Budget rifle advice.

[nagantino]

I’m going to take up benchrest, 22lr of course, at 50 yards. I have lots of disciplines that I shoot, IPSC, Cowboy Action Revolver and Minirifle. I cant see myself investing a large amount of money in a benchrest rifle. I know you get what you pay for, but a good second hand rifle would be sufficient, especially an Anschutz older model. If you had only $500 what would you buy?

Happy Christmas everyone.

 

[CJ6]

The old H&R's shoot fairly well. You're not going to win any BR matches with them in stock form, But they shoot pretty good with quality ammo and the triggers can be lightened to around 8 oz. . Buying an Annie in the $500 range would be like finding the HOPE diamond in your back yard. Good Luck.

 

[6ShotsOr5?]

If you can’t find the end of the rainbow, a Ruger Precision Rimfire is a reasonable option south of $400.

 

[ballisticxlr]

Might be able to find an old Remington 40x .22lr. Those are still competitive with Anschutz and are easy to customize. I'm not saying you'll find one for 500 bucks but maybe considerably north of that. http://steelchickens.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=13986 Steelchickens is a great place for such things. I'd just say heck with it and get the Annie.

 

[Gary Schiefelbein]

First I hope it's 500 for just the gun.Not gun and glass.Look at Cz 455 or 457.In time you can swap bbls.Glass most from Japan will do you well.Weavers are very good.V16,V24,T36

 

[OLeveraction]

A Savage Markll, Topped with a Weaver T24.
That is how I did it.

 

[nagantino]

I’ve bought the Weaver T36 and it’s ready to go. I see an Anschutz 1411 Match 54 for sale. It’s an old model with the checkered, (not stippled) curved grip. It an older rifle but it might do.

 

[Bginvestor]

C455 w/ upgraded barrel..

 

[drover]

I’ve bought the Weaver T36 and it’s ready to go. I see an Anschutz 1411 Match 54 for sale. It’s an old model with the checkered, (not stippled) curved grip. It an older rifle but it might do.

I would jump at that one, a good basis to learn technique and an inexpensive way to get started. Go with it and try some different match ammo until you find the one it likes then buy as much of that ammo lot number as you can afford and have fun.

drover

 

[snowpro440]

CZ 457 Varmint suppressor ready or CZ457 MTR and a case of Lapua ammo

 

[LuvDog]

CZ 457 Varmint

 

[JEFFPPC]

I have read lots of factory .22 comparisons in various gun rags over the years. Some with 300.00 rifles and 1000.00 rifles in the lot. Every one of them, the winner has been a Savage. Don't have one, Don't want one. But that is an observation that has always interested me.I am sure someone is going to dig one up to show me I am wrong, good for you, but that is most certainly the exception to the rule. Every time someone brags to me about their CZ, it has a different barrel and a trigger kit installed, usually bedded. Pretty guns no doubt, but the ones I have seen shot stock have been mediocre.

 

[johara1]

I found the same with Savage.... LOL. I have a CZ in 17 and it shoots in a 1/4 min. at 50 yds with a 6 power scope. Yes I worked the trigger over and floated the barrel and finally bedded the action but the potential was there. It's a sporter weight left hand and it makes kills at a 150 yds and it keeps my yard ground hog free....... jim

 

[OLeveraction]

A MarkII and a T24 will certainly let you explore all the other Rabbit Holes of Rimfire Benchrest.

 

[Dub]

a CZ457 MTR while slightly out of your budget would be my choice

 

[snowpro440]

I have read lots of factory .22 comparisons in various gun rags over the years. Some with 300.00 rifles and 1000.00 rifles in the lot. Every one of them, the winner has been a Savage. Don't have one, Don't want one. But that is an observation that has always interested me.I am sure someone is going to dig one up to show me I am wrong, good for you, but that is most certainly the exception to the rule. Every time someone brags to me about their CZ, it has a different barrel and a trigger kit installed, usually bedded. Pretty guns no doubt, but the ones I have seen shot stock have been mediocre.

I never trust the Gun Mags , finding the right ammo is the difference. Just like tunning your 6BRA.....

 

[justinp61]

I have a good shooting Savage, but it can't shoot with my Tikka T1X.

 

[zap]

Plus one on the Savage Mark II. Match ammo makes a world of difference....in any rifle. I shot mine a few weeks ago testing out some sk pistol match ammo., and also sk long range ammo. Wow, does that stuff shoot great out of my $300.00 rifle. I will see if I have the pic of target still and post of I do.
Could it win any matches ?
Possibly, if you can do good in wind, and the guys shooting the anschutz rifle don't. Nothing bad against any cz’s , as I would love to get one. Thats a much nicer rifle IMO.
Whatever you get, im sure you will enjoy it. Just try the decent to great ammo, and I'm sure it will shoot good.
Below target is 3 consecutive 5 shot groups with a $300.00 Savage Mark II. One at .251, and 2 at .276. Good shooting conditions. Btw, the squirrels had a bad week last week, lol.
Best of luck to ya !

 

[Hozzie]

Couple of things I would say before you buy anything. Are you actually wanting to shoot "benchrest" or simply shoot the gun off of a bench?

If you are looking at one of the true BR competitions, I would make sure to know the rules. In ARA for example, for your budget, I would be looking at factory class, but you won't be able to use an Anschutz.

There is having a budget and there is being realistic depending on your real expectations. If you just care about shooting against yourself meaning beat your last scores, then grab whatever gun you like. If you are the type that is going to get mad because you aren't competitive at all, save your time and money.

Not trying to be negative, but understanding what you are really expecting to do is very important on how I would answer. True BR is a whole different ballgame that just shooting off of a bench for some informal mathces.

 

[Dub]

I would recommend you take more time and think this through. You will enjoy it more if you take more time in your first step