Factory Benchrest

[gkgeiger]

I'm looking to purchase a factory rimfire rifle for 50 yd benchrest matches. Looking for a bolt action, what make and model would you recommend? This past season I have been shooting Unlimited RF benchrest. I have seen a few CZ's in the factory class, and a few older rifles that I'm not familiar with. By the way, this will be ARA sanctioned. Anschutz and 40X not allowed. Thanks in advance,

 

[Hozzie]

If I could find one, my first choice would be a CZ 453 for the set trigger. Second would be a 452 and use something like a Yo Dave spring in it. 457 MTR's are popular as well as the Tikka T1x.

At the end of the day, as with any factory gun, one single example of any one of the above can probably outshoot any other version of any other one from rifle to rifle. I prefer the 452/3 lug setup vs. the 457 which Glen has outlined on RimfireCentral as well.

You will have to find the 452/3 used, but I would make an attempt to find one, preferably the varmint model in those two although any of them could be excellent shooters. At the same time, there are no guarantees, but in general they are mostly all good shooters. If you can shoot one first, always best. If you can't, I think your odds are as good as any with the CZ as any other.

I have said on others forums as well, I think any of these factory guns are capable of shooting 2500's on the factory target. It is quite forgiving with such a large 100 circle. If you have shot unlimited and learned to read the wind a bit, I think you could do quite well in factory with any "decent" rifle. It wouldn't even have to be great. If you are using good ammo, any of these guns can shoot the approx 1.5 MOA to keep things in the 100 ring. Wind will be the factor most likely, not the gun.

 

[gkgeiger]

If I could find one, my first choice would be a CZ 453 for the set trigger. Second would be a 452 and use something like a Yo Dave spring in it. 457 MTR's are popular as well as the Tikka T1x.

At the end of the day, as with any factory gun, one single example of any one of the above can probably outshoot any other version of any other one from rifle to rifle. I prefer the 452/3 lug setup vs. the 457 which Glen has outlined on RimfireCentral as well.

You will have to find the 452/3 used, but I would make an attempt to find one, preferably the varmint model in those two although any of them could be excellent shooters. At the same time, there are no guarantees, but in general they are mostly all good shooters. If you can shoot one first, always best. If you can't, I think your odds are as good as any with the CZ as any other.

I have said on others forums as well, I think any of these factory guns are capable of shooting 2500's on the factory target. It is quite forgiving with such a large 100 circle. If you have shot unlimited and learned to read the wind a bit, I think you could do quite well in factory with any "decent" rifle. It wouldn't even have to be great. If you are using good ammo, any of these guns can shoot the approx 1.5 MOA to keep things in the 100 ring. Wind will be the factor most likely, not the gun.

Thanks for your help, could you provide a link to the RFC thread you referenced?

 

[Hozzie]

I don't recall exactly which one it was. Glen goes by GHGS on RFC so you can probably search his posts. He posts fairly regularly in the rimfire forums.

 

[gkgeiger]

Thanks

 

[hpshooter]

On a lark I shot my Tikka T1-3 in a 50 yard club benchrest match this past Saturday.

No ammo testing has been done with this rifle. It has about 150 rounds through it and is totally as came from the factory. I shot a 200-17X on the NRA A-26 50 meter target with unsorted Eley subsonic hollow points. The A-26 is not as challenging as the ARA target but with some ammo testing the Tikka may be competitive in an ARA factory class match at a modest price.

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

I have a CZ 457 MTR and a Anschutz 54 Match rifle. The CZ, although not as accurate as the Anschutz, comes awfully close. Both have Weaver T36 scopes mounted on them. Mostly, I think the reason for a slightly wider group in the CZ is the trigger pull. Anschutz has a 2 oz trigger and I can't get the CZ anywhere near that.

I can't tell you how either might score in competition, as I have never shot those kinds of targets. I bet the CZ would do well. depending on the skill of the shooter. While the retail price is about $760, I had my local dealer order me one and asked him if he could match the online price of $700 and he did.

The CZ MTR is unique in the CZ line, as it comes with a match chamber and a hand lapped barrel. Looked at it with my bore scope and the bore was like a mirror.

 

[gkgeiger]

I have a CZ 457 MTR and a Anschutz 54 Match rifle. The CZ, although not as accurate as the Anschutz, comes awfully close. Both have Weaver T36 scopes mounted on them. Mostly, I think the reason for a slightly wider group in the CZ is the trigger pull. Anschutz has a 2 oz trigger and I can't get the CZ anywhere near that.

I can't tell you how either might score in competition, as I have never shot those kinds of targets. I bet the CZ would do well. depending on the skill of the shooter. While the retail price is about $760, I had my local dealer order me one and asked him if he could match the online price of $700 and he did.

The CZ MTR is unique in the CZ line, as it comes with a match chamber and a hand lapped barrel. Looked at it with my bore scope and the bore was like a mirror.

Thanks Nick, I’m leaning towards the MTR. It appears to be a good value. Have you checked into aftermarket triggers? ARA rules allow that.

 

[gkgeiger]

Thanks for all the replies, I have a MTR on the way.

 

[SHANE SEALS]

If you take the MTR trigger apart and change the spring to a lighter and smaller in diameter so it will fit in the screw hole you will be able to adjust it down to under 1lb.

 

[mrh1958]

The 457 MTR has a great trigger, after trying a couple different popular springs that took the pull down to 14 oz on my 457, I bought a spring ebay for 8.99, pull went to 8 ozs. YMMV.

 

[Lesloan]

I don't know the ARA rules. You say they prohibit 40x and Anschutz's. Do they also ban the Suhl 150? If not, that'd be my choice.

 

[Mark Self]

I don't know the ARA rules. You say they prohibit 40x and Anschutz's. Do they also ban the Suhl 150? If not, that'd be my choice.

Here is the approved factory rifle list.....https://www.americanrimfire.com/media/ApprovedRifleList12-13-19(1).pdf But if you already have a suhl150, that rifle fits the Bullet Pro 150 Factory Hotrod class!

 

[1Merlin]

Here is the approved factory rifle list.....https://www.americanrimfire.com/media/ApprovedRifleList12-13-19(1).pdf But if you already have a suhl150, that rifle fits the Bullet Pro 150 Factory Hotrod class!

So no CZ 457....?

 

[65joe]

ARA Factory Class consists of magazine or tube fed rifles currently in production with a MSRP of Less than $1,000.

https://www.americanrimfire.com/media/ApprovedRifleList9-15-20(1).pdf

So yes, CZ 457

 

[Mark Self]

So no CZ 457....?

Merlin, any rifle in production right now that cost 1k or less. The CZ 457 is perfect

 

[BP1]

Merlin, any rifle in production right now that cost 1k or less. The CZ 457 is perfect

Don’t listen to this guy..all he does is makes a person spend their money..

 

[1Merlin]

I have 2 457s and both suck large with the factory barrels. 3 aftermarket barrels later (2 Lilja and a Lothar Walther) and my best barrel (by a considerable margin) is a factory Anschutz cut to 24 and rechambered by Evelio McDonald. I am seeing what appears to be a considerable difference in the "Match" chambered CZ rifles performance and really hate to buy until I find one that might actually be competitive.

I seem to always be that guy. Everyone's elses truck get 5 miles more to the gallon. Their rifles' shoot .2s and their wife actually likes sex.

 

[Lesloan]

Here is the approved factory rifle list.....https://www.americanrimfire.com/media/ApprovedRifleList12-13-19(1).pdf But if you already have a suhl150, that rifle fits the Bullet Pro 150 Factory Hotrod class!

Thanks!

 

[mrh1958]

Tikka T1X is quite popular in the ARA Factory Class