NRL-22 Base rifle

[webrx]

Hey Folks, a couple questions for those of you shooting NRL-22

I recently budgeted for a higher end scope to replace my Vortex Crossfire II on my 6.5 Savage BA Stealth, and ended up getting one on sale for less than half of what I budgeted, which of course means I have some $$ for something else gun related and I have a Vortex 6-24 x 50 Crossfire II scope (MSRP $369.99) BDC Reticle with no rifle to put it on .

I also have a Cabelas Covenant IV FFP scope (Tree reticle) sitting in a box that I got on sale for a song (MSRP of $399) that has not yet been attached to a rifle

Rifles I have that I could use:
I have a Savage BTVSS Mk II Thumbhole (MSRP $519)
I have a Savage A22 (MSRP $299)

Both are accurate enough to play I think
I also have an RPR rimfire in .22 wmr that is accurate (for a .22 Mag).

I agree with Townsend Whelen who said, "only accurate rifles are interesting", and I have more recently been buying "Chassis" rifles as I like the look, feel, adjustability, and accuracy etc.

Since I started looking into NRL-22 I read (Gun Digest July 23, 2020) "Savage Arms is no stranger to NRL22. Its lineup of affordable rimfires has dominated the NRL22 base class, for which the combined cost of the rifle and scope can’t exceed $1,050. At the 2019 national match, where the top shooters in the country competed head to head, shooters running the Savage B22 took home three of the top four base class trophies." https://savagearms.com/blog?p=the-dime-busting-savage-b22-precision-chassis-rimfire


I don't expect to win trophies, I want a rifle where i am the limiting factor (the older I get the more that is true).

So here are my questions:
Are you seeing savage rifles being competitive in NRL-22?

1. Shoot what I got - BTVSS or A22 - Bolt or semi is really the question here assuming after a few hundred more rounds the A22 is accurate enough.

Also an aside - Advantages of a heavy barrel in NRL-22 as my A22 is not a target barrel though it could be upgraded?

2. Use my extra funds to buy a:
Savage B22 Precision Rifle (MSRP $639 - keeps me under $1050 with either scope) Bolt action.
Savage A22 Precision Rifle (MSRP $639) - Semi-Auto
Ruger RPR rimfire (MSRP $579) - Bolt action

3. And, which reticle/scope, a. SFP BDC or b. FFP Tree reticle would you pick for NRL-22

Dave


Which scope

 

[webrx]

Actually, I have already decided to buy a new chassis rifle for this.

so
bolt or semi and why
BDC or Tree or dial?
savage precision or ruger precision

 

[mcb]

I have seen a fair number of Savages, especially the newer one that come in a chassis (forgot the model) at the matches I have been shooting. That said most of the super serious shooters are shooting Bergara and Voodoo in higher end Chassis.

I have cheaped out and simply re-tasked my 10/22 for matches. So far its doing OK with a couple second places finishes.

40 year old Ruger 10/22
Most of the internals have been upgraded with Vorquartsen parts (fire control, extractor, firing pin etc)
Clerke 20-inch match barrel
Butler Creek stock (I have free floated and re-enforced the forearm and added 1/2-inch to LOP)
Athlon Talos BTR 4-14x44 scope on a 20 MOA EGW rail.
Caldwell sling stud to picatinny rail adapter to mount my Atlas bipod

 

[webrx]

Thanks, I would assume the Bergeras and Voodoos are open class - would that be accurate?

I had a 10/22 target I sold a few years back, so don’t currently own one. Surprising since I am a ruger fan and have more than one ruger pustol/revolver as well as a 22mag RPR.

I have not owned a .22 semi auto rifle since I sold it until recently when I picked up the a22.
edited to add:
Thanks on the 10/22 info it seems this may be an option as well


D

 

[Walkalong]

I have only been to one NRL-22 match, but there were plenty of 10/22s there, some tricked out, some not so much.

Bergaras, Vudoos, a couple of 10/22 looking guns that if they were had new barrels, chassis's, etc.

 

[webrx]

since I have not yet been to a match, would those that have see bolt actions as a disadvantage in this competition? How about age? While I am still in fair shape I am in my 60s so would also want to know if this is a “young man’s” game.

 

[webrx]

This is the one I have been looking at, i don't typically like that much color on my rifles, but I do like this in blue (or black is fine too) https://www.sportsmans.com/shooting...olt-action-rifle-22-long-rifle-18in/p/1639579

 

[mcb]

since I have not yet been to a match, would those that have see bolt actions as a disadvantage in this competition? How about age? While I am still in fair shape I am in my 60s so would also want to know if this is a “young man’s” game.

As for bolt action vs semi-auto's both have advantages. Semi-auto might have a small advantage right up to the point where they don't run then they are huge disadvantage. I personally see more bolt guns than semi-autos but the semi-autos are there and being competitive.

To be super competitive, most shooting sports, are a young mans game. That said NRL-22 is pretty old guy friendly. They have an old-guy division and all the official stages have specific allowances for the old-guys and/or those with disabilities.

 

[webrx]

For those interested, I picked up a savage b22 precision rifle and have an a22 precision on the way. I’ll get a group photo when I have them both.
Then off to the range with 20 different ammo types to try to narrow down what they like.

6-24 x 50 scopes and bipods on both, tree reticles in MOA because that is what I know.
D

 

[Walkalong]

Awesome.

Pics needed.

 

[d2wing]

Good luck. I shoot a pair of CZ 452's at local matches but they are not NRL matches. I usually win. I would have looked at CZ or Tikka in that price range but it is hard to beat the price for features on that purpose-built Savage. I hope you go far as in my opinion the shooter makes more difference than the rifle until you get to the top. Remember that you don't get the best group everytime you shoot rimfire. Those 1 inch groups count too. I think you are at a good starting point.

 

[d2wing]

Maybe matches will start up here somewhere, I'd like to try it. I Would start with my CZ's. If I were to stay in basic, I would be looking at a CZ MTR. Or possibly a Tikka 1X. Or buy an Anny and go open.