Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Rimfires "Best buy" .22 target rifle

Looking for something start competing with in my club's 3-position and prone matches.

Can't afford Anschutz or the like, just something basic with a good trigger, peep sight, globe front and a handstop.

Any suggestions? Maybe one of the old military trainers?

All the military trainers I've seen used, go for as much as a new Anschutz unless you want a really neglected one. Just handled a nice one with accessory rail at Sportsmans Whse.

Club match shooting, check with these people!

http://www.odcmp.com/Services/cmp_south_photos.htm

I love my 513-T......................

T Lee,

Well duh on me, thanks for the reminder of the CMP option!

John

So how much do you want to spend ?

For about $400-$600:

1) TC 22lr Classic Benchmark
2) Anschutz 64 action

For $600-$800

1) Kimber Hunter
2) Kimber SVT

This is definitely not my main area of expertise so forgive me if I get a detail or two wrong here, but if'n it was me...



To get into the game at a reasonable price and still be competitive I'd look real hard at a used Remington 513 or Winchester 75 or even a 52 if you can find one set up the way you like. Accessory rail, top of the line Redfield peep and globe sights with the anti-backlash screws (the sights alone used to sell for close to $200), stock specifically set up for three position shooting, the works - I usually see one or two at gunshows for 3 to 5 bills, sometimes less.



I put these older .22 target rifles in the same class as S&W .38 revolvers - extremely high quality but nobody wants them anymore so demand and therefore price is far less than their actual "worth". With high schools and universities divesting themselves of shooting teams the market is supplied with the exact rifles that were used to win state and national titles and all points in between.



There's always a chance of getting a bad example or a worn out example of anything you buy used, and I'm sure a lot of these rifles will show the bumps and scratches of being transported a lot. But unless a rifle is subjected to real abuse it is hard to wear out the basics of a .22 rifle - actions, trigger and bore. I'm guessing the most common thing you might find is a crown damaged from improper cleaning and recrowning is pretty easy.



Anyway, just my opinion.

Once in a while you can find a good one at a reasonable price. One point to consider: make sure there is not a weight limitation in youtr club matches; military trainers tend to outweigh civilian rifles, and some clubs put an 8-lbs limit on competition rifles.