New to 22BR

[Tangent]

Just after some opinions on what to buy. My wife is enjoying some 22 benchrest with a much less than ideal set-up. I'm going to help her get some decent entry level gear, so far I'm thinking of this:

CZ MTR 22LR 20"
Athlon Argos BTR GEN2 10-40x56 or Sightron SII 36x42 SFP BRD MOA
Rest- unsure

Any thoughts/suggestions or alternatives welcome in a similar price range.

 

[280ai]

scope opinion Vortex Strike eagle 5x25x56 7 ebr reticle ffp moa or mills
life time guarentee

 

[tmwinds]

The CZ MTR and the Athlon scope are perfect for factory class. I don’t know of another factory class .22 that even comes close that is legal.

 

[tlbgto]

Just after some opinions on what to buy. My wife is enjoying some 22 benchrest with a much less than ideal set-up. I'm going to help her get some decent entry level gear, so far I'm thinking of this:

CZ MTR 22LR 20"
Athlon Argos BTR GEN2 10-40x56 or Sightron SII 36x42 SFP BRD MOA
Rest- unsure

Any thoughts/suggestions or alternatives welcome in a similar price range.

The MTR is a good choice. I use the Sightron SII 36x42 on the MTR. Sightron SIII 45x on my unlimited gun. For starters you can use bipod or Caldwell. If she likes it she can move up.

 

[CharlieNC]

Good rifle. I like the old Weaver T36 better than the Sightrons out to 100yd. You can try a bipod; if that's not suitable then mount a section of Anschutz rail and install a 3"wide bag rider to run in a bench rest.

 

[Tangent]

The MTR is a good choice. I use the Sightron SII 36x42 on the MTR. Sightron SIII 45x on my unlimited gun. For starters you can use bipod or Caldwell. If she likes it she can move up.

I've gone for the Sightron and Caldwell Rock BR front rest. They seemed the best option for the money and what I can find in stock here in sunny England. She's getting quite excited now, I can see the rabbit hole opening up!

Currently at 25m competing in club postal competitions with her 10/22. It's a good gun, Volquartson barrel etc but less than ideal on a couple of bags. She wasn't sure she'd like it but seems to have the bug now.
We've got some SK Match in stock so I'll start there and see if it likes it. We can also get RWS and most Eley ammunition.

I've done a lot of different competitive shooting over the years but BR is a new one to me. Any tips on technique are welcome.

 

[VNK971]

Just after some opinions on what to buy. My wife is enjoying some 22 benchrest with a much less than ideal set-up. I'm going to help her get some decent entry level gear, so far I'm thinking of this:

CZ MTR 22LR 20"
Athlon Argos BTR GEN2 10-40x56 or Sightron SII 36x42 SFP BRD MOA
Rest- unsure

Any thoughts/suggestions or alternatives welcome in a similar price range.

That's exactly what I started with for ARA Factory in 2022. Started with the Athlon and did pretty well. Tried the Sightron, and it was good also, either one is fine. What does she prefer for the reticle? Now have a Vortex Golden Eagle, Fine Crosshairs, on the MTR. For a rest I started with a Sinclair F-Class bipod with a Protektor rear bag. Then I got a Bald Eagle that I modified, and a Holeshot/PQP mechanical rear. Then I went back to the Sinclair F-Class bipod, but with the Holeshot mechanical rear. Still have it all, occasionally shoot Factory, but switched to Unlimited this year and have a 2500X and a Trident.

 

[Tangent]

That's exactly what I started with for ARA Factory in 2022. Started with the Athlon and did pretty well. Tried the Sightron, and it was good also, either one is fine. What does she prefer for the reticle? Now have a Vortex Golden Eagle, Fine Crosshairs, on the MTR. For a rest I started with a Sinclair F-Class bipod with a Protektor rear bag. Then I got a Bald Eagle that I modified, and a Holeshot/PQP mechanical rear. Then I went back to the Sinclair F-Class bipod, but with the Holeshot mechanical rear. Still have it all, occasionally shoot Factory, but switched to Unlimited this year and have a 2500X and a Trident.

She likes the look of the Sightron, until now she was only using a 4-12x Vortex so a nice upgrade. We're picking up the rifle today, so all being well she can test it out on Saturday.

 

[dusterdave173]

Do an action screw torque test--around 20 in lbs it should shoot well. The Lost Nation extended mag release is a must--spring available from member here will get trigger to below a lb easy --a larger longer bolt knob rounds out prep for these fine rifles. The Area 409 scope rail is top quality
The Athlon Heres 15-50 has been on sale at Cameraland for just over $500 this week. Midway has had mags the last week or two--they can be a PIA to locate--the poly 10 rd are perfect. I use a Sightron 45x and love it --a 36x will get the job done also. The bores and chamber are very tight in those try a .17 jag and cleaning rod.
Let the fun begin!
We use bipod and rear bag--we compete against high $$ rests so hard to win but we are having a lot of fun

 

[Tangent]

Some great suggestions thanks. We picked it up and have the score fitted and bore cleaned, Boretech rimfire blend. The bolt send a little stuff to close, on an empty chamber, but I assume it will become easier with use? The MTR is a very nice rifle, I was impressed with the feel of it for the money.
In other news I had a look through a ZCO scope at the dealers, extremely impressive bit of kit but well out of my price range!

 

[dusterdave173]

The MTR with Match Chamber jams the bullet into the rifling--so bolt close is a little tougher than regular chamber--The CZ bolts smooth out after a while I noticed you said with no round but still you can expect it to be tad stiffer with ammo too--Normal for the match chamber. Have fun!

 

[Tangent]

The MTR with Match Chamber jams the bullet into the rifling--so bolt close is a little tougher than regular chamber--The CZ bolts smooth out after a while I noticed you said with no round but still you can expect it to be tad stiffer with ammo too--Normal for the match chamber. Have fun!

Thanks, it does seem to be improving. It is very accurate so far, still waiting for the front rest to arrive. SK Rifle Match is looking promising. I still need to adjust the trigger for her but the Sightron scope is spot on at 25m. Every shot so far is a 10 or X.

 

[dusterdave173]

Swapping the trigger spring is the Big deal--But..the other adjustments are a delicate "dance"to get it just right--it will have a distinctive Ping when it is just right--pretty easy to get it around 9-14 oz range--
Running the pressure adjustment screw in toward the heavier position ( with lighter spring installed) does not really do much to the spring but captures it just right Your best tuning will be with the other two adjustments --just be patient and go small moves at a time
I can't see why folks get an after market trigger for these--the factory one can be almost perfect with patience and working to understand exactly how it all works together
Have Fun!
We took 4 new MTR's to match today came home with 3 ribbons using Rifle Match that had been weight sorted

 

[dstoenner]

For the 457 MTR, pillar bed it. It frees you up about how much torque. Tight as you can get it and it will like all ammo better. This was at 100 yards in competition. Sinclair competition front rest protektor bunny ears with 3/8 spacing. Center-x speed 329. 15 shots

 

[Tangent]

Just reporting back on the progress. My wife has now shot her first two match cards (25M) with the new set up.
CZ457 MTR Std trigger lighted but no spring yet. 25 in/lb both screws
Protektor 13B rear bag
Rock BR front rest
Sightron 36x scope
SK Rifle Match, unsorted

242.9 and 246.10, both her best scores by far. Thanks for all the advice so far, more to come I think. Definitely gains to be had on the trigger, ammunition and of course practice front