First Rifle

[HALODIN]

I'm seriously considering a .22 Anschutz Match 54 for indoor practice, we have one at the club and it shoots really nicely, I think mainly due to it's heavy barrel. Anyway, firstly is there anything better at 25 yards that I should consider? Secondly, assuming I bought one, how easy is it to attach a scope? Will I need a gunsmith's assistance?

Cheers,

Craig.

[HALODIN]

Does anyone know?

[dromia]

They are excellent rifles, I still have mine a left hander from my small bore target days in the 1980's. If I remeber it was one of the forst of that particular model in the country, or so I was told by the dealer.

If I was wanting a scope on it then it is an easy enough job for a competent gunsmith to pop a couple of blocks on and it shouldn't be expensive.

Personally I'd stick with the aperture sights for target shooting which is what they are designed for.

[rox]

is there anything better at 25 yards that I should consider?

You could get a Grunig Racer. It is just £ 4,697.00 (at the time of writing), and might be a little better.

I shoot a 1976 Match 54 though. Some of them from that era had exceptionally good barrel steel, and mine certainly shoots very well indeed (I am not an international in .22 though; I topped-out at junior county level before focussing on full-bore, then my .22 spent about 20 years without leaving the cabinet). Now my 54 drops into the same stock as my 308's, so it serves a cross training for TR and 300m.

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[HALODIN]

Thanks for the reply and the info. On a few occasions last night I stuck 5 shots through the same hole with the Anschutz and RWS special match ammo, what a combination. I appreciate your point about the sights, but I feel I can learn a lot with a scope on this rifle and then taking what I've learned out to 100 yards +.

Yes I can see this is one of those rifles you never sell... :cheers:

They are excellent rifles, I still have mine a left hander from my small bore target days in the 1980's. If I remeber it was one of the forst of that particular model in the country, or so I was told by the dealer.

If I was wanting a scope on it then it is an easy enough job for a competent gunsmith to pop a couple of blocks on and it shouldn't be expensive.

Personally I'd stick with the aperture sights for target shooting which is what they are designed for.

[HALODIN]

Wow that's a lotta dolla for something that `might` be a `little` better. I guess the match 54 is pretty good value for money then.

Just out of interest have you dropped a scope on top of your 54 given you use it as a trainer out to 300m?

You could get a Grunig Racer. It is just £ 4,697.00 (at the time of writing), and might be a little better.

I shoot a 1976 Match 54 though. Some of them from that era had exceptionally good barrel steel, and mine certainly shoots very well indeed (I am not an international in .22 though; I topped-out at junior county level before focussing on full-bore, then my .22 spent about 20 years without leaving the cabinet). Now my 54 drops into the same stock as my 308's, so it serves a cross training for TR and 300m.

..

[dromia]

I actually have a very early 1950s Anschutz 54 in at the moment, no step on the rear bolt face and the early proof marks.

It has been around with stock addittions but well looked after none the less, when I got it I took it down to the range to check functionality. I benched it and it put 10 rounds of Eley Match through the 10 ring at 25 yrds, I didn't even need to alter the sights it was spot on.

I also have an equal fondness for my LH BSA Martini MK2 which was my small bore target rifle (1970s) before I got the Anschutz, I still have that rifle too.

[rox]

Just out of interest have you dropped a scope on top of your 54 given you use it as a trainer out to 300m?

I only shoot the 54 to 50m usually, not *at* 300m but *as training for* 300m & TR shooting (to 1000 yards), all of which is done with aperture sights. The 54 has a standard top dovetail, so it should be trivial to fit an optic.

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[HALODIN]

I've got one in mind already, but thanks anyway. I didn't realise you sold rifles, consider yourself bookmarked!

Yes we have a Martini at the club as well, they're nice rifles. When I eventually take my 7 year old son up to the range, I'll probably give him this one first.

I actually have a very early 1950s Anschutz 54 in at the moment, no step on the rear bolt face and the early proof marks.

It has been around with stock addittions but well looked after none the less, when I got it I took it down to the range to check functionality. I benched it and it put 10 rounds of Eley Match through the 10 ring at 25 yrds, I didn't even need to alter the sights it was spot on.

I also have an equal fondness for my LH BSA Martini MK2 which was my small bore target rifle (1970s) before I got the Anschutz, I still have that rifle too.

[HALODIN]

I understood what you meant "just words arrange properly I couldn't"

OK thanks, that's useful to know. :cheers:

I only shoot the 54 to 50m usually, not *at* 300m but *as training for* 300m & TR shooting (to 1000 yards), all of which is done with aperture sights. The 54 has a standard top dovetail, so it should be trivial to fit an optic.

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