There is a reason that the Anshutz costs double the CZ and the CZ costs double the Ruger!
Here’s my opinions-
-ask around and find out what the other competitors are using and ask around for those selling old equipment
-hang out at Rimfire Central to talk to the guys that bench rest .22s and/or drop $1000 on their 10/22s.
-no matter what you do to a 10/22 it resells for $300 while CZ, Anshutz and Walther appreciate as desired rifles. No one wants your upgraded 10/22 as the fun is in the build. You can sell off your upgrade parts for a better price than the whole rifle.
-buy once, cry once
When I talk about group sizes I mean 10 shot groups, outside edge to outside edge, no elimination of any shots unless called before seeing them. Like if your buddy bumps you. From sandbags off a rock steady bench, outdoors.
I have built up two 10/22s now. The second time I was a lot smarter and had excellent info from Rimfire central. I took a stock $200 new rifle. It grouped about 4” with stock iron sights. About 2.5” with a scope. About 2” finding the preferred “budget” (not bulk) ammo. In this case it was Aguila standard.
I dropped a Ruger BX trigger upgrade in. No increase in accuracy but much less fatigue in getting clean trigger pulls. It’s a good value for $50
Swapping several barrels I found that the mounting was not stable and settled in, so I pillar bedded and free floated the barrel and used a rubber shim moved fore and aft to tune best groups. Group size down to 1 1/8 inch at 50 yards, still using budget ammo. While I was at it, I drilled the receiver to take a cleaning rod from the back without removing the barrel from receiver.
Match grade ammo did not result in better groups immediately so I stopped. Here is why:
The next step is to send the best stock barrel I had to Randy to have the chamber re-cut and let him do magic on the build. $250... but may as well drop a match barrel while paying the gunsmith... so drop another $750 on my $200 Ruger? No. Here is why:
Pull my CZ 455 American out of the box. $510 but with .22 and .17 barrels. Toss a scope on it and try budget ammo. Sub-One inch at 50 yards all day with Blazer. Measurement of group size is an issue so move to 100 yards. Visibly shrink the group with RWS Match ammo on sale for $12 a box. It’s cheaper to shoot 30-06 cast handloads for me. Stop.
The Ruger is a nice rifle, I put a bit of time cleaning mold line creases, breaking edges cleanly, fitting to wood... when I pulled it out of the safe last I thought “this is a nice little rifle!”
Then I pulled out the CZ. “Whoa. This is a beauty.” Suddenly the Ruger shaping looks crude and the wood looks bland. I keep it because I seem to be collecting Rugers subconsciously by process of selling off firearms I don’t really love. That 10/22 is an awesome squirrel and rabbit gun. I would not grieve if it got scratches from blackberry brambles or got rain or snow on it and it’s more than accurate enough for small game.
The CZ is twice the price and as I can afford it, a luxury and status item. For strolling in the woods on a crisp Autumn day, I feel special owning such a nice bit of walnut and it’s fun at the range, too.
The CZ accuracy is still not match grade, but then neither am I. Next step would be recutting the chamber and hoping, or putting a match barrel on it. But after adding that price, may as well buy an Anshutz. Which is also worth the money, just richer than I am comfortable with.
My strongest advice is to ask around the club you compete with. You might find some old guy that will sell you the competition rifle someone sold to them at a break even price that’s a real bargain for you and they can show you how it shoots.
