What Action for .22 Rimfire Benchrest?

[rkittine]

Now that I am hooked on Benchrest shooting and a new member of the Williamsport 1,000 Yard Club, I want to get a .22LR Bolt Gun to shoot in their 200 yard matches. What action would be the best route to take? Barrel Suggestions?

Being 307 miles away from the club, it will be nice to be able to practice at 200 yards at my home range and get more out of my membership and drive time to central PA.

Bob

 

[EWaugh]

Now that I am hooked on Benchrest shooting and a new member of the Williamsport 1,000 Yard Club, I want to get a .22LR Bolt Gun to shoot in their 200 yard matches. What action would be the best route to take? Barrel Suggestions?

Being 307 miles away from the club, it will be nice to be able to practice at 200 yards at my home range and get more out of my membership and drive time to central PA.

Bob

What Actions are the other shooters using?

 

[danny]

Now that I am hooked on Benchrest shooting and a new member of the Williamsport 1,000 Yard Club, I want to get a .22LR Bolt Gun to shoot in their 200 yard matches. What action would be the best route to take? Barrel Suggestions?

Being 307 miles away from the club, it will be nice to be able to practice at 200 yards at my home range and get more out of my membership and drive time to central PA.

Bob

I don't shoot benchrest, but a guy I shot with at my range had a rimfire bench gun built on what he told me was a Stiller action. He let me shoot it some. I shoot lefty, he shoots righty. I shot his right hand rifle, right hand, with my non dominant right eye, with his scope focused for his eye. That rifle made shooting very simple, even with those handicaps. It also functioned very smoothly. I liked it.

Danny

 

[rkittine]

People seem to be shooting 40X, Stiller and Anshultz actions. I am looking at a Remington 540X, but not sure if that would be a competitive action for Benchrest at 200 yards.

Bob

 

[gzig5]

At 200yds, the rimfire action is not going to be the limiting factor, your wind reading ability will. There are several good RF BR actions available now. Stiller has a couple models, there are the old and new Turbo's, Anschutz, the 10x, and Rem 40X and clones as well as the good old Win 52. I'm probably forgetting some. I would suggest you pick your gunsmith first and see what he says. The barrel will likely make more of an impact than the action. While a good short range rifle, I don't think the 540X will put you on top of the heap.

 

[SmokinJoe]

Don't forget the Hall actions.

 

[rkittine]

Thanks, I did call and talk to Gordon Eck, who came highly recommended, is close to where I am a part time flight instructor here in New York. Gordon suggested the Stiller 2500X, which I am now looking for. He also said he can source the barrel he recommends from Kilough Shooting (I think that was the spelling). Gordon no longer does stocks, but I have a guy in Georgia I like.

Bob

 

[gzig5]

Sounds like you are in good hands. Please report back when you have it. Curious if Gordon will set it up different for 200yds than a regular 50yd BR rifle. You'll definitely get some good wind reading experience.

 

[Shynloco]

People seem to be shooting 40X, Stiller and Anshultz actions. I am looking at a Remington 540X, but not sure if that would be a competitive action for Benchrest at 200 yards.

Bob

Bob,
I no longer shoot Rimfire Competitions, but when I did, I was an Anschutz man and had great success. That is not to say that you should disregard Stiller, Hall or any of other brand(S) that THE WINNERS of national competition use. I will say I know ZIP about a Remington 540X action. But I would STRONGLY recommend you do some studying on a new action in the game. That is because the others are tried and found true to be able to deliver a winner. I also have no idea of how the 540x compare to the 40X's. Having shot 40X's before, they are a fine action and I liked them and they would certainly land in my list of top 5 actions to choose from. Good luck and have fun with Benchrest Shooting. One word of caution, start saving early to avoid eating a can of beans for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Been there, done that.

Alex