Match Grade .22lr Factory Rifle

[TXCOONDOG]

My gun club is starting up some .22lr matches for youth and experienced shooters.

Only factory bolt action rifles are allowed (no customs) so I need some recommendations for accuracy and reliability.


If this has been discussed, please post links.

Thanks in advance.

[Hotolds442]

My choice would be a Remington 40x, but they're pretty much cost prohibitive any more.
A heavy barreled MarkII with the right ammo should be competitive with some tuning, bedding, and finding the ammo it prefers. Finding a good selection of ammo for testing will be tougher than any match you'll ever shoot though.

[justinf]

I too would have to recommend a Remington. I have a 540x that's shoots amazing with just bedding a trigger adjustment. They are a great alternative to the 40x at much more affordable prices. If you can find one, I bet it would be a great shooter.

[flylo]

IMHO You can't beat Savage for the money. I own Anschutz, Walther, CZ, BSA, Kimber & several others high $ rimfires but IMHO a well tuned Savage will stay with the best of them. Not bragging but shooting my MKII the 1st box of Norma Tac-22 I tried last year shot a 5 rd 75yard group .325 outside to outside off the picnic table and the ammo was $4.49/box. I have several Savage rimfires & they all shoot many brands of ammo well. I teach anyone who cares to learn to shoot & use all Savages.

[TXCOONDOG]

flylo,

When you say well tune, like bedded and trigger or ?

[flylo]

Maybe I've been lucky but I haven't had to bed one, I put an a trigger kit in a guy from the Rimfire Cental forum sells, Apache gun works I think, then play with the torque on the action bolts & that's it so far. Of course try different ammo. Norma Tac-22 is made by RWS, in fact IMHO it's RWS Rifle Target as I disected both & the weight, size & look of all the components are exactly the same even the tray & bax. Now the have Norma Match which I think is RWS Rifle Match. I bought some but it's been too cold to shoot yet. Let me know how it works out as I'm really ino teaching kids to shoot the right way as they are the future of our sport in a positive or negitive way so I do all I can to promote positive, Thanks!

[Reeseman]

For what they cost I have had 2 different MKII FV's . The first just was not a shooter no matter what ammo or modifications I made . My current FV shoots bug holes at 50 yards . I have it bedded and have a cheek riser on the plastic stock . Also an Apachee trigger kit and Mueller Target Dot scope . Never touched the barrel or bolt . I shoot a lot of SK Standard Plus with good accuracy but my best groups are with Center X ammo . That's the top of my budget for ammo . It shoots better than my factory 455CZ varmint that's been pillared and bedded . The Savages are a good gun for the money .

[flylo]

One thing I failed to say was I like the laminated thumbhole & the Tacticool style stocks & do use those. I bought a bunch of of new laminated stocks from Eastern Sierra who builds true biathlon rifle from Savage 22 bolt actions, so that says something right there. Try the MKII SR with rge short fat fluted threaded barrel as I've found less harmonics from such barrels. Also it seems to take at least 500+ rds to start getting your best groups. The one I tried the Tac-22 in had more than 5000 rds of thunderbolt & golden bullets alternated 10 rds each down the barrel before trying the Tac-22. Don't tell anyone but I clean a rimfire barrel when the accuracy degrades........still waiting.......

[TXCOONDOG]

flylo,

This one: http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/MARKIIFVSR




Anyone have the MKII FSS: http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/MARKIIFSS

[flylo]

That's the one. Kentucy gun co & Sportmans outdoor superstore both sell them for about $220/shipped. I've seen them for under $200/shipped.s

[Fotheringill]

It depends on the individual rifle. I have shot many Savages (rifles) in 22lr. There was exactly one that beat my CZ 452 and was reasonably close to my Anschutz. The others were not even close. This was one that was in the space gun stock. It was exceptional. The others were fair to middling.

[Robinhood]

I know of a Suhl that may be coming up for sale. I think it will be on gunbroker.

[Newsshooter]

I have a heavy barrel MkII that I picked up at dicks, it's sitting in a manners stock now. It shoots one hole groups at 25 and pretty close to that at 50 if I do my part. Usually shooting CCI SV.

[TXCOONDOG]

There will be different courses and levels off the bench:

5-8 year old youth will be 25-50 yards for target such as battle ship (best 10 nickle size dots hits out of 10 shots).

9-12 year old youth 25- 50yard target (accuracy) and some may be varmint targets.

13-17 year old youth 25-100 yard (not positive on this one) target and may be varmint targets.

18 and up will vary with target accuracy out to 150 yards and heard something about possibly match tip shooting for advance shooters.

Later there will be a two gun 22lr course for rifle and pistol shooting.

Any recommendations on optics?

[Newsshooter]

I built my nephews 10/22's for Christmas a year and a half ago. I put the Midway special BSA FFP 4-14 scopes on them. They work well, pretty clear, track well and the boys, 10 and 12 at the time have learned to dial for distance and hold for wind. They started shooting rimfire steel targets at 25 and 50, with a bipod and rear bag. They seldom miss at that distance so now we usually head the the steel range shooting out to 200 meters for more challenging targets. The kids really like shooting steel, they make noise and fall over. :) Lots of options, animals, circles, eggs, zombies, http://www.ebay.com/itm/Steel-Shooti...94011874&rt=nc

[TXCOONDOG]

After watching the Marksmen Challenge on youtube, I was looking at the SWFA fixed 16x and the specs say it can be focused down to 10yds.

I'll look up the BSA FFP too.

[Newsshooter]

SWFA are supposed to have good glass, I haven't used them though. I've got four of the Midway scopes, three on 22's and one on a 17hmr they will focus to about 10 yards as well. Good buy for the money, and if you want to hunt at all you can dial down the power.

[jbjh]

The CZ455 can be a very accurate gun, and the barrels are easily replaceable (Lilja makes good tubes if yours isn't a shooter). And for the money, a SWFA fixed power scope is quite good.

The guys on rimfirecentral central swear by bedding the barrel full length, and by their groups, I'd say they are onto something.

[flylo]

I agree wih SWFA fixed power scopes are the best bang for the buck. Around Thanksgiving the have a great sale.

[justinp61]

Look into the Mueller line of scopes.

[flylo]

Look into the Mueller line of scopes.

If you buy Mueller make sure it from an authorized dealer, keep the reciept as they won't even tal to you if everything isn't perfectly in order.

[Stickler]

I have an off-the-wall recommendation. Look into the Zastava MP22 Precision (http://www.zastava-arms.rs/en/civili...e-mp-precision).
They are as well finished as any .22 you will find. With Norma match ammo, one of mine will shoot .40 MOA at 50. My Savages and CZ's can't compete with the repetitive
accuracy of the Zastava. No special care other than the usual break in was given to them. The price tag (with premium grade walnut stock) was $289 plus tax and DROS. Just something to ponder :)

[TXCOONDOG]

I ordered a Savage MKII BTVSS from Buds Gun Shop. I'll use a Leupold VX3 4.5-14x50 (30mm) until I decide later on a dedicated scope for this rifle.

Thanks for the input.

PS: I've got plenty of bulk ammo to break this rifle in. I ordered some Norma Match and TAC 22 to try after break in. Any other recommendations of ammo to try for accuracy ?

[TXCOONDOG]

Does anyone make an aftermarket 10 round or higher cap for the Savage MKII 22lr ?

[justinp61]

My BTVLSS really likes CCI SV, it shots almost as good as the $25 Eley stuff.

I've never seen an aftermarket mag for a MKII, doesn't mean there isn't any. I bought two 10 round savage mags off e-bay and they've been fine.