Best Semi competition setup money-no-object?

[Somerset Bar]

I've been playing around with a Volquartzen IF-5 rifle for about a year or so. Pretty impressive overall, but certainly not cheap.

Wondering what you guys think is the ultimate no-holds-barred 22 SEMI? I'm setting up my 50y and 100y rimfire range out here this spring, so looking for something that gives me an option to the volq.

So far subsonic ammo has been the key to sub moa at 50. I've been ordering up some mix n match packs of ammo. Some of the prices of the premium ammo is insane, and I kind of doubt price always equals performance, but who knows.

I used to compete a bit with a CZ 453 and eley ammo (or sk match in a pinch), but thinking of getting back into competition but with a semi this time.

I keep looking at these $4K+ centerfire rifles that can't even do moa@100, and thinking I'd be better off spending $ on something I will use weekly.


Oh and also, anyone have an optic that they just can't stop raving about? I'm running a diamondback on my CZ and a nikon prostaff on my Volq, but both are kind of meh (vortex has more options, but nikon has better glass IMO). I keep wishing I had parallax on the scope, but have never run a parallax scope on a 22 so looking for opinions?

 

[BigMasterShrek]

No expert but I've heard amazing things about some of grey birches 22s. Came very close to grabbing one and still might

 

[emerson]

I've been playing around with a Volquartzen IF-5 rifle for about a year or so. Pretty impressive overall, but certainly not cheap.

Wondering what you guys think is the ultimate no-holds-barred 22 SEMI? I'm setting up my 50y and 100y rimfire range out here this spring, so looking for something that gives me an option to the volq.

So far subsonic ammo has been the key to sub moa at 50. I've been ordering up some mix n match packs of ammo. Some of the prices of the premium ammo is insane, and I kind of doubt price always equals performance, but who knows.

I used to compete a bit with a CZ 453 and eley ammo (or sk match in a pinch), but thinking of getting back into competition but with a semi this time.

I keep looking at these $4K+ centerfire rifles that can't even do moa@100, and thinking I'd be better off spending $ on something I will use weekly.


Oh and also, anyone have an optic that they just can't stop raving about? I'm running a diamondback on my CZ and a nikon prostaff on my Volq, but both are kind of meh (vortex has more options, but nikon has better glass IMO). I keep wishing I had parallax on the scope, but have never run a parallax scope on a 22 so looking for opinions?

There is now a semi class in the CRPS organization. The problem with semi is it’s difficult to run a chamber tight enough and maintain reliable function. I would buy the tightest chamber 10-22 barrel I could find. I’ve got the chassis and Kidd 2 stage trigger already. The targets in Rimfire PRS are getting smaller every year. The standard is now about 2 MOA@100. The expensive 22LR ammo is more consistent. That’s what we pay for. A $4K rifle is a start. A Diamondback is crap. Pick your budget first. A Vortex Venom is about $700, go up from there to about $2500; Vortex, Athlon, Burris, Apex. Past $2500 it only matters if you are chasing the podium hard.

 

[emerson]

As far as raving about an optic, I’m really happy with my Vortex Razor Gen 3, but budget. I used an Athlon Ares ETR in ‘23, and it kicked ass at the $2K all in price point.

 

[Somerset Bar]

There is now a semi class in the CRPS organization. The problem with semi is it’s difficult to run a chamber tight enough and maintain reliable function. I would buy the tightest chamber 10-22 barrel I could find. I’ve got the chassis and Kidd 2 stage trigger already. The targets in Rimfire PRS are getting smaller every year. The standard is now about 2 MOA@100. The expensive 22LR ammo is more consistent. That’s what we pay for. A $4K rifle is a start. A Diamondback is crap. Pick your budget first. A Vortex Venom is about $700, go up from there to about $2500; Vortex, Athlon, Burris, Apex. Past $2500 it only matters if you are chasing the podium hard.

Heh, the bill for several assorted boxes of 22 was about the same as 5000 rounds of cci standard
I have a venom on my .308 I might swap it out on the .22 but the thing is so big, I think that's what has kept me from trying it. I also am not the biggest fan of vortex glass. Not sure if it's my eyes but it always just has a bit of a hazy look. I even swapped out the vortex sighting scope for the one at canadian tire. It was built like crap (fell apart) but the glass was clearer...

2moa@100. Is that the grouping to be competitive? I've never managed 1moa at 100 but I also never had the luxury of a home setup. I know at some point I'm likely to start to get a shake in the ole hands, so I'm thinking now is sort of the time to chase, otherwise I might as well keep to shooting peanuts @ 50 lol (the crows love peanuts).

 

[Somerset Bar]

As far as raving about an optic, I’m really happy with my Vortex Razor Gen 3, but budget. I used an Athlon Ares ETR in ‘23, and it kicked ass at the $2K all in price point.

haha I've got one on my bergara 6.5 that's my tack driver setup, but I'd say it's overkill for a .22 Fantastic scope though, heads and tails above the regular vortex stuff (that one was a real splurge purchase, my wife thinks it's a discount scope because of the finish)

 

[Buck1950]

My 'hi-end' semi is a 2014 Marlin 60 so no opinion there, NOT a 'competitor' so I don't have the desire for a Multi-$$ semi. It gets under 1" at 50 with CCI-SV w-some 0.5xx". As for the scope it depends on your use, mine are for targets mostly. I have an Athlon Argos FFP 8-34x56 with side-parallax. Not 'Hi-end' either but good for my CZ457-VMTR out to 175 (ca 4" group). I'm not going farther (unless I switch clubs) and I can see 22lr holes out there just fine - I haven't used the Illum-feature so no comment. My CZ 455-Lux has a $450-ish Covenant-C4 6-24x50 SF-FFP as does my Sav B22 and both are around 1-1.5 MOA at 50 & 100.

 

[Somerset Bar]

No expert but I've heard amazing things about some of grey birches 22s. Came very close to grabbing one and still might

I've shot one of the carbon rifles, I didn't really like it but I wasn't used to the weird stock on it so I likely wasn't giving it a fair shake. I'd say to you to look at the IF-5s over the grey birch, but again, I shot the carbon only and maybe the heavy barrels would be better. Also, personal preference comes into play as well. I think(?) the prices were similar...

 

[Somerset Bar]

My 'hi-end' semi is a 2014 Marlin 60 so no opinion there, I don't have the desire for a Multi-$$ semi. As for the scope it depends on your use. I have an Athlon Argos FFP 8-34x56 with side-parallax. Not 'Hi-end' either but good for my CZ457-VMTR out to 175 (ca 4" group). I'm not going farther (unless I switch clubs) and I can see 22lr holes out there just fine - I haven't used the Illum-feature so no comment.

I am really leaning towards going to a FFP scope for this. I have only one other FFP scope, the vortex, and I really like it. I can't spend $4K on a .22 scope but I'm thinking sub $2K. Do you have any criticism of the Athlon? I've never even looked through one, I have no frame of reference...

 

[emerson]

I am really leaning towards going to a FFP scope for this. I have only one other FFP scope, the vortex, and I really like it. I can't spend $4K on a .22 scope but I'm thinking sub $2K. Do you have any criticism of the Athlon? I've never even looked through one, I have no frame of reference...

FFP is the only option for PRS style shooting. The only criticisms I have of the Athlon Ares are compared to much more expensive scopes. Picky parallax and narrow FOV vs scopes costing double the $$$. I can see 22 holes at 200. Great value at $2K including tax. The standard Rimfire PRS small target size is about 2MOA. There are occasional smaller ones, but mostly for keener bragging rights. It is very unusual for any 22LR shooter to achieve 3 consecutive 10shot groups at 100 under 1 MOA. That is including BR custom rifles and lot tested ammo with no budget limit. The internet abounds with claims of better, but talk is cheap.

 

[Buck1950]

I am really leaning towards going to a FFP scope for this. I have only one other FFP scope, the vortex, and I really like it. I can't spend $4K on a .22 scope but I'm thinking sub $2K. Do you have any criticism of the Athlon? I've never even looked through one, I have no frame of reference...

I agree w-emerson re FFP, 5 of 6 scopes I have are FFP, even my M-60 My Argos ( ca $700 tx-in a year ago) has a shallow eye-box, not very forgiving so may not be good for rapid-shooting at full-mag = 34x. When I shoot 175-80 I drop to 20-ish-x to open the FOV to use 'tree-holds'. Sorta wish I'd gone higher-mag, like 50x but FFP at that mag-range costs LOTS more. I've shot on full-overcast days and the scope glass is fine at that, don't know about 'low-light' like late evenings. RE the parallax, I have an over-size wheel on the turret (ca $15-amazon) that I mark for distances w-white tape (you'll have to Zoom the pic). Makes fine adjustments simple and accurate. My VMTR has a Timney at ca 6-oz and I shoot a 'pinch-style' trigger. On an A-419 30* rail so I need to make a better cheek-rest this Winter - HA!!

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[Buck1950]

PS - I've only had the 457 for 6-months and as emerson says sub-MOA is not that common. I mostly shoot 5-round groups due to cost of 'medium-cost' like SK-RM but only about half are sub-MOA. Here's one, with the Argos at 100-yds, 20-ish * and 0-5 klik in my face ( the .308 was zeroing a new scope ) ->

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[Mystic Precision]

Barrel, bedding and ammo (w/a tuner)... that is what will lead to an accurate semi.

For me, the 10/22 is the easy button. I compete in CRPS and other formats of rimfire PRS and have podiumed a number of times. Can supply barrel spec to suit various end uses.

With all the 10/22s we run, we still use the factory action/bolt. Others prefer the custom stuff... whatever you prefer but the key to accuracy is in the 3 B's

With the right ammo, accuracy is right on the heels of many bolt rifles.... and I compete out to 400+yds.

Jerry

PS, for a high mag variable scope, I am blown away by how well the new Athlon Ares and Heras 15-60X56 scopes work. These are SFP scopes in moa, with the subtension correct at 40X. The parallax is definitely geared for shorter distances but can work out to 1000yds.

If you want to do PRS, then a FFP in mil is ideal. Again, the Athlon family offers a lot of options and will perform above their price points.

 

[Somerset Bar]

FFP is the only option for PRS style shooting. The only criticisms I have of the Athlon Ares are compared to much more expensive scopes. Picky parallax and narrow FOV vs scopes costing double the $$$. I can see 22 holes at 200. Great value at $2K including tax. The standard Rimfire PRS small target size is about 2MOA. There are occasional smaller ones, but mostly for keener bragging rights. It is very unusual for any 22LR shooter to achieve 3 consecutive 10shot groups at 100 under 1 MOA. That is including BR custom rifles and lot tested ammo with no budget limit. The internet abounds with claims of better, but talk is cheap.

I 100% believe those grouping numbers. I assume the high $ .22 has higher QC overall, better primer distribution, powder weights and bullet specs... but we've all had a flier now and then. It was only last year that I even considered that semis could shoot well enough to be competitive, although I haven't found anything like the single set trigger in my 453, but that's a whole other conversation.

What's the specifics on the parallax on your scope?

 

[Mystic Precision]

I 100% believe those grouping numbers. I assume the high $ .22 has higher QC overall, better primer distribution, powder weights and bullet specs... but we've all had a flier now and then. It was only last year that I even considered that semis could shoot well enough to be competitive, although I haven't found anything like the single set trigger in my 453, but that's a whole other conversation.

What's the specifics on the parallax on your scope?

Unfortunately, the most expensive (and hopefully, best shooting) 22lr match ammo is just "lucky"... match ammo is sorted on a falling grade. They only want to make the stuff that goes to the Olympics but that is not where the vast majority of ammo made goes.

They must be thrilled with rimfire PRS shooters....

Jerry

 

[Somerset Bar]

I agree w-emerson re FFP, 5 of 6 scopes I have are FFP, even my M-60 My Argos ( ca $700 tx-in a year ago) has a shallow eye-box, not very forgiving so may not be good for rapid-shooting at full-mag = 34x. When I shoot 175-80 I drop to 20-ish-x to open the FOV to use 'tree-holds'. Sorta wish I'd gone higher-mag, like 50x but FFP at that mag-range costs LOTS more. I've shot on full-overcast days and the scope glass is fine at that, don't know about 'low-light' like late evenings. RE the parallax, I have an over-size wheel on the turret (ca $15-amazon) that I mark for distances w-white tape (you'll have to Zoom the pic). Makes fine adjustments simple and accurate. My VMTR has a Timney at ca 6-oz and I shoot a 'pinch-style' trigger. On an A-419 30* rail so I need to make a better cheek-rest this Winter - HA!!

I've got the 527 in .223 with the same stock. I almost returned it because I couldn't group at all, until on a whim I tried 35gr custom loads, suddenly it became my best shooter in .223
I have a Vortex Razor (Gen 1 or 2) 4.5-27x56 if I remember correctly, but as you say the prices get way out of control. I did find a burris but I'd hate to buy something without ever trying it out or at least looking through it, I think you'll know what I mean when you might get a reticle that just irks you the wrong way...

how do you track your windage settings for different ammo? I'e always been a scratch pad/journal kind of guy, but so many of the hotshots are using apps these days with good results.

Dammit, I hate when I start going down these rabbit holes.

If you had the option of setting up a home range, what would you have specific to .22? I can shoot out to 250m on the property, I've never had the benefit of being able to practice at home before, I've always done everything at the range...

 

[Somerset Bar]

Unfortunately, the most expensive (and hopefully, best shooting) 22lr match ammo is just "lucky"... match ammo is sorted on a falling grade. They only want to make the stuff that goes to the Olympics but that is not where the vast majority of ammo made goes.

They must be thrilled with rimfire PRS shooters....

Jerry

Considering how the stuff is manufactured I can believe that. I know that every rifle is going to like what it likes, but what do you find yourself preferring? I reload all of my own match centerfire, but I'm at the mercy of the companies when it comes to .22

It's funny, when I was a kid, $20 worth of .22 would last me an entire summer of shooting. I think I could grab bricks of RUKO(?) ammo, or maybe CIL was the cheapest stuff... Now $20 doesn't get a fella 50 rounds lol.



Oh and I should add "Hey Jerry, how's it going! Living out here is frikkin crazy lol. Took me two years to get my mountain legs before I even thought about shooting again...you should have told me there were frikkin BEARS and WILDFIRES out here!!

 

[dsmitherin]

No expert but I've heard amazing things about some of grey birches 22s. Came very close to grabbing one and still might

Grey birch is run by ex employees of NEA. Also bought something from them and they still owe me a thread protector and ignored multiple emails.

 

[Mystic Precision]

Considering how the stuff is manufactured I can believe that. I know that every rifle is going to like what it likes, but what do you find yourself preferring? I reload all of my own match centerfire, but I'm at the mercy of the companies when it comes to .22

It's funny, when I was a kid, $20 worth of .22 would last me an entire summer of shooting. I think I could grab bricks of RUKO(?) ammo, or maybe CIL was the cheapest stuff... Now $20 doesn't get a fella 50 rounds lol.



Oh and I should add "Hey Jerry, how's it going! Living out here is frikkin crazy lol. Took me two years to get my mountain legs before I even thought about shooting again...you should have told me there were frikkin BEARS and WILDFIRES out here!!

For competition, I will try to get a useable lot of Lapua CenterX... on occasion, it might be Lapua Midas+... and I doubt, it will ever be XACT given my recent experience.

For practise, it is SK rifle match... and on the rare occasion, I am blessed to get a lot which is plenty good for shorter distance matches like ORPS or NRL22.

Regardless, it is figuring out how many outs, how far away those outs might be and still stay inside the typical target at distance. Then I can worry about how distorted the wind will make my results.

I know alot of shooters put bucket loads of money in their rifles... but the rate limiting step is and likely always will be, the ammo... or the mags.

Wildfires and bears... yep, there certainly have been a few of those. Glad you are enjoying the valley.

Jerry

PS .. give me a shout if you want to discuss a 10/22 build and/or some rimfire match ammo.

 

[emerson]

I 100% believe those grouping numbers. I assume the high $ .22 has higher QC overall, better primer distribution, powder weights and bullet specs... but we've all had a flier now and then. It was only last year that I even considered that semis could shoot well enough to be competitive, although I haven't found anything like the single set trigger in my 453, but that's a whole other conversation.

What's the specifics on the parallax on your scope?

The Athlon Ares ETR parallax is very precise, and the glass is clear enough to see whatever mirage, heat, shimmering that is happening in the air. When there are targets at several distances, sometimes the parallax is too precise to see the different raged targets without adjustment. Not a scope problem, a useage issue for me.