Lock time data for smallbore actions?

[Jason]

I have heard anecdotal information about lock time on smallbore actions for years and years, but I have never seen any actual data on lock time. Does anyone know where I can find this data, which will hopefully include the various Anschutz action, as well as Remington 541/581/40X and Sako actions. I'm considering a new smallbore build and want to base it on hard numbers. Thanks!

[Bob259]

I would be willing to bet someone over on the Benchrest site has them handy as they love that kind of challenge ;)

[Jason]

I didn't find it searching through the two benchrest sites that I know of. I'm specifically looking for data relative to the common smallbore actions, with hopefully some data from experimenting with combining parts, like putting an Anschutz 5018 trigger on a Remington action. Does anyone know the specific locktime differences in the Rem 40X and 541/581 actions?

[Evelio Mc Donald]

Jason
I really never have seen a good chart in actual milliseconds in the locktime of the different actions out there, but I can tell you that the 540-541-581 actions, all typical have been rated at having the fastest locktime, I think is mainly due to the very small size of the floating firing pin versus the longer heavier firing pins as in the 40-X or Anschutz.
Evelio.

[Ghostofwar]

I know there is information out there on rimfire actions lock time. I have seen it. I believe it was somewhere on rimfirecentral but I might be wrong. It was a while back and I can't remember much of the info. I seem to remember that the Sako Finnfire had the fastest lock time with some of the Remingtons coming in a close second and Anschutz not to far behind. Don't take my word for it though. Just keep looking.

[Jerry G]

What's the point of it all? If you have a good follow through it doesn't make a spit of difference. We spend more time looking for gimics than we do on practicing good shooting habits.

[CZforlife]

Touchette!^^^

[steve b.]

Jason,

I have not seen it in print for rimfire actions, but in Stewart Otteson's book; Benchrest Actions, there is a short chapter on how to calucalte it yourself. It's a bit techy, but it is the correct way to do it. See if you can track a copy down, it's a great resource to have.

There is also the aspect of how to tune an action for optimal ignition and consistency, and this will have a direct impact on how fast / consistent your lock time will be. As you know, there is the parts to the rifle, and there is the actual assembly of the parts to the rifle.

s.

[Jason]

Thanks, Steve. I'll try to find a copy of that book. I do indeed know about assembly/tweaking of an action being important for consistent lock time and ignition. I'm trying to weigh the costs/benefits of new custom actions versus older or mass-produced actions that will need a lot more tweaking, as well as possible modification to mount a great trigger in a way that will let it be consistent also. I'm toying with ideas of building one barreled action that I can use for a smallbore standard rifle in one stock and prone rifle in another stock.

[Jason]

What's the point of it all? If you have a good follow through it doesn't make a spit of difference. We spend more time looking for gimics than we do on practicing good shooting habits.

Way to talk the talk, Jerry, but let's see you walk the walk and show up next year to the Iron Man with a Mauser instead of a uselessly-fast Remington or similar action.

[Jason]

Steve,

Are you talking about the book from 1983 or is there an updated version of it? I assume the principles are the same either way.

Thanks!

[Jerry G]

"Anschutz action, as well as Remington 541/581/40X and Sako actions."

Strange HP actions there Jason. I thought this was all about SB actions but I guess I was wrong. You do realize that many have shot their way into AAA with a 10-22, not exactly a fast lock time rim fire.

[Jason]

Lock time is important for highpower, where barrel time is less, but not smallbore then? Yes, I realize it's possible to shoot your way into AAA with a slower action. I did that with a CZ 452, which is a mini-Mauser action. I'm not talking about shooting my way into AAA here. I'm talking about moving from mid-master to upper master using this new build.

[steve b.]

Jason,

That is the correct one. From what you are describing, it would be hard to argue against either an Anschutz 1913 or 2013, or even the new F-27A, which by some discussion and eval, appears to have a wickedly fast locktime. I use mine for prone in the Precise stock, and for rimfire BR ( Unlimited class ). That said, my 10.5 lb Hall is a RBA monster. I have my own views on lock-time, but if it is an area you want to focus on, you may have to stick with a small number of actions.

Looking over the various rimfire rifles in the shop, I like most of them for dual use, it just depends on what you are looking for in a rifle. A tuned up Ans 1411 is nothing to sneeze at either, and can save you quite a bit of cash.

Obviously all can be made to shoot well, but some are easier to get there ( and keep there ) than others.

Just be sure to get your hands on a good barrel, and not something that is just stuck on the rifle.

[Jason]

Thanks again, Steve. My primary focuses, since silhouette is by far the more important use of this rifle for me, are trigger, accuracy, and locktime. The trigger is already settled. I want it to be the Anschutz 5018 (possibly eventually with heavier springs if I rebarrel to hunter specs). I believe that the accuracy is more dependent on materials and assembly quality as long as a quality action is used. That leaves locktime as the main remaining point of research. I haven't thought of using an Anschutz 1411 and don't know a lot about them. They used the 5072 triggers, right? I'm trying to sort through which triggers come on which of the Anschutz position/prone rifles. Since my experience with position and prone shooting is very limited up to now, I don't have a good base of knowledge to build on. I'll pick up that book (actually, collection of articles) that you mentioned and dive into it. Thanks again for the info.