Buying first Target RIfle

Our club runs a CMP Rimfire Sporter match.
.22 lr, any repeating action, maximum weight 7.5 lbs, maximum scope 6X (also open sight division) minimum 3 lb trigger pull.
Prone, sitting, standing; slowfire and rapidfire at each position; 50 yds prone and sitting, 25 standing.
Read about it at
http://www.odcmp.com/Competitions/rimfire.pdf
There is a forum where you can probably locate matches
http://www.odcmp.org/new_forum/

Guns need not be expensive, the target is fairly generous. Lots'a 10-22s stock and souped up, lots of CZ 452s.
 
For non-match rifles, CMP Sporter.

If you really, REALLY want to shoot smallbore 3P, but aren't ready to dive into an Anschutz, look around for a Walther KK100. My little brother used to shoot one, and it will shoot darn good. Not good enough to WIN, but close. I shot it (the rifle, not smallbore) a few times and it would cut one-holers at 50-yards prone as long as I did my job. (I'm a Master-class Highpower shooter myself, FWIW.)

And the accuracy thing is really crucial. Like trying to practice for a Highpower match running junk Lake City ball. Just don't buy into it; it's more frustrating than it's worth IMO. My experience is that the best way to get where you're going is to just give up and spend your $$ up front. Lots less aggravation.
 
Budget, budget, budget

Depends on the budget. If it's high, get an Anschutz/Cooper/Pardini/Walther/RWS/Win 52. If it's medium, Kimber or Rem 504. If it's lowish, look at CZ 452 or the Izhmash's from Russia.

Check CDNN Investments for deals on Anschutzes.

Also check out a company called Champion's Choice, for gun & gear options.

And as mentioned, just go to some competitions as a spectator to see what they are using... you don't have to have top of the line to have fun, and possibly even win.
 
I have always loved Anschutz. they just feel right, and if not, just adjust all the fittings untill it does.

Regardless, the main thing here is to buy only once, and just bring what you can afford. NO ONE will ever laugh at you for bring a less expensive rifle. People are very friendly in this sport, and will bend over backwards to help out a newcomer...What do I mean? I once saw someone lend a new guy a shooting coat and mat, beccause he did not have one. Someone else walked over to him with his Kowa scope.

Anyway -if you think small bore is expensive.....wait till you get hooked on HighPower match rifles.
 
Look at the CM-2. It is a Russian gun made by Izhmash. There is quite a bit of information on it at rimfirecentral. Sourcing one is a bit sketchy right now, but you can buy one NIB for under $400. One place to check is stanleysproshop.com. The list only the Cadet model (junior size), but can usually order one.

General consensus at rimfirecentral is that the CM-2 will shoot every bit as good as an Annie or other European target rifle. You are giving up fit and finish, not functionality. As a comparison, I own a Baikal IZH-46M air pistol (it may or may not be made by the same company as the CM-2, but the accuracy v quality should be the same). Fit and finish are quite good, though I needed some aftermarket grips to make it fit better. It doesn't point quite as well as the Morini and Pardini guns my fellow shooters have let me try, but my Izzy cost me $270. There is a difference, but not a $1000 difference (at least not to try the sport out).

Another option is to buy a used gun. Thadscott.com has a bunch of older Anschutz rifles, in both the 64 action (good) or 54 action (best). They tend to be older and have more markings on them, but they should shoot.

Info on the CM-2:
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=156634
http://www.raacfirearms.com/CM-2_Cadet.htm

Discussion of Anschutz v CM-2:
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=152294
 
Thadscott.com did not have a single Anschutz in stock as far as I could tell. I looked all over the website and had no luck at all...

Too bad. I'm in the market for a used Deutsche Wunderbubchen.

I'm glad you like the CM-2 so much but it is not in the same league as any Anschutz. It's not a viable option for competition above an informal level.
 
I agree with oldbill; comparing a sub-$500 rifle to an Anshutz is like comparing a Daisy Red Rider to a FWB free-rifle. Actually, a FWB is another good option for a target .22.

I still say that if you can locate a used KK100, you're in good shape. I wish we still had my brother's old one right now. :( Much easier to practice on a 50-yard smallbore range in the winter, once snow hits.

For certain informal matches you could probably do OK with an accurized 10/22, if it suits your fancy. Just as another option.
 
Another suggestion here.... try McLane Tilton http://www.mtguns.com/ he has over 1500 used Anshutz in stock, also Walther and other higher end match rifles. He doesn't list what he has on the internet, so its best to call him and he can guide you on what model would be best for what you want to do. He does a bore scope on the rifle before he sends it. He also is a distributor for the CM-2 if that is the way you want to go, but talk to him, he will give you the straight scoop.
I recently picked up a 1407 from him, and I got a real hammer (and what a beauty also).
 
I shoot a Walther GX1. I have shot a lot of Anschutz, and while I like them, they are not as easy to adjust as Walthers. Also, Walther offers an electronic trigger. Another is Feinwerkbau. I have not shot one though, but some guys in my league do. I will post a pic of mine if someone tells me how.
 
Here is the one that I shoot.

It is a Walther GX1 and I bought it used. It has an inexpensive (junk) BSA 6-24x50mm on it and I have the trigger adjusted to a single stage at 1.6 OZ. These can be had used for relatively cheap.

handguns004.jpg
 
Without the weights I think about 13 lbs. I use about 3lbs of weights on it for the offhand position. I should post a pic of the targets we shoot if I can find one handy. Pretty slick. I wish I could shoot my handguns like this rifle. Also, thanks for the nice compliments.
 
Anschutz is tops

I recently acquired an Anschutz 2013 sport target rifle. This model is almost like the Super Match though a bit lighter. Shooting this rifle with some good Eley ammo has to be experienced to be believed. I started out shooting standing free rifle position without sling or other accessories at 55 yards. I surprised myself with several hits in the 10 ring and most other rounds in the black 8-9 rings. This is not to say that I'm any sort of great shooter.... just feels good to learn the skill. You won't regret getting an Anschutz... of course your bank account may groan a bit. Dan
 
I decided I needed to do some practice during the winter to keep my high power skills sharp. A friend of mine let me use his little used Win 52C for use in a heated indoor 22 range.

All I can say is I now understand the hype on the 52. The rifle flat shoots using plain ole' CCI standard using a post in the front sight.
 
Just like Tim, I joined a smallbore gallery team as a winter practice for summer Highpower matches. I am only 1 of 2 shooters using iron sights. Wanting to test the waters before I jumped in, I bought a used Kimber 82G for $380 and have been using up the case of Wolf match target that I bought for my CLE .22lr upper.

All I can say is WOW, smallbore is hard (and addicting)

I have been making progress on my scores, but I am still at the 290 range while the winners are shooting 365-380. I do understand that I will never be able to shoot 350+ with the rifle I have, but I needed to start somewhere and work on positions (kneeling sucks).

Being a gun hoarder all my life I have many rifles in the $300 - $700 range sitting in the safe not being used. I have now started the process to cull the heard to fund a Anschutz 1913 supper match in a 1918 stock. My wife thinks I am crazy for wanting a 3k rifle, but as long as I selling to buy she is OK with it.

Hello, my name is Jim and I am now addicted to very accurate rifles.


ps, yes I know this is an old thread.
 
Wow,Never thought it was so serious,. Kinda make my 10/22 look like junk.I shoot primers out of shot gun shells at 25 yards with ease,but a dot???. That seems very small. 22's are very fun to plink with and cheap.
 
A lot of good information and opinions,

BUT

You need to decide on what type of competition you are talking about.

If you are serious about NRA or ISU Small bore then you are talking a lot of money. Best starting place I think would be the CMP rifles. For the price they work quite well then move on to the higher quality guns.

If you don't know how far you want to go then I would recommend getting into the CMP Rimfire Sporter Shooting. NRA & ISU is expensive, you are talking about a $1500 for the rifle, another grand or so for the other equipment (two leather coats, one for NRA and one for ISU), kneeling rolls, mats, scope and ammo stands, etc etc. Of course we haven't figured out what type of NRA ISU shooting, do you want a Prone rifle for English Matches, a Free Rifle, Standard Rifle or what.

CMP Rimfire Sporters are a bit different. A lot cheaper to get into. Just about any rifle you find in the gun rack will work.........but:

Yeah another BUT

What is the reason for 22 competitions, practice for hunting, practice for HP or Vintage Military Rifle matches.

I attended the CMP GSM Master Instructor's course with a couple who were really into Instructing CMP Rimfire Sporter Matches. They said pretty much any good 22 bolt gun would work. Its not a big money sport. How ever serious CMP Rimfire Shooters have gone to the CZ 452.

A lot of 22 competitors are into rimfire matches as a training tool for HP or CMP Vintage Rifle Matches. They recommend the CZ 452 Military Trainer. About the cheapest of the CZ line, but the sights are ladder sights like those that that come on surplus military rifles such as the 1903 Springfield, Mauser, and Mosin.

If you just want a starter 22 then Savage, Marlin etc make good ones for not much money.

Winchester 52s are great, but they don't make them any more, used ones are gonna be pricey. The H&R Model 12 or 5200, are good clones, but again they don't make them and the prices are climbing on those also.


CMP rimfire rifles arn't picky about ammo, mainly because the size of the scoring rings are huge compared to the ISU International Targets. Regardless of rifle you use in ISU, ammo is gonna make a difference. After you find the right ammo for your gun, you'll run out and then you'll find out your new ammo is a different lot number and you're gonna have to start all over. Rimfire sporters will let you get by with any good ammo.

I wont recommend a rifle, I would recommend you get into CMP Rimfire Sporter Shooting, and see where you want to go from there. Small bore shooting has many venues, the venue will determine what rifle you need.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top