Hi all,

I am looking into dipping my toe into smallbore MS. I am currently looking at a couple of rifles on the budget end of the scale with the view to spending more $$$ on a good scope. I have no problem with spending more on the scope than the rifle itself.

I am looking at the Ruger RAR Compact with a 18" Sporter barrel or one of the Savage Varmints (FV or BV) with a 21" varmint barrel. Noting the weight restriction and offhand will the varmint barrel be more accurate/consistent than the sporter barrel? I figured if I go the sporter barrel then I can get a bigger/heavier scope???

Thanks.

I prefer a heavy barrel but that's personal preference. If you're dead set on Ruger or Savage I'd go with Savage with an Accutrigger.

You need to make sure that the barrel is tapered so it will be legal in Hunter class.

I and most silhouette shooters I know prefer the CZ 452 or 455 to either of the rifles you mentioned and the price is comparable to the Savage.

Dustin

You specified barrel length in your question as well:

Theoretically a shorter barrel is better for smallbore silhouette because the shorter barrel dwell-time requires slightly less follow-through discipline (the bullet is in the barrel for a shorter time giving you less chance to move the barrel at follow-through and affect the shot). That is a consideration but I shoot a longish barrel on my smallbore rifle because I believe that the extra weight out front is worth the tradeoff.

That said, follow-through is VERY important to shooting good scores in silhouette, so learn to follow through on EVERY shot!!

Dustin

Why is extra weight out front a benefit?

TheOtherLeft wrote:Why is extra weight out front a benefit?

Inertia. Once the barrel weight/length/mass is "on target", it takes more to move the line of sight away and (at least theoretically) the point of impact off the intended target.

"Inertia. Once the barrel weight/length/mass is "on target", it takes more to move the line of sight away and (at least theoretically) the point of impact off the intended target."

.

I have no problem getting the rifle to move "off target" with any barrel length.................

As with Anything you get yourself into that's new , I usually opt for Something Safe , and decent in the midrange - this does 2 things for me

it gives me a level of confidence in the equipment and not a excuse to blame the tools - Understandably the pro's will have better tools they built up over the years but if you don't like the game at least you have something that is tradeable and keeps its price the diffs between entry and mid range is usually a 25-30% premium , Top end can be anything from Double to 10x the value of Midrange . What a lot of people don't say as well is that entry level rifles some times need some modifications to get it that little better/competitive - and this may cost additional $$$ , maybe not but whatever you add to a entry level rifle you will not get back when you re-sell.

For most Target Shooting Sports you want a Crisp trigger and these are only usually on a few better grade rifles. The triggers on entry level rifles I think has gotten
a little better , the better for hunting purposes but not there yet for 100m offhand yet.

Barrel Contour you want a slightly tapered barrel to qualify for Std and hunter class.

I am shooting a Marlin 880SQ with its normal trigger - this rifle like the Savage does not have a tapered barrel so once I become competitive then
have to compete with a $300 rifle in a field full of zouped up($2000-4000) tackle. To get the Marlin better will probably I took the plunge and arm wrestled the local dealer for a 1712 Anschutz that I still need to take ownership of - Licencing takes some weeks down here. I picked the 1712 as that's what I want , If I had a 1416 from the start do not think the change would be necessary, Thus the Marlin I need to add to the cost of the new Anschutz.

If I had to buy a rifle to start Silhouette as a Entry Combo would be a CZ 455 American and would put a 4-16 / 4-24 x ??? Vortex
this is a Combo with few extras , some good Ammo and a Case that you may look at $1000 to $1500 depending how extravagant the scope you Choose.
the trigger may need a little TLC later to get better . If you do not participate in Silhouette shooting after time I think it is safe to say that World wide this is the
go to .22lr work rifle and a awesome reputation for general farm work , varmint control , plinking .

As a Midrange Combo I would go with a Anschutz 1416HB with a Vortex Scope . This would be a $1500 to $2000 Combo
but then no need for extras and add ons. Compared to the CZ the Annie is a prettier rifle and yet rugged as well not the type of Rifle you would want to pull thru youre arse - The CZ likes it rough but the Annie shoots a little better and has a crisp trigger.

In USA the Support is good for Leupold and have some Silhouette specific models - In my neck of the Woods Leopold has a lesser track record and support compared to Vortex Scopes . Vortex offers really good value and ability .

My 2c