Vudoo Apparition, MPA Rimfire, or Bergara B-14R Barreled Action custom?

[codesherpa]

I'm in the market for a precision 22lr; Something I can use for NRL22 and PRS rimfire events with as well as the occasional benchrest. Budget is $3-4k just for the rifle. Here are the three I'm currently considering:

Vudoo seems to be the recommended rifle in this range. The Apparition with a Matrix Pro chassis seems like a good fit. I'm not sure which action or barrel is best for my needs.

Masterpiece Arms (MPA) sells the Matrix Pro rimfire which is based on a Vudoo 3 lug.

Bergara sells a barreled action of their B-14R that I could put into a Matrix Pro Chassis myself as another option.

Recommendations and advice are appreciated. Thanks.

 

[flatlander]

I'm a long-time Vudoo owner & fan, having three Gen 1 repeaters, a Three-60 repeater, and three V22S single shots - one of which I will be listing for sale, as I recently completed another single shot in the RB/LP configuration for RFBR shooting.
The recent craze has a lot of guys going with 1"+ dia straight bbls, which would make it seem that this is the only way to go, but with tears in the rotator cuffs of both shoulders, I'm not even slightly interested in going with something that heavy. I've seen fads like this get started in many different types of shooting - some are worthwhile and become sort of a de-facto standard, while others fade away with the passage of time. I'm curious about the popularity of 'truck axle' barrels, and will be watching to see where we are after another year or two of shooting with these heavy buggers.

Two of my repeaters wear barrels in Remington sendero contour, while another one was purchased as a bbl'd action with VGW's Kukri contour, and all three are in Manners PRS1T stocks, equipped with Athlon Cronus 4.5-29x56 ffp scopes. The other repeater was built from the start to be a much lighter rifle to be carried in my truck on a daily basis, so I used a Kreiger #4 sporter contour bbl and put it in a Manners EH-2 stock, and scoped it with an Athlon Gen 2 Midas BTR sfp. The heavier repeaters weigh from 13 to 14lbs, while the lighter sporter weighs 9.5lbs. I'm no fan of chassis -type stocks, and have always preferred Manners or McMillan stocks. That's just me; based on all the photos of Vudoo & Rim-X bbl'd actions in chassis that I see online, I feel that I must be in the minority when it comes to how many guys really prefer traditional stocks to chassis.

Having had very good experiences with my Vudoos, I've have zero time spent with the Bergara actions. Some guys have had good results with them, I just don't know much about them.

 

[gkgeiger]

I love my new 360 in a Woox stock/chassis.

 

[jepp2]

Recommendations and advice are appreciated.

My input is somewhat limited.

Have a Vudoo Gen II in 22 LR and one in 17 HMR.

Have a Bergara B-14R in 17 HMR and a BMR also in 17 HMR.

The Vudoo is head and shoulders above the Bergara in my opinion. My CZ 457 with a Lilja 22 LR barrel makes my Vudoo really work to stay ahead.

 

[gkgeiger]

My input is somewhat limited.

Have a Vudoo Gen II in 22 LR and one in 17 HMR.

Have a Bergara B-14R in 17 HMR and a BMR also in 17 HMR.

The Vudoo is head and shoulders above the Bergara in my opinion. My CZ 457 with a Lilja 22 LR barrel makes my Vudoo really work to stay ahead.

I have to agree. I had a 457 with a 23” Lilja barrel that was an excellent shooter. Sold to a local who seems to be happy with it. My time with the 360 has been limited, but I’m encouraged that it will be great.

 

[Dkk37058]

I don’t know about the others but I have a Vudoo
V22 360 and I’m very pleased

 

[xswanted]

If you’ve got a 3-4k budget go for the Vudoo.

Or Rimx.

I have a Bergara with a KI Precision prefit that shoots fantastically well.

All in with the way I have it setup I’m still about $750 cheaper than a Vudoo.

 

[Rob01]

Get a Vudoo. You will not think about "should I have bought something better". Been using Vudoos since 2017 and love them. The barrel length and contour is up to you. I started with a 18" Kukri and have had a 22" MTU and now the 23" 1.2". All comes down to how much weight you want. All are accurate.

And the MPA Matrix Pro is an excellent choice. I have a few. Here is my 23" Vudoo with a 1.2" straight barrel in a Matrix Pro.

 

[boltfluter]

Get a Vudoo. You will not think about "should I have bought something better". Been using Vudoos since 2017 and love them. The barrel length and contour is up to you. I started with a 18" Kukri and have had a 22" MTU and now the 23" 1.2". All comes down to how much weight you want. All are accurate.

And the MPA Matrix Pro is an excellent choice. I have a few. Here is my 23" Vudoo with a 1.2" straight barrel in a Matrix Pro.

View attachment 1542897

Very nice! Looks like RF is getting quite serious. Probably nice to shoot a match without feeling to beat up at the end of the day from recoil. Cool stuff.
Paul

 

[Rob01]

Very nice! Looks like RF is getting quite serious. Probably nice to shoot a match without feeling to beat up at the end of the day from recoil. Cool stuff.
Paul

Rimfire matches have definitely been stepping up the game from even a decade ago. And yes the ability to shoot a match and not get beat up by brakes is pretty nice. Same props and challenging targets with no loading ammo and none of the down side. What's not to like? LOL

Thanks and the good part about the Vudoo is you can use the spare centerfire parts like chassis and triggers to build it up.

 

[boltfluter]

Get a Vudoo. You will not think about "should I have bought something better". Been using Vudoos since 2017 and love them. The barrel length and contour is up to you. I started with a 18" Kukri and have had a 22" MTU and now the 23" 1.2". All comes down to how much weight you want. All are accurate.

And the MPA Matrix Pro is an excellent choice. I have a few. Here is my 23" Vudoo with a 1.2" straight barrel in a Matrix Pro.

View attachment 1542897

Robo,
What is the maximum yardage that these matches go out too? Just curious.
Paul

 

[Rob01]

Robo,
What is the maximum yardage that these matches go out too? Just curious.
Paul

It varies by the range. Some only 200 and some go out to 400+. NRL22 matches are set to 100 yard max but some ranges that run them add on a few stages over the 5 monthly NRL22 matches and the ranges go out from there. A good rule of thumb is to plan on 300-400 yards.

 

[Schutzen2]

For timed events the bergara would be my last choice. Not that it can't be accurate but I can run the vudoo and 457 action faster. The Bergara action can be massaged to be smoother. I rebarreled my 457 with a Shilen and a nevius chamber and it's a very good shooter so I wouldn't rule that out. With the budget you have you can pretty much have whatever you want. I would go with a Vudoo.

 

[jsof]

Another vote for the Vudoo.
As far as the barrel length and diameter decide what you're mainly going to use it for and have them tailor it to your needs ie. if strictly benchrest, go long and heavy on barrel and stock/chassis or prs go lighter and more maneuverable. With Vudoo, they'll help you figure it out and then build what you need.

 

[codesherpa]

So after reading the replies, I'm sold on the Vudoo.

Is there any major difference in ordering it from Vudoo directly vs MPA?

It seems the barrel on the MPA has a straight contour, and the trigger is a Bix-N-Andy vs a TT Diamond.

Also, and I know this question has been asked a million times, but which barrel length for this specific setup? 20, 22 is an option for both. 23, 24 26 is an option only on the MPA.

 

[Rob01]

So after reading the replies, I'm sold on the Vudoo.

Is there any major difference in ordering it from Vudoo directly vs MPA?

It seems the barrel on the MPA has a straight contour, and the trigger is a Bix-N-Andy vs a TT Diamond.

Also, and I know this question has been asked a million times, but which barrel length for this specific setup? 20, 22 is an option for both. 23, 24 26 is an option only on the MPA.

I know Vudoo builds great rifles and reports are that MPA does as well so not sure it's really a big difference where you order them from. Vudoo uses Bartlein barrels for their 1.2" straight contours and their MTU and also have Ace barrels as an option.


Triggers are personal preference but either of those will work fine.


Vudoo does up to a 24" 1.2" straight contour Bartlein barrel along with their 22" MTU and Kukri contours. Personally I wouldn't go over 24" but it depends on how heavy you want the rifle and what you can move around with shooting a match. If a super heavy rifle slows you down then that is a hindrance and will cost you points. You will have to figure what you can use.

 

[Bigdaddy67]

I would lean toward the RIM X - easily to swap barrels - adjustable mag0 control round feed pulls loaded rounds from chamber - Vudoo don't well if match crush chambered- alot better mags available for rim X

 

[Rob01]

No need to swap barrels in a rimfire. Not like centerfire where a barrel burns out in 2000-4000 rounds. You will be at well over 100,000 before barrel change is even a concern.

And Vudoos have no problem extracting rounds and mags run fine. People who have mag issues most always have them due to the chassis/stock they dropped it in. Buying a complete rifle from Vudoo you won’t have the issue.

 

[Turkeytider]

Get a Vudoo. You will not think about "should I have bought something better". Been using Vudoos since 2017 and love them. The barrel length and contour is up to you. I started with a 18" Kukri and have had a 22" MTU and now the 23" 1.2". All comes down to how much weight you want. All are accurate.

And the MPA Matrix Pro is an excellent choice. I have a few. Here is my 23" Vudoo with a 1.2" straight barrel in a Matrix Pro.

View attachment 1542897

Looks like something out of Star Wars ( that`s not meant as a knock, by the way! ).