Vudoo Gun Works V-22 Rimfire Bolt Action

[jbell]

Well I can finally contribute something a little more meaningful than my normal babbling to this thread. A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of meeting Jay from Vudoo and talking to him about the company, and their processes. To say that I am impressed with Jay, Vudoo Gunworks, the V-22 action, and the magazine system is an understatement. Jay was an absolute pleasure to talk with and very knowledgeable.

To emphasize how quality of a company Vudoo Gunworks is they built and donated this rifle to the Army Sniper Association to auction off at their post ISC banquet. I wanted to make sure that it did not get auctioned off too low, and was able to go home with it. The fit and finish is excellent, and the addition of the S arrows on the action, ring caps, and bottom metal is a very classy touch!

I want to say thank you to everyone at Vudoo for donating to the ASA, as I am very close to it.

I hope to get out to the range soon to test some ammo and Ill report back. This rifle has a 22" Bartlein barrel in an MTU or M40 contour. I am not keeping this one as I bought it as a gift for someone, but Ill be ordering one for me this winter. I just have to decide on the specs. Right now I am thinking a Benchmark 3 groove in a 15 twist (but I may try the Ace after talking to Jay about them), but not sure on the length yet and I cant decide on a stock / chassis. First world problems... Anyway here is the rifle they built for the ASA:

 

[tansinator]

Nice JBell, Welcome to the club.

 

[RAVAGE88]

Are all the new Vudoos coming with a cone breech?

Yessir, and current flat breech barrels can be converted to the Hybrid Cone Breech very easily.

MB

 

[deltawiskey]

• 
  

• Yessir, and current flat breech barrels can be converted to the Hybrid Cone Breech very easily.
  
  MB

  Is this new breech design posted someplace?
• DW

 

[quickdraw]

When we ordered my wife's rifle we went with a 18" Bartlein in a Kukri profile for no particular reason. When we went up to order my rifle Paul talked with me about the Ace barrels as well. I was apprehensive to go that direction because the Bartlein shot so well. I did decide to go with the Ace and I'm very happy with the way this barrel performs. The Ace is rock solid with everything I've put through it, about 6 types of ammo so far.

 

[Jory45acp]

I'm in........

 

[missed]

Works for me! Since Dead Air has a promo going on, I'm thinking about getting a Dead Air mask for the Vudoo. I'd like to see the details of the conical breech.

 

[RAVAGE88]

• 
  
• 
  Is this new breech design posted someplace?
• DW

As in pictures?

MB

 

[rick137]

Yessir, and current flat breech barrels can be converted to the Hybrid Cone Breech very easily.

MB

RAVAGE88:

For the great unwashed like myself, would you please explain why the hybrid cone breech barrel is superior to the flat breech barrel. How much does it increase the accuracy if, in fact, its purpose is to increase accuracy.

 

[RAVAGE88]

RAVAGE88:

For the great unwashed like myself, would you please explain why the hybrid cone breech barrel is superior to the flat breech barrel. How much does it increase the accuracy if, in fact, its purpose is to increase accuracy.

Rick,
The Hybrid Cone does nothing more than provide space for the crud. Most, these days, are shooting suppressed, A LOT, and the 22LR suppressors have their own little internal weather system. The environment within is of very little heat, so condensed air (rich in vapor) is much higher than centerfire, where heat is much greater. The benefit of the heat is it burns off the byproducts more efficiently, but in the rimfire suppressor, the byproducts remain and build up as loose particles. When the rifle is carried muzzle up or stored in vertical racks at the range, the excess crud falls down the bore and collects at the front of the bolt.

Basically, I'm not a fan of the coned breech because they're fragile, so we have what I term as a Hybrid Cone (it still has extractor cuts). The Hybrid Cone provides more material around the case head and allows the rifle to remain dry-fire safe. It does not increase (or decrease) accuracy. The tolerancing is unchanged between the bolt and breech.

Not all rimfire suppressors exhibit the crud issue, so not everyone will (or has) experienced the crud problem, resulting in harder-to-close-than-normal-bolt-operation.

I created the Hybrid Cone shortly after introducing the V-22 and beat the crap out of it for just over a year to test and evaluate. It's perfect for dirtier environments and running suppressed. Nothing at all wrong with the flat breech, but it doesn't appear to like most rimfire suppressors.

Thanks for the question....hope this helps.

MB

 

[missed]

RAVAGE88:

For the great unwashed like myself, would you please explain why the hybrid cone breech barrel is superior to the flat breech barrel. How much does it increase the accuracy if, in fact, its purpose is to increase accuracy.

It's more for trash handling. The bolt face and bolt have very close fitment. So any grit, carbon, crap, dirt will contribute to the bolt not closing like it should.

Mine has remained smooth, I clean the bolt and breech face after each shooting session. The real test will be the west Texas varmint trip, which you may as well bury your rifle in sand when you get there as it will be full of sand quickly. Ammo selection sucks for those trips as you can't run wet lubricated bullets.

I'm going to wait until I get some time with the Dead Air mask and one of my own mono core cans before I look into changing the breech on mine.

 

[rick137]

Rick,
The Hybrid Cone does nothing more than provide space for the crud. Most, these days, are shooting suppressed, A LOT, and the 22LR suppressors have their own little internal weather system. The environment within is of very little heat, so condensed air (rich in vapor) is much higher than centerfire, where heat is much greater. The benefit of the heat is it burns off the byproducts more efficiently, but in the rimfire suppressor, the byproducts remain and build up as loose particles. When the rifle is carried muzzle up or stored in vertical racks at the range, the excess crud falls down the bore and collects at the front of the bolt.

Basically, I'm not a fan of the coned breech because they're fragile, so we have what I term as a Hybrid Cone (it still has extractor cuts). The Hybrid Cone provides more material around the case head and allows the rifle to remain dry-fire safe. It does not increase (or decrease) accuracy. The tolerancing is unchanged between the bolt and breech.

Not all rimfire suppressors exhibit the crud issue, so not everyone will (or has) experienced the crud problem, resulting in harder-to-close-than-normal-bolt-operation.

I created the Hybrid Cone shortly after introducing the V-22 and beat the crap out of it for just over a year to test and evaluate. It's perfect for dirtier environments and running suppressed. Nothing at all wrong with the flat breech, but it doesn't appear to like most rimfire suppressors.

Thanks for the question....hope this helps.

MB

RAVAGE88:

Another reason to be glad I purchased a Vudoo. And now I understand the comment I read where you were advised to remove a suppressor after shooting.

It does. Thanks for the intel.

I have to ask since your title is Head Skunk. Is Vudoo the Rifle Skunk Works? When will there be a stealth V-22?

RS

 

[Travelor]

First let me say I absolutely love this rifle but read below.

I purchased a V-22 about 1 month ago and it has just started shooting poorly with SK Pistol Match. I have about 2 bricks of ammunition through it: SK Pistol Match, R-50. Federal Ultra Match, and Eley Match. Before the last 2 trips to the range it shot in the .2's and .3's at 50 yards. I found yesterday that after pulling a cleaning patch through the barrel, the accuracy returned to normal for two five shot groups then ceased to be accurate again - same box of ammo. It has cooled off about 15 Degrees during these last range trips.

Yesterday I used a brush to clean for the first time and then bore scoped it and found a few 45 Degree angled scratches about 6 inches into the barrel from the breach (cannot fathom how they got there) and the barrel was not as well finished internally as I expected it to be with the Bartlein barrel after only about 1000 rounds. To the Range tomorrow to see if this cleaning helped.


It was completely built by Vudoo and is in an MPA Competition stock with a Bartlein barrel and I shoot it using a SEB front rest with a bunny ear rear bag off of a concrete Bench.

Ideas?

 

[jbell]

By not as well finished what do you mean? Or maybe I should ask what are you seeing in there? And I’m not talking about the 45* scratches you mentioned, more so the overall finish.

Some barrel makers lap to a very nice polish (almost a smooth finish) & some are of the opinion that too fine of a finish will be more apt to pick up copper. I spoke with Krieger about this years ago as their barrels I have used had more of a course finish. I stopped looking in less I had an accuracy issue.

I’m always paranoid about Lapua ammo picking up dirt (abrasives) with the lube they use.

Keep is posted & good luck.

 

[Travelor]

I'm talking about the bores, not the exterior finish.

Most "custom" barrels I have purchased and had installed on my rifles were very smooth and shiny inside, but this one is not as well finished inside I know that this gun has been fired a number of times. It, like my custom centerfire barrels, cleans very quickly and with only 3-5 patches.

As far as the accuracy degrading it now is shooting ,5"-.7" groups as opposed to the previous .2"-.3" groups. What I find strange is that the errant rounds that are causing the enlarged groups are at 2 and 7 o'clock POI. It shoots lights out then "throws" one out then back t lights out.

 

[jbell]

I am talking about bore finish also

 

[Dirtracer151]

Check for a carbon ring. I rarely focus on cleaning the bore of my Vudoo and instead give the chamber a little maintenance after each range trip.

 

[rick137]

The five shot CTC proof group for three Anschutz Mod 54 22LR hunting rifles roughly measures 0.4", 0.4", and 0.5". The 5 shot proof group for a couple of CZ 455 hunting rifles are 0.9" and 1.1". So 0.2" and 0.3" are spectacular.

The two factors that come readily to mind are the ammunition and the shooter since you did not mention the environmental conditions. The carbon ring conjecture is interesting. It would be a threshold effect, presumably building up slowly until the threshold was reached. Cleaning removes.

Were a doctor, I would prescribe positional shooting as the cure. Why? Because in one conventional expression, the total effect of a number of causes of dispersion equals the square root of the sum of the squares of the individual components. Use 0.2, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 for everything but the marksmanship and 4.0, 6.0 or whatever you like for the marksmanship and compute. The conclusion is spending more time dry firing and live firing in the sun and clean air at the range.

 

[Fret]

Took my nephew to the local range today so he could shoot his 10/22 and also to zero my scope on the Vudoo since I took it off recently to put on the extended mag release. A fly landed just on the edge of the 1" target at 50 yards after I got my scope zeroed so I told my nephew and he was watching through the scope on his 10/22. He started cracking up when the fly exploded on my next shot. Wish I had a video of it.

 

[RAVAGE88]

RAVAGE88:

I have to ask since your title is Head Skunk. Is Vudoo the Rifle Skunk Works? When will there be a stealth V-22?

RS

Ha, I guess so. I run the Vudoo Labs part of "Vudoo," where the development is done, in addition to handling COO responsibilities and being one of the owners. The "lab" is a full CNC based R&D area used specifically for furthering what we do and handling little things quickly to keep you guys on the range more.

MB

 

[17rupert]

Thank you so much for always looking out the box for us old guys ???

 

[jbell]

Just because there has been some talk about the hybrid cone breech I thought I would post a picture of it. I noticed it when I first picked up the rifle as it stands out IMO, especially if you have every used a "normal" cone design.

 

[Travelor]

RAVAGE, QUICK QUESTION: I have a v-22 in a MPA Competition chassis that has started having periodic grouping problems so I want to check the action screw tension torque. What is the recommended torque?

 

[RAVAGE88]

RAVAGE, QUICK QUESTION: I have a v-22 in a MPA Competition chassis that has started having periodic grouping problems so I want to check the action screw tension torque. What is the recommended torque?

For a chassis, I torque to 65 in lbs.

MB

 

[RAVAGE88]

Just because there has been some talk about the hybrid cone breech I thought I would post a picture of it. I noticed it when I first picked up the rifle as it stands out IMO, especially if you have every used a "normal" cone design.

View attachment 6964823

Thanks for posting this JBell.

MB

 

[Hoser]

I put my new Hawkins scope mount on my Vudoo a while back. Hawkins already makes some of the best rings and bottom metal out there. Now he has kicked it up a notch. The top rail is great to hold on to when resting your rifle on barricades or it gives you a place to mount stuff on. The bubble level is in a perfect place and doesn't get in the way.

 

[BillOH]

I got the message late Thursday afternoon that my new Vudoo was at the FFL. I picked it up and got home in time to zero it at 50 yards before it got too dark to see the target. The next morning I shot a few rounds at 150 yards to see if the numbers were close to the Anschutz I had been shooting. Pretty close, so that afternoon I went to a local long range 22 match. We shoot varying shapes and sizes of steel targets from 25 yards out to 200 yards. I hit 47 out of 50 targets and also hit the bonus shot at 225 yards which was a 2 inch circle.

When I got there a couple of guys were shooting some sort of 22 rifle. Before I left 4 more Vudoo's shooters showed up. 5 out of 7 shooters had Vudoo rifles. They are becoming quite popular around here.

I like my Vudoo.

 

[usafa77]

My strategy is try to win matchs now , before the good shooters get Vudoos.

 

[Kisssofdeath]

My strategy is try to win matchs now , before the good shooters get Vudoos.

What is the most common gun at the matches you compete?

 

[shutr2]

First let me say I absolutely love this rifle but read below.


Yesterday I used a brush to clean for the first time and then bore scoped it and found a few 45 Degree angled scratches about 6 inches into the barrel from the breach (cannot fathom how they got there) and the barrel was not as well finished internally as I expected it to be with the Bartlein barrel after only about 1000 rounds. To the Range tomorrow to see if this cleaning helped.


Why did you wait till you had 1000 rounds through the barrel to clean it?

Ideas?

 

[Travelor]

Back to the range yesterday after a thorough cleaning. It took 6 rounds to be back at the previous accuracy level (.2" to .3" groups at 50 yards in the wind) and I'm a happy camper again.

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[winniethepooh]

is there anything I’m really gaining with a voodoo that my CZ (lijia/manners) can’t handle?

Although I really want a Voodoo lol

 

[Dirtracer151]

I had a Sako quad/Lilja/McMillan and it shot fantastic. The main reason i switched to the Vudoo was to get it set up identical to my centerifre rifles. I don't regret making the switch.

As far as accuracy i would say my Sako/Lilja seemed to shoot most ammo either decent or great. The Vudoo seems to be a little more finicky on ammo. I dont even bother with cheap stuff on it because it shoots it all terrible (i had a few lots of automatch belive it or not that shot great out of that Lilja). I use wolf/sk to benchmark my rifles and I'd say the Vudoo gives a slight edge with this ammo. Also with the more expensive stuff i feel like the Vudoo keeps delivering.

Ergonomics/Accuracy ... its a small ROI comparing against a CZ/Lilja or a Quad/Lilja but to those that want the best of everything it's totally worth it.

 

[Kisssofdeath]

is there anything I’m really gaining with a voodoo that my CZ (lijia/manners) can’t handle?

Although I really want a Voodoo lol

I think you should get the Vudoo. You know you want it. It's only money.

 

[jbell]

is there anything I’m really gaining with a voodoo that my CZ (lijia/manners) can’t handle?

Although I really want a Voodoo lol

It is a lot like comparing a Porsche 911 GT3 RS to a Corvette ZR1. They are both damn fast and will get you around the track as fast as anything out there but it is just a lot nicer doing it in the Porsche. It is the little details that make the big difference...

 

[sharpdoug]

My friends 7 year old daughter was shooting the rifle I build her. It’s a Manners MSA-CS with the Vudoo 22lr , her dad stuck a Kahles 624i on top. She hit steel out to 215 yards, hit the 215 target 3 times in a row. The cool part is the stock is adjustable, so dad can shoot it too. Badass rifle for a Badass Shooter.

 

[Jaymiller5]

is there anything I’m really gaining with a voodoo that my CZ (lijia/manners) can’t handle?

Although I really want a Voodoo lol

It depends on the game you want to play. For normal prs type of matches, it really doesn't matter as much about the platform as it does about the ammo selection in that platform. I run a Vudoo because it is setup like my vector in 6x47.

 

[Travelor]

My Vudoo outshoots most of my dedicated benchrest rifles. Just did the first thorogh cleaning and it did before and odes now shoot in the .3" five shot groups at 50 yards. Saturday we were shooting a 200 yard centerfire match and in between relays we took the Vudoo to the line and first group at 200 yards was under 1". The following groups did nto shoot as well due to the wind . Just saying...........

Shooting SK Pistol Match

 

[rick137]

I had a Sako quad/Lilja/McMillan and it shot fantastic. The main reason i switched to the Vudoo was to get it set up identical to my centerifre rifles. I don't regret making the switch.

As far as accuracy i would say my Sako/Lilja seemed to shoot most ammo either decent or great. The Vudoo seems to be a little more finicky on ammo. I dont even bother with cheap stuff on it because it shoots it all terrible (i had a few lots of automatch belive it or not that shot great out of that Lilja). I use wolf/sk to benchmark my rifles and I'd say the Vudoo gives a slight edge with this ammo. Also with the more expensive stuff i feel like the Vudoo keeps delivering.

Ergonomics/Accuracy ... its a small ROI comparing against a CZ/Lilja or a Quad/Lilja but to those that want the best of everything it's totally worth it.

Plus the benefit of a Rem 700 SA footprint. Choice of triggers, stocks/chassis, what have you.

 

[Gouldphoto]

My Vudoo outshoots most of my dedicated benchrest rifles. Just did the first thorogh cleaning and it did before and odes now shoot in the .3" five shot groups at 50 yards. Saturday we were shooting a 200 yard centerfire match and in between relays we took the Vudoo to the line and first group at 200 yards was under 1". The following groups did nto shoot as well due to the wind . Just saying...........

Shooting SK Pistol Match

I just shot my 2nd 200yd prone match with the Vudoo and the only reason I am not winning the match is my poor wind reading. The match is 3 legs of 20 shots, this month shot a 589/600. Also shoot at 50 and 100yd benchrest competitions. These guns will shoot.

 

[Sieg]

The mass of the Vudoo is one of the attributes I like the most, especially the bolt. It feels like a real rifle, is built from machined vs stamped components, unlike the typical reduced size rimfire rifles. Combine those elements with Rem 700 SA accessories compatibility and it's arguably the most enjoyable rifle to shoot that I've owned in since purchasing my 10/22 in 1974, FWIW I currently have 9 rimfire rifles.

The initial purchase expense, being conservatively retired, required serious consideration..... upon receiving and breaking in the Vudoo I feel without a doubt it is worth every dollar invested.

 

[Kisssofdeath]

I run a Vudoo.

Where did yall run too?

 

[rick137]

Why would SK pistol match shoot well in a rifle? Not intuitive but perhaps that is the way of rimfire rifles.

 

[Jaymiller5]

Where did yall run too?

Not sure I am following you? Not familiar with the name on SH vs RL. haha

 

[Jaymiller5]

Why would SK pistol match shoot well in a rifle? Not intuitive but perhaps that is the way or rimfire rifles.

The most expensive 22LR ammo does not mean it will shoot better. My Vudoo likes Wolf Match Extra and Center X along with SK pistol and rifle match with pistol being a little bit better. I personally have tried a LOT of 22 ammo out of my 22s and each one likes different stuff. MY current lot of Wolf Match Extra is terrible in my Vudoo while the last lot was amazing and better than Center X even. It is the way rimfire works.

 

[Kisssofdeath]

Not sure I am following you? Not familiar with the name on SH vs RL. haha

Don't be following me, I'll get you lost every time.

 

[Kisssofdeath]

Why would SK pistol match shoot well in a rifle? Not intuitive but perhaps that is the way of rimfire rifles.

Rick,

SK Pistol Match shot with a handgun.

SK Pistol Match shot with a rifle.

SK Pistol Match is a fantastic ammo type for me in both.

 

[rick137]

No arguing with those targets, sub MOA. And the ammo is reasonably priced at USD 0.15/0.16 per round.

Still would like to know why. For certain 22LR bullets spend a lot more time in rifle after powder ignition than centerfire.

 

[Kisssofdeath]

Check out this price per round performance. This is $2.00 a box CCI SV. Shot on multiple days .

If money was no object I would shoot this all the time for its consistency.

Over the past weekend I did a 5 Lot test with Center-X which is all the red dot targets. The green dot target is the Midas + above. The yellow dot target is CCI SV Case ammo that I have about 12,000 rounds left.

Shot with this Anschutz 1710 XLR. Sorry Vudoo guys for crashing your thread.

 

[jbell]

Shoot some Tenex through that 1710 if you want to see what it is capable of...