Just joined, looking to start indoor benchrest (smallbore).

[Grey Kiwi]

Hello to all.
I'm an older guy from New Zealand.
Recently found this forum while researching ideas for benchrest shooting (indoors with .22 rifles).
My local club offers both prone and benchrest smallbore rifle shooting at 25metre range.
I'm looking to get 'another' rifle for this. The benchrest attracts because at 74 the floor is not a friendly place to get down on to, or up off of.
I can get a BSA Mk1 Martini locally and just bung on a 25x or 30x scope. But the old Martinis are getting a bit long in the tooth now, and breakages happen as metal fatigues. I do own a Martini 12/15 sporter, but I won't use that (although it's a lovely wee rifle).
Or do I go more modern? A Ruger American Long Range Target, Ruger Precision Rimfire, Howa 1100, or a CZ457.
The Howa attracts because it's cheaper!
I will need to make up a dummy magazine to convert the rifle to single shot, but that's the easy part.
Can't afford an Anschutz (sadly), and not much choice here in NZ. Plus we pay way more than you folks in the USA.
Your thoughts and comments are most welcome.
Anyway, thanks for having me. Nice to be here.
Here's my current Martini...

https://imgur.com/oEsyrXw

 

[ronsatspokane]

I like the old Martini's. Don't seem like they will ever wear out. I'd throw the scope you want on it, grab some quality ammo and start there. You'll find out if it is competitive pretty quickly. If not, maybe a barrel liner or a CZ or something else.

 

[jdh47]

I’m not sure how a Martini would be at benchrest but yours looks good. An old friend, gunsmith, was fond of building Martini actions and he did some beautiful work. Les Brooks.
another friend has got into smallbore benchrest and he is anal retentive. Anshutz and Walther come to mind but there are many capable bolt actions that are popular. Ammo is the trick.

 

[Grey Kiwi]

I wouldn't use my Martini. It has a vintage Nickel (Made in Germany) 4x scope on it.
It's a great shooter, but very slim fore-end on it.
I am looking at the next model made after that. A Mk1 Martini.
A bit more 'robust' and solid, but I have read a few stories now where the 'tumbler' (part of the action), firing pin, and extractor have broken on quite a few later Martinis (and parts are now hard to get).
So I thought I might look at a modern bolt action.
The Howa appeals because of cost, and it's design.
The Ruger? A tad more expensive...but I do like Rugers.
I shot prone many (30+) years ago. Eley Tenex was the go-to.
For not very serious times it was Eley Club.
Used a BSA Martini, and a Feinwerkbau.

 

[Tim Slater]

BSA made the Martini Internationals to a high standard. Personally I'd hold out for a Mk 2 over a Mk 1, as the Mk 1 trigger is not externally adjustable).

Are you aware that one if the Internations have provision to "bung on" a modern 'scope. All the heavy barrel rifles left the factory with mounting blocks for a long Unertl-type 'scope sight, and the Mk 3 had mounts for a Freeland tube sight. But a Mk 1 or 2 receiver is only d&t'd at the side. You need a bracket like this for a modern 'scope: https://www.shootingshed.co.uk/oscom/index.php?cPath=24

 

[NZ_Fclass]

G'day from sunny Auckland. You are kinda moving in the right direction - but the Howa or Ruger won't help you. Keep your eyes on Trade me (the NZ Ebay) for a Mk2 BSA (there was a cracker on there a week or so ago) or one of the eastern European match rifles. They can be good value.

But as the Tim Slater suggests in the previous post, you will need a decent scope mount.

If you want to try the new "factory" route, then the CZ's are the best bet. The MTR looks pretty good and there's still a few 452's around - I know Serious Shooters in Auckland has 3 of the "mini sniper" models with the heavy barrel. Talk to Richard or Reece.on 09 579 3006. Another good bet would be a Lithgow -have not seen a used on yet - I guess guys are hanging on to them, which tells you something.

Yeah - shooting prone can be a challenge for us old codgers.

 

[David101]

What about a Voodoo they are pretty pricey though as well. The Lithgows are well worth the money not a dedicated target rifle but a very accurate sporting rifle that would be competitive at least.

 

[boltman13]

Wow, 25 meters, about 32 yards? If posable get the CZ 457 with the match chamber or a CZ 457 Varmint. Also the Christensen Ranger has a match chamber. with quality ammunition you should get one hole groups or posable scores at that range indoors. We shoot 50 and 100 yards outdoors here in Western Colorado and have seen some really great scores on the IBS BR-50 target. My best a 250-13X, the best ever a 250-20X with an Anschutz, mine with a Walther. The best group at 100 yds. ever was mine. Another option is rechambering a rifle with a new match chamber or rebarreling with one. Good luck.

 

[Grey Kiwi]

Gentlemen...thanks for all the responses.
I have had a look around at what I can actually buy here in NZ (as against what the shops might show on their websites).
I am seriously thinking about the CZ 457.
There's this lot to select from...
https://55six.co.nz/product/cz-457-varmint-at-one-22lr/

https://www.gunsupplies.co.nz/firea...mint-thumbhole-yellow-bolt-action-rifle-22lr/

https://www.kilwell.co.nz/products/category/YOPAMSSX-cz-457/ZKM457MTR22

Maybe a Tikka. A tad light maybe, but should shoot OK. Can always restock it?

https://www.huntingandfishing.co.nz/tikka-t1x-mtr-rifle.html

Or...a Howa 1100 (?) Would get just a basic bare rifle. Would that work?

https://www.deltamike.co.nz/product/howa-m1100-18-scoped-suppressed-package/

Scopes...for my few $$ remaining then maybe a Konus 6-24 would suffice for a while.
Can get a Bushnell Elite 6-24 x 40 for about the same money.

https://www.scopeuout.co.nz/collect.../products/konuspro-plus-6-24x50-ao-riflescope

That's my thoughts at the moment anyway. The CZ 457 or the Tikka T1x are the main selection.

 

[boltman13]

In general the CZ 457 with the Match Chamber will out shoot the CZ 457 Varmint off the bench, but my CZ 457 Varmint has shot the above 100 yard outdoor group above, but only one time. I also think the Muller 40X, 30 mm scope is worth a look. Best of luck.

 

[Grey Kiwi]

Right then...I have bought the 'At-One' CZ457 rifle.
These share the same mechanicals as the MTR (match chamber, etc).
Now I just need to find a scope I can afford (had to sell my lovely RK banjo for some extra $$).
I'm shooting indoors at 25metres. So it's well lit...and I thinking I might get away with a Vector Optics 10-50x vari power (maybe?), or a fixed power 46x.
Tried a mates Vector 10-40x the other night and it was fine. Nice clear glass, tracked well.
Good price for an old Kiwi to afford too.
Sadly we just don't get the lovely scopes and gear that you get in the USA, and we can't even buy them in as USA determines that we are all likely to be up to no good so the export from US is prohibited.
Sort of forces us Kiwis and Aussies into the welcoming arms of China made gear.
Thanks @boltman13 I will check ebay for a Muller to see what you are pointing to.
Thanks guys.