Best rimfire for F class practice- $500
- Thread starter CH Luke
- Start date
Boyd L.
Witty comment under development
What is the target used (10 ring and X diameter) used for rimfire F-class?
I would guess that all the usual suspects, (The various CZs, Marlin bolt actions, and Savage bolt guns come to mind), would probably fill the bill.
I personally would shoot one of my Remington 40 X rifles.
I would guess that all the usual suspects, (The various CZs, Marlin bolt actions, and Savage bolt guns come to mind), would probably fill the bill.
I personally would shoot one of my Remington 40 X rifles.
MarkS
Silver $$ Contributor
CZ Varmint runs less the $450. They make a Trainer, it is the same barreled action with a Ma
CZ Varmint 455 for less Than $450. CZ Varmint Tacticool Suppressor-Ready with a shorter barrel around $550. they also make a trainer with a Manners stock around $800. All 3 are the same barrel and action. I have the Varmint, shoots great. you just paying for the stock up grade. with the 455 you can change barrels, upgrade to custom barrels.
Mark
snert
Silver $$ Contributor
Ned Ludd
Silver $$ Contributor
I purchased the CZ 455 Varmint Precision Trainer as an F-TR "trainer" I could shoot outdoors for wind reading and indoors at 50 yd over the long cold winter. The original cost was just under $900. To date, I have added a NF 12-42x56 BR scope for it, a DIP rail mount for the factory dovetail, and a set of NF rings. Although a good bedding job would likely have fixed most of the precision issues it had, I decided after all that I might as well go in for a new barrel and it is currently being bedded and re-barreled with a Benchmark 3-groove.
My take on the use of .22 rimfires as F-TR trainers really consists of two observations. First, I realized pretty quickly I would never be satisfied unless the rifle had precision potential at 100 yd (or less) comparable to one of my custom F-TR rifles. I think that will probably be the case with the CZ 455 VPT when it's all said and done. However, the other observation is that the .22 LR makes a very poor substitute for a centerfire rifle in terms of training in my opinion.
The velocity difference with the rimfire is so great you really have to shoot the rifle in a substantially different way than you would ever shoot an F-TR rifle, it's almost apples to oranges. The barrel occupancy time (dwell time) for the rimfire is so long compared to a centerfire, it's like watching a slow motion movie and waiting for something to happen...all the while you're still trying to keep your reticle hold on the exact same spot on the target. I personally do not find the .22 to be a useful "training" device for F-TR for that reason. Fun to shoot...absolutely, but not a good way to train for F-TR for me, personally. As always, YMMV. I also have a shorter barreled .223 bolt gun I use for F-TR training purposes and I think that .223 is the much better way to go. Ammo's certainly a little more expensive, but shooting a .223 is a more realistic training caliber, IMO.
My take on the use of .22 rimfires as F-TR trainers really consists of two observations. First, I realized pretty quickly I would never be satisfied unless the rifle had precision potential at 100 yd (or less) comparable to one of my custom F-TR rifles. I think that will probably be the case with the CZ 455 VPT when it's all said and done. However, the other observation is that the .22 LR makes a very poor substitute for a centerfire rifle in terms of training in my opinion.
The velocity difference with the rimfire is so great you really have to shoot the rifle in a substantially different way than you would ever shoot an F-TR rifle, it's almost apples to oranges. The barrel occupancy time (dwell time) for the rimfire is so long compared to a centerfire, it's like watching a slow motion movie and waiting for something to happen...all the while you're still trying to keep your reticle hold on the exact same spot on the target. I personally do not find the .22 to be a useful "training" device for F-TR for that reason. Fun to shoot...absolutely, but not a good way to train for F-TR for me, personally. As always, YMMV. I also have a shorter barreled .223 bolt gun I use for F-TR training purposes and I think that .223 is the much better way to go. Ammo's certainly a little more expensive, but shooting a .223 is a more realistic training caliber, IMO.
I agree. I shoot 22LR and have fun doing so, but I've never thought it was good training for F/TR either. If you already have a .223 rifle, it's not too hard to reload high quality ammo for just over 40 cents per round, assuming you already own the brass. Cheap 22LR is so erratic that you can't tell if it's you or the ammo causing those pesky misses. You gotta' spend at least 15 cents per round to get ammo reliable enough to learn something.
If you don't own a 22LR rifle and intend to spend $500 (that won't get you much unless you already own a good scope) then you would have to shoot over 1800 rounds to make up the difference in ammo cost between the .223 and 22LR.
Coupled with the fact that 22LR isn't such a great training device for F/TR anyway, I would consider going with an existing .223 "range gun" using good reloaded ammo as practice for a .223 "competition gun". Or, if you aren't doing enough practice to worry about wearing out a nice barrel, go ahead and use the competition gun as your practice device.
Of course, if you're shooting F Open with a 6.5mm something-or-other and if you already own a nice 22LR, then the economics are completely different and the conclusion is likely to be different too.
Training with a 22 can help, lots of people have used smallbore over the years as a practice method for other games. The advantage is really the ease of finding a suitable range. With 100yds you can get some good wind reading practice. The cost savings (or lack thereof) is less of an advantage unless you spread the expense over a long period of time. But it does help save on Barrel wear, which can be a big savings if you shoot something that burns out barrels every 1000-2000 rounds.
$500 isn't going to get you what you really want unless you find a hell of a deal on something like an 82G or possibly an H&R M12. Thenissue is you need something that is accurate and consistent to give you the feedback you need. Plus you need to mirror your F-Class gun which means a stock and trigger that feel the same. If it were me, I'd look for a used Anschutz 54 barreled action and put something together. Their accuracy is usually good and the triggers can be adjusted. You'll blow your budget number out of the water, but you'll have a legitimate training tool at that point. The other option would be a 40X if your current F class rifle has a 40X/700 footprint. That would allow you to piggyback and use the same stock and save you several hundred dollars.
If you just want something to practice the mechanics and get more trigger time, then something like the CZ might be OK, but it will have limitations. Keep your eyes open at local shops and shows as you'll find smallbore rifles every now and then as they have 1 purpose and the vast majority of recreational shooters don't shoot that game.
FYI, the route I went was as follows for my prone practice rifle.
Anschutz 54 Super Match $1000. It came with a standard stock and a blank that hadn't been finished. I did the stock work on the blank and sold the standard stock for $100. The only other things I bought were the cheek piece and butt plate hardware and bloop tube, which were another $240. So for less than $1200 I have a rifle that is competitive in smallbore prone and a great practice rifle for my Palma guns.
$500 isn't going to get you what you really want unless you find a hell of a deal on something like an 82G or possibly an H&R M12. Thenissue is you need something that is accurate and consistent to give you the feedback you need. Plus you need to mirror your F-Class gun which means a stock and trigger that feel the same. If it were me, I'd look for a used Anschutz 54 barreled action and put something together. Their accuracy is usually good and the triggers can be adjusted. You'll blow your budget number out of the water, but you'll have a legitimate training tool at that point. The other option would be a 40X if your current F class rifle has a 40X/700 footprint. That would allow you to piggyback and use the same stock and save you several hundred dollars.
If you just want something to practice the mechanics and get more trigger time, then something like the CZ might be OK, but it will have limitations. Keep your eyes open at local shops and shows as you'll find smallbore rifles every now and then as they have 1 purpose and the vast majority of recreational shooters don't shoot that game.
FYI, the route I went was as follows for my prone practice rifle.
Anschutz 54 Super Match $1000. It came with a standard stock and a blank that hadn't been finished. I did the stock work on the blank and sold the standard stock for $100. The only other things I bought were the cheek piece and butt plate hardware and bloop tube, which were another $240. So for less than $1200 I have a rifle that is competitive in smallbore prone and a great practice rifle for my Palma guns.
The CZ 455 and SK Standard + ammo gets my vote. If you have the bucks get the Manners stock upgrade.
Lots of good input. Thanks guys.
There are a couple alternatives you have me considering and further feedback is welcome. Here's some background.
I do have a Savage 308 12VLP with a 26" barrel that could use replaced. Mounted to this rifle is a Vortex 10/24 FFP scope. I have club member access to a 50/100/200 range.
Got my clock cleaned last weekend at 1000 yds on relay 5 when the wind went beserk. It affected me much more negatively. Yes there were a few Team USA guys there - one I was paired with - but even other everyday guys did a bit better.
My primary motivation for rimfire was for wind reading to simulate the longer distances. I could use the Vortex on that with a CZ 455.
Or, I could rebarrel my Savage for under the budget I mentioned for a rimfire. Even rechamber to a .223, buy a couple dies and Lapua brass and follow Greg's suggestion.
There are a couple alternatives you have me considering and further feedback is welcome. Here's some background.
I do have a Savage 308 12VLP with a 26" barrel that could use replaced. Mounted to this rifle is a Vortex 10/24 FFP scope. I have club member access to a 50/100/200 range.
Got my clock cleaned last weekend at 1000 yds on relay 5 when the wind went beserk. It affected me much more negatively. Yes there were a few Team USA guys there - one I was paired with - but even other everyday guys did a bit better.
My primary motivation for rimfire was for wind reading to simulate the longer distances. I could use the Vortex on that with a CZ 455.
Or, I could rebarrel my Savage for under the budget I mentioned for a rimfire. Even rechamber to a .223, buy a couple dies and Lapua brass and follow Greg's suggestion.
I would add another vote for the CZ. I have a 453 Varmint and it is the most accurate non-competition gun I've ever shot. The 455 would meet your budget, though I do think the older 453 was better. I used to compete in smallbore and this gun is an acceptable trainer to me. It's not the Win52 or Anschutz I used to shoot but it's pretty close. I shoot Wolf's good stuff in it until I run out.
I view the .22 differently. I have a home 300 yard range and a 223 trainer would do nothing for me. The wind practice is what I need, not the trigger time. A .22 at 200 yards gives some useful feedback on that front, although the actual practice of shooting one is quite different than a centerfire.
I view the .22 differently. I have a home 300 yard range and a 223 trainer would do nothing for me. The wind practice is what I need, not the trigger time. A .22 at 200 yards gives some useful feedback on that front, although the actual practice of shooting one is quite different than a centerfire.
redrockranger
Silver $$ Contributor
Does anyone have input on the Savage B22 model rimfires ? Accuracy,problems ,idocyncracys ? I love spell check! There seems to be little info about them. Barrel seem to be threaded to the receiver and barrel nut. Thanks.
I just paid $500 for an Anschutz 64 silhouette and $1200 for a BSA International. The BSA is more accurate by .2" at 100yds. They are both fun to shoot with Eley Club and RWS Target. I am too cheap to try MIDAS/RWS 50/ELEY EPS/ etc. Both rifles give great feedback when used at 100 and 200yds. USE WIND FLAGS
perry42
perry42
Here is the answer - http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2017/06/smart-choice-cz-455-for-rimfire-cross-training/
$549 MSRP so you should be able to get one for under $500 street price.
I am in the 22 lr for practice. Shooting the 22 lr will teach you follow-through and wind reading, probably too of the most important things for long range shooting.
drover
$549 MSRP so you should be able to get one for under $500 street price.
I am in the 22 lr for practice. Shooting the 22 lr will teach you follow-through and wind reading, probably too of the most important things for long range shooting.
drover
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