Looking to get into rimfire benchrest, and I have questions.

[ilovemy45]

You mentioned a match today....did you make it out???

If so...did you see...learn..... anything interesting???

Oh...by the way...welcome to the Madness!!!!

I did make it today. First and foremost, what a great group of people. I came home with targets and an assortment of ammo. They were all very helpful and generous. One gentleman even stayed afterwards and let me shoot his rig. (Freaking awesome CZ setup)

I am waiting on rings and then I should be in the mix.

 

[BowChamp]

My local range has monthly rimfire benchrest events, and I would like to join in. Unfortunately the only .22 rifle I currently own is an old tube fed marlin 781. I somehow doubt it would be up to the task. I also have a fixed 10x Bushnell Tactical, that could be put to use. I went to Gunbroker.com, Mike's and Buck and Bass but I am not sure what platform to start with. Do I need to jump into a $800+ rifle to start with? What is a solid starting point for the rifle and glass? What other items are a must? I believe I need a 2 piece rest, but the choices are vast. Any advice would be appreciated.

Update: I purchased a Bergara Carbon BMR (still waiting for pick up), a Sightron 36x scope, various ammo brands (all 40 grain) and some bags. The wild card is the scope rings. The objective is pretty big. I will figure that out, once I get the rifle.

I would skip the Aguila 22 interceptors copper plated ammo. Stay with the lead ammo.

 

[ilovemy45]

I would skip the Aguila 22 interceptors copper plated ammo. Stay with the lead ammo.

I went out yesterday and put in four hours of trigger time. I tried 8 different kinds of ammo. One was Aguila target competition. It would not chamber every round, so I pulled it from the lineup. The best group was from Eley target, three shots in 1 hole. But I couldn't duplicate it afterwards. The most consistent accuracy came from the SK standard plus. It was windy, so my flyers could be from that. I still have some wolf and lapua ammo on the way, so I will wait before I settle in on which one I will use on 10/22/2022 at the match.

 

[ilovemy45]

I used my 455 Varmint for the one I shot over the summer @ 50 yards...was sure a big time. It loves some Tenex...doesn't care for any of the different S-K Standard I have that my others like. The 457s performed well. I haven't had any issues with the 11mm mounts.

Is the Ranger the one that uses 10/22 mags with the Triggertech trigger and carbon wrapped barrel? That thing is feather light even with a suppressor. Them puppies are a little pricey...good lookin too. My buddy just got one and he is still trying to find what it likes.

The matches I shot you could use front support but no rear...I found it easier to shoot off the bipod than my Bull Bag for that. The Harris I have are too tall...wish I could find one of those old 4" Caldwells or the ones they used to sell at Wally World

I went with a carbon bmr, from bergara. I have a Sightron 36x on it and have a trigger ordered. I went out yesterday to start the ammo trials, but I struggled with my front rest. I eventually gave up and borrowed the one piece rest from the office. I ordered a 6-9 harris yesterday, I hope that fixes the issue. I am also waiting on my protektor rear bag to arrive. So far the front rest has been my biggest issue. I am trying to avoid buying a fancy mechanical front rest.

 

[ilovemy45]

You may also stand out because you will never win a match. This is coming from someone who shot the old BR 50 matches back in the day with a Grade10 Suhl 150 made by Tim McWhorter himself. You will definitely need a high powered rifle scope. Try to find a used Weaver 36X AO rifle scope if that much power is allowed. It will serve you well. Also, get the biggest, best, heaviest, front rest that you can find. It will serve you well also. Good luck on your journey. It can be a costly one, lol.

It can be a costly one.

Understatement of the year.

 

[Fanner50]

Looks like you are doing very well. Are wind flags allowed? The wind is your Enemy. It's amazing how much the wind can move those little .22 bullets around.

 

[ilovemy45]

Looks like you are doing very well. Are wind flags allowed? The wind is your Enemy. It's amazing how much the wind can move those little .22 bullets around.

They are allowed, I just have not picked them up yet. They are further down the ever growing list.

 

[ilovemy45]

They are allowed, I just have not picked them up yet. They are further down the ever growing list.

And to clarify, I was using the standard target. I wasn't shooting for practice, I was looking at group size. I zeroed in with CCI standard, which I consider a solid middle of the road ammo.(and I have a ton of it) Once I pick a specific ammo, I will adjust my scope accordingly.

 

[Rebel_Rider1969]

I wonder if subs would be more accurate??

 

[BowChamp]

I wonder if subs would be more accurate??

Which subs are you referring to??

Everything he's tried so far is considered subsonic. The Eley ammo is pushing the high side of what is considered subs.

 

[BowChamp]

I went out yesterday and put in four hours of trigger time. I tried 8 different kinds of ammo. One was Aguila target competition. It would not chamber every round, so I pulled it from the lineup. The best group was from Eley target, three shots in 1 hole. But I couldn't duplicate it afterwards. The most consistent accuracy came from the SK standard plus. It was windy, so my flyers could be from that. I still have some wolf and lapua ammo on the way, so I will wait before I settle in on which one I will use on 10/22/2022 at the match.

Good start!!

I looked over your targets and agree, SK Standard Plus appears to be the best performer so far. This may change as you start getting your gear tuned to what fits and works best for you and you also get use to your rifle.

Down the road when you start looking at wind flags, I recommend these.

Keeney Wind Flags....... https://benchrest.com/class/index.php?a=2&b=11623


Graham Wind Flags........ https://www.brflags.com/


I DO NOT recommend STL Flags..... https://www.stlflagco.com/

 

[ilovemy45]

Good start!!

I looked over your targets and agree, SK Standard Plus appears to be the best performer so far. This may change as you start getting your gear tuned to what fits and works best for you and you also get use to your rifle.

Down the road when you start looking at wind flags, I recommend these.

Keeney Wind Flags....... https://benchrest.com/class/index.php?a=2&b=11623


Graham Wind Flags........ https://www.brflags.com/


I DO NOT recommend STL Flags..... https://www.stlflagco.com/

Thanks for the links. I figured I would watch the other shooters flags this month. At the last match I saw a couple of "go/no go" wind gust indicators. But, no matter what I type into Google, I can't find anything similar. Are you familiar with these?

 

[BowChamp]

Something similar to this??

 

[ilovemy45]

That's it. Looking at it now, I realize it's probably out of my league.

 

[BowChamp]

That's it. Looking at it now, I realize it's probably out of my league.

Not really...Mr Keeney makes them also....calls them wind indicators. His are about $75.00 including the stand plus shipping.

Up & Downs, Indictors with scales : Wind Flags

Yes...take your time, watch other shooters gear, ask questions and make a good decision on what to get.

 

[Jester896]

The best group was from Eley target, three shots in 1 hole. But I couldn't duplicate it afterwards. The most consistent accuracy came from the SK standard plus.

get the info from the box end tab and look for the same machine numbers and speed....some places list several different types of the same Standard Plus and you can get the same thing as you were shooting

 

[RobertTaylor]

Came back to try and pull you towards the cz457 haha. Too late. Shot these today.
1st is 4 rounds Eley Match at 50 yards, second is 5 rounds of the same at 125 yards

 

[ilovemy45]

Came back to try and pull you towards the cz457 haha. Too late. Shot these today.
1st is 4 rounds Eley Match at 50 yards, second is 5 rounds of the same at 125 yards

Yeah, I am a bit invested now. I have 4 new ammo types to try this weekend. The match on the 22nd, should be fun.

 

[Fanner50]

You will know you are Really invested when you get a rim thickness gauge and measure rim thickness and sort the cartridges accordingly, lol. PS...I have one of those gauges that I will sell to you when you get to that point, lol.

 

[ilovemy45]

You will know you are Really invested when you get a rim thickness gauge and measure rim thickness and sort the cartridges accordingly, lol. PS...I have one of those gauges that I will sell to you when you get to that point, lol.

Wow, that is a deep rabbit hole.
I have never been so excited to get ammo delivered to the house. I used to order from 2 or 3 different sites. Now I am scouring the web trying to find ammo I had never heard of a month ago.