.22LR long range build advice

Snal~

Snal~

I Run A Tight Shipwreck (Tragic Boating Accident)
Charter Life Member
Joined
Dec 17, 2016
Messages
3,766
Location
WNC/Laurens County, SC
Rating - 100%
18   0   0
I need a project, been 3 years since I've built anything.
Looking to build a long range precision .22LR bolt gun.
I'm shooting for the most accuracy that I can get within budget.
The only real must-haves are...bolt action, 20" bbl max., and bbl must be threaded, and I'd really like to build
it, even if that means buying a complete rifle and using the receiver and bbl as the base of the build.
Scope and mount suggestions would be a plus as well.
I'm cheap as can be, but let's say a $1200 max budget, which would make it my most expensive build ever!
I'd like advice from those that have been there....done that...and are happy with it!
 
If the barreled action is together then you would just be putting stock and trigger of choice on it. This isn't a bad deal to start.

www.brownells.com

B14R 22LR BARRELED ACTION 18" STEEL THREADED | Brownells

The Bergara B-14 R Bolt Action Rifle in .22 LR is the latest offering in the ever-popular B-14 series of rifles. With the collective of the Bergara expert team they have designed and built an accurate full size .22 precision trainer. The Bergara B...
www.brownells.com www.brownells.com

But buying the whole B14R with the stock they give is nice too.

www.scheels.com

Bergara B14 Trainer Rifle

The Bergara B14 22LR Rifle models the REM700 platform for added customizability. This 22 rifle features an adjustable cheekpiece and length of pull spacers. SCHEELS
www.scheels.com www.scheels.com

Is the $1200 including optics?
 
Last edited:
From what I understand the Cz457 uses the same receiver and trigger group across the lineup, adding different barrel lengths, profiles etc as well as stock/chassis. Could start with a basic threaded model and go from there, or buy a basic model and add a lilja barrel, new stock and so forth.
 
.... CZ and Tikka for a factory rifle. For a nice trigger, they only need a spring change, creep is usually not an issue with their triggers.

I don't know what they do now, but Clark custom guns used to make some nice rifles and so did Volquartsen if you wanted a Ruger built.

Ruger made some type of target bolt action 22, it had a laminated stock, bull barrel, and a decent trigger. I don't think it was quite as consistent as the CZ's at that time, but still very consistent. They have a similar product line now, but I don't remember being around them at the moment.........
 
Gonna be hard to build a combo rifle. I'd determine the main usage and go from there. 22's are a hole that you can just keep digging. Go ahead and take a loan out and start buying ammo by the brick.
 
RimX ftw! Lol that blows ya budget though.

In that budget id say a b14 barreled action or a t1x then upgrade stock and maybe the barrel.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Rob01 said:
Keep it in the buckets and buy good ammo. 😉
Click to expand...
I have a crapload of .22 rifles and handguns. Did a test years ago to find out what kind of bulk ammo they like. By far they liked the Federal 550 bricks, so that's what I hoarded.
Back then I could get those bricks for under $9...and I bought it like it was going out of style.
 
What he said!!! From my experience........ usually match ammo which will be subsonic works the best for consistency. CCI Green Tag, Lapua, SK is Lapua primed IIRC, Eley, Federal match is what I've had the most consistency with. However........ sometimes you will get a small batch here and there from the Supersonic bulk pack ammo that is on par with match ammo.... it doesn't happen often but it does happen.
 
BowWow said:
What he said!!! From my experience........ usually match ammo which will be subsonic works the best for consistency. CCI Green Tag, Lapua, SK is Lapua primed IIRC, Eley, Federal match is what I've had the most consistency with. However........ sometimes you will get a small batch here and there from the Supersonic bulk pack ammo that is on par with match ammo.... it doesn't happen often but it does happen.
Click to expand...
I have enough to try :)
 
REELDOC said:
Gonna be hard to build a combo rifle. I'd determine the main usage and go from there. 22's are a hole that you can just keep digging. Go ahead and take a loan out and start buying ammo by the brick.
Click to expand...
My experience with precision .22 rifles and ammo are shoot al little of everything as they will like a certain brand, kind, grain and lubricant and then start acquiring ammo. No sense in buying a bunch of ammo only to have the rifle not eat it well.
This is a CZ 455 Varmint with 20 inch threaded barrel in a Manners stock and a 4x25x60mm Sightron scope and it was capable of reaching out and touching with Federal Match. I tried Lapua, Wolf, you name it. It shot better with Federal.
87B7FBF3-EE64-43A6-841C-EEF402A5CDB2.jpeg87F5560E-D43C-4EA7-958F-F2597F7DC03A.jpeg
 
Last edited:
If you want something plug and play, then the CZ, Tikka, etc. will all work. If you want something to tinker with, then maybe pick up a Savage FVSR, then grab a chassis, rail, etc. and spend your money on glass. They are cheap, accurate as hell, and you won't feel bad at all about modifying it, painting it or swapping out parts.
 
Last edited:
East of Here said:
If you want something plug and play, then the CZ, Tikka, etc. will all work. If you want something to tinker with, then maybe pick up a Savage FVSR, then grab a chassis, rail, etc. and spend your money on glass. They are cheap, accurate as hell, and you won't feel bad at all about modifying it, painting it or swapping out parts.
Click to expand...
As a proud owner of a Savage MKII (FVSR action) I’d stay away from them. They have a terrible habit of failing to extract with match ammo.
 
Moth said:
As a proud owner of a Savage MKII (FVSR action) I’d stay away from them. They have a terrible habit of failing to extract with match ammo.
Click to expand...
And THAT is where the tinkering comes in, then... 🤣
 
@Snal~ , did you ever take the plunge on something?

I’m loosely considering a turnkey bolt .22 to futz with at longer ranges. The CZ Pro Varmint seems attractive. Does anyone have experience with these?
 
Last edited:
Frank C Lyons said:
@Snal~ , did you ever take the plunge on something?

I’m loosely considering a turnkey bolt .22 to futz with at longer ranges. The CZ Pro Varmint seems attractive. Does anyone have experience with these?
Click to expand...
Next time you're near Shelby, text me. I'll let you borrow mine for a couple weeks, if you want.
See how you like it.
 
Frank C Lyons said:
I’m loosely considering a turnkey bolt .22 to futz with at longer ranges. The CZ Pro Varmint seems attractive. Does anyone have experience with these?
Click to expand...
draco88 said:
Next time you're near Shelby, text me. I'll let you borrow mine for a couple weeks, if you want.
See how you like it.
Click to expand...
Or swing by here and grab my CZ 455 Tacticool if you want…
 
Frank C Lyons said:
@Snal~ , did you ever take the plunge on something?

I’m loosely considering a turnkey bolt .22 to futz with at longer ranges. The CZ Pro Varmint seems attractive. Does anyone have experience with these?
Click to expand...

My Pro Varmint is one of my favorite weapons.
 
Frank C Lyons said:
What is the scoop on the Tikka T1X? It looks like it would be a great companion rifle to my CTR.

www.eurooptic.com

Tikka T1x .22 LR 16" 1:16.5" Rifle JRT1X300SB

Tikka T1x .22 LR 16" 1:16.5" Rifle JRT1X300SB For Sale
www.eurooptic.com www.eurooptic.com
Click to expand...

I dont think you can go wrong with it. My CTR was butter smooth and a very nice rifle, I would think this would be the same.
If youre planning on using it mostly for matches, especially in that match you described in the pms, the one with the 350 yd stage, the 20 inch version might suit you better.
If its gonna mostly be a 50-100 pest gun with the occasional long range match use, the 16 would probably do. Just find the ammo it likes and develop your dope.
 
Last edited:
I've been reading and learning and it looks like most everyone is trying to stay subsonic for these long range shoots so that they don't get into a funky transonic range. As such, that stiff 16 incher looks like the way to go.
 
Frank C Lyons said:
I've been reading and learning and it looks like most everyone is trying to stay subsonic for these long range shoots so that they don't get into a funky transonic range. As such, that stiff 16 incher looks like the way to go.
Click to expand...

The 16-20" will do what you want fine. I use an 18" without any problems.
 
Frank C Lyons said:
I've been reading and learning and it looks like most everyone is trying to stay subsonic for these long range shoots so that they don't get into a funky transonic range. As such, that stiff 16 incher looks like the way to go.
Click to expand...

My thinking on that is yes, stay subsonic to avoid that, but using an 18 or 20 would maximize the velocity of standard velocity ammo, which is subsonic anyway at ~1070 fps. Those extra few fps could help with drop or wind drift at extended ranges...or would the difference just be so negligable as to be insignificant?

Id lik to hear more from our resident 22 experts on this, though.

Edited to add: I have no illusions as to my limits. I never go over 100yds, but I do find the discusison very interesting.
 
Last edited:
draco88 said:
I dont think you can go wrong with it. My CTR was butter smooth and a very nice rifle, I would think this would be the same.
If youre planning on using it mostly for matches, especially in that match you described in the pms, the one with the 350 yd stage, the 20 inch version might suit you better.
If its gonna mostly be a 50-100 pest gun with the occasional long range match use, the 16 would probably do. Just find the ammo it likes and develop your dope.
Click to expand...
I remember reading long ago on Rimfirecentral.com that 16" was the most efficient length for a 22 rifle, that anything longer did not increase velocity. I never verified that, so not 100% certain, but until shown otherwise I believe it to be mostly true. Of course it would depend somewhat on the round/load. Since most match ammo is low velocity (subsonic) already, a longer barrel is probably just going to reduce velocity even more.

IMO the only advantage of a long barrel in 22lr is a longer sight radius with iron sights.
 
Most guys using .22s in long range matches are using 18-22" barrels so it's not a problem hitting long range with a longer barrel. The whole "perfect length" thing even in centerfire is subject to a lot of issues. Stay in a usable barrel length and you will be fine. A few FPS difference won't make a difference.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom