prone 22lr

[skeetlee]

first let me say that i know nothing about prone 22lr shooting. Its sounds like a lot of fun and there are a couple matches just up the hill 50 miles from me. I need to go watch one of them but i was wondering if that little cz 22lr rifle with the long barrel and humped back stock would be ok for a starter rifle for prone 22lr. I dont remeber the model of the cz but i am sure it is a palma type 22?? Could i shoot one of these in a match or no? I dont think i will get very serious about any of this but it looks kinda fun. What do you think? I will go to Gun broker and find the model of the rifle and post. Lee

 

[skeetlee]

it was either the siljouette or the lux that i was playig with the other day at cabalas. would either one of these work worth a hoot? Like i say< i know nothing about it!

 

[hottshott526]

Hello Skeet

22lr prone matches are shot at 50yds,50m,and 100yds.
The ones I have shot are 2 day events
160 rounds plus sighters on saturday w/irons.
160 rounds plus sighters on sunday w/glass
Most rifles are custom Anschutz w/ match sight set ups.
The match is shot single loaded. No loaded mags.

The rifles you're talking about would do fine if they can shoot 1/2" 10 shot groups or better consistantly at 50 yds and hold it up at 100. I'm sure they can as the CZ Scout I have shoots great at these distances. Not quite match rifle accuracy but good enough to get your feet wet.

The biggest concern is these aren't set up for a sling and a hand stop. You could put a sling swivel on but it might pull out because of the pressure on the sling. Most rifles use a rail that the hand stop slides in then attach the sling to that.

There's a match this weekend 6/ 12 & 13 in Marshall MO and guys come from all over. The one in September is the Championship and there will be some from as far as Wisconsin and Texas.

22 lr prone is bigger than one might think.

Hope this helps

Good shooting
Brian

 

[Travelor]

It is always wise to go see a match and look at the equipment and talk to the competitors BEFORE buying a gun. Also talk with the match director - some (ours does) may allow you to start with a scope and front rest to see if the sport is for you.

Our local Match Director is always encouraging new shooters and most always there is a spare gun to be borrowed by a new shooter. This way you can get your feet wet and see if you care for the sport before taking a financial plunge.

 

[RichinKansas]

Travelor is right about visiting a match. Most matches I shoot are one day affairs, anysight. I think mostly cause they are run by old men who can't see irons well anymore. (G) But if you could call the match director you could find out more. I might be able to get you a name and phone if you can give the location. A sling is important. Handstop you can skip if the rifle is light weight like the CZ. Same with the shooting coat. You will need a mat to lay on. An old piece of carpet might do. If you have elbow pads take them. 16x or better scope in my opinion. A spotting scope is good if you can't see .22 bullet holes in black paper at 50 to 100 yds. with the scope on your rifle. If it is a 2 day event you can just choose to shoot the one day with scope. Practice some dryfiring if nothing else to get your sling set up correctly and spotting scope positioned so you can see through it without straining. If you have this CZ take it. But if you are considering buying it wait until you see a match. Someone there might even have a low cost starter rifle for sale. A great trigger is most important. 3 lbs or preferably less. But more important is a great let off. You might be able to find a used starter target rifle cheaper than a new CZ. More weight is better with a prone rifle to a point. A beginner is better off with less weight to get used to it but 10 lbs or more allows a better hold. Downside it gets tiring after 20 shots and requires a shooting coat, glove and handstop.

 

[skeetlee]

I just think it would be fun to try. When i started shooting rifles i always shot prone. Then i decided i would get serious about rifle shooting and i started building custom rifles. The only thing we have to shoot in this area is benchrest so i quit shooting prone and started shooting from the bench. I enjoy this very much but a small part of me still wants to shoot something from the prone position. I would love to try f-class but there arent any true f-class matches in my area. A guy i shoot benchrest with told me about the 22lr prone shoot he attends somewhere up around clinton IL (i think clinton?? ) and i though it sounded kinda fun. I guess they shoot a lot of ammo. One day is with a scope the next is with out. That's about all i know. He shoots a custom rifle and i know i would want to as well, if i decide i like doing it. The first thing i need to decide is if i can even make the time to shoot another discipline. I have a young family and i enjoy being around them, so that with the benchrest there isnt much spare time. I was just thinking out loud the other evening so i thought i would ask. I will try to attend a match next month and go from there. thanks fellas, i always appreciate the help from you good people! lee

 

[watercam]

If you do not own a rifle yet, give serious consideration to a used match rifle from MT Guns (www.mtguns.com). They have hundreds of perfectly good, used match rifles from Europe and US as well as entry level Russian rifles complete with sights for the same or less money than a new CZ. What you get is adjustment - stock length, comb height, hand stop, etc.. You will need it at some point. I only say so as I went the circuitous route into NRA High Power shooting and wish someone had presented me with the used gun option fifteen years ago.
Good luck and have fun,
Mike T.

 

[flatlander]

Lee,
I bought a couple of new-in-box 22LR training rifles from the CMP several years ago - Rem 540X & H&R M12. I already had a nice custom Palma rifle with a Robertson H&H adjustable prone stock, so wasn't real pleased with the club of a stock the M12 had.

I wound up trading the M12 for a nice used Anschutz 1611 in a deal with Mac Tilton at MT Guns. Sure, I could've bought a custom stock for the M12, but the 1611 has a great 2-stage trigger, adjustable cheekpiece, accessory rail, and good sights - plus, it's a great shooter. It'll clean the 100yd. smallbore target with Wolf Match Extra if I do my part, and since the Robertson H&H is a close copy of the 1411/1611 stock, the Anschutz is not only a good smallbore rifle, but also makes a great trainer for my HP LR prone rifles.

 

[4570sharpshooter]

Skeetlee, I believe that they still shoot 22 silhouette at Effingham,Il at Lake Sara. It may not be close enough for you . Just a heads up... 45/70SS

 

[hottshott526]

Hello Skeet

I shot the match in Marshall Mo. over the weekend. I only shot Sunday with a glass.
Just to give you an idea of how stiff the competition is I shot 1590 w/94X's out of 1600 possible and came in 9th overall. We had 1 1600 w/101x's.

I shoot an Anschutz 54:18 MSR that I modified for prone shooting. There were a bunch of true prone Anschutz rifles and a couple of Walthers.

As far as scopes go most were Leupolds up to 20-25x. I shoot a Sightron 10-50x60. I tried 40x but found it to much because of the heart bounce. So I went to 35x and stayed there. A couple guys I know said they had a hard time seeing their holes with 20x.

This game is all about concentration. If you let it slip or back off just the tiniest little bit the wind or your heart beat bouncing in the scope will bite you and turn a good shot into a 9 or worse.

Give it a try and you'll be hooked. This sport is VERY addicting.


Good shooting

Brian

 

[Lesloan]

It is always wise to go see a match and look at the equipment and talk to the competitors BEFORE buying a gun. Also talk with the match director - some (ours does) may allow you to start with a scope and front rest to see of the sport is for you.

Our local Match Director is always encouraging new shooters and most always there is a spare gun to be borrowed by a new shooter. This way you can get your feet wet and see if you care for the sport before taking a financial plunge.

Travelor neglected to mention that he is our club's match director for several shooting disciplines, including prone RF and CF. so he knows what he's talkin' about.

 

[xpfuzz]

Skeet,,where are you from in IL??? LeftHanders gun club in Loami,IL has quite a few 22 LR matches,,you may want to check them out also..Another rifle to consider is one of the old BSA rifles..A couple of my buddies bought them for our indoor matches and they shot almost as good as the 1813 I was using for a whole lot less money...

 

[skeetlee]

So what if i wanted to buy a competative 22lr for prone matches what rifle or rifles would i need to look into? Lee

 

[RandyD]

I have been shooting smallbore prone for 35 years. It is a lot like golf; you will get frustrated at dropping points but when the day is over, you can't wait for the next match.

I would recommend watching a match first. I used to shoot in a monthly match where the match director welcomed and encouraged new shooters. There were a number of times when a new shooter showed up with a Ruger 10-22 and we all jumped in to assist, encourage and loan that shooter our spare equipment. Getting into this sport can be very expensive. You will constantly be considering buying the next best gadget to assist you in accuracy.

 

[CJ6]

As mentioned earlier CMP rifles like the Rem 540X, H&R m12's the ones I'm familiar with(have)with the proper ammo (testing a must)will hold their own with Annie's costing 3-4 X's as much The 540X is mag fed but a SS adapter is available(use Rem 581S parts)mags etcetra. The H&R m12 is a twin to the Win 52 and is a SS. These can both be had in the $350-400 range. If you want work done on the REM 540X Brian Voelker did an EXCELLENT job on the 1 I bought(work was done prior to purchase)I paid $500 (private party)with some ELEY ammo thrown in to boot(it also likes Wolf ME). I purchased 2 different H&R m12's ,1 unmodified (except trigger lightend)$400 shipped, 2) Mod 12 has a Broughten SS barrel (indexed) Harrels tuner, and reworked trigger paid paid $850 with 1 1/2 bricks of ELEY Match EPS that the rifle REALLY loves. This rifle is a LEGIT 250 18X class rifle, I've seen the registered targets(previous owner) and shot same this Spring (locally) at club matches. Don't miss an oppourtunity to get 1, plus their CHEAPER than the CZ's.

 

[skeetlee]

How is that Kimber rifle the CMP is selling? Worth a hoot for a prone match? The only way to learn anything is to dive right on in. I cant go watch a match, i dont believe, i need to go shoot that match!! If i dont like what i am shooting then i will just sell it and get what i need. I just dont think i am going to give up my Benchrest shooting for this disaplain but i do want to play and at least have good enough equipment to compete with. I just dont know much about 22lr as i haven't spent much time with a good accurate 22lr. I am also not saying i am going to buy the first thing i see either. i am a horse trader and i dont buy anything if i dont think i can get out from under it for what i have in it. I just need a little education so if i see something that will work i will no what it is worth and if its worth buying for this intended purpose. thanks Lee

 

[CJ6]

I doubt you'll lose anything with a CMP as long as it's kept up (I'm sure you'll have no issue with that Lee) You also have a PM incoming.

 

[DaveWhite]

+1+2+3 on visiting a match before buying anything. When you have set your mind on buying a rifle, +1+2 about talking to Mac Tilton. Very nice selection of very accurate target rifles. I am sure there are some good scores being shot with the CMP guns and the like, and feel free to try any of those.

If you get bitten by the bug, one word. Anschutz.