Ultra Lux ....and intro

R

RegisG

Guest
Really been enjoying reading this forum. I'm new to benchrest (or competitive shooting at all). But, have been shooting for over 50 years. Mostly "fun" target shooting for last 20 years and LOTs of hunting before that.

I have an opportunity to "jump" into some benchrest 50 yd ARA style shoots. I can't spend $thousand$ for starting out so, like many, I'm searching. My budget is pretty much a thousand $ (gun, scope, rests, tuning, trigger).

I would be concerned about buying used, unless I knew why someone was selling (getting rid of poor performer). That seems to leave me with something like a CZ 452 Ultra Lux or other CZ that I could squeeze into my price range. I've read really good things about the Ultra Lux but, it is all a few years old. Can it be made ABA competitive (with some luck on barrel too)? Are there other choices? Everyone in our local club shoots Anschutz but, I think only one is a REALLY high $$ one (and wins). Some of these guys started with CZ'z before upgrading to Anschutz but, I don't know if they invested time & $'s or just shot it out of the box.

I don't plan on striving for nationals but, would also not like to "always" be out of local competitivness.

Thanks for any tips.

Regis
 
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used rifles

You should not assume that a rifle is a poor performer just because someone is selling it. There are a lot of shooters out there that change their rifles like most people change their socks - and its not always because the old ones stink. I wouldn't be scared to buy a used rifle if I were you - I think most of the time you'll get a lot more for your money.

Ryan
 
Well, not having a clue where you are from as you didnt put that info in so it will show it is hard to point you in a direction of a local match.

The season is pretty much over for just about all styles of benchrest, so going to see a match might have to wait until January or later if in the snow states.

As for buying a used rifle, stated above, I wouldn't be scared of buying as I did. It was a shooter right from the beginning. So look at the Annies or 40x platforms for a cheap used rifle. It will also be cheaper in the long run to buy used and then upgrade then buy a new stock rifle and then buy the benchrest stock, tuner, benchrest trigger and so on. Just look in the classifieds find one that interests you, give the seller a call and get the low down on the rifle. Everyone I have talked to about buying their rifle has been honest with me.

Just my $.02.

Bill
 
Thanks Ryan & Bill. I'm in the Florida panhandle (Pensacola) and I learned we do have some benchrest matches here.

I will take you up on looking at the classifieds. Especially for any that are close enough to go see. Sure would be easier to find an all-in-one package.

No comments on the Ultra Lux?


Thanks,
Regis
 
For ARA, the Ultra Lux is not what you want to start with. If you can not buy a bench gun, buy one that can be built into one. Find a 40X for $600 (good luck), and shoot it until you can put a trigger in it. Then the stock and finally a new barrel if required. Used is usually cheaper in the long run but if you can't afford that, no sence in buying what you will need to sell to get a benchrest platform.
 
A comment on the Ulta LUX . . .

I ordered a couple of CZ Ultra LUX rifles, with the long 28 inch barrel. They are not what you would want, if you are thinking of getting into "Sanctioned" matches.

The stock does not ride the bags will. In fact it is a real challenge getting that stock to recoil the same from shot to shot. But: I found that they are competitive against the other CZ 452 models. But, ya gota work "hard" to get uniform recoil, the way that stock is shaped. In fact I am exhausted after a 25 shot match with one.

I put a Brooks trigger on one of them and a Basix on the other. No other modifications. Our club shoots under RFC rules and we have a class we call the Factory Sporter Class. 8.5 lb. weight, 24 power max. with factory stock and barrel. Can't shoot Match grade ammo either. The CZs dominate this class at our club, and the Varmint models have been the major winners. If there are no clubs that sponsor sanctioned matches near you, ya might consider shooting in the RFC On-Line-Matches.

So to make a short story long: No one at our club over the last nine years has ever shot a score of 250 on the USBR target at 25 yards with a Factory Sporter rifle. I got the first one, using the LUX with the Brooks trigger. I sold that rifle to Peter Rabine and in our October Match, Peter also got a 250 with that same LUX rifle. Those guys with the Americans and the Varmints are still straining, trying for their first one. The American and Varmint ride the bags better than the LUX. What is the accuracy difference? Maybe the long barrel?

Anyway, just forget about a CZ, if you want to get into Sanctioned matches with ARA, IR-50/50, RBA or ARG. We don't shoot sanctioned matches at our club. We are so far way from any clubs that runs sanctioned matches that you can't get there from here. Most of our club members shoot the Unlimited Rifle Class: About a dozen local Unlimited rifles, but the CZs in the Factory Sporter Class have almost as many local shooters.

If ya want to shoot that LUX in a match, ya gota find a club that shoots the RFC Factory Sporter Class. Or you could shoot alone, as the RFC matches are run like a postal match, but "ON THE INTERNET". If ya can learn how to manage that European stock, ya might manage to beat some CZ Americans and Varmints.

Peter Rabine left for Florida a couple of weeks ago. He took that hot LUX with him, and he will be shooting with it in the RFC matches through the winter months. He needs some competition.

Joe Haller :)
 
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