I really wanted a single small bore rifle I could use for all the different 22LR matches I shoot throughout the year. These consist of both sanctioned and outlaw matches including NRA standing offhand silhouette, ARA benchrest, Appleseed, NRL22 style and various PRS / Tac / steel type matches run in standing/sitting/kneeling/prone with barricades and/or other improvised positions.
That is a pretty tall order as it covers several disciplines I currently use at least 3 dedicated rifles for. As to ARA benchrest I don't think that I'll be able to fullfill the needs of that particular sport and be competitive (we are going to try it in at least one match next year, for fun if nothing else) but I think everything else is covered with this rifle build.
Wants and needs for the various requirements:
1) weight of 8.5 lbs or less with mag (the most challenging criteria)
2) standard "hunting" rifle look (rules out a chassis build unfortunately)
3) easy magazine changes under pressure for limited time strings of fire
4) easy operation of bolt and standard safety, no issues with feeding, ejection or extraction
5) good two stage trigger adjustable to 2 lbs or less
6) able to mount bipod, sling, and a ARCA plate
7) good cheek weld
8) tapered barrel not more than 20", 1/2" or less grouping @ 50 yards
9) able to mount a 30mm variable scope 24x or greater and still make weight
10) 20-30 MOA taper scope mount
11) tough stock that can take punishment, weather, scratches and wear
The most challenging part of this build are the limits imposed by conforming to published NRA silhouette smallbore rules as follows. All the other matches have more generous requirements, if any, so if we meet these then we are good to go (abbreviated):
8.5 lbs equates to 136 oz for everything, including a magazine. To complete this rifle I need these 4 items:
Barreled action with trigger (includes bolt assy)
DBM (bottom metal, detachable box magazine)
Stock
Scope & rings
BARRELED ACTION -- Lets start with the barreled action as that is the heaviest part. I have talked to vudoo https://vudoogunworks.com/ a couple times this past summer about either converting my current Kukri heavy barrel vudoo and re-barreling to a lighter profile or outright purchasing another rifle with their lighter weight "Spectre" profile barrel. A 16.5" spectre action weighs in at 4.5 lbs or 68 oz and eats up half of my weight allocation. I'm currently around almost 13 lbs fully kitted depending which stock it is installed in. Vudoos are a Remington 700 pattern on the action, so any stock that fits a remy 700 should fit a vudoo, that opens a lot of options. I was going to probably re-barrel, but then the following happened:
I am fortunate enough to live within driving distance of Mile High Shooting & Accessories https://www.milehighshooting.com/ and they are a stocking dealer for Vudoo barreled actions. I have been having the same discussions with them and I was urged to wait until late fall. Walked in their store a couple weeks ago and low and behold they have something new they want to show me --- a vudoo action with a Proof CF 18" KUKRI contour threaded barrel. "How much does it weigh?"-- "4.2lbs"-- "I'll take it!" Weighs in at 4lb 5.5 oz with trigger installed. I got the last one they had in stock, they were on the phone ordering more before I left the store.
TRIGGER -- Trigger is a Timney 2 stage Calvin Elite currently set at 1.75 lbs, must be set at 2+ lbs for class rules. It's a nice breaking trigger that is fully adjustable and has a long proven track record. https://www.brownells.com/rifle-par...stage-rh-black-sku883000098-83365-177697.aspx
DBM -- Also another MHSA purchase at the same shop. DBM is made by Hawkins Precision, M5 standard and weighs in at 4.4 oz with action screws. Quality fit and machining make this a very nice DBM. I would have preferred a longer straight down release lever but I can live with the 2 side tabs release style. I can still do a one handed magazine change very quickly with this set-up.
STOCK -- This is the only place I can really lose any significant weight (besides the CF barrel) compared to my current Vudoo. I had to get the stock under 28 ounces and that only leaves a couple options atm. Either a Manners Carbon Fiber or another company that Vudoo recommended, AG Composites (Proof is now also coming out with their own line of R700 CF stocks). Looking over AG Composites website I chose their "Privateer" as it would make NRA weight and look requirements. https://agcomposites.com/index
Took AG exactly 8 weeks to manufacture and deliver to my home and the price was very competitive for a custom made CF stock built to my specs. Stock weighs in at 24.7 oz and has 2 left hand sling cups, 2 sling studs on bottom and ARCA plate mounting points. One item I regret not getting was a 3 or 4 inch picatinny rail at the bottom of the fore-stock as most of my bipods are pic rail QR mount. Inlet finishing is very nice with potted pillars installed, color pattern is their "Desert Night" scheme.
So this adds up to 69.5 + 4.4 + 24.7 = 98.6 ounces for the complete rifle without optics. Add in another 3.4 oz for a mag and I'm at 102 oz of my 136 oz limit leaving me with 34 oz for the scope and rings.
SCOPE & RINGS -- Scopes are a very personal choice item. What I desire is:
1) variable mag from 3/6x-20/32x. I normally shoot silhouette with a fixed 24x and also need high magnification for KYL racks and benchrest. But I also need low power to quickly find targets in a TAC style match. I usually run 15-19x magnification for most of a tac style match.
2) MIL/MIL reticle and turrets. I use MOA for bench or silo, but I am used to MILS for everything else including ranging target distance.
3) Adjustable side focus, front AO not as easy to use in TAC/Steel matches
4) Lots of elevation adjustment 22 MIL or 75+ MOA minimum. Long ranges require a lot of drop. One match goes to 278 yards. Mandates a 30mm tube to get that elevation range.
5) Zero stop for elevation knob, hate losing points when I'm on wrong dial turn and it happens more often than I care for
6) Would prefer 10 mil/rotation, but 5 mil/rotation acceptable, less turns on a dial = potentially less screw ups per #5 above
7) Decent glass quality with a great eyebox and relief, if I cant see it I cant shoot it
8) Xmas tree reticle for holdovers with proper sized hashmarks
9) Weight under 34oz w/rings
10) First focal plane for ranging
11) short range parallax focus of 25 yards or less
Researching various scopes led me to these 3 options
SWFA 3-15x variableGreat choice that I all ready own, but reticle is bit thick with no xmas tree option, 5 MIL/rotation turrets & only 15x max mag. 40 mil travel, 24oz, 6 yd focus
https://www.swfa.com/swfa-ss-3-15x42-tactical-rifle-scope-3.html?___SID=U
Athlon Optics Midas Tac 6-24x Met all criteria listed above 25 mil travel, 26.3 oz, 10 yard min focus
https://cameralandny.com/shop/brand...e048-0136-3247-00163ecd2826?variation=1891359
Nightforce Optics NX8 4-32x Meets all criteria above when mounted with titanium rings, con: it's pricey. 26 mil travel, 29 oz, 11 yard min focus
https://www.milehighshooting.com/nightforce-c625-nx8-4-32x50-f1-zerostop-digillum-mil-c/
Wound up going with the Athlon Midas Tac 6-24x and it has been a great choice so far. I like the floating dot center and the hashmarks are easy to read. Scope with the heavy SWFA brand high 30mm rings weighs in at 35.1 oz. Knobs for elevation, windage and focus all have good stiffness without being to hard to move, zoom ring is a little stiff. Clarity is also very good. Need to run a tracking test still, but it tracked fine for the 60 meter changes needed for silhouette so far.
So how did it all turn out? Not to bad, I just barely made weight with an ounce to spare, but I then added on a couple Tenebrauex scope covers and that put me over .5 oz
Took it out for a silhouette match the next day and scored in the upper end of my classification after a quick and dirty sight in period. Balance is very neutral and the big mag was not a problem with the hold as I spread fingers in front of it and thumb on trigger guard, so I am not using the mag as a holding point (which would be against the rules). Vudoo also just announced that they are coming out with smaller size 5 round mags so I can save some weight and size there. They also announced 12 and 15 round mags coming soon.
I am happy so far, but actually using it showed a flaw for the scope. 2 of the 3 silhouette ranges I shoot at face south and with the sun low in the winter I was getting considerable sun glare and had to put on a shade and that adds another 1.5 oz, so the front scope cover had to come off to make weight limit for now. I can remedy this by getting the lightweight Nightforce rings and it will shed almost 3 oz but that will be in the future. Yes I do realize that the scope is mounted way high and clearances would allow me to mount it with lower rings and save some weight. However It is deliberately mounted high as that is how I like for silhouette matches as I have less head tilt. I'll use it for the other matches and see how much of a compromise it will or will not be in other shooting positions and make adjustments if needed.
Cheek rest is one area that I am not happy with. I have to live with it like this for silo rules and I knew that going in, but every other match is going to get either a slip-over cover (Beartooth or similar) or a Karsten's type rest installed.
Pic with the sunshade installed and front scope cover removed:
That is a pretty tall order as it covers several disciplines I currently use at least 3 dedicated rifles for. As to ARA benchrest I don't think that I'll be able to fullfill the needs of that particular sport and be competitive (we are going to try it in at least one match next year, for fun if nothing else) but I think everything else is covered with this rifle build.
Wants and needs for the various requirements:
1) weight of 8.5 lbs or less with mag (the most challenging criteria)
2) standard "hunting" rifle look (rules out a chassis build unfortunately)
3) easy magazine changes under pressure for limited time strings of fire
4) easy operation of bolt and standard safety, no issues with feeding, ejection or extraction
5) good two stage trigger adjustable to 2 lbs or less
6) able to mount bipod, sling, and a ARCA plate
7) good cheek weld
8) tapered barrel not more than 20", 1/2" or less grouping @ 50 yards
9) able to mount a 30mm variable scope 24x or greater and still make weight
10) 20-30 MOA taper scope mount
11) tough stock that can take punishment, weather, scratches and wear
The most challenging part of this build are the limits imposed by conforming to published NRA silhouette smallbore rules as follows. All the other matches have more generous requirements, if any, so if we meet these then we are good to go (abbreviated):
8.5 lbs equates to 136 oz for everything, including a magazine. To complete this rifle I need these 4 items:
Barreled action with trigger (includes bolt assy)
DBM (bottom metal, detachable box magazine)
Stock
Scope & rings
BARRELED ACTION -- Lets start with the barreled action as that is the heaviest part. I have talked to vudoo https://vudoogunworks.com/ a couple times this past summer about either converting my current Kukri heavy barrel vudoo and re-barreling to a lighter profile or outright purchasing another rifle with their lighter weight "Spectre" profile barrel. A 16.5" spectre action weighs in at 4.5 lbs or 68 oz and eats up half of my weight allocation. I'm currently around almost 13 lbs fully kitted depending which stock it is installed in. Vudoos are a Remington 700 pattern on the action, so any stock that fits a remy 700 should fit a vudoo, that opens a lot of options. I was going to probably re-barrel, but then the following happened:
I am fortunate enough to live within driving distance of Mile High Shooting & Accessories https://www.milehighshooting.com/ and they are a stocking dealer for Vudoo barreled actions. I have been having the same discussions with them and I was urged to wait until late fall. Walked in their store a couple weeks ago and low and behold they have something new they want to show me --- a vudoo action with a Proof CF 18" KUKRI contour threaded barrel. "How much does it weigh?"-- "4.2lbs"-- "I'll take it!" Weighs in at 4lb 5.5 oz with trigger installed. I got the last one they had in stock, they were on the phone ordering more before I left the store.
TRIGGER -- Trigger is a Timney 2 stage Calvin Elite currently set at 1.75 lbs, must be set at 2+ lbs for class rules. It's a nice breaking trigger that is fully adjustable and has a long proven track record. https://www.brownells.com/rifle-par...stage-rh-black-sku883000098-83365-177697.aspx
DBM -- Also another MHSA purchase at the same shop. DBM is made by Hawkins Precision, M5 standard and weighs in at 4.4 oz with action screws. Quality fit and machining make this a very nice DBM. I would have preferred a longer straight down release lever but I can live with the 2 side tabs release style. I can still do a one handed magazine change very quickly with this set-up.
STOCK -- This is the only place I can really lose any significant weight (besides the CF barrel) compared to my current Vudoo. I had to get the stock under 28 ounces and that only leaves a couple options atm. Either a Manners Carbon Fiber or another company that Vudoo recommended, AG Composites (Proof is now also coming out with their own line of R700 CF stocks). Looking over AG Composites website I chose their "Privateer" as it would make NRA weight and look requirements. https://agcomposites.com/index
Took AG exactly 8 weeks to manufacture and deliver to my home and the price was very competitive for a custom made CF stock built to my specs. Stock weighs in at 24.7 oz and has 2 left hand sling cups, 2 sling studs on bottom and ARCA plate mounting points. One item I regret not getting was a 3 or 4 inch picatinny rail at the bottom of the fore-stock as most of my bipods are pic rail QR mount. Inlet finishing is very nice with potted pillars installed, color pattern is their "Desert Night" scheme.
So this adds up to 69.5 + 4.4 + 24.7 = 98.6 ounces for the complete rifle without optics. Add in another 3.4 oz for a mag and I'm at 102 oz of my 136 oz limit leaving me with 34 oz for the scope and rings.
SCOPE & RINGS -- Scopes are a very personal choice item. What I desire is:
1) variable mag from 3/6x-20/32x. I normally shoot silhouette with a fixed 24x and also need high magnification for KYL racks and benchrest. But I also need low power to quickly find targets in a TAC style match. I usually run 15-19x magnification for most of a tac style match.
2) MIL/MIL reticle and turrets. I use MOA for bench or silo, but I am used to MILS for everything else including ranging target distance.
3) Adjustable side focus, front AO not as easy to use in TAC/Steel matches
4) Lots of elevation adjustment 22 MIL or 75+ MOA minimum. Long ranges require a lot of drop. One match goes to 278 yards. Mandates a 30mm tube to get that elevation range.
5) Zero stop for elevation knob, hate losing points when I'm on wrong dial turn and it happens more often than I care for
6) Would prefer 10 mil/rotation, but 5 mil/rotation acceptable, less turns on a dial = potentially less screw ups per #5 above
7) Decent glass quality with a great eyebox and relief, if I cant see it I cant shoot it
8) Xmas tree reticle for holdovers with proper sized hashmarks
9) Weight under 34oz w/rings
10) First focal plane for ranging
11) short range parallax focus of 25 yards or less
Researching various scopes led me to these 3 options
SWFA 3-15x variableGreat choice that I all ready own, but reticle is bit thick with no xmas tree option, 5 MIL/rotation turrets & only 15x max mag. 40 mil travel, 24oz, 6 yd focus
https://www.swfa.com/swfa-ss-3-15x42-tactical-rifle-scope-3.html?___SID=U
Athlon Optics Midas Tac 6-24x Met all criteria listed above 25 mil travel, 26.3 oz, 10 yard min focus
https://cameralandny.com/shop/brand...e048-0136-3247-00163ecd2826?variation=1891359
Nightforce Optics NX8 4-32x Meets all criteria above when mounted with titanium rings, con: it's pricey. 26 mil travel, 29 oz, 11 yard min focus
https://www.milehighshooting.com/nightforce-c625-nx8-4-32x50-f1-zerostop-digillum-mil-c/
Wound up going with the Athlon Midas Tac 6-24x and it has been a great choice so far. I like the floating dot center and the hashmarks are easy to read. Scope with the heavy SWFA brand high 30mm rings weighs in at 35.1 oz. Knobs for elevation, windage and focus all have good stiffness without being to hard to move, zoom ring is a little stiff. Clarity is also very good. Need to run a tracking test still, but it tracked fine for the 60 meter changes needed for silhouette so far.
So how did it all turn out? Not to bad, I just barely made weight with an ounce to spare, but I then added on a couple Tenebrauex scope covers and that put me over .5 oz
Took it out for a silhouette match the next day and scored in the upper end of my classification after a quick and dirty sight in period. Balance is very neutral and the big mag was not a problem with the hold as I spread fingers in front of it and thumb on trigger guard, so I am not using the mag as a holding point (which would be against the rules). Vudoo also just announced that they are coming out with smaller size 5 round mags so I can save some weight and size there. They also announced 12 and 15 round mags coming soon.
I am happy so far, but actually using it showed a flaw for the scope. 2 of the 3 silhouette ranges I shoot at face south and with the sun low in the winter I was getting considerable sun glare and had to put on a shade and that adds another 1.5 oz, so the front scope cover had to come off to make weight limit for now. I can remedy this by getting the lightweight Nightforce rings and it will shed almost 3 oz but that will be in the future. Yes I do realize that the scope is mounted way high and clearances would allow me to mount it with lower rings and save some weight. However It is deliberately mounted high as that is how I like for silhouette matches as I have less head tilt. I'll use it for the other matches and see how much of a compromise it will or will not be in other shooting positions and make adjustments if needed.
Cheek rest is one area that I am not happy with. I have to live with it like this for silo rules and I knew that going in, but every other match is going to get either a slip-over cover (Beartooth or similar) or a Karsten's type rest installed.
Pic with the sunshade installed and front scope cover removed:
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