Help! What do I have here?

L

Larry

Guest
Hey Folks


Newbie here. My first post anywhere. Shot a lot over the years, but never competition benchrest. Seriously considering it now that I've retired early.Feels strange. A beginner - at my age.


From all I've heard, you guys are the experts.


I need some help. Wondering what rifle I have here, and whether it would be OK for benchrest competitions.


Got this thing at a pawnshop a while back for my $200 offer (nobody else would buy it).It's a single shot bolt action .22 with no sights. Bull barrel,a massive slab of lumber for a stock, and a hair trigger. Old, but in superb condition. Like my first x-wife, kind of ugly, but beautiful in its way.


Here are it's markings:


ACTION:Illegible trademark stamp with what looks like either a Z or a 2; then the serial number, 564xx; then J. G. Anschutz G m b H. Waffenfabrik Ulm/D. Germany


BARREL: Same trademark stamp; then a 66; then markings, maybe ~ MR, or ~ MZ or ~ M2


BOLT: That same stamp. No other markings I can see.


I scoped it and took it to a local "sighting in" range. 100 yards. Indoor. Perfect conditions. Set up on sandbags.


I was stunned by its accuracy. Took several shots to align the scope, and some errant ones getting used to the trigger.


Settled in to run 5-shot groups. Half-inch cloverleafs at first; then tighter; then some actual deformed 1-holers - bugholes with differences too small for my tape measure. Groups began to spread after a few hours, the sheer concentration tiring me out.


Learned that the less I actually "held" the gun the better it shot. Weird, but holy cow on the accuracy and repeatability! Never seen anything like it.


Can anyone tell me: WHAT RIFLE DO I HAVE HERE? Its quality? Any idea of its value?


Would it be SUITABLE as is for benchrest competition?


Sorry for the length of this post. Just so excited about what this old rifle can do and so full of questions!


ANY AND ALL HELP - with identification, comments, advice, thoughts for a beginner on benchrest/competition, etc. - would be greatly welcomed. Thanks!
 
Welcome Larry!!
Now if you like your money leave this dream behind you! NOW!!
Just kiddin' :)
It looks like what you may have is an early Anschutz. Possibly a 54 action which are the top of the line on the Annies'.
I'm not really in the know on all they'd done over the years but here is a link that may help.
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=433342
Or someone here may be able to help. There is also a rimfire forum here that the post may have been better suited but we all lurk around so....
As far as benchrest competition goes I guess we would need to know ifyour interested in sanctioned matches or stuff on a friendly club level or what.
There isn't any reason not to take yourself & the gun to any & every match you can get too.
The gun may or may not be competitive due to many scenarios. Mostly will be your learning curve with it & the targets & the ranges, etc.
But please do attend some matches. People will be glad to have you there. There's some real nice folks out there with a ton of help. Use it.
Great find by the way whatever it is. You stole it.
Good luck,
Keith
 
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If the groups you described are at 100 yards, go out and buy as much ammo of the same type and lot number you can...........................
 
John S said:
If the groups you described are at 100 yards, go out and buy as much ammo of the same type and lot number you can...........................
Click to expand...

Thanks!


Yep, those groups were at 100 yards. To be fair, it is a very nice indoor, climate controlled range. (Aren't competitions held outside?)


I was shooting alone with the range all to myself. Quiet, no distractions, etc.


And no pressure. I took my time between shots, even resting between the 5-shot groups at times, to shoot my best. (I've heard you can't do that in competition because you're on a clock.)


Great point on the ammo.I could kick myself! On another friend's advice, I ordered from online a few boxes of Eley Match (he said "they're the best .22s") and used them all up that day, tossing everything in the trash on my way out. It was just a "let's try out this rifle" thing. Never imagined it would shoot like that.


QUESTION: When I find a perfect batch for the rifle, can I actually order by lot number?
 
Yes you can order by Lot Number from the bigger dealers.

You can also order several different Lot Numbers to try out.
 
linekin said:
Welcome Larry!!
Now if you like your money leave this dream behind you! NOW!!
Just kiddin' :)
It looks like what you may have is an early Anschutz. Possibly a 54 action which are the top of the line on the Annies'.
I'm not really in the know on all they'd done over the years but here is a link that may help.
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=433342
Or someone here may be able to help. There is also a rimfire forum here that the post may have been better suited but we all lurk around so....
As far as benchrest competition goes I guess we would need to know ifyour interested in sanctioned matches or stuff on a friendly club level or what.
There isn't any reason not to take yourself & the gun to any & every match you can get too.
The gun may or may not be competitive due to many scenarios. Mostly will be your learning curve with it & the targets & the ranges, etc.
But please do attend some matches. People will be glad to have you there. There's some real nice folks out there with a ton of help. Use it.
Great find by the way whatever it is. You stole it.
Good luck,
Keith
Click to expand...

Thank you, Keith!

Good advice on other forums to check. And what great advice to start by just attending competitions, observing, learning the ropes, getting to know people. Decide if it's really my cup of tea.

To start, I can probably find a club for "friendly" matches in the Dallas area. I'd enjoy that.

Pretty sure I'd be interested in the "sanctioned matches" you mention. I gather that these are held all around the country, so the "spending money" you mentioned would involve travel.

To become a serious competitor at that level, how many matches must one enter each year? Where does one even go to learn when and where these are held? I'm getting excited!

And some money must obviously be spent on equipment. For the shooting session described, I borrowed and mounted a friend's Leupold "Competition Series" fixed 45x. Pricey, and useless except for precise target-shooting, but I love it. Would this be suitable for matches?

Would I also need a mechanical front rest? (Suggestions?) Anything else?

BTW, you were right again. You're hitting on all cylinders!

With more research, I've learned this rifle is an Anschutz 54 Match, made in 1966. All original except the custom made "benchrest stock" (3-inch wide, flat fore end;Tiger Maple, inlaid with dark Brazillian Cherry). Looks much like a Don Stith Predator (but it's not - I asked).

No idea of its current value. Guess I can watch gun auctions for a general idea.

Again, many thanks, sir. I really appreciate you taking your time to help.
 
An Annie 54 is most likely worth $1500 and up depending on stock and scope set-up. Checkout RimfireCentral.com on their Anschutz page for more insight. Killough Shooting Sports has all your Eley ammo available by lots.
 
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Larry said:
Thank you, Keith!

Good advice on other forums to check. And what great advice to start by just attending competitions, observing, learning the ropes, getting to know people. Decide if it's really my cup of tea.

To start, I can probably find a club for "friendly" matches in the Dallas area. I'd enjoy that.

Pretty sure I'd be interested in the "sanctioned matches" you mention. I gather that these are held all around the country, so the "spending money" you mentioned would involve travel.

To become a serious competitor at that level, how many matches must one enter each year? Where does one even go to learn when and where these are held? I'm getting excited!

Here are a couple of the sactioning bodies. I'm guessing that there's more ARA near you.
https://www.americanrimfire.com/
http://www.ir5050.com/

And some money must obviously be spent on equipment. For the shooting session described, I borrowed and mounted a friend's Leupold "Competition Series" fixed 45x. Pricey, and useless except for precise target-shooting, but I love it. Would this be suitable for matches?
Absolutely suitable. And one of the preferred actually. You would be limited to probably 10.% & 13.5 or Unlimited in IR 50 Or anything you wish in ARA. Its basically Unlimited

Would I also need a mechanical front rest? (Suggestions?) Anything else?
Most are using mechanical rests of some kind. The majority are using 1pc rests in Unlimited & ARA

BTW, you were right again. You're hitting on all cylinders!

With more research, I've learned this rifle is an Anschutz 54 Match, made in 1966. All original except the custom made "benchrest stock" (3-inch wide, flat fore end;Tiger Maple, inlaid with dark Brazillian Cherry). Looks much like a Don Stith Predator (but it's not - I asked).

No idea of its current value. Guess I can watch gun auctions for a general idea.

Again, many thanks, sir. I really appreciate you taking your time to help.
Click to expand...

See Above
 
What do I have.

Mr.Larry. Not sure how far you are willing to travel. Angelina Rifle Club has a match on the second Saturday from February through November. We have a factory unlimited class that your rifle will qualify for and could be competitive. You could also shoot it in the unlimited class but you would be shooting against a lot of custom rifles. The people are friendly and I am sure you would have a good time.
 
MislMan said:
An Annie 54 is most likely worth $1500 and up depending on stock and scope set-up. Checkout RimfireCentral.com on their Anschutz page for more insight. Killough Shooting Sports has all your Eley ammo available by lots.
Click to expand...


Very useful info. I appreciate that!
 
linekin said:
See Above
Click to expand...

Extremely informative, as usual. Many thanks!

Glad I already found a scope I like and that is suitable.

You wrote "You would be limited to probably 10.% & 13.5 or Unlimited in IR 50 Or anything you wish in ARA. Its basically Unlimited." I'm looking and learning, but not sure what "10.%" means.
 
drknite said:
Mr.Larry. Not sure how far you are willing to travel. Angelina Rifle Club has a match on the second Saturday from February through November. We have a factory unlimited class that your rifle will qualify for and could be competitive. You could also shoot it in the unlimited class but you would be shooting against a lot of custom rifles. The people are friendly and I am sure you would have a good time.
Click to expand...

Thank you!

I know the Nacogdoches area from years ago. Used to ride my bike through there on back road New Orleans/Dallas runs (I worked offshore.) Wonder if SFA still has old "Humper Hill"...

That Club is a hike from where I live, but I may just check it out. One thing I loved: on its website about an upcoming match, it said newbies like me could get a "mentor" to show them the ropes. That sure reduces the first-timer intimidation factor!

Many thanks!
 
linekin said:
Boerne Shooting club looks like they shoot Unlimited matches as well. Joe & Lisa Chacon are great folks to be around & I'm sure they'd welcome you with open arms. Here is the contact info.
http://www.ir5050.com/ranges/boerne-shooting-club/
Looks like they're a little north of San Antonio.
Keith
Click to expand...

That's another one I'll check out, though quite a way from here.

Forgive my ignorance. But do I have this right: there are sanctioned matches held at ranges around the country by different organizations; you go to X-number of these matches in a season (Summer-Fall), and you accumulate points based on your shooting; then, if you have enough points, you can compete in state, regional and national matches?

Any idea how many matches you must attend, minimum, to qualify to "move up"?

just trying to grasp the overall landscape here.
 
You can attend and compete in most state, regional and national events as your first match.
 
Wilbur said:
You can attend and compete in most state, regional and national events as your first match.
Click to expand...

Really? That's interesting! Thank you, sir. Still can't figure this out: when points are figured cumulatively over a season for standings, what is the minimum number of matches you must shoot in? (Trying to figure out a ballpark beginning travel budget to help my wife relax.)
 
Larry said:
Really? That's interesting! Thank you, sir. Still can't figure this out: when points are figured cumulatively over a season for standings, what is the minimum number of matches you must shoot in? (Trying to figure out a ballpark beginning travel budget to help my wife relax.)
Click to expand...

Larry, its hard to know how much you'll travel to estimate an amount.
Anyway, I don't think its a good idea to let her know you may be pissing away a large amount of money in the near future & will receive nothing in return!
Kidding aside, I think it'd be best to attend a match or two 1st & decide what direction you want to go with it. You may be just as happy shooting local club matches.
To try & answer you're question to some extent, whatever discipline you decide to go with, you'll need to shoot a lot of matches to be up near the top. How many is anyone's guess year to year. I'll throw a #30 matches may get you close to the top providing you have good equipment & an understanding of what you're doing.
All I'd worry about at this point is attending your 1st match. The rest will come with time.

Keith
 
linekin said:
Larry, its hard to know how much you'll travel to estimate an amount.
Anyway, I don't think its a good idea to let her know you may be pissing away a large amount of money in the near future & will receive nothing in return!
Kidding aside, I think it'd be best to attend a match or two 1st & decide what direction you want to go with it. You may be just as happy shooting local club matches.
To try & answer you're question to some extent, whatever discipline you decide to go with, you'll need to shoot a lot of matches to be up near the top. How many is anyone's guess year to year. I'll throw a #30 matches may get you close to the top providing you have good equipment & an understanding of what you're doing.
All I'd worry about at this point is attending your 1st match. The rest will come with time.

Keith
Click to expand...

Got it. Thanks, Keith. Your advice is solid as always. Just trying to get some idea of the overall picture. You're quite right. I might be perfectly happy just shooting club matches. (My wife would like that, I'm sure!)
 
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