Hi guys, I been shooting .22 anschutz rifles since 1963. My gunsmith used to be Carl Kenyan. I rely on three different anschutz rifles - in competition, depending on the conditions: a 1911 for prone; a 1813 for 3P and a new 2013 for prone.
a. the 1911 set the new national record, for the metric dewar course, metallic sights at Swietzland in New Freedom PA in May 2011. It consists of a anschutz receiver, the anshutz 2013 trigger, and a custom barrel made in the USA. I keep the exact specifications of the barrel and its manufacturer a secret. The stock looks very ugly, and profone to those that love a polished walnut finish.
b. the 1813's primary feature is the wood thumbhold rifle stock. For some strange reason, the wood stock seems to always perform better in standing and kneeling than a metal stock. I use the original action, with a kenyan trigger - and I am replacing the barrel this winter.
c. the 2013 has taken two years of practice, every day, to finally keep in the x ring consistently at 50 yards using wolf. During the two year period I fired 15,000 rounds in the prone position to get a good feel for the rifle. I found that the trick to the x ring is exact placement on the trigger and a consistent grip on the pistol grip. the current configuration of the 2013 is anshutz action, kenyan trigger and a custom designed barrel that I had made. I keep the exact specifications of the barrel and manufacturer a secret. I also do not disclose the name of my gunsmith.
Each rifle has a spoiled girl personality. Touch it wrong around the trigger and it will throw you on the curb. Feed it cheap dinners (ammo) and it will never kiss you with any x's. On top of that - they can really be a bitch about the velocity of the bullet you want them to swallow. too slow of a velocity is like cheap dago red wine. These "ladies" require high octain ammo, not shaken, not stired and definatelhy kept in a ice chest to keep cool. And none of them like being tested in a bench rest. You can hand cuff and bolt them to the table, and fire great groups. but they will rebell when you cut them loose and true to hold them and squeeze them - you will end up with different group patters every time.
But the best of the best requires, in my opinion, careful testing of top match ammo - by velocity. Finding the right velocity for each barrel eliminates the need for a tuner.
So in the end, the best rifle is a modified rifle, using an anshutz action, a kenyan trigger and a very very special barrel.
Yep, been doing this 50th years, and I still got beat all the time by LTC Dave Cramer.
sincerely Colonel Jim