info/advise for target 22lr

[boltman223]

Hi everyone. I'm wanting a 22lr for small bore competition and something I can use to shoot (mainly) at 100yds to practice reading wind for f-class matches. I was wondering what i should look at? I would prefer something factory, I'm not sure what brand and model. what price range am I looking at? How about going the used BR/match rifle route? Thanks, Andy

 

[CJ6]

The used BR is a good option, Factory option would be an Annie 54 actioned rifle. The thing with 22rf is getting the right ammo for the gun or you'll be chasing your tail with your shots/calls. See what rigs Dan Killough has in stock (used or new) or send him one you bought then have him test lots for you (he has the Eley test facility there). Lapua has their test facility in Ariz. for another option.

 

[Fotheringill]

The whole key lies in the budget you have. Need more info.

 

[katokoch]

The whole key lies in the budget you have. Need more info.

Yep, knowing this would help. If in doubt I'd take the used target rifle route.

 

[boltman223]

I'd like to keep it around $600 if possible. I'm guessing that might not happen. With that said I need to find out what my possibilities are and what they might cost? Hope this clears things up a little and doesn't make the answer more complicated.

Also what kind of accuracy can a person expect at 50 and 100 yds with a match rifle and the right ammo? This pertains to the rifle itself not with wind and shooters ability included.

 

[BaconFat]

For your budget, I'd look for a CZ 452 Ultra Lux and install some better sights. If you want more info on the CZ check out the CZ forum on rimfirecentral.com.

 

[Shynloco]

Might I suggest you take a look at an Anschutz 64 actioned rifle if you don't care to spend the big bucks for a 54 actioned rifle. I have a 64MPR that is extremely accurate and has won some local competitions or placed highly, outshooting some custom rigs. As has been mentioned by others, finding the ammo that shoots the best in any rimfire rifle is paramount to accuracy, provided the shooter does his part, which in many cases, is the weakest link. Now all things being equal, a 54 actioned Anschutz will out shoot a 64 actioned rifle in the hands of a talented shooter. So don't misinterpret what I've written, but it would save you money for your premiere rifle that you'd shoot in serious competition.

 

[seymour fish]

OP, Another option is a Savage Mk 2. Agood one will shoot. Some luck of the draw, but cheap. Seymour

 

[huffmanite]

Another option for the rifle is to consider the Kimber of Oregon 82 GVT target rifle. Several of the gents I shoot against in a 50 yd competition at range I'm a member have one. These are darn nice rifles.....hard to believe the U.S. Army bought them back in the 80s and never used them. Just google Kimber of Oregon 82 gvt for sale, should find one......price range? Gents at range paid around $600 for theirs. All bought from same guy within last 6 or so months, who lived near one of the two CMP stores when CMP had them to sell.

 

[Doosky]

If you are training for f-class the best thing to buy would mimick your f-class rifle, stock, optic combo. However that is hard to do on a budget. I shoot rimfire quite a lot. I am no guru, but all the rifles previously mentioned all shoot very well in their class, and there are good ones and bad ones of each brand(as with any other rifle.) but for a training rifle getting it as close to what you are training for is key. Just my $0.02

 

[Fotheringill]

I'd like to keep it around $600 if possible. I'm guessing that might not happen. With that said I need to find out what my possibilities are and what they might cost? Hope this clears things up a little and doesn't make the answer more complicated.

Also what kind of accuracy can a person expect at 50 and 100 yds with a match rifle and the right ammo? This pertains to the rifle itself not with wind and shooters ability included.

I can answer the second paragraph in part.

I am 67 and have been shooting for a bit over 3 years, benchrest only and with an Anschutz 1913a, bedded, pillared and tuned with a fixed high powered scope. I average 238 on the USBR green meanie targets at 50 yards with Eley Match, RWS R-50 and Lapua Midas +. I am still learning, with high score at 245. With a match rifle, that is the minimum you should expect. I am still working on my trigger skills.

As to the first part-

Whatever you purchase, purchase new and make sure rifle is still in production for ease of parts purchases. That will pretty much narrow it down to the CZ 455 line which will run under $400 for the rifle NIB.

 

[akajun]

Look for a used 40x or 52b or later winchester . Ither guns to consider are BSA martini MK 3 or later .

 

[boltman223]

Thanks for all the info everyone, it had helped. I happened to talk to someone at the range that has a one of the kimber cmp rifles that he would like to sell. So I think in going to be going that route.

Maybe I can set this rifle up like my ftr rifle.

Thanks again

 

[willymakit]

You are on the right track, you test fire your pal's 82G and see how it does. It should shoot one ragged hole at 50 with ammo it likes. He paid around $425-600 for it, with included iron sights. A Weaver T-36 at 100 is an excellent practice unit for F-Class. I highly recommend sending the gun to Lapua, Mesa AZ. For $50 they test as many lots of ammo as they have, look for Center-X, Midas+ gets spendy. The only caveat to the Lapua test is you must purchase at least a case of your choice ammo. (5000) Also, you can purchase the ammo tested at Lapua thru "your dealer", like Clint Swigert of Precision Shooters, who will give some kind of discount. The 82G is economical enough to allow you to make the stock similar to your F-Class gun, cut away, add to, sounds like fun! BTW, I've got 4 Kimber 82G's, one 40X, 4 Anschutz, and a Pandaschutz, The kimbers hold their own!
willy

 

[Shynloco]

You are on the right track, you test fire your pal's 82G and see how it does. It should shoot one ragged hole at 50 with ammo it likes. He paid around $425-600 for it, with included iron sights. A Weaver T-36 at 100 is an excellent practice unit for F-Class. I highly recommend sending the gun to Lapua, Mesa AZ. For $50 they test as many lots of ammo as they have, look for Center-X, Midas+ gets spendy. The only caveat to the Lapua test is you must purchase at least a case of your choice ammo. (5000) Also, you can purchase the ammo tested at Lapua thru "your dealer", like Clint Swigert of Precision Shooters, who will give some kind of discount. The 82G is economical enough to allow you to make the stock similar to your F-Class gun, cut away, add to, sounds like fun! BTW, I've got 4 Kimber 82G's, one 40X, 4 Anschutz, and a Pandaschutz, The kimbers hold their own!
willy

Let me echo what Willymakit says about about the Kimber, given we now have a better handle on the price range of rifle Boltman seeks. Those Kimber are very nice rifles and a wonderful build. But it too requires a search for ammunition to find what it shoots the best with. Willy mentions CenterX and Midas+ which happens to be what my I use when practicing for actual competitions. But might I suggest you try a box or two of Federal Ultra Match UM22 which is what my comp rifle likes the best and has won. Expensive yes, but if you want to score decently and seek out the capabilities of your rifle (provided you do your parts as the shooter) then you'll simply have to spend some bucks. Also if Eley ammo proves to be your rifles taste, then Dan Killough ( Killoughshootingsports.com ) is a great source for reasonably priced Eley ammo and he often has a healthy supply of Eley rimfire ammo. If Federal UM22 turns out to work, then Brunos is a good source.

In any case. good luck with your project and enjoy that Kimber....one very pretty and fun shooting Rimfire Rifle. And the guys over at Lapua in Mesa, AZ are a terrific source and can greatly assist in finding the best load for your particular rifle without spending oodles of money on various types of ammo that are harder to find, but deserve consideration in terms of testing your rifle for the best ammo.

Alex

 

[udiablo]

I like to carefully echo one point that Willymakit made-----suggest you shoot that Kimber first.

Or get confirmation about how well it shoots.

I currently have a pair of Kimber 82Gs.

With quality match ammo (Lapua and Eley) one shoots poorly (at best it's 1-1/2" at 50m on a good day), this is after re-working the crown (it was slightly worse before that). Slugging the barrel did not indicate a useful "choke" point for cutting the barrel, so it will require barrel replacement.

The other one shoots fairly well (~5/8"-3/4" at 50m with dead calm conditions.

It does not shoot as well as any of my Anschutz rifles.

Bottom line, try it before buying if you can.

The Kimber 82Gs were built for the US Govt during the early 80s, stored and never issued. They were gradually turned over for civilian sales (CMP). There are many stories about quality problems, mostly concern damaged or poorly prepared barrel crowns. And at some point during inventory, the plastic sleeves were cut (razor knife) so many of them will have a slash on the stock.

 

[boltman223]

I like to carefully echo one point that Willymakit made-----suggest you shoot that Kimber first.

Or get confirmation about how well it shoots.

I currently have a pair of Kimber 82Gs.

With quality match ammo (Lapua and Eley) one shoots poorly (at best it's 1-1/2" at 50m on a good day), this is after re-working the crown (it was slightly worse before that). Slugging the barrel did not indicate a useful "choke" point for cutting the barrel, so it will require barrel replacement.

The other one shoots fairly well (~5/8"-3/4" at 50m with dead calm conditions.

It does not shoot as well as any of my Anschutz rifles.

Bottom line, try it before buying if you can.

The Kimber 82Gs were built for the US Govt during the early 80s, stored and never issued. They were gradually turned over for civilian sales (CMP). There are many stories about quality problems, mostly concern damaged or poorly prepared barrel crowns. And at some point during inventory, the plastic sleeves were cut (razor knife) so many of them will have a slash on the stock.

Alright, thanks for the heads up!