either side of the mag. Rounds get jammed into the slots in the barrel for the extractors and then you'll need tools to remove it.

I just wish Vudoo offered a 24 inch MTU, but I'll make do with the 22 and a heavy brake.

 

[grauhanen]

Thanks for the details, Maple57.

Still it seems a bit of a stretch or naive to say with sincerity that a factory B14R "will shoot as good as any gun out there... seriously."

 

[Maple57]

Thanks for the details, Maple57.

Still it seems a bit of a stretch or naive to say with sincerity that a factory B14R "will shoot as good as any gun out there... seriously."

Be that as it may be, I do have it all on video and you will see it one day.

I would accept that if we were to test fifty Vudoos against fifty B14R's I'm sure the average Vudoo accuracy would be better than the average of the B14R. I probably just have a good one.

In NRL PRS terms though, I doubt the "accuracy" of one over the other is why you will win. Balance, reliability and ammo selection is what to focus on. The rest is up to you.

 

[tlovell]

I'd like to add a comment about the B14 R. I have had jamming and feeding issues as well. I've run 2 different stocks on it, MPA and McMillan. I think the mag seating had a lot to do with feeding and ejecting problems. The MPA with adjustable catch still left the mag a bit loose. I've added a washer to the trigger side of my bottom metal on my McMillan stock. There is absolutely no play at all now when a mag is inserted. I now have zero feeding or ejecting issues. It runs well and is my favorite .22 to shoot. As far as accuracy I'm happy, with bulk federal ammo I'm shooting carriage bolts on my steel targets at 75 yards, about the size of a quarter. I've also shot out to 452 yards on a 18x24" target with bulk ammo. Anyone I've put behind it is amazed at it's accuracy. However for the OP I wouldn't suggest it as an option. I'll add some pics when I get a chance as I just renewed my team membership.

View attachment 580537

5 shot group 75 yards
View attachment 580538

Shot off the deck of the house.
View attachment 580542

4 out of 10 Federal bulk ammo
View attachment 580543

View attachment 580539

 

[allan harris]

Since the release of the B14R, I've read quite a bit re function issues.
I have access to two B14R's (combined round count 6,000 plus). I have never seen a single jam or feed issue with these rifles. Both are in factory HMR stocks.
Accuracy wise, with ammo matched to the rifle, my B14R is on a par with my 1710 DHB's. It will comfortably outshoot my Vudoo 360 (20" MTU) but not as good as the Vudoo Gen 2 (22" Kukri). Sadly, my friend's B14R can't come close to any of these rifles - Just proves that buying production guns is a gamble - Sometimes you just luck on to a decent one!

 

[Rod B]

Just proves that buying production guns is a gamble - Sometimes you just luck on to a decent one!

It is indeed a crap shoot with factory rifles.

 

[Longstud]

I'd like to add a comment about the B14 R. I have had jamming and feeding issues as well. I've run 2 different stocks on it, MPA and McMillan. I think the mag seating had a lot to do with feeding and ejecting problems. The MPA with adjustable catch still left the mag a bit loose. I've added a washer to the trigger side of my bottom metal on my McMillan stock. There is absolutely no play at all now when a mag is inserted. I now have zero feeding or ejecting issues. It runs well and is my favorite .22 to shoot. As far as accuracy I'm happy, with bulk federal ammo I'm shooting carriage bolts on my steel targets at 75 yards, about the size of a quarter. I've also shot out to 452 yards on a 18x24" target with bulk ammo. Anyone I've put behind it is amazed at it's accuracy. However for the OP I wouldn't suggest it as an option. I'll add some pics when I get a chance as I just renewed my team membership.

View attachment 580537

5 shot group 75 yards
View attachment 580538

Shot off the deck of the house.
View attachment 580542

4 out of 10 Federal bulk ammo
View attachment 580543

View attachment 580539

I wouldn’t feel comfortable shooting those targets with the two houses directly behind you. One miss that hits a flat rock or hard patch of dirt could result in some Pixxed off neighbours or worse! A thing that can go wrong, eventually will.

 

[Slamfire76239]

I wouldn’t feel comfortable shooting those targets with the two houses directly behind you. One miss that hits a flat rock or hard patch of dirt could result in some Pixxed off neighbours or worse! A thing that can go wrong, eventually will.

Yes I saw that too. Very unsafe, actually. No backstop and well within the 2.5 km dangerous range of the .22 LR.

Seriously? No wonder the CFSC is mandatory to get a PAL, yet people on here are saying that they’d support concealed carry.

 

[jes]

I don't know, but I think you are making some assumptions as to what direction he is actually shooting and what his background is. I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt and assuming that he isn't shooting towards what appears to be a farm yard. I would say his targets are portable and only happen to be lined up with the yard for the photo. I could be wrong, seems like I usually am.

 

[Slamfire76239]

I don't know, but I think you are making some assumptions as to what direction he is actually shooting and what his background is. I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt and assuming that he isn't shooting towards what appears to be a farm yard. I would say his targets are portable and only happen to be lined up with the yard for the photo. I could be wrong, seems like I usually am.

That is possible, and I hope you’re right.

 

[jimbo14]

It looks like that is his house and he spun the target 180 deg so you could see the porch he shot off of.

 

[dan belisle]

Yes I saw that too. Very unsafe, actually. No backstop and well within the 2.5 km dangerous range of the .22 LR.

Seriously? No wonder the CFSC is mandatory to get a PAL, yet people on here are saying that they’d support concealed carry.

Yes. Defending your life means the all important safety nazi backstop rules must be followed. - dan

 

[tlovell]

Wow Longstud and Slamfire... I guess there always a couple in the group. Thanks for asking and not assuming first. I don't just go shooting up the neighborhood like some Nova Scotian RCMP.

But thank you to Jes and everyone who did defend me. I did infact turn the target around to prove how far the shot was!

On a thread a guy posted looking for a target rifle for his daughter. Geeesh.

 

[Southcountryguy]

I don't know, but I think you are making some assumptions as to what direction he is actually shooting and what his background is. I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt and assuming that he isn't shooting towards what appears to be a farm yard. I would say his targets are portable and only happen to be lined up with the yard for the photo. I could be wrong, seems like I usually am.

Yes, your absolutely correct. Funny part is it even says in the post how he shot off the deck of his house. If you expand the picture a bit you can see a closer target and what appears to be quad tracks from the house to the target.

Happy Easter all

 

[Slamfire76239]

Wow Longstud and Slamfire... I guess there always a couple in the group. Thanks for asking and not assuming first. I don't just go shooting up the neighborhood like some Nova Scotian RCMP.

But thank you to Jes and everyone who did defend me. I did infact turn the target around to prove how far the shot was!

On a thread a guy posted looking for a target rifle for his daughter. Geeesh.

Thanks for clarifying. We can never be too safe when it comes to firearms.

We are responsible for every bullet that we fire.

 

[tlovell]

Thanks for clarifying. We can never be too safe when it comes to firearms.

We are responsible for every bullet that we fire.

Your welcome... I guess with people like yourself I should be more careful to explain, as it is easy for them to jump to conclusions. Or type posts that make them feel knowledgeable.

 

[Longstud]

Wow Longstud and Slamfire... I guess there always a couple in the group. Thanks for asking and not assuming first. I don't just go shooting up the neighborhood like some Nova Scotian RCMP.

But thank you to Jes and everyone who did defend me. I did infact turn the target around to prove how far the shot was!

On a thread a guy posted looking for a target rifle for his daughter. Geeesh.

So now your admitting too having multiple names on Gunnutz. Who am I too respond too? tlovell or the original poster? Im not going to appologize to anyone for pointing out a safety concern over firearms. READ what I posted. I DID not condem anyone but merely stated I wouldnt be comfortable shooting with the two houses in the background! Im not a mind reader. I allowed room for clarity. Upon looking at the pics further I can see another viewpoint. NO shooter should ever be HARSH in judgement over someone trying to be safe. I never said you shot in that direction but only Id not be comfortable for the reasons stated. I WILL not appologize for gun safety. But i will appologize for you thinking I insinuated you not being safe. Your photos were excellent but they put a lot of things into interpretation. Oh just for clarity are we too refer to you as tlovell or HuntingShootingGolfing or some new moniker?