Really, really enjoying this thread. I posted my pride and joy custom-stocked Anschutz 1710 in post #79. I have been playing with better-than-average bolt guns for decades, but for economic reasons have usually one possessed only one to three at a time. During the past few decades I have worked my way through a Dakota .22, three Kimbers (all lemons, but I keep trying!), a Winchester 52B, two Sakos Finnfires (still have one), an early Cooper, a Remington 541S, a Springfield 1922 M2 (still have), a CZ 452 (new to me), and maybe a couple others I don't recall right now. Won't ever get rid of the Anschutz!
I am fortunate to have my own backyard 50-yard range with a solid bench, so all these guns have been shot a lot by me. I shoot the heavier sporters for groups from the bench and the light ones off-hand at my metal swingers. I also hunt on my property with them. I have purposely limited these guns to those that have sporter configurations and avoided those stocked solely for bench or formal target shooting, mostly because I know the sky can be the limit when playing with these specialty target guns and I just have a strong bias for 'sporters.' BTW, my "go to" ammos are SK Rifle Match and Lapua Center-X.
My most accurate rifle right now is this Sako Finnfire with a Lilja heavy stainless barrel and a 2-ounce Jewell trigger. It is not pretty, but it easily outshoots the Anschutz 1710:
I also greatly enjoy this Springfield. It has an NRA stock that someone (probably 60 or 70 years ago) gently and tastefully did some reshaping of the buttstock. The comb has been fluted, the grip has probably been reworked a little, and a Neider-style buttplate installed. The work is all subtle and creates the lines of a well-done classic sporter. The value, I am sure, has been hurt, but is sure is pretty. Using both front and rear apertures, along with a properly sized target, it shoots amazing 50-yard groups.
After giving up on Kimbers for my 'light' sporter, I just purchased a CZ 452 "One of a Thousand." It is a significantly upgraded final edition of the now discontinued 452. The stock has wrap around checkering, oil finished wood, a real ebony forend and an ebony grip cap. The metal portions have a very highly polished blue finish. It has some engraving on the receiver (similar to my old Remington 541S} that I don't really care for, but overall is is fairly good looking. I am going to do some trigger work on it today, and see how she shoots when we get some warmer weather this weekend. This rifle wouldn't really quality as a high-grade classic, but it might be fun for a while. Who knows, it could be a keeper.
