Using RF during winter for practice.

T

Tod Soeby

New member
I don't shoot rimfire comp. I shoot 1K benchrest. I find myself wanting to shoot more and more in the winter. Asside from snowmobiling, there is not much else to do in the winter in northern ND. I have a 90 foot long basement in my shop. I was thinking about getting a match grade rimfire to practice with in the winter.

When I got my first true custom gun made it was to be used purly as a LR hunting gun. I figured 25 - 30 lbs would be right. My smith (Clay Spencer) STRONGLY sugjested I get the gun made up to meet IBS/NBSRA/ect.... 1K LG rules. That way I can get most of my money back should I ever sell it. And I would also be legal to shoot 1K BR. if I ever had the chance. I laughed that idea off....no way was I ever going to shoot with the "big guys".....no way. The nearest range is 450 miles away.

Well, was I wrong....in a BIG way.

But, I checked all of the sanctioning bodys......nearest rimfire range is in Yangton SD...500 miles away.

So...questions...

1) Should I stock the BR like my 1K guns....to ride the bags the same. Keep the same "feel".....or use the rimfire rules (what ever they ar...at least 6 sanctioning bodys!!!)?

2) I am an accuracy freak...I fully plan on trying to get the smallest groups possible.....should I go with a full on custom action/ tuner ect...setup, or just stock a factory brand X barreled action?

3) is this whole thing a gynormas wast of time and mony???? My goal is simply more trigger time...or is that, too, a waste of cash?
 
Tod,

I would seriously consider practicing with an air rifle. With a 90' basement, you can shoot at 25 yards or meters. The initial cost on a good quality air rifle and accessories would be about the same as a rimfire, but the cost after, for pellets and refilling a tank is pennies compared to the cost for quality rim-fire ammo. I know practicing with my air rifle has improved, shooting other disciplines.

Something to think about.

Joe
 
Another vote for airgun, unless your basement is well ventilated you can run a pretty high risk of lead poisoning if you like to shoot a lot.

Dennis
 
Another vote for an air rifle.
Not mentioned yet is the lack of noise with air rifle (no ear muffs or ear plugs).
No odors from shooting.
They will show up any bench technique mistakes and trigger pull errors/mistakes.
The quality guns also are very accurate.
Dennis/Joe have given you good advice.
CLP
 
Tod...there is ARA in Aberdeen and Yankton,but most matchs are probably during the week. Makes it kinda hard for a working man to shoot at ,but ARA will allow you to stock it just like a 1000 yard rifle as they have no weight rules. If you want a good rifle built get in contact with the Mn. Beer & Bullets crowd and they will be able to set you up with the man to get it done. There are a few of them in the top of the ARA agg. for 2010.
 
Ditto on the air rifle.

You might want to first locate how far it is to the closest dive shop for recharging the tank though before going out and spending the money on gun and tank. If you're nowhere near a source for recharging, think about getting a no-PCP type of gun. There are many springer and pump guns that are equally as accurate, just more work to shoot. But, if luck has it that there is a dive shop within a reasonable distance, definitely go with a PCP as they unbelievably accurate, and a blast to shoot.

Dave
 
Don't forget your local Fire Dept. uses airpacks....If you ask around i bet they would fill your tank for you.....Might take them some cans of coffee,or a nice homemade cake or pie's....It always helped when i was on duty!!!!!! Just Saying! LOL!
 
I never thought about an air rifle. I usualy have at least one 25-30 lb CO2 tank laying around. I use them to air up my big tires on my rock crawler after a trail ride. I don't like driving on the highway with only 5 lbs of air in my tires and don't like waiting for portable air compressers...they are to slow.

Now, as little as I know about rimfire, I know FAR LESS (if that is even possable) about air rifles!!! I think that "stay away from the pointy thingy when you pull the trigger" about sums it up!!

Also....and no offence to the air gun guys.....but.......I am going to have a hard time shelling out some major change on a "BB GUN".;)
 
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You don't have to jump in with both feet, look for a used FWB300, single stroke spring powered match gun or better yet a FWB 602, single stroke pneumatic. Since your shooting indoors you won't have a lot of wind to worry about, the triggers are great and they are quite capable of quarter inch groups at that range. You'll be surprised how quickly you become attached to "BB guns".

Dennis
 
Been thinking more about this. I guess my goal is to try and reman in position during the string. Try and keep things smooth. Load...aim ....squeaze.....load....ect...work on the speed a little. I can't see having to pick the gun up off of the bags to cock it.

Now, I know that there won't be the same level of recoil with a rimfire, but the working of the bolt and having a loading block next to the port and tring to remain smooth might help my 1K groups/scores.

Or...maybe not......maybe it all would be a big waste of $$$$.
 
Tod: You said you were an accuracy freak. Well if you build a rim fire bench rifle to match your big gun be prepared to be hit so hard you might not pick up that big rifle so often. Rim fire accuracy is as addictive as any sport out there. Now if you want to build a rifle that looks and feels like your big gun go for it. It will only help in your shooting, less reading the wind indoors that is. It will not be a big waste of $$$$$ but be prepared to start working on making one little hole with the .22. Tuners, better ammo, tuning, weights, vibration, bench technique etc etc....its all great fun with the rim fire.

The nice thing about unlimited .22 is there are no rules. Build what you like, use whatever rest you like and show up. Do read the equipment rules on the ARA site. The same rules apply to IR50 and RBA unlimited. Only the targets are different.

I'm making some assumptions here, but if your heavy gun has a Jewell trigger, be sure you build something that will handle the same trigger. I'm assuming you would move your scope to the rim fire. A CMP 40X, a stock to match yours and a Jewell and you should be good to go. You can always sell the 40X if it does not work. You would be out what you sunk into the wood. Nothing to lose. I say go for it Oh ya, a piece of 1/4 inch thick A54 steel on a 45 degree angle behind the card will stop .22 match ammo cold at 25 yards. bob
 
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Hi Tod. Most of the air rifles are not going to replicate your centerfire bolt sequence too well. You stated that you keep co2 around, there are some very nice co2 powered match air rifles around from a few years back that can be had for a reasonable sum. Steyer ,Walther and Fienwerkbau all produced Olympic grade units using co2. These would all be in .177 cal. and allow around 100 shots per fill of their self contained tank. How does 500 shots for around $12 sound. Back stops are simple to make, a piece of 10 or 12 gauge plate, framed by some 1x4 ( so you have a depth of about 4" ) piece of cardboard across the front to pin the target to - good to go.
 
Die & Go to Heaven

90 Foot Indoor Range – Die and go to heaven!
With that being said you will have to learn/understand some limitations.
In Rimfire - accuracy diminishes rapidly beyond 75 feet.
The classic example is when an Expert Rimfire shooters move from 50 yards to 50 meters which is around 14 feet! Their accuracy drops more then 11% and the average shooter drops from 11% to 30%.
I.E. they go from shooting 1/8 in groups to 2 in groups with a flyer that ruins their whole day.
As Paul would say ‘Now for the rest of the story’
If You “Understand the Limitations” of a 90 foot range then you have a setup that is a “Die & Go To Heaven!”
Make Sense?

P.S.
The AirGun Gang are spot on – Airguns are great fun shooting Indoors or Out at 75 Ft. to 80Ft!
If you have shot CF indoors then you surely understand!!
 
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