New Rifle For A New Nut

Meroh said:
Below is the rifle I use for long range fun. 1953 Brno Mod 4 I bought it as a basket case; sourced bits and pieces; restored the stock to it's original length. I have been working with it a little; had the scope on yesterday shooting 100 yards. 4 different ammos (old Remington Target made by Eley; Norma Tac22, CCI Std. and Aguila Super Extra lead), and so far most groups <2" I do love this rifle.

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Wow that thing is a beauty! And from 1953! I believe that’s when my grandfather was born! Enjoy it, sir and thank you for your suggestion. I’ll take a look at brno rifles too!

One question: How can you mount a scope on this?

Can I have scope on any rifle with iron sight in general? And if yes is iron sight important for long range shooting? I heard that simo häyhä used iron sight only!
 
The Gun Nut said:
As long as you have fun there is nothing wrong with that at all!
I really enjoyed being a "sniper" in games when I was a teenager. I primarily want to learn the fundamentals of long-range shooting, and .22 is a relatively cheap training platform for me. I believe that's why these gentlemen suggested more accurate rifles to me.
I'd love to hear your suggestions too tho!
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I get that, I just thought some suggestions were getting overthetop, these 'best choice' exercises by the community are always entertainment at best

thinking long range as the focus.Maybe start with a scope you can dial turrets, whether moa or mrad is your choice, paired with a set of Burris Signature rings with inserts to choose for scope angle, to fit a pic rail or weaver
Then the rifle choice can be anything you can mount the scope to, there are several that will hit steel at 300 consistently, selection narrows with the size of steel you want to hit while you learn the perils of wind )
 
I can remember fumbling through this choice pre-internet, pre-online shopping, pre web-forums....and imagine knowing that little and being faced with trying to understand why I need to look for 34mm scope rings. I think there is good advice, and there there is good advice for someone totally new to shooting.

I'd suggest something like a 457 Varmint and a 1"-tubed, AO (or SF) scope with a top-end around 16-18X. Basically a field gun with great build quality and very good accuracy potential. Make all your mistakes on a simpler rig and practice punching a 1/2" ring @ 50 yards consistently. It's not as easy as it sounds. I don't believe 22LR is a great 100 yard option on the best of days but success can rely on understanding an trying to address some very subtle factors.

Challenge is where you make it, and I don't have all the answers for sure. However, I DO know that nobody I've met starts-off in the shooting sports getting good results @ 100 yards+ with a 22. Not saying it's never happened, just strikes me as the wrong place to start.
 
The Gun Nut said:
Wow that thing is a beauty! And from 1953! I believe that’s when my grandfather was born! Enjoy it, sir and thank you for your suggestion. I’ll take a look at brno rifles too!

One question: How can you mount a scope on this?

Can I have scope on any rifle with iron sight in general? And if yes is iron sight important for long range shooting? I heard that simo häyhä used iron sight only!
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Not true about iron sights only. This rifle has a wider (16mm) dovetail on the receiver (same as CZ Centerfire rifles, so CZ mounts work); there is a much larger dovetail cut forward of the receiver for the micrometer tangent sight as well (just above the scope in the photo); for it I change from a circle aperture in the front globe, and use a post insert. Here is a picture of it. View attachment 705801 For me, irons out to 50/60 yards; my eyes are 64 years old. LOL BTW, the rifle is 8 years older than I am. LOL
 
Rough looking shape on those rifles. The price is attractive, but it is a big gamble. I tried similar with an old 54 action, wish I never wasted my time on it. There are no free lunches with rimfire precision.
 
Trade Ex used to get some Anschutz match 54 rifles (among others by Anschutz). Many if not all were club rifles, meaning they were used by shooting clubs in European countries. They had all seen considerable use and showed wear. The price on them about half-a-dozen years ago was in the $600 - $800 range, depending on appearance and age. Most of them were 1960s and early 1970's vintage 1407 and 1408 models.

I had quite a few of them, which I refinished. The newest was a 1974-made 1407 barreled action in a mismatched 1407 stock. All of them shot well enough with SK entry level match ammos and random lots of CX to achieve 1 MOA (about .5") at 50 without much effort. When the accuracy bar is not higher, rimfire barrels that are good to start with have a relatively long life span.

Of course, that's not a guarantee that every similar Anschutz club rifle will shoot well enough to do 1 MOA at 50 yards.
 
The Gun Nut said:
Hello everyone!

As I'm still waiting for my PAL after 2 months, I am keeping an eye on the market for my first rifle.

I was advised by a gun collector friend of mine to start with a .22 LR for the following reasons:
1. Ammo is cheap so I can practice a LOT.
2. Since the bullet's mass and velocity are relatively low, the effects of wind and gravity are exaggerated meaning that I can practice my long-range shooting skills (my dream!) in shorter ranges.
Do you guys agree with this line of reasoning?

If yes, which gun/scope do you think I should buy?
The same friend suggested CZ (the 457 I believe) since they also can shoot 17 HMR with a simple barrel change and they are considered the best (in his words) for 22s.
I understand that Tikka and Ruger are pretty popular as well.

As for the scope do I need a rim fire scope or just a normal one? I am planning to buy a .30 cal rifle and a 12 gauge shotgun in the future to complete my arsenal Do you think I could use my first (practice) rifle's scope for my actual .30 rifle?

Price-wise, I prefer to keep it below 2K for the gun and the scope, but I don't want to compromise on accuracy too much.
Further, the weight of the gun shouldn't be a problem.

I wish you a great weekend ahead!
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Number 1 . you won't be completing your Arsenal you will be completing your collection . if I was you the suggestion of a CZ 457 would be a great idea. before putting a scope on it practice with the Iron sights on top of it first. become proficient with the sights on the rifle as in being able to shoot good groups with it like it is then if you want get a scope . don't buy the scope at Canadian Tire . you can get a decent scope at a gun store for say $200 or a little more . a good quality 3X9 scope . look through the scopes and check for clarity . don't totally cheap out on the scope but you don't have to go crazy either . and decent rings and mounts .

Then after a while a good 12 gauge pump . Mossberg or Remington . good luck and Happy Safe shooting . always remember know what is behind your target and don't shoot unless you know . out doors that is .
 
Meroh said:
These are great rifles when you can find them. Not meant to carry for hunting.
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The OP mentionned he was interested in practicing for long range shhoting... so carrying an heavier rifle shouldn't be much of an issue.
- as far as older match rifle, can't remember comming across a worn out 22lr... that is, unless some bubba-wannabe-smith decided to put the file to it...
 
sillymike said:
- as far as older match rifle, can't remember comming across a worn out 22lr... that is, unless some bubba-wannabe-smith decided to put the file to it...
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Who knows if the example I got had been abused in some manner or subject to poor/damaging cleaning technique. No matter what ammo I fed it, it was only good for 1/2"-3/4" groups at 50 yards. Not what I was looking for.
 
I've the chance to play with a few "club" gun over the years. Other than cosmetic-stuff (blue wear, bumps/bruise/blemish on the finish) the only repairs I can recall were
- Weak firing pin spring (just buy another one)
- Light peening on the chamber (easy enough to fix, with a $20 chamber ironing tool from Brownells)
- Damaged crown (also easy enough to fix)
 
Couple Points:

Seeing as you expressed that you are interested in a chassis at some point, go with the 457 as there are more options as it is the current model - I do not know of a chassis in 452 other than the old LSS that I am not aure MDT still sells. I have a 452 and love it, but the bolt throw is also not ideal with a big scope and I prefer my 457 for a scoped rifle. Some folks also do not like the bolt mounted safety on the 452, but I find it fine.

As you want to do long range, I would get a varmint model as the heavy barrel will be good as weight is your friend. If you decide to shoot ORPS or CRPS you will be especially grateful you got the beefy barrel. For hunting I prefer to not lug around a big barrel, unless it is gophers!

As you want to shoot long range and said you had a budget of $2000, spend half that on an Arken EP5, Vortex Venom, or the like scope. Get the max MOA rail your scope will accommodate. My guess is that if your range goes out to 300 yards or what have you that you will be shooting long as soon as you figure out your DOPE!

Also have an Oryx chassis in another rifle, I like it and it is great for bench and prone. The XRS is a better choice if you think you may want to do PRS style shooting off barricades and stuff - just because you can add weight with more ease and it has more m-lok.

Oh, I have the 457 MTR Match with Arken EP5 - love it and have it swt up for PRS shooting.

Have fun!
 
sillymike said:
I've the chance to play with a few "club" gun over the years. Other than cosmetic-stuff (blue wear, bumps/bruise/blemish on the finish) the only repairs I can recall were
- Weak firing pin spring (just buy another one)
- Light peening on the chamber (easy enough to fix, with a $20 chamber ironing tool from Brownells)
- Damaged crown (also easy enough to fix)
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Perhaps. I had to make a decision on where I wanted to go with things, and that rifle as a whole didn't fit into my vision so down the road it went. I could have made it shoot if I wanted to, even if it meant rebarrelling it. Not where I wanted to go with it so, such it is.
 
I will have to thank you all for your suggestions again! I read them all and gave them some thought.

I finally decided to go with CZ457 Varmint for the following reasons:

1. Most of you suggested that CZ and Anschutz have great accuracy potential! There was some debate about if CZ could ever get as accurate as an Anschutz, but I believe as a new shooter, I'm going to be way less accurate than both of these awesome brands.

2. The price of CZ (at least new ones) are within my budget, but Anschutz is not!

3. There is chassis and after market accessories available for CZ 457.

4. The heavier barrel of Varmint variation helps with accuracy by making the rifle heavier and also heating up slower.

5. My god it looks gorgeous!!

As for the scope, I probably won't buy one immediately and try shooting with ironsight.
When the time comes I go for something like Arken EP5 or Vortex Venom as suggested! I will have to go to a store to see which one I like better.

You guys are the best!
 
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