Best Gun for local Benchrest rimfire Comp.

[EXRyan]

I was wanting to get into shooting at a local club in the rimfire benchrest competition, and was looking at the CZ 452 or 453 varmints or the Thompson Center R-55 benchmark. These from what ive seen look to be better than the 10/22's available to get me started.

Any advice on the different callibers .22lr vs. .17HM2 vs. .17HMR for use in the competition.

Also all i really know is that it is done with the 10 separate targets and not sure if it is timed or not... but need advice on choosing between the Semi TC or the Bolted CZ's.

Im actually going to one of the matches soon to spectate and spy or talk with some of the competitors.

Thanks

 

[jeepmor]

I haven't a clue, but ask the competitors who their gunsmiths are. Could get you educated quickly and with the person you can order your rifle from. One model may offer more uber-accuracy tweaks for much less than the other.

I'm pleased with my 223 HB bench rest model, but that's another thread as you stated rimfire category, good luck.

 

[Jim Watson]

I would surely prefer a bolt action for benchrest shooting.
Some events are .22lr only and do not allow the 17s with their jacketed bullets. Know before you buy. A visit to the club would be smart.

There is rimfirecentral.com and my friend's board at
http://rimfireshooting.com/index.php?
where you can read about all sorts of options with rimfires.

 

[ACP230]

I know some very active .22 Benchrest shooters in Michigan's Chippewa County. The program info is at www.upshooting.com.

They are trending toward high dollar rifles like Anschutz, Suhl, and custom .22s made by gunsmiths like Butch Hongisto. (I think that's his name.)

There are folks shooting Remington 40Xs, Winchester 52s, and other less targetized .22 rifles. Many of these have expensive scopes and new, light triggers.

My son and I started with a Ruger 10/22, went to a Remington 541T HB, and then I bought a heavy barrel Remington 40X from the CMP. I see they have some of these available again now.

The 40X may not be the best for benchrest but it is the best rifle for it we've used. I put a Blazer 8-32 power scope on it and that helps a lot.