Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Rimfires What Rifle and Sights for Long Range Rimfire?

I shoot in a local match where we shoot silhouettes from 80 yards out to 200 yards. All of the shooting is done from a bench and almost always using bipods instead of a front rest.

Typically, we shoot several matches, including:

Unlimited Class, where anything goes

Tactical Class, which is similar to Unlimited except the scope magnification can't be turned higher than 16X

Sporter Class, which is similar to Tactical except the barrel must have a taper to it

Semi-Auto

Magnum, can be a 22 WMR or 17 HMR...but no 17 WSM

An iron sight match has been talked about and I want to either set up one of my rifles for it...or buy one.

I've been debating on either a Remington 40X, a Winchester 52B or possibly even a 54 Anschutz of some sort.

I don't have any experience shooting with irons, but I've heard a few horror stories of shooters trying to dial the elevation on a rear sight to 200 and having a hard time doing so.

What rifle would you recommend for this type of shooting? I'd prefer magazine-fed over a single shot, but there is enough time to use either.

I've got several rimfires...from Anschutz and Coopers to Sako's and Vudoo's. CZ's, Remington 541's, and a bunch of others...

I've even got a Winchester 52B...but the barrel has been shortened so I'm not sure how I can add a front sight and no idea what to use for a rear sight...

If you've read this far...I appreciate the patience to read through my rambling!

So...what rifle and sight combo would you recommend?

Shouldnt be a big deal for a smith to cut a dovetail for a front sight on that 52.

I'd be looking for an older set of Redfield sights for your application. The preferred mount for the front sight would mount on an a base that is mounted to the barrel with two screws. The bases can be had in different by heights to better fit your rear setup and there are also stepped bases made with two heights where the front is moved to the lower step for the longer yard stages.

Thanks, I'm just starting to look into this. I've seen a few clamp-on front sights that might work and would give me an excuse to start shooting that old 52B.

Any advice on where to look for sight options?

Do you have a good gunsmith where you live??? My old gunsmith retired, but I have his cell phone number. He specialized in everything Winchester. He still does gunshows and is enjoying the retired life. A lot of older gunsmiths have sights that they can make work. Like someone else mentioned, having a dovetail milled in your barrel is a simple process. As is drilling and tapping for a mount. That Anschutz would probably be a great rifle to use with Irons as well. They tend to be highly accurate. I've shot with guys using them and they do quite well. Sounds like you have enough rifles to choose from. I'd try to make one of those work, myself.

my gun smith is in Maryland, he does this for me.

If you are looking to start with a target type front globe and receiver rear for the 52, I'd look for an used Redfield Olympic or International front and rear set with the target block front base. If the barrel muzzle is .750 or .810, there are barrel bands that work with those same sight blocks. The muzzles are usually turned to that diameter at the time the barrel is installed though, and it eliminates the step of timing individual holes.

I'd check ebay or gunbroker for used parts, or Champions choice for new front sight blocks.

Does this help?

https://bulletin.accurateshooter.co...s-precision-rimfire-rifles-competitions/