Thanks for .22 rifle advice. And the winner is...

[RobbW]

I just purchased a new Anschutz 1712FWT from Champion's Choice!  I can't wait to get it.  I even FedEx'd the FFL certificate so I could hopefully get the rifle before the weekend.  

MacMillan black stock, dry-fire pin and 3 extra mag.s will accompany the rifle.  WooHoo!!

What do you recommend for rings?  I've always used BKLs, but heard that Millets were good as well.

What are the top candidates for ammo for me to test?  I'll probably dry fire lots more than live fire (and continue to shoot air in my basement), so cost will be less than if all my practice were live fire.

[chunter]

Thats a good solid purchase....

As far as rings go BKL should be fine,  I haven't had much luck with millets.  I prefer to use the Weaver bases with Burris Signature Zee rings on my 1712.

Ammo is all preference of the rifle...some good starting points:
Wolf
Eley
RWS
Federal Target

Good Luck on your purchase.

C Hunter

[scorlett]

BKLs are fine rings, but in this instance I found them too high, the comb on that stock is just so much lower than I was used to. BKL is planning to make some lower rings, you might check with David to see when they might be available. Of course, you might decide the height is fine with the normal 0.75" ones. It's just what you get used to.

My 1712 shoots most ammo I've tried fairly well, but I didn't like the Wolf MT as well as in all of my other rifles. The Wolf ME does good. It does seem to shoot all Eley very well, again different that a couple of my rifles! So try the cheap Practice (Trainer) that Champion Shooters has at the moment and see how it works (get a couple of bricks first). Then for the ultimate try some other stuff too.

Work on your schedule so you can make down to the Southern Nationals (LA.) in June '05. I'd enjoy meeting you finally.

Sam

[RobbW]

Thanks for the help.  I'll check into lower BKLs and Burris Signatures.  Sam, by David do you mean David at BKL or a dealer somewhere?

Man, I am so excited.  My FFL should get to Champion today and the 1712 should be shipped.  WooHoo!!

I'll try the practice target ammo and get a sampling of the other brands mentioned as well.

Is there anything special I should do or avoid to condition the barrel?  What about cleaning and maintenance?

This is my first powderburner rifle, so I'm a complete newbie.  I helped a friend break in his target .308 and he was cleaning it with a jag after every shot to try to lay down copper in all the micro-fissures of the barrel.  I assume a rimfire is easier to break in and maintain, but I don't know.

[scorlett]

There are a lot folks here more knowledgeable about this subject than I. But, this is what I've decided on:

1) Nothing is needed for the break-in.
2) Clean the barrel after each session, but keep it simple. Just use some gentle solvent. The idea is to primarily remove powder residue. I typically just use a fishing line pull through, with an occasional more thorough cleaning with a graphite or coated rod just to feel like I'm doing something.

My Kimber HS did need a little more thorough cleaning more often. It was a little prone to leading.

Some folks talk of very seldom cleaning their rimfires, but that's not the story I got from the high level bullseye shooters...

The main thing, is shoot it! That's what's great. A rimfire barrel is going to last a long time.