Thread: 22lr Practicle rifle setup

I'm thinking I would like to get into 22lr practicle rifle shoots. Looks like a lot of fun, a great way to improve ability and meet some like minded people.

Swamp brutality definitly looks like something I would be stupid enough to do.

So looking for a bit of advice on setup etc? Don't want to break the bank as just starting out but want a reliable setup.

Rifles there's lots of options and been reading lots of reviews. Most seem pretty good accuracy wise so will focus on fit and what feels right.

Scopes is where I have the most questions. See most are running scopes in MILS I assume for finer adjustment. This will be a new learning. What size and zoom would be ideal? Any recommendations?

Anything else I need to consider for someone starting out?

Cheers
Bobba

@Gillie @SixtyTen

How far do you want to shoot to? I went with a basic 3-9/40 scope on the 22lr because it’s good for 120yrds for me. Just moa.

I went to mil and much bigger on the bigger rifle so I could zoom better and thought it was good to invest more on that. Also went FFP.

I didn’t think putting on a scope worth twice the price of the rifle was worth it. But maybe our uses would differ.

Welcome to the Wabbit hole are you planning shooting long range
most 22lrs are not to bad to 100m you just have to find what fodder it likes to eat
Out beyond 100m you might need a better barrel etc and scope
my Wabbit smacker has an Immersive optic 14 x 50 MDE [zero eye relief ]fixed power but a very wide view and focus range
Bunny buster short barrel with fixed suppressor all in one
Cheers

Awesome SPARC 22LR series sponsors, great organisers in Simon, Graeme and Geoff. Great landowners.

Definitely a rabbit hole for $ buying gear.

Lots of fun. Get into it.

If you want to shoot bolt guns, you can't go past an off the shelf Tikka T1X or a CZ457. Both are excellent with good mags and parts support.

For scopes, it depends on what your wanting to do, but I would say MRAD and FFP are very nice to have. No real issue with MOA, but most people are running MRAD, so you can get on the fly data help if your struggling on a stage. The SPARC series Marksman class has a max magnification of 10 power (you can use a higher power scope, but must shoot it on 10 or less during those competitions) given that most of the 22 shooting in the north island is part of that series (and I would not recommend doing Rifleman class when your new) I would recommend getting something in the 3-12 or 2-10 range of optics. FFP is good as you can then use the reticle for hold over at any magnification. If you get a higher power scope, say a 5-25 FFP, you will struggle to see the reticle at 10 power and it will be limited use for hold over.

The other option is SFP scopes, and you have drop cards printed for each different magnification. More complex, and more likely to make a mistake, but the scopes are cheaper.

Hit up the guys on the SPARC facebook page about using one of the loaner rifles and come along to a match. They are good guns that are setup well with data, and you will be put in a squad with folks who can help you out. Get a taste for it before dropping $$$

Have you decided bolt vs semi auto?

From my observation, with the availability of good ammo, the semi isn't far behind the bolt guns in terms of the accuracy, about 1-1.5 moa accuracy with my Kriss DMK22c, which is sufficient for most matches.

For the scope I', using DNT 7-35x, during the match I normally dial to 12x-16x depending on the size of the target.

Originally Posted by SixtyTen

Hit up the guys on the SPARC facebook page about using one of the loaner rifles and come along to a match. They are good guns that are setup well with data, and you will be put in a squad with folks who can help you out. Get a taste for it before dropping $$$

Great idea. Will do.

Originally Posted by SixtyTen

Hit up the guys on the SPARC facebook page about using one of the loaner rifles and come along to a match. They are good guns that are setup well with data, and you will be put in a squad with folks who can help you out. Get a taste for it before dropping $$$

This... get in touch and come and shoot.
Won't cost you anything other than the normal entry fee - donor rifle will come set up with dope, SPARC will also provide ammo for the match and an experienced shooter in your squad to help out.

There is a bunch of information here: https://sparc22.com/
More will be added when we get time and opportunity. 2025 event calendar includes about 12 matches in total for 2025. This calendar should be out within the next few days. Mostly we are just confirming match sponsors now.

I'm happy to answer specific question but @SixtyTen advise above is pretty spot on. Marksmen class is the way to go when you get started. Marksmen class can be competed with basically any scoped 22LR rifle as long as it is sighted in with the ammo you are using on the day. Rifleman class can be a $$ rabbit hole but it is exceptionally challenging and hectically fun.

There will be a SPARC series event about 40 mins from your place in the North west Waikato in April sometime, well in the past there has been. A nice easy one to get to for you.

I run a CZ 457 in these events. Dont let it put you off but at present the 10 shot mags for them are scarce at present. If you went hat way I have a spare 5 shot plastic mag you could use

For scopes I would go with MILS. In marksmen class you are limited to using up to 10 power. The scope can go more but you just cant use it past 10. A reticle with holdovers or MIL markings is ideal and something with a christmas tree will be come more useful to.
Something in the 4-16 range is a good starting point, Element titan or Helix, Arken are a few

Element are great. I went the Titan after much reading. Very happy.

PRS has 2 classes: Hunter and Rifleman.

For Hunter class, any rifle with 3-9 scope will do literally. Shooting distance is shorter, targets are easier to hit, you can have fun with a basic 10/22 or JW15.

I assume you are really asking for Rifleman class, in which better guns give you an edge. As eveyrone else say, it is a rabbit hole with no end. I an a novice when it comes to PRS but I have done other 22LR shoots. My view is that you should consider your gear evolution in stages:

Stage 1: Get a t1X or CZ457. for CZ, get a wooden stock version becaus the synthetic version is too soft for rested shooting. Get a basic scope with mil based reticle and up to x16 power, or jump to a mid-range schope (see below), Get a sandbag, bipod, and 2 x 10 shot mags.

Stage 2: Change the trigger spring. Mid-range scape, say 1k~1.5k, usually USA brand made in China. Two more 10 shot mags.

Stage 3: 5000 rounds of high end ammo. Aftermarket trigger. Tripod, bino, range finder, barrel weights and other accessories. Two more 10 shot mags. With Tikka, you can skip barrel and trigger upgrade, because nothing is available and the job is so hard.

Stage 4: Chassis replacing factory stock, Bull barrel replacing factory barrel. $3k~$4k glasss. Two more 10 shot mags (because you have lost about 4 in matches).

Stage 5: Order a Vudoo, RimX, or another PRS custom build rifle with 6 x mags.

Originally Posted by Ultimitsu

PRS has 2 classes: Hunter and Rifleman.

For Hunter class, any rifle with 3-9 scope will do literally. Shooting distance is shorter, targets are easier to hit, you can have fun with a basic 10/22 or JW15.

I assume you are really asking for Rifleman class, in which better guns give you an edge. As eveyrone else say, it is a rabbit hole with no end. I an a novice when it comes to PRS but I have done other 22LR shoots. My view is that you should consider your gear evolution in stages:

Stage 1: Get a t1X or CZ457. for CZ, get a wooden stock version becaus the synthetic version is too soft for rested shooting. Get a basic scope with mil based reticle and up to x16 power, or jump to a mid-range schope (see below), Get a sandbag, bipod, and 2 x 10 shot mags.

Stage 2: Change the trigger spring. Mid-range scape, say 1k~1.5k, usually USA brand made in China. Two more 10 shot mags.

Stage 3: 5000 rounds of high end ammo. Aftermarket trigger. Tripod, bino, range finder, barrel weights and other accessories. Two more 10 shot mags. With Tikka, you can skip barrel and trigger upgrade, because nothing is available and the job is so hard.

Stage 4: Chassis replacing factory stock, Bull barrel replacing factory barrel. $3k~$4k glasss. Two more 10 shot mags (because you have lost about 4 in matches).

Stage 5: Order a Vudoo, RimX, or another PRS custom build rifle with 6 x mags.

Don't forget SPARC 22LR series has tweaked 'Hunter' class rules to be 'Marksman' for 2025.