I'm interested in obtaining a rimfire benchrest rifle or pistol. How does one obtain a good quality rifle or pistol either newly built or a good used one?
I would suggest looking in the classifieds for some great used rifles. Look for Remingtion 40x, Anschutz w/ 54 action, Suhl 150's, Turbo or hall. Those will get you started real well with a used rifle.
If you have your heart set on new and your pocket book allows it, I suggest doing a seach on here for the top rimfire gunsmiths and give a few a call and ask them to build you one and what they suggest as a good way to go.