Lightweight .22 Target Rifle

[sumb]

Hi Guys,

Looking for a little advise please.

Me and the missus have taken up 25 yard prone match target shooting at one of the clubs we have joined but the .22LR BSA MK2 that we have access to is far too heavy for her to use without a front rest - and obviously this means she cannot shoot in any comps.

So we are looking for suggestions for a very lightweight .22LR Match Target rifle - obviously we don't want to spend too much money as without the rifle we don't actually know if she can actually manage this discipline.

Thanks in advance.

[tim s]

The lightest you will find is the Anschutz 1403. This uses the lighter Match 64 action, and is the predecessor of the current 1903, but with a smaller stock, and a lighter barrel. Weight is normally 8-9lb, so much less than a 14lb BSA Mk II.

Otherwise any lightweight barreled target rifle like an Anschutz 1407 (Match 54 lightweight) or the later 1807 and 1907. or the BSA Mk IV should be OK. One thing that will help is getting the stock to fit; many target rifles, and particularly the BSA Mk II, are much too long in the butt for most women. So there ends up being too much gun infront of their left hand. Shortening the stock brings the weight back, and is generally much more comfortable (especially for loading). my 5ft 4in wife used to shoot an Anschutz 1807 barrel in a 1911 prone stock that had had 1.5in of the butt, and 2in off the fore-end.

[Hemmers]

Yeah, an -03 or -07 barreled Anschutz should do the job. The Mk2s are heavy old things, the few BSAs we have remaining at our club are only used for bench, anyone needing a club rifle for prone uses one of the bolt actions.

[sumb]

Thanks for the info there.

Just out of curiosity though, are there any other manufacturers other than Anschutz that are an option?

[tim s]

Yes there are. Walther and Feinwerkbau are Anschutz's main rivals at club/county level, but if you are looking for a second-hand rifle these are much less common. If buying new a Walther KK300 or a Feinwerkbau 2700 (either with the lighter barrel option) would be a cracking choice.

If you are looking second hand you will find more Anschutz rifles than other makes. But a Walther KK UIT or Feinwerkbau 2000, or 2600 Universal would be equivalent to an Anschutz 1407/1807/1907. The BSA Mk IV is an oldie, but good; it's a newer lighter version of the BSA Mk II. Another option would be a Valmet Finnish Lion Standard. However these last two (BSA and Valmet) are less user friendly than Anschutz, FWB, or Walther and spare parts are no longer available.

The issue over spare parts also affects Diana, and Unique (modern, equivalent to Anschutz), Hammerli, Schultz & Larsen, Remington, Winchester, and a few other old and rare makes.

[sumb]

Thanks for all the info and advise.

Looks like a search for an Anschutz it is then.