Good Sources for .22 LR benchrest rifles?

[golfer2b2000]

I'm looking to possibly purchase another 22 benchrest rifle. I bought one some time ago from a fellow member on this Forum. I will consider either a new or used one. Wanting to know where is a good site to possibly locate something like this.
Thanks,
Gene from Pa.

 

[PWNolan]

Keep an eye on the classifieds here, Rimfire Accuracy, Benchrest Central, & Rimfire Central.

 

[DShortt]

You can obviously do whatever you want. I was given advice in the past that if you're buying a used rifle, just consider the cost plus a new barrel.
That has proven to be true for me.
You might get a great shooter. You might win the lottery. The ratio of winning tickets to losing tickets is pretty wide.
I've found used rifles follow the same pattern.

 

[searcher]

If looking for a new custom and not wanting to wait several months to have one built, Lester Bruno from Bruno shooters supply had a new build advertised on this site a few weeks ago. He built one for me a number of years back and I've been very happy with it. Suckers are getting expensive.... PWNolan gave good advice if looking for used. I've seen some fantastic deals on this site periodically. Doing a total custom build and throwing a top-of-the line scope on it can cost as much as $7,500+.

 

[Kevin1990]

You can obviously do whatever you want. I was given advice in the past that if you're buying a used rifle, just consider the cost plus a new barrel.
That has proven to be true for me.
You might get a great shooter. You might win the lottery. The ratio of winning tickets to losing tickets is pretty wide.
I've found used rifles follow the same pattern.

Id agree with the barrel change on a BR rifle like a 6ppc, 6br, maybe even a 30BR or 222 rem depending on round count, but if he can find one with a sane round count, if it were me and it shot my ammo well, I wouldnt touch it.

 

[DShortt]

Id agree with the barrel change on a BR rifle like a 6ppc, 6br, maybe even a 30BR or 222 rem depending on round count, but if he can find one with a sane round count, if it were me and it shot my ammo well, I wouldnt touch it.

I thought the same. But some benchrest shooters aren't keen on cleaning. Put that in a safe for a couple of years and things get ugly. And you don't know until it's yours.
Ask me how I know.

 

[Mt.Boy]

If you’re looking for a new rifle. Call Dan Killough at pqp. Stocks all the parts and has Richard Gorham do the building. Prices are hard to beat. Really happy with mine. Good luck

 

[Kevin1990]

I thought the same. But some benchrest shooters aren't keen on cleaning. Put that in a safe for a couple of years and things get ugly. And you don't know until it's yours.
Ask me how I know.

Haha, okay Very true! I know I have a couple of firearms that I got when I first started shooting. Id be embarrassed to run a borescope down them with someone looking. I've also been researching Benchrest 22lr for local club matches, and from what I'm gathering the barrel is gonna be the cheapest part.

 

[7315br]

You can obviously do whatever you want. I was given advice in the past that if you're buying a used rifle, just consider the cost plus a new barrel.
That has proven to be true for me.
You might get a great shooter. You might win the lottery. The ratio of winning tickets to losing tickets is pretty wide.
I've found used rifles follow the same pattern.

Can't say I would totally agree with your statement on a .22 LR Rimfire match rifle. Totally agree with you on a centerfire match rifle.

I just sold a couple of days ago a 2500x (full custom) to a fellow who put a ad on Rimfire Accuracy looking for a 2500x to shoot ARA 50 yd matches. This rifle had 2500 rds through it, and was just beginning to really shoot tight groups. It really didn't start grouping until around 1500 rds. It also took a lot of testing with different lots of Lapua ammo (at a very expensive cost). A lot of people feel these type rifles will go 15,000 rds before needing a new barrel. Some think further than that. Some guys claim a 100,000 rds. I don't buy that, but 15,000 rds sounds reasonable.

Attached pictures of the rifle, and a 50 yd (5) shot group. These builds are crazy expensive and one never knows what you actually have until a good break-in has been done.

 

[WOLFMAN2018]

Can't say I would totally agree with your statement on a .22 LR Rimfire match rifle. Totally agree with you on a centerfire match rifle.

I just sold a couple of days ago a 2500x (full custom) to a fellow who put a ad on Rimfire Accuracy looking for a 2500x to shoot ARA 50 yd matches. This rifle had 2500 rds through it, and was just beginning to really shoot tight groups. It really didn't start grouping until around 1500 rds. It also took a lot of testing with different lots of Lapua ammo (at a very expensive cost). A lot of people feel these type rifles will go 15,000 rds before needing a new barrel. Some think further than that. Some guys claim a 100,000 rds. I don't buy that, but 15,000 rds sounds reasonable.

Attached pictures of the rifle, and a 50 yd (5) shot group. These builds are crazy expensive and one never knows what you actually have until a good break-in has been done.

 

[7315br]

I'd seen this before, but he even admits it's an unusual barrel (and I would agree). I'd say most won't go that long...but one never knows...lol!

 

[VLNBYR]

This is a RIMFIRE SECTION, many things CF do not apply in rimfire, especially when talking about barrels.

On the average every new build will be average same as every used rifle will be average.

 

[Hi-NV Shooter]

Can't say I would totally agree with your statement on a .22 LR Rimfire match rifle. Totally agree with you on a centerfire match rifle.

I just sold a couple of days ago a 2500x (full custom) to a fellow who put a ad on Rimfire Accuracy looking for a 2500x to shoot ARA 50 yd matches. This rifle had 2500 rds through it, and was just beginning to really shoot tight groups. It really didn't start grouping until around 1500 rds. It also took a lot of testing with different lots of Lapua ammo (at a very expensive cost). A lot of people feel these type rifles will go 15,000 rds before needing a new barrel. Some think further than that. Some guys claim a 100,000 rds. I don't buy that, but 15,000 rds sounds reasonable.

Attached pictures of the rifle, and a 50 yd (5) shot group. These builds are crazy expensive and one never knows what you actually have until a good break-in has been done.

If a new barrel has to have so many rounds down, it before it will shoot then most likely the chamber was not finished correctly. a good barrel will shoot from the start and that has to do with the smith finishing the leade. here are couple of examples showing the very first rounds shot on new barrels without tuners.

as far as guys claiming 100K rounds I have a 1411 Anschutz with a 12-year-old barrel and has that many rounds down it and it did a 10-shot 11mm group at Lapua in August.

Lee

 

[shoot4fun]

Can't say I would totally agree with your statement on a .22 LR Rimfire match rifle. Totally agree with you on a centerfire match rifle.

I just sold a couple of days ago a 2500x (full custom) to a fellow who put a ad on Rimfire Accuracy looking for a 2500x to shoot ARA 50 yd matches. This rifle had 2500 rds through it, and was just beginning to really shoot tight groups. It really didn't start grouping until around 1500 rds. It also took a lot of testing with different lots of Lapua ammo (at a very expensive cost). A lot of people feel these type rifles will go 15,000 rds before needing a new barrel. Some think further than that. Some guys claim a 100,000 rds. I don't buy that, but 15,000 rds sounds reasonable.

Attached pictures of the rifle, and a 50 yd (5) shot group. These builds are crazy expensive and one never knows what you actually have until a good break-in has been done.

WHY????
Don't tell me you sold that beauty without calling me first!
I thought you were in love with that one?!

 

[7315br]

If a new barrel has to have so many rounds down, it before it will shoot then most likely the chamber was not finished correctly. a good barrel will shoot from the start and that has to do with the smith finishing the leade. here are couple of examples showing the very first rounds shot on new barrels without tuners.

as far as guys claiming 100K rounds I have a 1411 Anschutz with a 12-year-old barrel and has that many rounds down it and it did a 10-shot 11mm group at Lapua in August.

Lee

Lee,

I guess that's why the world goes around. The guy that built my 2500x is not known by a whole lot of rimfire match shooters...but is known by the guys who are top shooters. He builds all of Joe Besche's rifles, and Besche won the ARA Indoor Championship a few months ago. This gunsmith told me to run at least a 1000 rds through the 2500x he built me and perferably 1500 rds (which I did). The rifle shot fair to start with, but got better as I put rds through it. He is really particular about the leade, and uses a reamer of his own design of 1 1/2 degrees.

 

[7315br]

WHY????
Don't tell me you sold that beauty without calling me first!
I thought you were in love with that one?!

I'm not in love with any of them there rifles...lol!! I sold it because the rifle is great, but the local two clubs I shoot at decided not to put on ARA matches, and the fellow that was talking IR50/50 matches is not considering it until March of next year. I got a bit discouraged and sold it.

 

[shoot4fun]

I'm not in love with any of them there rifles...lol!! I sold it because the rifle is great, but the local two clubs I shoot at decided not to put on ARA matches, and the fellow that was talking IR50/50 matches is not considering it until March of next year. I got a bit discouraged a sold it.

We have only one 22 bench rest match and it is outlaw. Sometimes the MD uses IBS rimfire targets and others ARA targets. I shoot it because it's the only thing going that Saturday. This weekend my son and I are going to try a Long Gong match nearby. 300 yard 22LR is indeed a challenge!

 

[searcher]

I'm not in love with any of them there rifles...lol!! I sold it because the rifle is great, but the local two clubs I shoot at decided not to put on ARA matches, and the fellow that was talking IR50/50 matches is not considering it until March of next year. I got a bit discouraged and sold it.

That is exactly what happened to me. Had my dream .22 built, then the range changed hands and no rimfire matches. Has sat in the back of the safe with only ammo selection fired.

 

[DShortt]

Can't say I would totally agree with your statement on a .22 LR Rimfire match rifle. Totally agree with you on a centerfire match rifle.

I just sold a couple of days ago a 2500x (full custom) to a fellow who put a ad on Rimfire Accuracy looking for a 2500x to shoot ARA 50 yd matches. This rifle had 2500 rds through it, and was just beginning to really shoot tight groups. It really didn't start grouping until around 1500 rds. It also took a lot of testing with different lots of Lapua ammo (at a very expensive cost). A lot of people feel these type rifles will go 15,000 rds before needing a new barrel. Some think further than that. Some guys claim a 100,000 rds. I don't buy that, but 15,000 rds sounds reasonable.

Attached pictures of the rifle, and a 50 yd (5) shot group. These builds are crazy expensive and one never knows what you actually have until a good break-in has been done.

So, I should qualify my answer.
I have yet to buy a factory rifle or used rifle that I did not find lacking. Often in multiple areas.
Now. One could say 'Well, stupid. You should have bought a custom rifle to begin with.'
And there is truth in that.
In my particular case, I am out to learn, and so I have learned A LOT.
Perhaps, more than anything, I've learned to lower my expectations if I don't want to be disappointed.
If you're primarily interested in shooting alone, I say saving up and buying a costly custom will ultimately be cheaper in both time and $$$.
Just don't expect to shoot in the top percentage just because you spent a lot of money. You have to know how to shoot, too.
That takes time, $$$, experience and practice.
Add in diagnosing and correcting firearms issues and you better have a lot of patience as well. You'll need it.
Perhaps that round count figure is synonymous with experience?

 

[TRSR8]

So, I should qualify my answer.
I have yet to buy a factory rifle or used rifle that I did not find lacking. Often in multiple areas.
Now. One could say 'Well, stupid. You should have bought a custom rifle to begin with.'
And there is truth in that.
In my particular case, I am out to learn, and so I have learned A LOT.
Perhaps, more than anything, I've learned to lower my expectations if I don't want to be disappointed.
If you're primarily interested in shooting alone, I say saving up and buying a costly custom will ultimately be cheaper in both time and $$$.
Just don't expect to shoot in the top percentage just because you spent a lot of money. You have to know how to shoot, too.
That takes time, $$$, experience and practice.
Add in diagnosing and correcting firearms issues and you better have a lot of patience as well. You'll need it.
Perhaps that round count figure is synonymous with experience?

FWIW your experience is far from normal. i have bought, sold and helped others buy great rifles than needed zero and it’s not that tough to do with a little homework as to ownership, history, provenance, especially if a new guy reaches out to any number of experienced competitors, usually more than willing to get you piointed in the right direction.
Far better, for a new guy instead of building something from the ground up.
Several feel that only problem guns come up for sale…..that’s absolute BS.