Contemplating .22lr 50 meter Benchrest competition

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Poper

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This Corona virus pan(dem)ic has things really screwed up. I can't even use my "yellow" range card (which is supposed to be a passport to a dedicated range) to practice metallic silhouettes.

Another local range (and closer) has ARA sanctioned .22lr Benchrest matches and I am considering giving it a go. Does anyone on this board have any first hand experience with the ARA Factory Rifle Class matches?

Thank you for your replies in advance.
 
And being able to drop a lot of money on as much of the lot of the round your $1K+ rifle and colse to $1K scope shoots as you can. The main reason I never got seriously into it. I've shot a couple Production Class matches with my Western Field 497 (Mossberg 44B) and same era 4x ElPaso Weaver v4 and Eley Club. I didn't embarrass myself too bad.
 
I believe the main thing is that there is a $1K MSRP on the rifle/scope set-up.

Bill

I believe the $1k limit is just for the rifle.

I have shot local sporter matches. CZs win 9 outta 10 of the matches Probably because 9 outta 10 guys are shooting a CZ...lol..
Occasionally, you will see a Remington 541 S or T or a Kimber.
 
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I shot my first ARA Factory Class match a couple of weeks ago. Very much enjoyed it. Look at ARA website for rules. No target rifles, Win 52''s, 75's, Rem 40x or 37. Price of rifle cannot be over $1000. Any scope or ammo is ok. No one piece rests. I believe it must have a magazine. There is a list of accepted rifles on the website. Another match tomorrow, yippee! I hope you enjoy it. They use a larger target for FC but still shoot at 50 yards.
 
For got, This a new class just started in 2020. We had 5 FC shooters at our match, 4 used various CZ's and 1 Ruger Prec rim fire. CZ's had the top 4 scores.
 
Getting started at something similar and recently picked up a CZ 457 Varmint -- rifle approx $530 a local gun shop -- and I've been quite pleased with it.
 
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The list of equipment Killough Shooting Sports had is well thought out however I would get the Bald Eagle rest with the windage adjustable top.
https://www.grizzly.com/products/Bald-Eagle-Triangle-Windage-Rest-Cast-Iron/BE1153

It's just a few dollars more but the adjustable windage top is worth it. You don't have to move the rear bag when moving to the different bullseyes on the target. The less you move the bags and rifle the more consistent your accuracy will be.
I also recommend this rear bag over the Caldwell. I have used both and the Caldwell is too flimsy, the Protektor leather bag filled with sand is very solid and firm. Fill the bag with aquarium sand using a small funnel. Again, it is a few dollars more but worth it.
https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/1...8c1cdec634c68d76be230e&utm_term=1101131606232

Search Protektor bags for a bag to fit the front rest.
https://protektormodel.com/

I shot rimfire benchrest, IR50/50 and ARA, for a number of years. The initial outlay for the equipment looks pretty reasonable for the ARA factory rifle class, however that is a one time cost, ammo is the ongoing cost and you will find that rimfire rifles can be quite finicky about the brand they like. Once you identify a brand and lot number your rifle likes, buy all of it that you can afford. I spent many a dollar buying test lots looking for that magical combination of ammo and gun so when you find what it likes, get all you can. Premium ammo is expensive but the consistency of performance is what make it expensive. I found out the hard way that you can get reasonable consistency with cheaper ammo but there will always be a flier round. In a match where you drop 2 or 3 points from a flier round will kill your score and put you out of the running.

As for a scope you can find a decent Weaver, Sightron or comparable 36X scope used for around the $300 mark. I see them for sale quite frequently on Rimfire Central in the classifieds section.
 
I shoot infrequently with a CZ455 and a 6-24X Nikon. I score in the low 170s but don't use all the tricks. Also won't pay $24/box for ammo. A few tricks up my sleeve for next outing. (Sorting my cheap match ammo by weight and rim thickness, mica lube added).
 
The matches I tried here in central IL were pretty much "run what you bring" with everything from 10-22s through CZ, Rem 541, 37, and even Kimbers with muzzle tuners. 200 point, 20 shot match and mid 190s with a bunch of Xs won most times. I started with my Savage-Anschutz 141 which had done quite well in silhouette matches and finished near the bottom in the 140s. Factory 10-22 blue Target got me in the 150s and a CZ 455 varmint into the 170s. Ammo, I think, was my biggest problem as I couldn't bring myself to drop $25/box on 10X or some of the others. Now, if I go back, I will spend the money and maybe get into the 180s. My gun and scope together might be under $1K. Fun learning experience. Lots of stories
 
Eley Match (black box) is about 15 bucks. It does very well in most rifles. To do it right, you need to buy more than one lot number and do some testing in your gun.
 
I shoot infrequently with a CZ455 and a 6-24X Nikon. I score in the low 170s but don't use all the tricks. Also won't pay $24/box for ammo. A few tricks up my sleeve for next outing. (Sorting my cheap match ammo by weight and rim thickness, mica lube added).
Just finished sorting 100 CCI Green Tag 22s. Total weight variation was under 1.5 grains and rim thicknesses varied only by .003" . I've got them grouped by .5 grains and .001" rim thickness.
I think I'll do fifty cheap Remingtons for comparison.
 
More work than I'm willing to do. I just pony up for Tenex if I'm going to shoot a match. OTOH, I've only shot 3 matches in the 15 years I've been a member at my club.
 
I have seen guys sort cheaper ammo by weight and/or rim thickness. I have never seen results worth the effort. Even with positive results, I dont see it being more economical when you basically go through a box and sort out the ones that work good for you and cast the poor performers to the side.
 
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