Lapping Factory ARA Barrels

[dusterdave173]

This winter I purchased this beautiful used Anschutz 1761 thumbhole 22 rimfire rifle. I mounted a scope and got it zeroed on paper and immediately knew this rifle could really shoot! It’s 100 percent all factory no changes and just like new. I then went to our local Friday club match to shoot the factory class and was told I couldn’t shoot the factory class so I asked what can I shoot? They said I could shoot the “Precision Rifle Class” which I said ok. I ended up tied for first place. Like I said this rifle really shoots well and there’s some really nice precision custom rifles in that class! When I got home I looked up the Factory Class rules and was surprised to see how many really nice factory rifles are not eligible to shoot. Like all the Winchester 52 sporters including the reproduction Winchester Model 52’s, Kleinguenther and all the Anschutz sporters all which I have.
My thought is why not have a more than one factory class. Class 1 and Class 2 for these other rifles. All must be factory with same set of rules. You could actually shoot them all at the same time and score in them in the appropriate class. Then we can dust off all these wonderful rifles off and shoot them!

View attachment 1755035

Really Sweet Looking Rifle and rig
Hey go back every time they open the gate and wear them out in that class! All the while you can be looking around at different classes and different clubs--check them all out --we try and shoot within an hour of the house if we can--we are in the same boat you are--One club hates MTR CZ's and puts us up a class or two--who cares? we lay the wood to em anyway--and then we take our 40X and it can shoot with open sights at two clubs, with a scope at two clubs in Vintage Class--or in two other classes one Called Sporter with Winchesters, 40x, Anschutz, Kimbers etc
You just have to shop around at all the available clubs--see how you like their programs--see where you fit in to the deal they have going--find a niche at each club. That is exactly what we have done--Ok we do have opinions about some of the quirky class rules but we remember --it is Their club and their rules--so..love it or leave em kind of deal.
That is exactly why we Love ARA Factory--we can show up anywhere in the country and Know what we face--and how to hang with them--the continuity in all states is one of the things that make it great!

Taking all the 22 rifles out there and figuring classes to accommodate every one that shows up to a match is a daunting task that all clubs face--It ain't easy! So...we just have to be happy we have choices--and shoot the club rules without pushing too much--you can shoot at a club all season and at seasons end when rules are being looked at and tuned Then you can put in your ideas--That is the time not when you drive up for the first few times--right?

 

[PWNolan]

Like Lee said use the unlimited target with best edge scoring. It will bring out a lot more shooters.

It might bring out more shooters but I'm not sure changing how the target is scored is a good idea. ARA is worst edge scoring. If you change it, now you need a new scoring program. Why not just have them shoot the UL target and score it the same way? The scores will be lower but who cares? If they want higher scores it'll give them incentive to move to unlimited. I've talked to people who think they should've used the UL target for everything

 

[14Copperhead]

It might bring out more shooters but I'm not sure changing how the target is scored is a good idea. ARA is worst edge scoring. If you change it, now you need a new scoring program. Why not just have them shoot the UL target and score it the same way? The scores will be lower but who cares? If they want higher scores it'll give them incentive to move to unlimited. I've talked to people who think they should've used the UL target for everything

I agree with this wholeheartedly!

 

[Hi-NV Shooter]

Lee, The current factory price as of this year is set at $1450.00. What would you suggest should be the maximum allowable cost for a factory class ARA rifle? Im just curious and that's all. My most expensive rifle I shoot in factory ARA is a CZ457 Varmint, not the MTR. My cost on sale was under $500.00 and today's going price over $700.00. Harris bipod and a small fortune cookie rear squeeze bag. I'm definitely enjoying myself with the equipment I use and my scores tho not always good are acceptable to me.
I look in the rabbit hole, just never go down it.

I think it should be the whole package with the limit amount. so, say $3000 rifle, scope and rest any combination. $2000 rifle and you have $1000 for a rest & scope

 

[doclu60]

Pat, I agree. IR has a factory class and uses the same card and scoring as the other classes. It also has good participation, and you don't see a bunch of competitors bitching and moaning on forums about it either. They do shoot 250's, just not as many as the other classes.

Scott

 

[plinker4life]

We need a Factory Vintage Class, took include the Anschutz, Kimber, Vudoos, RimX, Winchesters and Remington's. Like Lee said use the unlimited target with best edge scoring. It will bring out a lot more shooters.

All of those will fall right into ABRA outlaw lite class…. Just no tuner.

 

[Hi-NV Shooter]

Here is an example of a Bergara factory legal rifle shooting a ARA UL target. the same shooter and rifle agg. 2300+ in another match with the factory target. how many would be happy shooting these scores?

Lee

 

[wsmallwood]

I understand about cost, but since they are factory mass produced rifles why set a limit. they don't set limits on rest or scopes. if the intentions were to keep cost down the current limit should be for the whole rifle including glass. same with the rest $1000 max or do a complete package limit of $2500

Lee

It's not really about cost. It's about exclusion and driving sales for what you have in stock, or at least it was when factory ARA began. Look what's excluded and why. The entire Remington 540 series was excluded because a very good shooter shot multiple 2500s with a 541. I have a 581 (same series) that I bought for $125. I realize it was some years ago, but I don't think the cost would be 10X today. When ARA factory was intoduced, it looked like an easy target, and I wanted to try it, so I bought a Remington 540X (I asked and was initially told by Dan that it was fine) cost was $350 but by the time I got and got it ready, all 540 series had been excluded. Why? Well, they're good, but really no better than some premium factory rifles that are allowed. Why, because they are no longer available for retail sale and there were rifles that were available. So, sell those rifles that are available for retail sales and exclude others. Kind of funnels the business your way. That's the reason for the cost and the exclusion when factory ARA started. Probably not so much now. But the target is too easy and apparently considered by ARA headquarters as ten times as easy as regular ARA.

Before somebody asks, I have never shot factory ARA in competition, but I have shot it. With what is allowed, it's too easy.

 

[TRSR8]

10 times???? Yikes!

 

[wsmallwood]

Just going by what it takes to get the various Hall of Fame levels. Ten times the points.

 

[Dgd6mm]

Wow it's that easy.........lol

 

[PWNolan]

I think it should be the whole package with the limit amount. so, say $3000 rifle, scope and rest any combination. $2000 rifle and you have $1000 for a rest & scope

Not sure I'd want to run a match and have to keep track of how much everything costs. There's enough to keep track of already. Don't need anything else.