Falling plate rifle - What would you build or buy

[mcwoodduck]

Yesterday I shot a falling steel plate match.
There are 6 4" plates and we move from 25 yards to 50 yards with the rifle, the match is also shot with pistols.
There are 4 positions and you have 7 seconds to 10 seconds to shoot the plates ( as you move back you add a second) from an unsupported off hand position.  There are NO excuses.  Forget to take off the safety, miss fire, dud round...   We all showed up with different rifles.  I showed up with a Ruger 10/22 Target model.  It is factoryt with a 3-9X40 scope.  Other guys showed up with really tricked out rifles to one guy had a Stock Stainless Marlin M60.  Some of the guys were having problems finding the plates with the higher magnification on their scopes.
The question is, What would you use for this shoot?  I think it has to be a Semi Auto.  Last night I went into the back yard with a Bolt action and a timer and I could not get 6 rounds off in under 7 seconds let alone aimed ones.  Would you build or buy nad what optics  would you want?  I have two ideas as to what I want but want to se what you all come up with. 
We were talking at the shoot

[Hooker]

Sounds like fun.
I'd have to go with my Mossberg 151 and low power scope like 1-5 or a fixed 2 power.
The Mossy points well shoots very well and has a sweet trigger.

Pat

[PowPow]

I would use my 10/22 with a large od red dot scope probably 5 moa. I have a cheap Bushnell Scopechief that is a few years old and wanting to short sometimes, but if it were reliable that is what I would use. Would turn it down to where I could see through the dot.

[Victor3]

I don't think I'd change your rifle as it seems well suited to the game. 4" plate at 50 yds? That only requires 8 moa. Heck, you could drive a truck through that kill zone (If only you had the time    ).
 
I love my 10 year old 2nd generation Bushnell Holosight for similar snap shooting and haven't found a newer type red dot that equals it today. I have it mounted on my Sig 522 now...
 

 
EOTech recently released a rimifire-specific model if you've got a few bucks...
 
http://www.eotech-inc.com/products/sights/xps2rf

[jlwilliams]

10-22 with a good holo-sight is probably going to be the fastest.  If your eyes are good you may be able to do it with a good iron peep sight, but I suspect that the technology would help.  The Eotech on top of a well tuned 10-22 could be a consistent match winner for a good shooter.
 
  Might be a good course to run with a classic pump action gallery gun.  Probably not quite as fast but it would be fun.

[mcwoodduck]

10-22 with a good holo-sight is probably going to be the fastest.  If your eyes are good you may be able to do it with a good iron peep sight, but I suspect that the technology would help.  The Eotech on top of a well tuned 10-22 could be a consistent match winner for a good shooter.
 
  Might be a good course to run with a classic pump action gallery gun.  Probably not quite as fast but it would be fun.

The first match I used the 10/22 Target model with the scope.  For the 2nd and third match I shot a 10/22 I (manlicher stocked) model with the factory sights and came in 4th for both matches.  Adding low power scope or a red dot or one of the combo scopes like the new Leupold or trijicon to it may be the way to go but I wanted to see what others would pick or build.
I like the Sig rifle.  Cool.

[Hooker]

mcwoodduck you say firing at these matches is done unsupported. Does this exclude using a sling also ?
Pat

[mcwoodduck]

You have to start with the gun low so a sling would slow you down.  I tried in the second match.  Tighend up my sling the next string and hit more as I did not have leather swinging under me.

[tacklebury]

If price isn't critical I'd say Remington Speedmaster.  I didn't see you say anything about number of rounds, but I'd think that it's tube loaded up with 20 CCI high velocity shorts would be great if there's no limitation on ammo and they have sufficient velocity to put down the plates.  Even with the 22 LR, a tube holds more than most without having a long clip hanging out etc.  If you don't think shorts can put it down though I'd use a Model 60 marlin.  There are aftermarket adj. triggers for these too and I find the weight forward with the tube helps steady off hand shots.  Mine is an oldie, purchased used in 1986, but still going strong.  It's my favorite squirrel gun when leaves are still on the tree I use a Bushnell 3-9x40 so I can see the critters in the orange leaves, but mine rocks faster with iron sights, so I use Kwik-Site version elevated 22 tip off rings, so I can aim with irons if I need a follow up shot.  I can put all 14 rounds into less than 2" off hand as quick as I can get sights on target.
 
Speedmaster: http://www.galleryofguns.com/genie/default.aspx?item=5594
Marlin 60: http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/323/products_id/41200
My oldie:
 
***edit***
I've been looking at upgrading the wood with one of these also. 
http://www.boydsgunstocks.com/Boyds-Rimfire-Target-Hunter-Marlin-s/196.htm

[mcwoodduck]

Sorry there are 6 plates so only 6 rounds.  Besides with 7 to 9 seconds as a time limit it would be hard to get more than  8 to 10 aimed shots off.
One of the guys shoots a tube fed stainless steel marlin 60 and does very well with it and I learned something about quickly loading a tube gun.  It is a fun shoot and anything that goes wrong Forgotten safety, others screwing with you and putting on your safety, dud round, porly seated magizine, forgetting to load the chamber all add pressure to the clock and trying to push your self to beat it and hit the targets.

[-Shaggy-]

Yesterday I shot a falling steel plate match.
There are 6 4" plates and we move from 25 yards to 50 yards with the rifle, the match is also shot with pistols.
There are 4 positions and you have 7 seconds to 10 seconds to shoot the plates ( as you move back you add a second) from an unsupported off hand position.  There are NO excuses.  Forget to take off the safety, miss fire, dud round...   We all showed up with different rifles.  I showed up with a Ruger 10/22 Target model.  It is factoryt with a 3-9X40 scope.  Other guys showed up with really tricked out rifles to one guy had a Stock Stainless Marlin M60.  Some of the guys were having problems finding the plates with the higher magnification on their scopes.
The question is, What would you use for this shoot?  I think it has to be a Semi Auto.  Last night I went into the back yard with a Bolt action and a timer and I could not get 6 rounds off in under 7 seconds let alone aimed ones.  Would you build or buy nad what optics  would you want?  I have two ideas as to what I want but want to se what you all come up with. 
We were talking at the shoot

So what was the winner using? Kind of sounds like that contest might depend more on shooting skill than equipment.

[mcwoodduck]

Well the first match I won with a Stock ruger target model with a Leupold Var X II 3-9X40 scope. 
The second match  was won with a stock 10/22 with what I think was  Bushnell banner 3-9X33 scope.
The third match was won with a custom made 10/22 with a huge scope.  6-18 Minimum.  When I say custom I mena custome it was all Voquartzen parts and a 80% reciever that hh milled and drilled. (not to brag but still 1 target hit under my first place.
I switched to a Ruger 10/22 International (the full stock with factory sights)  I did have a small oops in match three.  The take down screw on that rifle comes out and I forgot to tighten it till 1/2 way through match.
But I understand it is skill over equipment.  When I shot a silohuette match years ago with the 10/22 T model and came in first one guy said if he had that equipment he could win too.  So I went out and found other 22 Rifles and practiced and still kicked his butt with the Romanian training rifle with open sights.

[PowPow]

McWD - What you did there was like Bear Bryant;. he could take his'n and beat your'n, then take your'n and beat his'n.

[-Shaggy-]

That kind of match sounds like a lot of fun, might have to see if I can get one set up here. Personally, I would probably use one of my Model 60's. The one with the holosight just might be the ticket. Then I would take a screwdriver, gouge up the stock, sand through the finish in a few places, wrap some duct tape around a few places, and smear some paint here and there. Nothing to affect accuracy, but just make it look like a total piece of crap. Then go out and whoop up on the guys with the customs and the high dollar rigs. Or get my butt kicked. With the friends I shoot with, either way we have a good time.

[mcwoodduck]

At one point one of the guys had the reset rope pulled so all the hits would not knock down the plates.  It is a lot of fun as a shoot with the rifles, the other months with the handguns some get a little serious, but everyone still has fun.
 

[Victor3]

 Seems like the Ruger is a favorite for the game and you obviously did well with them too.
 
 I've never shot a similar style 'formal' rimfire competition but from "who can kill 5 clays on the berm with 5 shots the fastest" (with either handguns or rifles) I've done with friends, my best times were with a heavy barrel. My Ruger MKII 10" bull bbl and an old Savage Model 6 (24" bbl) did well.
  In my experience, muzzle flip is a significant factor. Slows you down getting on target. Your 10/22T with its heavy bbl should minimize it. Might also want to try subsonic ammo if you were using HV last time.

[Antietamgw]

Sounds like any good repeater would do but likely it would take a semi auto to be competitive. A dot or scope with a dot sounds like it might be the quickest in moving from target to target.  I'd likely just use my 10-22 or T-Bolt, both have compact 3X9 Leupold's. They are my squirrel guns. Being competitive isn't that important to me but I can alwaysuse more practice from field positions.  Enjoy, sounds like a ball!