Rimfire Benchrest

[Carbon_15]

My gun club is starting a mothlty rimfire benchrest match and I am thinking about participating. What would be a good competative rifle without breaking the bank (no 10/22's please). What is a good scope for the 50 yard range? Any hints of tips?
Thanks

 

[BrainOnSigs]

For just getting into benchrest shooting I would recommend a CZ 452 or a CZ 453 (has a set trigger) Varmint model. Mine ran about $340 for the rifle.

Here is mine with a Leupold VX-II 3-9x33mm Rimfire EFR scope.




10 shots at 50 yards...outside. Ammo was Eley Tenex Ultimate EPS. (Several "hole in ones").

 

[flip180]

Here's my Biathlon Basic.

It printed a 0.47 inch five shot group at 50 yards using CCI Mini-Mags. It comes from the factory floated, bedded and with one hell of a trigger. It's topped off with a Weaver 3-9x32 AO Classic Rimfire scope.


I don't know if they're currently being imported right now. If not, then a CZ-452 American would be my next choice.

Flip.

 

[esldude]

I agree with BrainOnSigs, 452 CZ is best deal for the money. His scope choice is a good one. I would suggest any 4-12x of good quality with AO will work well. 6.5-20x or 6-24x isn't out of place. Just don't get a cheap Chinese 6-24x for $89.

Swift Premier's in this power range are good, and you can go on up from there.

 

[ocabj]

I've got a 10/22 with a Volquartsen 20" SS barrel that I shot in our club's rimfire benchrest match. I don't remember the exact scores, but they were around 1850, 1700, 1600, and 1500 (4 targets, 2500 pts max each target). I was shooting Wolf Match Target off sand bags. The only reason I shot it was for fun and I was jumping back and forth from the match relay to my other bench where I was dialing in my TC G2 Contender.

I think you would be better served by the aformentioned Cz. My friend recently got a CZ 453 Varmint. The set trigger is wicked. Clean break and very light. Although, he found the stock wasn't truly freefloated so he channeled it out. It shoots decent groups on the official rimfire benchrest targets, but they could be better. I think he's only got around 500 rounds through it at the most.

Get the CZ 453 Varmint. Get a good scope (ie: Weaver T series). Get a decent rest. Determine what ammo shoots the best in it. Learn how to read wind. Practice.

Later on down the line if you decide to start shooting in other rimfire benchrest matches, you may find yourself buying a Remington 40x or even a Panda or Kelby.

 

[hksw]

Haven't tried the Izhmash rifles yet but do have four of them on my 'future purchases' list.

From the rimfires I have on inventory, the best, IMO, for the money is the aforementioned CZ452 (tried a 453 a couple of weeks ago and didn't like the need to push the trigger forward all of the time to set it - kept forgetting on occassion). Hving both a Varmint and American (which I use for 3 position) accuracy/precision seems to be about the same between the two. The Varmint does have a better forearm for benching, though. They're about the same price as a modded 10/22 but will require a better trigger for serious benching.