Anschutz 1712 Silouhette Rifle

[Sako Shooter]

Does this rifle have a varmit type barrel or a lighter, sporter type barrel. I understand its a heavier barrel for offhand shooting, but don't have one to handle. Feel free to tell me anything else about this rifle, as I hear its the one to beat in sporters.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I don't know if I'd call it a varmint type barrel, but it is a heavier profile than the Anschutz sporter barrels.

I chose it because I intended to have it scoped and wanted the higher comb height. I also really liked the roll-over cheek piece and the contrasting grip cap. The adjustable trigger reach was just a bonus.

It really deserves nice glass on it. I mounted a Leupold VX-II, 3-9 x 33mm Ultralight E.F.R. on mine and even sprung for the aluminum flip-up lens caps

Here is a quick picture I snapped of it when it first arrived...along with a FN SLP

 

[Sako Shooter]

I hear it is a very, very accurate rimfire rifle. I'm torn between it and a 57m. Difference is, I can actually handle the Cooper.

 

[Howard Roark]

The barrel is slightly tapered because silhouette rules specify that hunter class rifles have to have a tapered barrel. Not how much, but that it is.

I don't know if you plan to use the rifle for silhouette competition, if so, be aware of a few things. If the stock doesn't fit you, you are stuck with it unless you are OK with modifying/hacking on it. This isn't a big deal but a better way to go is to buy a barreled action for a grand and then get a Treebone stock in the Mark Farr design or find an old actual Farr stock. They aren't made anymore.

I don't know what kind of trigger is in the Cooper but Anschutz two stage triggers are simply the best.

Personally, I would get the Anschutz. There are very few Coopers on the line at silhouette and smallbore matches. I suspect that this is due to the superior two stage triggers and the perinial award winning 54 action and high quality barrels.

 

[9mmepiphany]

The big difference that I saw was that Anschutz offers different models with different features, Cooper offers more options on models of their rifles.

Anschutz is more like highend 1911 manufacturers like Brown or Wilson; while Cooper is more like a Custom 1911 builder.

Having said that, If I were building a accuracy centric .22lr rifle, I'd start with the Anschutz M54 action over the Cooper

 

[Hoser]

My Sporter/Hunter rifle is a 54 repeater with a Lilja barrel built by Evelio McDonald.

You cant go wrong with an Annie.

 

[plexreticle]

Cooper will look better for sure, Annie will probably shoot better.

 

[9mmepiphany]

The Annie does have a very European flavor to it's furniture, while the Coop's style will be more familiar to the American eye.

I really liked the roll-over cheekpiece...I even thought about adding a shadow line to it...but then I like the Weatherby Californian look too; Yup I have a Weatherby Mark XXII

 

[twofifty]

It is too bad Weatherby discontinued their Mark XXII (or is that XII?)

A friend has one and it is just as good as my Germany-made Anschutz. This is not surprising given that the XXII has an Annie action-trigger-barrel on a fine grade stock. That was a brilliant bit of licensing on Anschutz' part.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I just realized that I wasn't being clear. I don't have the Weatherby bolt action .22lr...which used the Anchutz M164 action...I was really disappointed that at that price point, they didn't go with the 54 action.

What I have is the old Semi-auto Weatherby Mark XXII. They had two versions, one box mag fed or the other tubular mag fed. I have one made in Japan...mine has the factory scope also

 

[twofifty]

sweet rifle

Ah. So your semi is an all-Weatherby design and manufacture then? I am not all that familiar with the Weatherby line except for their Wby-Anschutz bolt-action sporter.

What are the shooting qualities that you like about your XXII Weatherby?

A good friend who is brand spankin' new to firearms wants his first rifle to be one of the popular Ruger 10/22s. This guy wants to first learn marksmanship, then purchase a CF rifle to go deer/elk hunting next year.

I agree with his choice given that the 10/22 is accurate enough to learn on and more, plus it has a high fun factor. Fun is what I hope will hook him into the gun sports ... so that he takes the time/effort needed to become a good position shooter. I figure fancy rimfires can come along later if'n he gets into metallic silhouette or whatever.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Mostly it was the stock design/dimensions.

It is as true full sized stock, high comb and nicely proportioned cheekpiece.

It doesn't hurt that the trigger and barrel are excellent and the scope correctly scaled

 

[Gordon]

I have the Weatherby/Anshutz and even with the 164 action it cleans everyones clock unless they have a free rifle or a bull gun.It also matches my old German Sauer Mkvs and the German made .224 Varmintmaster. I will never let it go, I put a $500 Nikon 4-12 AO scope on it this year because it is so accurate. I think the Anshutz barrels are "choked" or something mystical.

 

[Sako Shooter]

I just ordered a 1712, so I guess all my questions will soon be answered.