Second Newb question - Rifle choice for Silo's

[LongPlay]

I have several rifles I use in sporter class for USBR Bench Rest matches. I also have a few hunter type rifles I use in the field. Of course there is some crossover as well.

I know the weight rules of 8.5 pounds and 10.2 pounds, so with that said, I have a new shooting iron on the way next week, and would like some information about where
it might fit. I am awaiting a Browning version of the Win 52 re-issue. The rifle is bone stock and looks to be unfired. I suspect it will be a shooter, most I have read about
were great rifles. It does look a bit heavy.

When I drop a scope and a set of HIGH BKL rings and a scope, am I going to be able to slide in under that 8.5 pound limit? Anyone shoot a Re-Issue 52 in these matches?

I do remember well, back when I did shoot in the 80's, that scope power was something that evolved for me, but I never got much above 16 to 18 without having the nervous
crosshair dancing all over the rack of steel. Seems I am fine at 12 to 14 power, but after that, my mind gets to worrying about how much it is moving, and that of course
makes it worse......

All suggestions welcome.... Been nearly 30 years since I have done this to any extent... so I am ALL ears!!!!

Thanks .......... Lionel

[Innocent]

Lionel,
Yes, I shoot both the WInchester and Browning versions of the remake. THey do make weight with a Premier 18 X 40...in most cases. Some of the wood is denser on some of the rifles, and need to have the butt drilled. I have two Brownings, and several of the Winnies, and all have the Keynon trigger in them, some at the 2.0 # pull and others with his favorite trigger weight of about 6 ounces.

Mary

[LongPlay]

Thanks, Mary.... I can then hold out hope for the rifle to make weight.

I may find a jig arrangement to allow me to safely drill the buttstock just in case.
I would like to use it in the 8.5 pound class if possible.

I notice you say you use an 18X scope. That is about right for my eye also. I take it you have shot silhouette for a while, so do you not feel the need for the higher power rating? I feel like my deficiency of getting too nervous at 30X and above is a hindrance. If you also use 18X range, i would not feel outside the pack so to speak.....

[Bob259]

.............I may find a jig arrangement to allow me to safely drill the buttstock just in case........

LongPlay just be careful if PPKNY offers to help you, to him a router and a stock is like to someone else with a new chain saw and a yard full of trees (well at least there were trees) ;)

[ppkny]

LongPlay,
Don't be afraid to hog into the stock just make sure you have a valid excuse when things go wrong... ix.. the cat jumped on me and made the rooter jerk. Seriously removing wood is the least effective way to remove weight. One (1) cubic inch weighs only about 0.5 ozs. I've done it but it's only as a last resort when you need a ounce or two. A better way is to remove the butt plate and replace it with something lighter. Butt plates can weigh in at 6 to 10 ozs.
ppkny

[Jerry G]

Cut out a flip-flop for a but plate. It is very light and grips your clothing very well. A little contact cement keeps it in place.

[LongPlay]

First, let me get through laughing over here.....

Now, I have a yard full of trees 4 acres worth. Cutting them down all the time. PPKNY wants to come over, I will furnish the well used but still razor sharp Stihl Pro 026 Chain saw!!!

Yeah, PPKNY, I just trimmed down a Kimber 82G to make the 10.5 pound class in USBR (Custom), and I found out real quick, there is not enough wood in a stock, even that big log
they use on the Kimber Govt models!! .... It took 3.5" coming off that 25" barrel to get it sure to make weight...

I want to keep it as original as I can externally, so I do not have large quantities of heart burn to drill down the stock if I only need to lose an ounce or two. I know thats about all
one can reasonably get out of that area safely. I just have had a heck of a time doing it cleanly on my Kimbers. Hard to hold that roundish, and unwieldy long piece of wood dead
still so the end mill in the drill press can get in there to get the wood out. I have been working on a theory about a different way to do it but do not want to risk a pretty piece of
Browning Walnut to see if it works.....

Jerry, not likely to happen on the Browning, but I am seriously going to steal that idea for my Kimber Custom class project. The butt plate on that rascal weighs just over 6 ounces
all by itself !!!! Flip flop.... HHHmmmmmmm My wife is from the Philippines and that is of course the national shoe there.. should not be hard to find one around here !!

[Innocent]

LongPlay, yes taking off the butt plate will help, if you prefer a flip flop butt. I found that only two of mine needed anymore than the sling swivels and a bit of wood from the butt to make weight with Premiers, so it is very dependent on the denisty of the wood. I like the feel of the 52 remakes and so they work well for me. Having the Kenyon triggers make them even sweeter.
Now ppkny, if you feel the need to trim trees, come on down,after the freezes we have had there will be plenty of citrus to cut. As for the cat story...hmm heard better excuses.

Innocent M

[Bob259]

........ if you prefer a flip flop butt.............. .......Innocent M

Now that's funny I don't care who you are

[Dee]

I concur on the flip flop butt pad. Pulled the $200+ aluminum super duper adjustable butt plate off my 8002 Annie and replaced it with a piece of 3 ply wood with some Vibram shoe sole rubber cemented together worth about .50 cents. While not worried about making weight it works much better to get a good shoulder on the rifle while using a shooting vest and it was cut to the same shape/size as my 1712 butt pad for consistency.


Dee

[LongPlay]

I really will work on that butt pad idea. I need a bit of room on another rifle, and I am looking for that last couple of ounces. That will do the trick....

[jdp]

This is what I ended up with for my butt pad. I needed a longer LOP without adding weight. I went to a local shoe repair shop, and they gave me some crape sole material. It was 3/4 inch thick and I used two thicknesses. Gave me 1.5 inches increase of LOP without adding any weight. And Yes that is one of McAlice's scope rings.

[LongPlay]

That is a great idea. Crepe is very light weight, and really the perfect material for that service.

Scope rings? I am really kind of new here, and do not know who McAlice is yet... but those look like High versions of the 257 BKL's, MY all time favorite rings ?

[Jason]

The little silver ring betwee the scope and the sunshade is the ring that he's referring to.