Does this BR Gun Appeal to Anyone???

J

Jim Hodgson

Guest
Win. 70 in 22-250:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=143529343

I'm very, very new to this -- just looking to get involved at an introductory level. Not ready to start handloading, so 22-250 has a lot going for it so far as I'm concerned. Also, I live about a 1/2 hour from this dealer, so I could "audition" before purchasing. With scope, I could be all-in for just north of $1000.

I've never seen the Win. 70 action in a BR gun before, though. (But, who am I?) Was this someone's little BR experiment gone bad? Is this a losing proposition, even for someone who doesn't have plans (yet) for competition???

Thanks for your thoughts...
 
Well

the only thing I see "custom" on this rifle is the stock. The barrel is a Winchester Model 70 barrel. No remarks on number of rounds, trigger etc. I don't believe this is really a custom rifle. I have seen BR rifles with Winchester actions but they are rare.
 
Well

The gun may be quite nice and good for its purpose, but short range Benchrest is not one of it.

You can have fun with this gun shooting from a bench but you will never be remotely competitive in Benchrest with it. For me this would be just like any other factory gun but just also in a wrong cal for fun shooting benchrest.

Rather just buy a factory target Savage in 6BR or of course buy a Benchrest gun which can be had used for about $1500

By the way handloading is mandatory for shooting Benchrest so my advice is to start trying to handload while learning to shoot, you could have fun doing that with a good factory rifle in 6BR. Basic startup cost is not excessive and startup cost is recovered pretty quickly if you shoot some.
 
I would not choose that rifle.
IF you need a factory rifle in a factory caliber I would go with the savage.
http://www.savagearms.com/12benchrestdp.htm
In either 6BR or 308.

However.....I would not consider even getting started in BR until you are able to reload.
At $20 a pop for a 20 round box of ammo you are going to need about $100 just for ammo for one day of practice. That doesn't include gas, cleaning supplies, range fees and paper for some targets.

TED
 
Jim ...

Jim Hodgson said:
Win. 70 in 22-250:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=143529343

I'm very, very new to this -- just looking to get involved at an introductory level. Not ready to start handloading, so 22-250 has a lot going for it so far as I'm concerned. Also, I live about a 1/2 hour from this dealer, so I could "audition" before purchasing. With scope, I could be all-in for just north of $1000.

I've never seen the Win. 70 action in a BR gun before, though. (But, who am I?) Was this someone's little BR experiment gone bad? Is this a losing proposition, even for someone who doesn't have plans (yet) for competition???

Thanks for your thoughts...
Click to expand...

Before you go that route, speak with Bob White first at this location: http://www.benchrest.com/shooterscorner/. Also check out the classifieds on this site. AND start reloading! It will make a world of difference. :)
 
It's not a BR rifle. It's a varmint rifle.

Jim Hodgson said:
Win. 70 in 22-250:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=143529343 With scope, I could be all-in for just north of $1000.

I've never seen the Win. 70 action in a BR gun before, though. (But, who am I?) Was this someone's little BR experiment gone bad? Is this a losing proposition, even for someone who doesn't have plans (yet) for competition???
Click to expand...

If you want to shoot BR, get a BR rifle. There's nothing particularly noteworthy about the rifle in that link. Not the price, nor any of it. Pass, friend.
 
I tried to make a Benchrest rifle based on a Savage 110 action. Spent a ton of money on it. It shot really good and still does. But it is NOT competitive in Benchrest competition. Been there done that. No need to go back. I would suggust as others have, to try to find a real Benchrest rifle with a decent stock, decent action and worn out barrel. That worn out barrel will still probably shoot better than what you are looking at. And take a crash course on handloading. At the price of loaded ammo these days you will pay for the equipment in a short time. Then when you learn the basics you can have the rifle rebarreled and have a competitive rifle. Winchester 70 and Benchrest don't even belong on the same page.

Donald
 
Just a thought

If what has been presented does not persuade you to pass, remember BR has classes and they are determined by weight.
Do you know how much this rifle weighs with appropriate scope?
Centerfire :)
 
That's a nice looking varmint rig. The stock is an old Herter's so the vintage has to be at least pre-'75 or so. Possibly a good sporting rifle but a competitive BR rifle it ain't.
 
Hey, thanks to everyone for the great replies, links, advice, etc. Guess what? I'm going to pass on this rifle :D Just needed a reality check -- and got one here. I'll spend some time talking, reading, talking some more -- and only then think about buying a centerfire rig. New to BR but not new to making expensive firearms mistakes!!! Thanks again for all of your help... Best, Jim
 
Reloading

Hi Jim,

Good guidance was given on the guns to be looking for. After fiddling with varmint rigs I bought a used BR gun in 1995 and have never looked back.

I encourage you to seek out a BR club in your area specifically to learn more about reloading. Contrary to popular belief reloading is NOT hard to do. Proper tools, techniques and components do the job. Leaving you the eternal joy of honing your shooting skills with others.

I encourage you to find a BR level shooter/reloader to give you a jump on the learning curve and save your wallet. I bought my way up into this hobby and have could have purchased another used BR rig with the money for the RCBS 'Micrometer' head and the various bits of metal that 1-2" group shooters favor.

I am also a fan of books - Mike Ratigan's 'Extreme Rifle Accuracy' and Zediker's 'Handloading for Competition' will give insights into what makes a load accurate and how shoot it.

Although this is a singular pursuit - don't shoot alone. I learn more and have more fun at matches - registered and club - than I ever do alone.

Russ
 
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