Lithgow LA101

[Marine24]

Picked up a Australian made Lithgow LA101 in 22LR. Very impressed with the rifle. Quick range report on the Lithgow LA101. After dialing in the scope, shot an assortment of 22LR ammo through it, which included the following:

- CCI Mini-Mag
- Federal Gold Medal HV Match
- Aquila 22 Match
- Eley Tenex
- Eley Match
- Lapua Midas+

Winner was Lapua Midas+ that shot a five shot 5/16” group at 50 yards off of bipod and rear bag. Worse was Federal Gold Medal HV Match at 13/16”. CCI Mini-mag came in at 12/16". Both Eley Match and Target came in at 7/16” and Aquia 22 Match at 10/16”. First rounds through the rifle and no doubt this one can shoot.

10 shot group of Lapua Midas+ can in at 7/16".

 

[JG26_Irish]

That is a pretty rifle. What optic did you use for those groups? Midas+ is good stuff. Surprised that the Eley black did not do better but it did do close to the others. FYI - those shoot-n-see tgts are terrible for trying to get clean measured groups. They do not cut clean holes and the black crap comes off leaving a large mark on the paper making measurement difficult. Contact the USBR association and spend the $25 bucks on a large package of their BR tgts (100 pack). You get a tgt with 25 precision bulls on it plus three sighter bulls all printed on high quality paper. They cut clean holes and the tiny center ring provides a precise repeatable aiming point for you to optimize the results of any rifle. Sometimes I print my own tgts but when I do, I like to use higher grade paper for the same reason. The cheap Walmart printer paper does not do that well.

Irish

 

[Marine24]

Irish,

Appreciate the recommendation on targets. I was doing the initial sitting in and old eyes need whatever advantage I can get, but at 50 yards it wasn't necessary. Know what you mean by measuring group size.with those targets. I was using a loaner rear bag and the setup was a little squirrely at times, I plan to rerun the test with my squeeze bag to help with the stability and compare it to a KIDD 10/22.

Lithgow recommends Lapua Center-X, which they use for their accuracy testing. Little bit of a price break compared to Midas + and am curious how it compares.

I'm running a Athlon Ares BTR 2.5-15x50 scope on the rifle and seems to be doing just fine. For the money, the glass is very good. I can be a little bit of an optics snob when it comes to my centerfire rifles, but mounting a Gen II Razor or T5Xi on this rifle seemed a little much.

Mike

 

[Rolltide]

I'm looking forward to seeing one of those and trying it out.

 

[Marine24]

Can't recommend them enough. Step up from my CZ455 and more in the Anschutz category.

Just tough to find. Fortunately my dealer was willing to order from Legacy and able to come up with a laminate stock. Synthetic stock models were also available at a cheaper price.

Uses CZ452 mags. You need to run the bolt with some authority. Action is very smooth but getting it locked up takes some attitude but should wear in nicely with use.


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[Bucket]

I live in Aus, so a little ahead in the Lithgow game
i have a couple, one i bought new and one second hand a guy was selling super cheap. He bought a CZ 455, then sold it nd bought another Lithgow!
My laminated stock one shoots most ammo vety well, my plastic stock one shoots most ammo exceptionally well.
Only complaints are the standard triggers are a bit creepy and the mags sometimes have an issue with the last round. I put a locally made Lumley spring kit through the laminated one and the previous owner had a gunsmith work on the plastic one, both are good now.
There is a "fix" on their website fir the mags.

i honestly reckon they are the best engineered mass produced factory rimcfire out there. They dont have the polish of an Annie, but a great design!

 

[Marine24]

Trigger on mine was smooth and crisp but heavier than I prefer. Not being adjustable is unfortunate and I'll have to see if Lumley will ship to the US but as a package I'm very pleased with the rifle. I would put it as a solid competitor to the Anschutz 1416/1517 rifles as far as performance. The Lithgow is a little larger but aesthetics definitely goes to the Annie.

 

[JG26_Irish]

Irish,

Lithgow recommends Lapua Center-X, which they use for their accuracy testing. Little bit of a price break compared to Midas + and am curious how it compares.

I'm running a Athlon Ares BTR 3-15x50 scope on the rifle and seems to be doing just fine. For the money, the glass is very good. I can be a little bit of an optics snob when it comes to my centerfire rifles, but mounting a Gen II Razor or T5Xi on this rifle seemed a little much.

Mike

Mike, I run a lot of Lapua CX and have found it to compare well to Midas+. The difference at 50y with most rifles from a solid bench is barely measurable but it is a difference. If you need to wring the last fraction of an inch off of a group the Midas+ will usually do it but you will see from my posts on the 6x5 that I have never posted a tgt using the Midas+. Partly because I did not need to and partly because it costs so much that I hated to burn an entire box on a set of tgts. Partly because I got the Midas+ last year and have been too busy to try with it.

If I may ask: What did the Lithgow cost you? Based on your pic and the comments about it comparing well to a CZ and Annie, I might want to see about running one down. Too bad the trigger is not adjustable. Are you certain about that? I bought a little Anschutz mod 1451 a few years back that had a horrible stiff, creepy trigger. I was about to sell it when I took it out of the stock and learned that the trigger was adjustable and was able to dial it down to a nice, safe, crisp status in all of 10 minutes. Transformed it from a ho-hum field rifle to a legitimate contender.

Irish

 

[Marine24]

Irish,

I am developing a growing appreciation for the pricier 22LR ammo from Lapua and Eley, but know what you mean on the price difference between Midas + and Center X. And here I thought mini-mag was expensive.

No problem on the prices. From my dealer, the laminate LA101 was $1132.75 before taxes/background fees. The synthetic was $941.85.

Surprised me at first but looked at the money I put in to the CZ455 and I'm not far off.

Mike

 

[Rolltide]

That's not bad on the price. I try to look at rimfires as a long term investment. It's almost impossible to wear one out as long as you take care of it.

I know a lot of shooters that have the same, or in some cases more money tied up in builds than they would've spent buying an Anschutz, Sako or KIDD to begin with. In many cases, the builds are done as the funds are available, but ultimately, the builds typically don't hold value...

How are the ergos on the stock?

 

[Marine24]

It fits me well. I'm running medium Vortex rings and cheek weld is perfect.

High comb with almost a T6 like feel to the stock. I like that it is more substantial than a typical rimfire stock.

Safety is right by the bolt handle which is familiar.


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[dino67]

https://www.facebook.com/pg/Man-at-...5/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1644932109147143

Mine hasn't impressed me with the groups it throws out. Looks like it has potential but was very inconsistent with groups. It would bughole 3 or 4 and then move an inch away and do the same. Standard bedding was a little average so I had nothing to lose by attempting to improve it. Have yet to shoot it with new bedding but will report back once I do.

 

[oneshottwomiss]

I've got a LA101 at the top of my list for a Rimfire PRS build and was hoping for some more feedback regarding owner's continued thoughts on the quality and accuracy of these rifles.
I have a soft spot for them being an Aussie, also my first rifle as a 10yr old was a Model 12.
I understand there are cheaper options about but subscribe to the buy once, cry once mantra.
I'm thinking of pairing it with an Athlon Argos BTR 6-25x50. Any feedback on this scope would be great too.

Thanks.

 

[Marine24]

Can't speak highly enough about it. I just flat shoots with a variety of ammo but it does have a preference for Lapua. Trigger is still the biggest negative on the rifle, but it isn't bad enough for me to do something about it. Always had an itch to purchase an Anschutz 1416 in a Manner's T6 stock, but since picking up the LA101, haven't given it much thought.

I'm not familiar with the Argos BTR scope, but have both the Midas and Ares BTR models. I prefer FFP but they are very good scopes for the money. Turrets aren't as good as my Steiner T5Xi, Sig Tango6, Gen II Razor or March scopes but still very functional/repeatable at significantly less money.

Good luck on your hunt. If you purchase a LA101, expect you will be very pleased.

 

[oneshottwomiss]

Thanks for the reply Marine24.

Sounds like the rifle is a solid option for what I want from it.
I understand it can be ordered with a lighter trigger from the factory and there are a couple of aftermarket options to do the same.

 

[Jory45acp]

These are interesting rifles for sure but not easy to find or sale.

 

[AirGunShawn]

That is a pretty rifle. What optic did you use for those groups? Midas+ is good stuff. Surprised that the Eley black did not do better but it did do close to the others. FYI - those shoot-n-see tgts are terrible for trying to get clean measured groups. They do not cut clean holes and the black crap comes off leaving a large mark on the paper making measurement difficult. Contact the USBR association and spend the $25 bucks on a large package of their BR tgts (100 pack). You get a tgt with 25 precision bulls on it plus three sighter bulls all printed on high quality paper. They cut clean holes and the tiny center ring provides a precise repeatable aiming point for you to optimize the results of any rifle. Sometimes I print my own tgts but when I do, I like to use higher grade paper for the same reason. The cheap Walmart printer paper does not do that well.

Irish

I go to my local printer and have them print out targets for me on "Card stock", the weight that business cards are printed on. They are cheap and they cut very clean holes. They can print any target style that I like. I agree, shoot-n-see tgts are not good for measured groups.

 

[AirGunShawn]

Irish,

Appreciate the recommendation on targets. I was doing the initial sitting in and old eyes need whatever advantage I can get, but at 50 yards it wasn't necessary. Know what you mean by measuring group size.with those targets. I was using a loaner rear bag and the setup was a little squirrely at times, I plan to rerun the test with my squeeze bag to help with the stability and compare it to a KIDD 10/22.

Lithgow recommends Lapua Center-X, which they use for their accuracy testing. Little bit of a price break compared to Midas + and am curious how it compares.

I'm running a Athlon Ares BTR 2.5-15x50 scope on the rifle and seems to be doing just fine. For the money, the glass is very good. I can be a little bit of an optics snob when it comes to my centerfire rifles, but mounting a Gen II Razor or T5Xi on this rifle seemed a little much.

Mike

My Trijicon 5-50x56 on my V22. I can never seem to have to much glass. I even looked at a March 80X.

 

[Marine24]

Saw some guys competing in the Precision Rimfire matches and see them running NF ATACR and Leupold Mark 5 7-35. One had a March FX 5-40x56 on his Voodoo. They were shooting out to 200 yards and shooting 1/4" steel spinners at 50 yards. I get it.

 

[wlburger]

My Lithgow 101 - At the Range on March 5, 2021https://www.2a.email/post/my-lithgow-101-at-the-range-on-march-5-2021 https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a7c5bb_e10622da7a9b43e5a8cab8f7ff6f6c95~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_1000,h_750,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01/a

Specs: Lithgow 101 in 22LR, Mueller 40x56 Scope (only $250- don't expect a lot), Vortex Rings, Scope Rail from Trigger by Scar, LLC, Eley's Tenex Ammo, Trigger pull at 3.5 lbs. No modifications (yet) - everything factory.Shot about 50-75 rounds prior to the following targetsFifty YardsBallistic...

www.2a.email

 

[Eadle]

My Lithgow 101 - At the Range on March 5, 2021https://www.2a.email/post/my-lithgow-101-at-the-range-on-march-5-2021 https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a7c5bb_e10622da7a9b43e5a8cab8f7ff6f6c95~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_1000,h_750,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01/a

Specs: Lithgow 101 in 22LR, Mueller 40x56 Scope (only $250- don't expect a lot), Vortex Rings, Scope Rail from Trigger by Scar, LLC, Eley's Tenex Ammo, Trigger pull at 3.5 lbs. No modifications (yet) - everything factory.Shot about 50-75 rounds prior to the following targetsFifty YardsBallistic...

www.2a.email

How is that Mueller working out?

 

[wlburger]

How is that Mueller working out?

For the price point, it's OK... parallax is challenging; not real clear glass..... again its only $250 (on sale) to $350. It ain't no Night Force.

 

[Slides]

I used to shoot at the range owned by the factory, a few club members had them, I have an LA105. I bought a CZ455 22lr on special, it is a nice rifle but in hindsight I would probably buy the Lithgow rimfire as well, the heavier barrel would be nice. I have heard nothing but praise for the rimfire and the centrefires shoot very close to the F class guns considering the weight and barrel length handicap. There were some barrel issues with some early centrefire but they changed tooling and processes.

 

[Rich4]

I’ve had one since the first batch, sk lapua and federal has been the best so far, after about 5000 rounds mine has really tightened up but I need to watch for a carbon ring, I train with federal 714 cheap and compete with Lapua centre x

 

[wlburger]

My Lithgow 101 - At the Range on April 5, 2021https://www.2a.email/post/my-lithgow-101-at-the-range-on-april-5-2021 https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a7c5bb_d8805788dcc046198f3b1d9453326d88~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1000,h_632,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01/a

My Lithgow 101 - At the Range on April 5, 2021

www.2a.email

 

[wlburger]

My Lithgow 101 - At the Range on March 5, 2021https://www.2a.email/post/my-lithgow-101-at-the-range-on-march-5-2021 https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a7c5bb_e10622da7a9b43e5a8cab8f7ff6f6c95~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_1000,h_750,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01/a

Specs: Lithgow 101 in 22LR, Mueller 40x56 Scope (only $250- don't expect a lot), Vortex Rings, Scope Rail from Trigger by Scar, LLC, Eley's Tenex Ammo, Trigger pull at 3.5 lbs. No modifications (yet) - everything factory.Shot about 50-75 rounds prior to the following targetsFifty YardsBallistic...

www.2a.email

 

[wlburger]

Trigger on mine was smooth and crisp but heavier than I prefer. Not being adjustable is unfortunate and I'll have to see if Lumley will ship to the US but as a package I'm very pleased with the rifle. I would put it as a solid competitor to the Anschutz 1416/1517 rifles as far as performance. The Lithgow is a little larger but aesthetics definitely goes to the Annie.

"...smooth and crisp but heavier than I prefer. Not being adjustable is unfortunate ..." I agree. I too wish was lighter.

 

[grauhanen]

"...smooth and crisp but heavier than I prefer. Not being adjustable is unfortunate ..." I agree. I too wish was lighter.

The trigger pull can be made lighter by a trigger spring change. h ttps://lumleyarms.us/lithgow-crossover-la101-trigger-springs

 

[RALA]

Anyone know where to get a trigger shoe for a LA101. Shoots great. I’ve done springs, etc. Trigger is pretty crisp. Gauge read 1.3lbs, but it feels closer to 3 because the trigger blade is so narrow.

 

[allan harris]

Here's a quote from this Ebay seller:
"Thanks for your enquiry on a Trigger shoe for your Lithgow Arms LA 101. I phoned Lithgow Arms and they informed me that the Trigger is nominally 5.6mm in width. Therefore our 6.4mm Trigger shoe would be a good fit, in either Black or mill (silver) finish. Yours, Steve".

TRIGGER SHOE 6.4mm TRAP SKEET CLAY TARGET SHOOTING AIR RIFLE HUNTING PAINTBALL | eBay

TRIGGER SHOE. Increases width of trigger to 13mm. Fits over trigger and is secured in place by two grub screws. Supplied with allen key for fitting. Available in four sizes. Machined from high grade aluminium bar.

www.ebay.com.au

 

[RALA]

Excellent- thanks Allan