Looking for advice on 1st BR gun

[takdriver]

Hey guys,

I have been having a blast shooting .22 informal BR and I found out that I'm not to bad at it. Since I'm already an avid reloader, I would like to get into centerfire 100/200 yard BR. Could you recommend an accurate caliber and action and barrel,gun) etc.?
Here's a pic of me shooting .22 BR:

http://takdriver.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=36

 

[normmatzen]

I just took the plunge.

I bought a Savage Precision Target Action, short action, right bolt left port single shot. Then a Shilen bull select target stainless pre-fit in 243 WIN. and a used and abused Savage BVSS stock.
I re-finished the stock after plugging the old front action screw holes, plugged the magazine well and drilled holes for the new two action screws. Mounted and head-spaced the barrel, using a new Lapua case and a set of GO- NO GO gauges.

My barrel is 1 in 8 twist as I shoot 105 AMAX bullets. Ran out of cash so mounted an old 36X scope and the groups astounded me!

Try it, you'll like it!

 

[Cheechako]

takdriver

If you want to get into Benchrest for fun, most any good accurate varmint type rifle will probably get you started. After you get your feet wet and learn what works and what doesn't you can graduate to a real Benchrest rifle.

The 'tacks' in Benchrest are a lot smaller than you can possibly imagine and if you want to be competitive rather than have fun you'll need the best rifle and ammunition available.

Ray

 

[Toby Bradshaw]

Go to benchrest.com and check out the equipment list from any registered competition. That will tell you what it takes to be competitive. A very large fraction of group shoots will be won by 6PPCs in custom-actioned rifles smithed by a short range BR specialist.

You won't save any money in the long run by starting with a rifle that isn't competitive. Learning to read wind flags requires a rifle that doesn't lie. Ever. Good used BR rifles are available for around $2K,not including scope), and by the time you really learn to shoot it you can have a fresh barrel chambered for max performance.

Toby Bradshaw
baywingdb@comcast.net

 

[GerryM]

Takdriver
I took a look at your photo. I see your using just sand bags for a start/
The first piece of equipment you should buy is a fairly high quality front rest and rear bag. This will let you know the accuracy potential of the rifle your shooting. You can ease into it. The equipment is pricy to say the least.
Here's a short list Rifle, that your comfortable with.
sometime a bargain comes around. Case tools for turning necks, good high quality bullets and other components.
Decent set of dies. Wilsons if your on a budget.
An arbor press { it doesn't have to be fancy a small chineese one will do to start.
a priminng tool the Lee works fine and is cheap.
Ease inti it. It can cost up to $5,000 or more to get a decent new rig. There's nothing wrong with used equipment
Just don't over pay for worn out products.
Don't let any one fool you. I have seen sleeved remingtons that have been reworked shoot just as well as custom actions
Allie E Uber one of the best shots got a lot of points for the hall of fame with a sleeved reminton 700.
If you really get hooked into the sport you can always up grade over a period of time. Ive seen too many people start out spending a ton of money only to drop out after a year or two.
You have to develope a love of the sport.
Good luck and i hope you have a great time. Benchrest shooters are some of the finest people around.

 

[dreever]

Do you plan on shooting group or score. Group shooters favor the 6PPC score shooters favor the 30BR. You can shoot score with the PPC, but don't expect to win many matches over the 30's.

Danny

 

[vmthtr]

Might want to look at HBR as that is the only close matches. Van Dyne, just out of Oshkosh has matches. Closest group matches are in Minnetonka. HBR is simular to what you are doing with your 22, shooting for score. If you are interested I can give more info.

Mike

Green Bay, WI

 

[JCummings]

I believe the best advice is to buy a used rifle. There are plenty of excellent benchrest rifles to be found. I would start looking at the classifieds here, and at benchrest.com. I would also check out Shooter's Corner http://www.benchrest.com/shooterscorner/. Not only can you get started cheaper but you can most often get a good gun in hand MUCH faster starting out used. My benchrest rifle was purchased nearly new from Bruno's Shooting Supply. It was at least a $3200.00 rifle with only 250 rounds through it for $1900.00. You probably should determine whether you plan to shoot group,6PPC) or score,30BR)before you buy. Bob White at Shooter's Corner and Lester Bruno at Bruno's Shooter's Supply would be quite happy to help you with this.

 

[JCummings]

Here is a perfect example at a great price ready to purchase right now: http://www.benchrest.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/classifieds.cgi?db=aaafirearms&website=&language=&session_key=&search_and_display_db_button=on&results_format=long&db_id=8140&query=retrieval

 

[vmthtr]

Great gun, but wouldn't it be better to start witha LV so he could shoot in all classes with it?

Mike

 

[JCummings]

Maybe. Depends on his goals which he does not give. HV is easier to learn with. Stock is LV with a weight system. Add a second LV barrel and you have both an LV and a HV gun right now for much less if you ordered and then waited the normal year for a new gun.