NRL 22lr Rifle Setup

[bmicek]

With NRL 22lr becoming popular, I had questions myself and figured it would help others interested in getting started as well.

What's everyone's setup and what seems to be the essential gear to be competitive? I'm sure anyone could go out with a cheap bolt action rimfire and some ammo that shoots well but I wanted to dive into details such as Scope power range, reticles, shooting bags, and other gear.

My plan now is to run a CZ 455 Precision Trainer, Optimus suppressor, Vortex PST Gen 2 3-18 or 5-25. Not certain on a shooting bag, leaning towards the Gamechanger bag.

 

[kabarNC]

I'm wondering as well, have decided to get a .22 build for this and for training for bigger matches.

 

[missed]

I haven't made any NRL22 matches yet, going to hit up one of the central Texas matches later this summer.

Vudoo V22 in a Manners T4A with a Vortex AMG on top, and one of my cans hanging off the end of the barrel.

 

[AbbyKatt]

I'm running a Vudoo V22 in a MPA chassis, Sig Tango6 4-24 with the Dev-L reticle. I like using a mini-Fortune cookie bag from Wiebad. But I'm looking hard at the smaller Tactical Udder from War Horse Development. SK Yellow ammo seems to run great. For the NRL22 matches, you'll also want a good sling. Mine is from Short Action Precision.

 

[Dthomas3523]

Vudoo and I’m experimenting with different stocks/chassis. Was running an amg (worked great, no regrets there), but I will have an ATACR 7-35 on it by the end of the week.

Timney Calvin elite single stage trigger, atlas bipod, arca rail on any stock/chassis I run, and a wiebad fortune cookie. Still trying out different slings.

SK Standard Plus runs great in it. Better than Federal Ultra Match. Haven’t tried Eley or Lapua Midas yet as the SK is about $5 a brick and runs perfect.

 

[DAMNKID]

What barrel length are you guys finding optimal for nrl22/prs and 22 fclass?

 

[Dthomas3523]

What barrel length are you guys finding optimal for nrl22/prs and 22 fclass?

I'm using an 18" (16.5 ish from face of recoil lug).

 

[OLD308]

I’m running a full Clark’s Custom 10/22 build. 20” barrel with the Boyd’s Varmit Tactical stock. All my rifles have 20-24” barrels that’s the only reason I when 20” on this one. Gen 2 PST 5-25. Currently building up a Ruger Precision Rimfire to replace it. Waiting on the barrel to be available. I’m switching to the bolt gun for better carry over to my other shooting. Nothing wrong with the Clarks build. Still shoots as good and some times better than the higher priced 10/22 builds. Although I still want one of them too.

 

[bribassguy]

CZ455 in XLR chassis with PST GII 3-15.

 

[kabarNC]

https://www.eurooptic.com/Anschutz-1416-HB-Manners-T6M-23-W-5098-Trigger-A1416HBT6M.aspx

Ive been looking at this rifle for a bit, would something like this work? Can i get 10rd mags for it? Really want a Vudoo, how would this stack up against a Vudoo in the same stock? I can get into this for the same price as a Vudoo barreled action..

 

[NateVA]

I built up a .22lr out of boredom mainly, but I do hope to use it in NRL if any matches ever come close to where I live. Nothing within a couple of states me of currently. It's a Kidd Supergrade with a 16.5" barrel in a Victor Titan stock. On it is a Vortex 5-25 PST Gen 2 and I also have a TBAC 22-Takedown suppressor for it.

 

[OLD308]

https://www.eurooptic.com/Anschutz-1416-HB-Manners-T6M-23-W-5098-Trigger-A1416HBT6M.aspx

Ive been looking at this rifle for a bit, would something like this work? Can i get 10rd mags for it? Really want a Vudoo, how would this stack up against a Vudoo in the same stock? I can get into this for the same price as a Vudoo barreled action..

I can’t find 10 rd mags for it on the Internet, but that does not mean their not out there. Cool rifle, but the 22lr bolt throw kills it for me. I want a training rifle as close to my other rigs as I can get. If that’s not an issue for you why not go the 10/22 route? It can be cheaper to build and the accuracy is more than enough for nrl22.

 

[kabarNC]

I can’t find 10 rd mags for it on the Internet, but that does not mean their not out there. Cool rifle, but the 22lr bolt throw kills it for me. I want a training rifle as close to my other rigs as I can get. If that’s not an issue for you why not go the 10/22 route? It can be cheaper to build and the accuracy is more than enough for nrl22.

Thanks for your time. I want to stick to bolt guns tho, because i have two young boys that will soon be joining me, and want them to learn that first.

 

[OLD308]

no problem, have you thought about the Ruger Precision Rimfire? Adjustiable stock and 2 setting for bolt throw length. 1 is the 22lr the other is standard short action. $400 is what their running. Takes ruger 10/22 mags so 10 rounders are everywhere.

 

[Dthomas3523]

I have a gamechanger and a wiebad fortune cookie. I prefer the fortune cookie.

 

[bmicek]

If anyone else has any input on anything NRL22 feel free to chime in. I think I got everything sorted out I needed but not opposed to anyone else who has any input or questions

 

[JS624]

I've shot 1 nrl 22 match.
I used a ruger rimfire with a gen 2 razor and a gamechanger bag and atlas bipod.
That's it.
Got 2nd place with cci sv.

I just bought a vudoo today plan to pull the mpa and NF 7-35 off my 6.5 creed for the next nrl22 match.
Will probably continue this routine until my manners prs1 shows up.
Then it will be a scope rodeo until I can afford a nice piece of glass for the vudoo.

 

[PabloM]

What barrel length are you guys finding optimal for nrl22/prs and 22 fclass?

I'm wondering the same thing... I also want to try out NRL/PRS 22 shooting and I'm about to order parts and put together a rifle. While I've done some homework and I understand that 16" is all you technically need, I can't seem to find anyone who asked this exact question:

I've read and heard some folks say that standard velocity 22lr sometimes "cracks" out of their 16" barreled 22's. I'm assuming this means conditions were somehow right for the round to be supersonic, even if only slightly... I don't really care about the sound, but I don't want a round transitioning from super to subsonic... But is this what's happening when you hear the crack? At the same time, folks point out how much quieter 20" barrels are... So does the additional 4" of barrel help to slow the round down a bit, to ensure that the bullet leaves the muzzle subsonic?

Also, I plan to run a suppressor in the future (although not anytime soon since I just did the paperwork on a 22 and a 30 cal about a month ago...) and I understand that you get a tiny gain in FPS with a suppressor. But is it enough to be an issue with a 16" or 20" barrel, shooting standard velocity ammo, to push it supersonic under the right (or in this case wrong) circumstances?

Now I see that match ammo runs slightly slower than standard velocity, so maybe this is a moot issue with match ammo... But of course I don't want to find out that SV ammo has too many occasional hot rounds and be stuck with only running match ammo if I want the rifle to be accurate.

Or am I overthinking this and it's really a non-issue?

 

[branson1369]

I went with 18” since I also use my SF Ryder on the 22 which makes it approx same length as my 308, 6 Creed and 300 WM in JAE 700 stocks . Great training configuration as well as 22 tactical match rifle config

 

[Skok3y]

Check out the thread I just posted on the NRL22 survey results. It will give you some good thoughts.

 

[PabloM]

Skok3y, that’s some good info but it didn’t note barrel lengths. There was good info on scopes, though.

That said, I think I’ll go with a 20” barrel:

1. I don’t care about the added weight, since it still won’t be as heavy as a centerfire rifle.
2. I’m not worried about the length once I add a suppressor since, again, it will still be shorter than centerfire with a suppressor.
3. Maybe the extra 4” will tame any rounds that might otherwise go supersonic. Seems like the short barrels are more ammo-sensitive... but I may be wrong on that.
4. And lastly I think the 20” barrel will just look better, especially without a suppressor. And looks should count for something, right?

 

[Skok3y]

Looks definitely count. That is one of the reasons I didn’t keep my last chassis with my 18” barrel. The hand guard was so long, the barrel barely stuck out the end. It looks perfect out of all the other chassis and stocks.
The weight definitely adds up quickly, between two the barrel and bipod and scope. I am glad I won’t be doing much off hand with this rifle.

 

[PabloM]

Well, I now have a CZ 455 varmint with a threaded 20.5” barrel on its way. I’ll put it in a Boyd’s pro-varmint stock... I might go with the pepper or forest camo color but I can always paint it later if I don’t like it, or when it starts getting beat up. For the scope I’ll borrow a PST 4-16x50 from my .308 until I figure out what works, or use this as an excuse to get a better scope for the centerfire!

I can’t wait to try this out and go to my first match!

 

[Rover31]

Check out the thread I just posted on the NRL22 survey results. It will give you some good thoughts.

Where is this survey located?
Edit found it

 

[PabloM]

The Pro Varmint stocks are hard to find... I ended up getting one in an olive-drab color, along with a Timney trigger. I also saw SWFA had scopes on sale so I picked up the SS 3-15x42. I think this scope will work well, since the place I want to shoot at I shoots more of a PRS-light than an NRL22 style.

 

[Kadams1563]

18” Vudoo
Adjustable Renegade stock
Huber 1.75 lb trigger
Vortex PST Gen II 5x25
TBAC .22 takedown

At least that’s what it will be when it shows up!

 

[NateVA]

18” Vudoo
Adjustable Renegade stock
Huber 1.75 lb trigger
Vortex PST Gen II 5x25
TBAC .22 takedown

At least that’s what it will be when it shows up!

Which pieces are you still waiting for? I have a few of those things you listed and love them.

 

[Kadams1563]

The whole rifle! Lol

 

[NateVA]

The whole rifle! Lol

Ah got it. I use a Huber two-stage on my main rifle and love it. Additionally, on my .22 I have a Vortex PST Gen II 5-25 and a TBAC .22 Takedown. I just shot the TBAC for the first time a few days ago and it was a hell of a lot of fun.