School me on 22 Target Rifles

[asp]

Talking about single shot, bolt action, peep sights, heavy barrel with a nice heavy and fitted (or adjustable?) stock. Seems like prices are $400 to $3k. What price range gets you which features/level of accuracy? Good models/brands? ones to stay away from? Seems like Anschutz is the name to have, but what makes them better than one of the popular American brands? Probably looking to buy a used one. Thanks in advance.

 

[KBCraig]

Here's where to go for the most information:

RimfireCentral.com - Rimfire Community!

 

[PatMcD]

The three German makes are the best. 22 target rifles. What makes them the most accurate? No idea. You can find Remington 40x's and Win 52's that are as accurate, but an Anscutz is as close to a sure bet as you can get in the firearms world. Used ones are very hard to come by. Check with KTP. They usually have a good selection of target rifles.


I'm waiting for some joker to chime in here and recommend a 10/22.

 

[asp]

The three German makes are the best. 22 target rifles. What makes them the most accurate? No idea. You can find Remington 40x's and Win 52's that are as accurate, but an Anscutz is as close to a sure bet as you can get in the firearms world. Used ones are very hard to come by. Check with KTP. They usually have a good selection of target rifles.


I'm waiting for some joker to chime in here and recommend a 10/22.

Sounds like buying anything in this class other than a German rifle without having proof of its accuracy is foolish, like you might get a good one or you might get a bad egg? Is an Anschutz an Anschutz ore are there models/years to avoid within the brand? I'm quite familiar with their site Thanks for the recommendation.

Aw come on, now they definitely won't. You ruined all the fun we could have had.

 

[jasons]

I'm waiting for some joker to chime in here and recommend a 10/22.

Well I was going to troll a little, but now you went and ruined it.

 

[PatMcD]

Sounds like buying anything in this class other than a German rifle without having proof of its accuracy is foolish, like you might get a good one or you might get a bad egg? Is an Anschutz an Anschutz ore are there models/years to avoid within the brand? I'm quite familiar with their site Thanks for the recommendation.

Aw come on, now they definitely won't. You ruined all the fun we could have had.

The only problem I've ever heard of with an Anschutz is when somebody cut the barrel down (the old ones are barrel-heavy in my opinion). Supposedly they have a "choke" on the end that contributes to their accuracy. This guy cut 6" off and complained that it never shot the same after that. Never heard of any bad years to avoid. I'm shooting an old 1413. It's 40 years old and has has untold hundreds of thousands of rds through it. Still chews out the 10 ring.
I'm not going to say that every Annie will be more accurate than every 52, but the Anschutz rifles are more "user friendly" in their stock adjustments.
Depends on what you are looking for. If you intend to do any halfway-serious competition, you aren't going to be happy with a Savage, Mossberg, Stevens, etc.. Buy once, cry once.

Feinwerkbau and Walther are the other two German makers I couldn't think of. Big bucks.

Well I was going to troll a little, but now you went and ruined it.

Joker.

 

[MisterHappy]

TO the OP:

Do you have a particular goal in mind? If you're looking to become a 22 target shooter, I'd say that your best bet for schooling would be to find some people that do it now, and see if they can show, as opposed to tell, you.

I'm not a target shooter, but I've helped the Juniors and I've found this: It's hard to shoot so well that the rifle holds you back at the start. When the kids are at the NRA Expert, going for DE, level, that's when the "fancy" guns make a difference.

One of our Juniors, with the full kit (rifle, suit, etc.) brought back a 100 point off- hand 50 foot target. "Wow, Kelly, that's awesome!" I said.

"They're bad 10s....." she replied, less impressed than I.


She got a shooting scholarship.

My point? If you're just starting out (and it seems that this is the case from the tone of the OP), shoot what you got (or get) and when it starts to hold you back, move up.

I tell new shooters at the Trap field: Just get a decent gun (even an 870) and shoot some. After a while, you'll have a better idea as to what you want or need.

 

[asp]

Thanks for the info guys. I guess a little background is in order. I'm almost 26 years old, never competed. I learned basic firearm use from my father, but I learned how to shoot from an old codger named Harold at Boy Scout camp, Treasure Valley, when I was 11 . Harold has probably since left this world, but I'll always remember what a stickler he was. He didn't just hand out riflery merit badge. In fact, few earned it. I don't know what the requirements are now, but at the time, in addition to the firearm safety and maintenance basics, the shooting requirement was pretty strict. 50 ft benchrest, shooting at a 5-target 50 ft NRA bullseye, you had to make 5 groups of 5 under a quarter and 5 groups of 3 under a dime and 'in the black' each with all shots on the same piece of paper. Throw one shot? Too bad, try again. I did it, but it took a while. In hindsight, not the most grueling test of marksmanship, but still a great learning tool- and that was its purpose.

About the gun I used - as this is Boy Scouts, bolt actions only. He had 2 scoped rifles available but dismissed them as crappy. He recommended his personal 22 that, in hindsight, was probably a military training rifle. He only let kids that were taking the merit badge seriously use it. It had nice peep sights, a great trigger, heavy stock, light barrel and had a lolipop front sight but not the style you see on Annie's that is fit to the target. It probably weighed twice what any of the other guns on the range did (mostly Marlins w/ open sights). I'm sure I'm not the only Scout to think so fondly of that particular gun, despite it's completely worn out extractor (1 out of 3 or 4 cases got stuck in the chamber). So that's my little anecdote what's driving this. I'd like a blast from my childhood and a tool for focusing solely on marksmanship and practicing the fundamentals, even if I don't compete.

I have no doubt that if I decided to compete, I would get my ass kicked. That notion is kind of appealing, to be honest. I'd like to learn what I can do better. I think I'm a good enough shot that I'd be able to make use of a rifle of this quality, but not so good that the rifle would be the limiting factor.

Pat, thanks for the specific info.

MisterHappy, I had read a story about 'bad 10s' somewhere on this site but couldn't remember who posted it. That's just... unreal. Totally impressive and it's a mindset that most of us will never achieve.

 

[Marshallj]

The CMP has some kimber 82g rifles left, I have 2 one open and one scoped . I cleaned a couple 50yard benchrest targets

 

[asp]

The CMP has some kimber 82g rifles left, I have 2 one open and one scoped . I cleaned a couple 50yard benchrest targets

Rifle Sales - .22 Target Surplus
Only rusty ones [sad2]

 

[colt_fan]

Some people have really lucked out with the CMP Kimber 82G rusty rifles, while others have not.

Another option if RWC is able to import them again is the Izmash Russian CM2 target rifle.
Izmash 22 Rifles and Target Rifles

I have 4 rifles on order with them from after the 2012 Shot Show, I call every now and then to check up on the status. Every time I call it the dates get pushed out even further. But then again Izmash asked for a bail out from the government like our car and banks did a few years back. So I'm not getting my hopes up.

 

[MisterHappy]

Asp,

here' s a linky to another (old, but possibly germane) thread:

http://www.northeastshooters.com/vb...-get-started-smallbore-rifle-competition.html

 

[asp]

Thanks for more info guys. This post was extremely helpful.

 

[Tiktock]

Here is my Anschutz 1413. My father purchased it for me to compete in 3 position smallbore when I was about 15. I believe it must be 50 years old at this point. Still shoots like crazy. I bring it out to shoot bench rest nowadays just for fun.

 

[whacko]

Thanks for the info guys. I guess a little background is in order. I'm almost 26 years old, never competed. I learned basic firearm use from my father, but I learned how to shoot from an old codger named Harold at Boy Scout camp, Treasure Valley, when I was 11 . Harold has probably since left this world, but I'll always remember what a stickler he was. He didn't just hand out riflery merit badge. In fact, few earned it. I don't know what the requirements are now, but at the time, in addition to the firearm safety and maintenance basics, the shooting requirement was pretty strict. 50 ft benchrest, shooting at a 5-target 50 ft NRA bullseye, you had to make 5 groups of 5 under a quarter and 5 groups of 3 under a dime and 'in the black' each with all shots on the same piece of paper. Throw one shot? Too bad, try again. I did it, but it took a while. In hindsight, not the most grueling test of marksmanship, but still a great learning tool- and that was its purpose.

About the gun I used - as this is Boy Scouts, bolt actions only. He had 2 scoped rifles available but dismissed them as crappy. He recommended his personal 22 that, in hindsight, was probably a military training rifle. He only let kids that were taking the merit badge seriously use it. It had nice peep sights, a great trigger, heavy stock, light barrel and had a lolipop front sight but not the style you see on Annie's that is fit to the target. It probably weighed twice what any of the other guns on the range did (mostly Marlins w/ open sights). I'm sure I'm not the only Scout to think so fondly of that particular gun, despite it's completely worn out extractor (1 out of 3 or 4 cases got stuck in the chamber). So that's my little anecdote what's driving this. I'd like a blast from my childhood and a tool for focusing solely on marksmanship and practicing the fundamentals, even if I don't compete.

I have no doubt that if I decided to compete, I would get my ass kicked. That notion is kind of appealing, to be honest. I'd like to learn what I can do better. I think I'm a good enough shot that I'd be able to make use of a rifle of this quality, but not so good that the rifle would be the limiting factor.

Pat, thanks for the specific info.

MisterHappy, I had read a story about 'bad 10s' somewhere on this site but couldn't remember who posted it. That's just... unreal. Totally impressive and it's a mindset that most of us will never achieve.

Have you considered a lever action? I know you said you are partial to bolt action because of your experience with teh BSA rifles but a Helry .22lr will run you between 300 - 350 new. The H001 model great stock sites. 15 round tube mag and the action is a good as it gets.....made in USA......excellent fit and finnish. I mention this model because it is great for paper target shooting and can also be fired somewhat "briskly" with the lever if you want to have some fun plinking spinner targets rapidly. Just a thought.

- - - Updated - - -

Thanks for the info guys. I guess a little background is in order. I'm almost 26 years old, never competed. I learned basic firearm use from my father, but I learned how to shoot from an old codger named Harold at Boy Scout camp, Treasure Valley, when I was 11 . Harold has probably since left this world, but I'll always remember what a stickler he was. He didn't just hand out riflery merit badge. In fact, few earned it. I don't know what the requirements are now, but at the time, in addition to the firearm safety and maintenance basics, the shooting requirement was pretty strict. 50 ft benchrest, shooting at a 5-target 50 ft NRA bullseye, you had to make 5 groups of 5 under a quarter and 5 groups of 3 under a dime and 'in the black' each with all shots on the same piece of paper. Throw one shot? Too bad, try again. I did it, but it took a while. In hindsight, not the most grueling test of marksmanship, but still a great learning tool- and that was its purpose.

About the gun I used - as this is Boy Scouts, bolt actions only. He had 2 scoped rifles available but dismissed them as crappy. He recommended his personal 22 that, in hindsight, was probably a military training rifle. He only let kids that were taking the merit badge seriously use it. It had nice peep sights, a great trigger, heavy stock, light barrel and had a lolipop front sight but not the style you see on Annie's that is fit to the target. It probably weighed twice what any of the other guns on the range did (mostly Marlins w/ open sights). I'm sure I'm not the only Scout to think so fondly of that particular gun, despite it's completely worn out extractor (1 out of 3 or 4 cases got stuck in the chamber). So that's my little anecdote what's driving this. I'd like a blast from my childhood and a tool for focusing solely on marksmanship and practicing the fundamentals, even if I don't compete.

I have no doubt that if I decided to compete, I would get my ass kicked. That notion is kind of appealing, to be honest. I'd like to learn what I can do better. I think I'm a good enough shot that I'd be able to make use of a rifle of this quality, but not so good that the rifle would be the limiting factor.

Pat, thanks for the specific info.

MisterHappy, I had read a story about 'bad 10s' somewhere on this site but couldn't remember who posted it. That's just... unreal. Totally impressive and it's a mindset that most of us will never achieve.

Have you considered a lever action? I know you said you are partial to bolt action because of your experience with teh BSA rifles but a Helry .22lr will run you between 300 - 350 new. The H001 model great stock sites. 15 round tube mag and the action is a good as it gets.....made in USA......excellent fit and finnish. I mention this model because it is great for paper target shooting and can also be fired somewhat "briskly" with the lever if you want to have some fun plinking spinner targets rapidly. Just a thought.

 

[Invictus87]

I'd recommend an Anschutz 1413. That was my first real target rifle, and I still have it. Liked it so much I got a 1607 as well, then sold that to a buddy to get a 1613. If you get one from the 70s, you can probably get in for under a grand, including sights. If you decide that it's your thing, you can start upgrading, triggers, sights, stocks, whatever. I have a 1813 stock and Gehmann front iris on order for it. If you don't like it, you should be able to get your money back on it. Short of abuse, they've pretty much depreciated as much as they will.

 

[KBCraig]

Here is my Anschutz 1413. My father purchased it for me to compete in 3 position smallbore when I was about 15. I believe it must be 50 years old at this point. Still shoots like crazy. I bring it out to shoot bench rest nowadays just for fun.

Is that the shoulder thing that goes down?