Hunter Class smallbore Silhouette Rifle Build - ready to buy once cry once - advice?

[CoolArrowMarksman]

I am ready to buy once, cry once. I know it will cost me. I know it will outshoot me. But
I welcome your opinions and guidance.

I don't know how the process would be to get a custom barrel. But I want to max out the different possibilities and never worry about not having enough gun again. I def want to get the perfect fit and balance of heavy barrel to barrel length.
Hunter Class so that I can shoot both divisions in one day.

Actions - and corresponding possible triggers
1. I could start at the 1712 FWT Barreled Action
a. Keep the barrel or
b. get a smith to rebarrel it for me.

2. Or I am up for a Custom Action build.
a. 40x Clone like maybe PTG Lonestar
b. (IDK all the options, but I hear it's possible to install a Anschutz 5022 on 40x or other actions with a good smith and creativity),

3. See if a smith can rig a nice Timney Rem 700 2 stage for me.

4. Or some other existing action build?
a. I saw a SakoP94S go up for sale somewhere recently

Stocks
1. Get a Wooster stock - How do I get in touch?

2. Suggestions for other worthy Hunter Silhouette stocks?

3. Put it in a McMillan Stock, have a smith bed and float it.
View attachment 1334771

 

[Dusty Stevens]

See other thread

 

[Damfino]

I am ready to buy once, cry once. I know it will cost me. I know it will outshoot me. But
I welcome your opinions and guidance...

You ask a lot of good questions and based on my experience you can't go wrong with a 1712 or 1710. Hopefully, you can find a used one. I also had a Manners stocked CZ457 that shot very well that seemed well suited for silhouette shooting.

You don't mention your experience level or current classification, but based on your query and budget I would start with one of those. Then as you gain experience and develop your skill while attending matches you'll have opportunities to see their shooting technique, what equipment they are using and what modifications they have made. You can then make changes based on what you see, hear, and feel that may work best for you. For example, use your factory stock because a McMillan or other makers' stocks may be at least 5-6 months from delivery.

Also, if you haven't already check out steelchickens.com and rimfirecentral.com. I haven't been there in a while, but once upon a time they were a good source of information.

In my experience shooting both smallbore and high power rifle silhouettes in the 80s, 90s, and the 2000s, it is the Indian and not the arrow that counts possibly more than any other rifle shooting sport. Silhouette shooting is a lot of fun, but also cruel and unforgiving for those who don't practice sufficiently.

I can't tell you the number of novice shooters in every shooting sport I've participated in from Benchrest, Silhouettes to F-Class where novice shooters make expensive choices and spend vast amounts of money only to get discouraged, lose interest, and stop participating. I hope and trust you aren't one of those guys. Good luck with your decisions.

 

[CoolArrowMarksman]

You ask a lot of good questions and based on my experience you can't go wrong with a 1712 or 1710. Hopefully, you can find a used one. I also had a Manners stocked CZ457 that shot very well that seemed well suited for silhouette shooting.

You don't mention your experience level or current classification, but based on your query and budget I would start with one of those. Then as you gain experience and develop your skill while attending matches you'll have opportunities to see their shooting technique, what equipment they are using and what modifications they have made. You can then make changes based on what you see, hear, and feel that may work best for you. For example, use your factory stock because a McMillan or other makers' stocks may be at least 5-6 months from delivery.

Also, if you haven't already check out steelchickens.com and rimfirecentral.com. I haven't been there in a while, but once upon a time they were a good source of information.

In my experience shooting both smallbore and high power rifle silhouettes in the 80s, 90s, and the 2000s, it is the Indian and not the arrow that counts possibly more than any other rifle shooting sport. Silhouette shooting is a lot of fun, but also cruel and unforgiving for those who don't practice sufficiently.

I can't tell you the number of novice shooters in every shooting sport I've participated in from Benchrest, Silhouettes to F-Class where novice shooters make expensive choices and spend vast amounts of money only to get discouraged, lose interest, and stop participating. I hope and trust you aren't one of those guys. Good luck with your decisions.

I've got a good start on my offhand form. I shoot High Power Service Rifle and offhand is my best stage. I don't rely on the coat as much as other but obviously it helps. I rely on the hip and back bend bone support that I really got to appreciate once I started shooting my 10/22 offhand at Appleseeds and then at a few silhouette matches.
I am using this to cross-train so that I can flatten the curve towards mastery of offhand shooting in Service Rifle. I've been shooting a ton of offhand practice with my tricked out 10/22 over the end of last year and through this year.

I think a 1712 is where I'll go I just want to get shooting. but I'll still keep my eye out for the 54 MSR action that will take the 5022 trigger haha.

 

[Damfino]

I think a 1712 is where I'll go I just want to get shooting. but I'll still keep my eye out for the 54 MSR action that will take the 5022 trigger haha.

Sounds better than good. I also started out in Service Rifle. It was nothing more than a gateway drug to other more expensive pursuits.

Incidentally, since you brought it up, but please don't tell anybody especially the vultures that frequent this place, but dammit:

https://www.anschutznorthamerica.com/barreled-actions.html

 

[CoolArrowMarksman]

Sounds better than good. I also started out in Service Rifle. It was nothing more than a gateway drug to other more expensive pursuits.

Incidentally, since you brought it up, but please don't tell anybody especially the vultures that frequent this place, but dammit:

https://www.anschutznorthamerica.com/barreled-actions.html

Oh man. I don't know if I want it bad enough to buy it and just part with that brand new barrel. seems so wrong. Buying a used rig I can justify haha.
Think I could get a good return on that take off barrel?

 

[jbzeus]

I'll chime in...

Have a friend who bot a stock 1712 a couple of years ago and shoots it just fine. Probably good enough for most shooters and a fine rifle.

I was lucky a few years ago to buy the true Match 54:18 repeater with a 1712 barrel when ANA had imported 59 of them. I bot three and made one into a silhouette rifle with a Carillo stock. The other two are still NIB in the safe.

If I were to really buy once cry once I would have built a gun like I think Garin Hatch did over on steelchickens.com. Stiller 2500x with a premium barrel, Pharr/Wooster stock and a Jewel or similar trigger. When I spoke with him he was able to make weight. I just did a search on 2500x on steel chickens and it looks like this has been done more than once.

And yes, starting with a CZ is like Crack. Some of us just can't stop with one.

 

[jbzeus]

Oh, one more thing. The scope can be the real challenge these days if you want a "true" hard core silhouette scope because they are not made any more.

Rumor has it Leupold will bringing out a new scope soon that would be good. Plenty of threads and opinions on silhouette scopes out there.