Rimfire silhouette: any advantage with a particular action?

[Ned]

For a newcomer to rimfire silhouette is there any advantage to any given action?

I prefer single shot rifles but just from a brief viewing of some photos it appears semi-autos (such as the Ruger 10/22) are quite popular. I suspect bolt actions would also rank high in popularity.

I reviewed my NRA rule book and that shows a time limit of 2.5 minutes per shot so while it may take a little longer to unload/reload a single shot that does not seem to be too much of a problem.

Would I be handicapping myself using a single shot?

Ned

[ironfoot]

I believe that the top shooters use Anschutz bolt guns, or custom bolt guns.
It is usually best to do what the winners do.

[drags]

If you prefer a single use it at a match and see what other shooters are using. I think the  lock time on a single shot is slower than a bolt gun. But shoot what you have.
Drags

[rem2035]

Ned
  You don't say which silhouette match you're shooting. I take it from the 10-22 reference you are thinking about "Smallbore Rifle Silhouette". This, I believe, uses 1/5 scale animals shot at 40,60,77 and 100 meters. They are very small. I shoot this occasioally with my 10-22 topped with a Leupold Veri-x III 3.5 - 10 scope. Most of the shooters use an Anschultz or one of the CZ models. Now if you are thinking of "Cowboy Lever Action" most of us use a Marlin 39-A. It is open to any rifle with a tubular magazine except bolt actions. Pump actions will qualify. This is shot with open sights on 1/2 scale animals at 40,50,75 and 100 meters. Some sort of peep sight and Lyman 17 Globe sight is commonly used. It is 2.5 minutes per 5 shot string by the way. I ran a fun match this summer using 1/2 sacle animals and filled in for the air pistol silhouette director several times. Either game you want to play is going to take a rifle with good sight adjustment. I don't remember the bullet drop with high velocity ammo, but standard velocity has somrthing like a eight inch drop form 40 meters to 100 meters. The smallbore rifle silhouette shooting just about requires a scope.

[bob259]

For a newcomer to rimfire silhouette is there any advantage to any given action?

I prefer single shot rifles but just from a brief viewing of some photos it appears semi-autos (such as the Ruger 10/22) are quite popular. I suspect bolt actions would also rank high in popularity.

I reviewed my NRA rule book and that shows a time limit of 2.5 minutes per shot so while it may take a little longer to unload/reload a single shot that does not seem to be too much of a problem.

Would I be handicapping myself using a single shot?

Ned

I prefer single shot rifles but just from a brief viewing of some photos it appears semi-autos (such as the Ruger 10/22) are quite popular. I suspect bolt actions would also rank high in popularity. Bolt action Anschutz, CZ's or custom rifles are most popular, both single shot and clip feed.[/color]

I reviewed my NRA rule book and that shows a time limit of 2.5 minutes per shot so while it may take a little longer to unload/reload a single shot that does not seem to be too much of a problem. It's 2.5  minutes per 'string' which is 5 shots. Plenty of time for a single loader.
[/color]
Would I be handicapping myself using a single shot?  Not one bit, many shooters use a single shot rifle, if it has a clip for Hunter class you have to load via the clip.[/color]

[Fat NDN]

The 10/22's you see usually cost $800 up. I us a CZ 452 American ($337) and it does very good.
you need a gun that will hold a 1/4" group at 40M. Chickens are 2"across at 40M. Most American
guns will not meet the accuracy standards.

[Graybeard]

Until such time as you've done it long enough to KNOW you like it and are GOOD at it just use whatever you have. I won a ton of trophies with a Weatherby MKXXII. I used an Anschutz for awhile and HATED it. Shot the worse scores of my entire shooting career with it. I used a TC carbine to win several shoots and eventually went to a Remington 541-T.

My best friend who traveled to matches with me and was extremely competitive once used a Remington Model 10 an elcheapo single shot with Redfield receiver peep and a cut down front sight to beat the best in the state using the most expensive guns on the market at the time.

It's not what you use it's how you use it. Just take what you have and compete with it awhile and then decide what you want to do and what you want to do it with.

My friend and I both wiped the field with our field type guns at many matches against the competition using the latest and greatest made for the game equipment.

[ironfoot]

Graybeard.
Was the Weatherby you used an American made gun?
Was it a bolt gun, or semi automatic?

Here is a link to the current Weatherby MKXXII.
(It has an Anschutz action.)

http://www.weatherby.com/product/rifles/markxxii

http://www.weatherby.com/products/guns.asp?prd=Rifles&prd_sub_type=14&prod_code=DXT17HMR3O

[Graybeard]

No it was the old semiauto Weatherby. I think when they first started they came from Italy and then moved production to Japan as I recall. Mine was bought new in '73. But that rifle shot like a match rifle for sure. It would put a full tube of CCI Minimag HPs under a dime at 30 yards with room to spare. The Remington 541-T was so accurate that from a bench you could aim at the heads of turkeys and take them all down if you did your part. Both guns were more than accurate enough for the game as long as the shooter did his part.

[Fat NDN]

No it was the old semiauto Weatherby. I think when they first started they came from Italy and then moved production to Japan as I recall. Mine was bought new in '73. But that rifle shot like a match rifle for sure. It would put a full tube of CCI Minimag HPs under a dime at 30 yards with room to spare. The Remington 541-T was so accurate that from a bench you could aim at the heads of turkeys and take them all down if you did your part. Both guns were more than accurate enough for the game as long as the shooter did his part.

30 years ago a lot of American guns shot really good. It wasn't until the $ factor took over the pride factor with manufacturing that accuracy went south.

[Pathfinder6.5]

Ned,

I would strongly discourage running out and buying anything right away. If you have ANY type of .22 rimfire rifle take it to a match and shoot it. Visit with the shooters at the match and ask to handle/shoot their rifles...most anyone will be happy to let you try their equipment and share their experiences with you.

That said, unless you are a diehard single shot (falling block) fan they are really not the way to go for a competitive rifle for silhouette. The CZs represent a very good way to get into the game without spending the money that an Anschutz goes for these days. With the dollar tanking compared to the Euro the price of Anschutz products will likely go up before long.

You will see all manner of scopes at a match. It is not necessary to have a "big" (highpower scope) to shoot successfully. It may, in fact, be a detriment under some conditions, especially when you are not accustomed to one. Again, ask around and try different ones on other people's rifles.

The same can be said of ammunition. A lot of people have had success with Wolf and SK ammunition that does not cost as much as some of the others. Get something and spend some time at the range practicing rather than worrying about whether there might be something out there that shoots somewhat smaller groups.

This is not the easiest game around, but can be a lot of fun.

Welcome to the sport!

[ironfoot]

http://www.sunnyvalegunclub.com/SportShooting/Silhouette.html