Questions for .22 Bench rest shooters

Brocolt

Brocolt

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I have a few Question for .22 Bench rest shooters out there.

looking at playing in this field & have a few questions on where & how to start.
just looking to have fun & don't really care if I place top 5/10 or win, it's about self improvement at this time.

where is a good place to start I.E membership & the course of fire I would be involved in?

what is a few good rifles to start with or frame to build on?

is it just bolt guns or 10/22?

what barrel length is the norm & with rate of twist?

what's the bullet weight normally used or ammo?

size optics normally used & does OA matter for parallax?

I own a few newer Redfield & Leupold 4x12 scopes no AO models not sure these would be good enough.
 
Im not shooting in any overly competitive clubs but we shoot benchrest comps once a month at two different clubs. Bolt guns are the majority but there is a couple of modded 10/22's that do alright. I shoot a Rem 40x with a 28" barrel but alot of the factory Anschutz rifle barrels are a bit shorter im guessing around 24"

PS: Most of the rifles shot as the matches I go to are Anschutz rifles either model 54's or the odd model 64.

As for ammo the majority of us are using Lapua Center X but there are a few using Eley team, Match and Tenex.

Optics: I am using a Weaver T36 which is a straight 36 Power and there are guys using 42 and 45, I dont think I would go under 24x if it was me. As for parallax it is nice if you shoot different ranges as we asl shoot 100yd some.

Hope this is some help.
 
just like Trx said but I have found you must have A/O when you shoot 25,50, 75, & 100 you will not be able to shoot one hole groups consistently with out it.
The older remington 540, 541 and even the 581 & if you can buy a old 37 Rem or 40x can be great shooters.
For a new gun I have seen the Savage stainless HV barrel shoot very good but not all do, the CZ would be a good choice also
manitou
 
To get your feet wet, a newer Anschutz 190 is reasonable priced and will have a decent trigger. I agree on a scope of 24x and up with AO. A good rest and bag will also help to get those tiny groups.
 
Some good advice in this thread. Before you decide on equipment you may want to attend a rimfire event or two ,to give you an idea of what's involved.
Depending on what you mean by fun, with precision shooting consistent accuracy is required and lesser equipment will not provide that. Inconsistency may only lead to frustration. If buying used, ask to test fire before buying. Buy as good as you can afford - depreciation is less with good equipment and your resale will be higher.
There are many clubs that run impromptu but somewhat structured rimfire events. To give you an idea where it can lead you - have a look here.
http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j...SfFPXLPfvmPVxrkZFgJBazg&bvm=bv.53371865,d.aWM
 
Mission shoots using American Rimfire Association rules.
A quick check of those on he line will find a Winchester 52, Swindlehurst, Anschutz, Remington 40X, and CZ. Recently we broke off those using sporters into their own class and there are Anschutz, CZ 453, Sako, etc. While some started with a lower power scope, the 36X is predominant with a 24 and a 45 also present. Ammo as previously stated with RWS showing up occasionally. A few are also using tuners. The two main suppliers of ammo is Hirsch and Target shooters. Both will send you a number of boxes for testing purposes but only get those where there are sufficient stocks to keep you going for the season or two . . . 4 bricks will run you $500 - 800.
The 100 score ring is .5" but regardless of your groups in testing that may change on race day!!! If is easy to get bit by the bug. A couple grand will easily get you set up. While some have tried modified 10/22's by the time they are ready to shoot bug holes you could waste $1000.

There is a Savage, Martini, and Walther there as well.
 
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I'm going to try & find a Leupold 24X or a 36X scope. I have built $1200 10/22's before so I've been there. I think it would be better to run a closed bolt system then a semi auto for this.

If I was to start with a CZ rifle which model & why? 452, 453, 455 standard or varmint?
should I go stock with these rifles or have a custom barrel & stock installed?
 
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I'd go for an anschutz 190 or a CZ 452 american or style personally. Or even better, id look for a martini international mkIII or ISU and have a scope mount put in it.

As to why I'd choose the 452 American or style, it's because I trust the threaded barrel more so than the 455's set screw system... I'm sure it's fine, I just like the 452 better.
 
I hear you on the CZ 455 not to crazy about the barrel swap and feel the same way about a threaded barrel. never owned a CZ rifle just handguns.

Anyone know what is the difference between 452 & 453 models?
 
Brocolt said:
I'm going to try & find a Leupold 24X or a 36X scope. I have built $1200 10/22's before so I've been there. I think it would be better to run a closed bolt system then a semi auto for this.

If I was to start with a CZ rifle which model & why? 452, 453, 455 standard or varmint?
should I go stock with these rifles or have a custom barrel & stock installed?
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You have a PM !
 
Don't be afraid to spend a little and buy good equipment. once you start chasing accuracy with a 22, inferior equipment becomes nothing more than an exercise in frustration. You should be able to find an older heavy barrel action anschutz for -$800-$1200 and top it with a good high power optic with AO. I suggest the Anschutz over cz because the trigger is so much better. you will spend a lot of money modifiying a CZ to get it to shoot as good as an older anschutz. Most BR barrels are 24-28 inches. and I am not sure why, they just seem to shoot more consistently than the shorter barrels. Anschutz makes a BR rifle with a shorter barrel, but its not a favorite among shooters.

Pay a lot of attention to the trigger, it really is critical. you want one you can adjust down to just a few ounces.
 
Bench Rest Addiction

My Dad shoots with an Annie 54 single shot, he prefers the single because it's a more rigid action. The 54 trigger is amazing, fast lock time and adjustable down to 2 ounces i believe . He has it topped with a 36 Luepold (high.2's and low.3' 5 shot, 5 target agg.'s). I think the trigger, and scope are the most important in achieving your tightest groups. He was using a Bald Eagle rest with a rear bag, but has upgraded to a Pappis one piece. Now He's looking for ranges close to Hamilton with concrete benches instead of wood. This has become an addiction. lol He is waiting to import his dream rifle from the states. Enjoy your new hobby, we sure do.

 
I shoot rimfire benchrest over the border in the US . I started in "Factory Sporter" class , rifles under $600 and ammo
costing under $6 a box . Scopes are limited to 24 power and maximum weight is 8 1/2 pounds . This allows anyone
to try benchrest , without breaking the bank . CZ's and Savage MkII's seem to dominate this class .We shoot USBR
targets at 25 and 50 yards . Unlimited rifles can cost 4-5 thousand dollars without scope . Many shoot in this class and
travel to other clubs to compete .
You would be smart to attend a local event and see what other shooters are using and what classes are available .
 
DW44VH said:
Nikon, you travel back and forth across the border regularly to compete? What paperwork is involved on both sides of the border to transport your rifle and ammo?
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You have to register your guns and ammo with the US Department of Justice Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco ,
Firearms , and Explosives . The form is on line , and has to be repeated yearly . You also need an invite
letter to a club in the US .The turn around time is about a month to get the form to get stamped . You
have to present this form going into the US .
In Canada you can either get your guns listed on a green card , like used for cameras and other valuables
or , last year the Canadian border guard just stamped my US form with Canadian approval .
It seems like a lot of hassle , but once on your computer you can reprint it and send it off each new year .
The Canadian green cards don't have to be repeated every year .
Travel through the border with my guns and ammo has been very easy with all the right paperwork .
Good luck with your benchrest shooting . I have found that ammo is the deciding factor in rimfire
shooting . You must find the ammo your individual gun likes , then it is practise time .
 
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