Some rifles that made big waves, then I didnt really hear much about them.

Canadiankeeper

Canadiankeeper

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So I know the CZ 457 Varmint MTR Match and the Tikka t1x rifles had a massive buzz around them. I think I noticed 1 or two threads with the Tikkas...

I haven't seen much... Did I just miss all the buzz and the threads? I only see one on the 1/2" challenge so far...

If you own one, post some pics and your thoughts. Im curious!
 
Bought a T1x, put it in an MDT ACC chassis immediately. Have shot it about 5 range sessions indoors 25m. But between Covid and snowmobile season and terribly cold "spring" weather, it hasn't been shot over 25m yet. Hopefully in next week, forecast finally has temps above 8C (though they come with 40kph winds).

Seems like a nice gun. Won't know accuracy until it puts lots of 10 round groups at 100m with a few kinds of ammo. Won't know how well it does on the clock until we can start at least practicing outdoor NRL22 type shooting, or better yet a few matches.

I'm coming off 10 months with a couple Ruger Precision Rifle 22lr, for comparison. So far in practice it has certainly been more reliable in function than the RPRs.
 
Canadiankeeper said:
That's good to hear. Im still surprised about the lack of 457's I see
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Too expensive :)

Amazing value at $4-500 (I got a 455 stainless synthetic recently for $550), getting a tad spendy at $6-700 and right out of the question at $900. What happened to the good old 412/455 style heavy barrelled Varmint model?

Edit: there is a Varmint model, but I don’t think they’ve made it across the border yet
 
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Canadiankeeper said:
So I know the CZ 457 Varmint MTR Match and the Tikka t1x rifles had a massive buzz around them. I think I noticed 1 or two threads with the Tikkas...

I haven't seen much... Did I just miss all the buzz and the threads? I only see one on the 1/2" challenge so far...

If you own one, post some pics and your thoughts. Im curious!
Click to expand...

Isn’t there like 6 threads on the cz?
 
Canadiankeeper said:
So I know the CZ 457 Varmint MTR Match and the Tikka t1x rifles had a massive buzz around them. I think I noticed 1 or two threads with the Tikkas...

I haven't seen much... Did I just miss all the buzz and the threads? I only see one on the 1/2" challenge so far...
Click to expand...

It's an interesting observation about the number of CZ 457's and T1X's on the 1/2" challenge thread. Both have been available for over a year. To this time, however, there are only three 457's and one customized T1X with an aftermarket barrel to have completed the challenge.

Maybe there's a reason why there aren't many more 457's and T1X's on that thread.

As a result of too much time on my hands, and no hidden agenda, I ask why -- with no malice and my tongue somewhat in my cheek. ;)
Is it one or more of the possible answers below?

a) often neither rifle shoots well enough even with good ammo
b) shooting at 50 yards is viewed by many 457 and T1X owners an insufficient challenge
c) shooting at 50 yards is more inconvenient or inaccessible for more and more shooters
d) more and more shooters over the last year prefer to shoot at 200 yards and more to prove themselves and their rifles
e) shooting at long ranges is the current flavour of shooting in which shooters wish to participate
f) something else (please identify)
 
I will be finally trying my cz 457 MTR in the next couple days. Haven't got to fire it yet. Going to get a bunch through it before trying for groups though.
 
I have a T1X 16" in a KRG bravo chassis and honestly not the precision I would expect from a Tikka. I try several ammunition and was close to make the prove it challenge with SK rifle match but miss it by one shot. I know it is not a benchrest rifle but I would expect this rifle to make 1\2" everyday.

But it is a nice looking rifle and the action is smooth, and trigger out of the box is good also was able to get it about 1.5 lbs. I change the spring by a Yodave and end up at 20 oz without creep.

Not impress so far by precision I would test in better condition this summer if shooting range re-open!
 
I think some of the answer for the 1/2 inch challenge is that most people just don’t shoot benchrest anymore and are not really interested. I have had one of each a couple 10/22 builds and my current Bergara that are more that capable, yes I have the targets to prove it. Just can’t be bothered. Our most popular 22 matches are shot on steel longer range and off barricades or obstacles. At these matches you will see many cz, tikka, anshutz and rugers, as well as savage. When I go to the range I try to head straight to the 200 and read some wind. My time at 50 is initial ammo testing and that is about it, maybe spend an hour shooting some thumb tacks. Both of them are great guns and shoot very well, but times are changing
 
I like mine it shoots as to be expected. For a T1X factory barrel and my personal shooting skills I can't expect any better. It is the 16 inch barrel with a KRG bravo. the pic below shows my result while trying different ammo that I was able to get local to me. I settled on elay club for target shooting and CCI mini mags for gophers. All are 10 shot groups 50 yards. Haven't tried the 50 yrd challange might have to one of these days . I just prefer plinking and seeing how far I can reach with it and have fun.
 

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Wait for the warmer weather and end of this covid cluster F and I think we should see more. I am not ashamed to report that I tried a couple of attempts to the challenge and failed by 1-2 round for a lot of them in cold weather this winter. The round off was usually very off the rest of the group pointing more on the ammo than on the rifle. Biathlon ammo helped, giving much more consistent grouping but did not eliminate these occasional flyers. That being said, these are relatively lightweight repeater rifles rather than heavy benchrest guns. Expectations should consider this fact.
 
scuba52 said:
I tried, maybe the warmth will get some people out, haven’t seen any mystic results
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Most ranges are under shut-down order due to covid :(

Fastestmanalive said:
That being said, these are relatively lightweight repeater rifles rather than heavy benchrest guns. Expectations should consider this fact.
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Accuracy is accuracy, style of rifle doesn't matter much. Have a look at what my Cooey and Remington 597 produced for the 1/2" challenge.
 
grauhanen said:
Neither the stock configuration nor the weight of the rifle makes a difference from the bench?
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Other factors are more impactful than the stock and weight. One must be aware of how they should configure their rest for different styles of stocks, and what techniques are appropriate to use for different rifles. The shortcomings of a lightweight sporter stock for bench shooting can be effectively mitigated through rest setup and technique.

Under specific circumstances, yes stock configuration and weight makes a difference. For example, if one uses the "free recoil" shooting technique, I would expect poor results with a sporter rifle on a rest with a 3" wide front bag positioned near the end of the forestock, compared to using a BR specific heavy stock.

If I were to take my 455 Full Stock barreled action and place it in my Pro-Varmint stock that features a flat fore-end plate adapter, I would be surprised to observe any meaningful improvement in my target results due to the stock change alone.
 
Cornflake Leader said:
Too expensive :)

Amazing value at $4-500 (I got a 455 stainless synthetic recently for $550), getting a tad spendy at $6-700 and right out of the question at $900. What happened to the good old 412/455 style heavy barrelled Varmint model?

Edit: there is a Varmint model, but I don’t think they’ve made it across the border yet
Click to expand...

I don't see them at an inflated price point. Could they be cheaper? Maybe, but if I wanted a cheap plinker I would get a savage. I feel the cost associated with them comes with a certain performance expectation. (also materials used)

grauhanen said:
It's an interesting observation about the number of CZ 457's and T1X's on the 1/2" challenge thread. Both have been available for over a year. To this time, however, there are only three 457's and one customized T1X with an aftermarket barrel to have completed the challenge.

Maybe there's a reason why there aren't many more 457's and T1X's on that thread.

As a result of too much time on my hands, and no hidden agenda, I ask why -- with no malice and my tongue somewhat in my cheek. ;)
Is it one or more of the possible answers below?

a) often neither rifle shoots well enough even with good ammo
b) shooting at 50 yards is viewed by many 457 and T1X owners an insufficient challenge
c) shooting at 50 yards is more inconvenient or inaccessible for more and more shooters
d) more and more shooters over the last year prefer to shoot at 200 yards and more to prove themselves and their rifles
e) shooting at long ranges is the current flavour of shooting in which shooters wish to participate
f) something else (please identify)
Click to expand...

I think you presented my questions in this much better then I. Its a discussion thread, I am looking for some discussion on the topic from those who know more then I! I almost want to make a poll out of your questions! lol

sigp226 said:
I have a T1X 16" in a KRG bravo chassis and honestly not the precision I would expect from a Tikka. I try several ammunition and was close to make the prove it challenge with SK rifle match but miss it by one shot. I know it is not a benchrest rifle but I would expect this rifle to make 1\2" everyday.

But it is a nice looking rifle and the action is smooth, and trigger out of the box is good also was able to get it about 1.5 lbs. I change the spring by a Yodave and end up at 20 oz without creep.

Not impress so far by precision I would test in better condition this summer if shooting range re-open!
Click to expand...

Interesting to hear, for the cost of rifle and stock do you think you may have spent equal to the cost of an anny bench rest rifle ?

lowburb said:
I have a 20" MTR but I have less than 50 rds through it. It did show good potential with Rifle Match...
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Nice! keep shooting and let us know!

scuba52 said:
I think some of the answer for the 1/2 inch challenge is that most people just don’t shoot benchrest anymore and are not really interested. I have had one of each a couple 10/22 builds and my current Bergara that are more that capable, yes I have the targets to prove it. Just can’t be bothered. Our most popular 22 matches are shot on steel longer range and off barricades or obstacles. At these matches you will see many cz, tikka, anshutz and rugers, as well as savage. When I go to the range I try to head straight to the 200 and read some wind. My time at 50 is initial ammo testing and that is about it, maybe spend an hour shooting some thumb tacks. Both of them are great guns and shoot very well, but times are changing
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How often do you shoot matches? Does your range allow you to set up your own place to practice or do you go to private land ? Crown land? Trigger time is trigger time, I know when I was shooting a fair amount I would not always be doing dynamic type shooting. Sometimes I would hit the range for an hour or two to sit at a bench and practice basics.

I bet a fair amount of people struggle with the 1/2 challenge. I would love to see the pictures of the targets! Are they one group or have you completed the challenge? I know you cant be bothered but I just see it as another fun thing to do. I have not heard much from that rifle either. If the bergara 22 shoots that well I would love to know that! I think a fair amount of people would!

HeliMD said:
I like mine it shoots as to be expected. For a T1X factory barrel and my personal shooting skills I can't expect any better. It is the 16 inch barrel with a KRG bravo. the pic below shows my result while trying different ammo that I was able to get local to me. I settled on elay club for target shooting and CCI mini mags for gophers. All are 10 shot groups 50 yards. Haven't tried the 50 yrd challange might have to one of these days . I just prefer plinking and seeing how far I can reach with it and have fun.
Click to expand...

Nice! Is the 50 yard challenge not just that? It is plinking! It is only 50 yards after all! lol I think its a good way to definitely raise the bar a bit over pop cans or just putting a hole in paper. Give a good objective to strive for! Makes it fun! For me at least.

Mystic Precision said:
Maybe time for a 200 or 300yds challenge???

Jerry
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I would be interested! I feel that it would sit fairly empty though.

Mystic Precision said:
Things are finally thawing here so will do some testing during practise... but today, gusts over 30mph

Staying indoors

Jerry
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Excited to see!

grauhanen said:
Neither the stock configuration nor the weight of the rifle makes a difference from the bench?
Click to expand...

RabidM4U5 said:
Other factors are more impactful than the stock and weight. One must be aware of how they should configure their rest for different styles of stocks, and what techniques are appropriate to use for different rifles. The shortcomings of a lightweight sporter stock for bench shooting can be effectively mitigated through rest setup and technique.

Under specific circumstances, yes stock configuration and weight makes a difference. For example, if one uses the "free recoil" shooting technique, I would expect poor results with a sporter rifle on a rest with a 3" wide front bag positioned near the end of the forestock, compared to using a BR specific heavy stock.

If I were to take my 455 Full Stock barreled action and place it in my Pro-Varmint stock that features a flat fore-end plate adapter, I would be surprised to observe any meaningful improvement in my target results due to the stock change alone.
Click to expand...

As always, great information! Why I love starting the conversations up.
 
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