TargetTalk

Hey, im a 17 year old shooter from the UK, i have been shooting for around 5 years with an old rusty anschutz. with a lot of work i have got my average to around 195 for .22 prone, which currently is all i do but with me moving to a school with a shooting academy i am looking to invest in a new small bore rifle that i could use for prone, but that will also be suitable for getting into 3p?! im around 5"10 and of small build if that helps?

ANY SUGGESTIONS? ive got a system gemini fullbore rifle but not sure if there a good choice for smallbore or if i should go with a bigger brand? Anschutz/Walther/Feinwerkbau/G&E etc?

many thanks

Fabien

Firstly do you (or parents) have a specific budget? This will really determine what you can get, as much as what you should get. I'd suggest joing www.stirton.com, this is a British smallbore forum; rifles are often offered for sale, and advice can be sought.

If your budget allows a new rifle would be ideal. An Anschutz 1913, FWB 2700, or Walther KK300 would be a great choice. All are mechanically simillar, ahve great triggers, and good stocks. If I was looking to replace my 1813/Gemini, a KK300 would be high up the list. However each rifle will fit and balance slightly differently. Before spending roughly £2,500 I'd want to try each for size.

An alternative would be a Bleiker or G&E. These are Swiss made rifles, more expensive than the German Anschutz, FWB, and Walther, but are both a more advanced design. Both have a very short bolt, so they are easier to load. Both have a superb trigger. Both have superb US-made barrel. But, the cost for the barrel/action/trigger (no stock or sights) is more than a complete new Anschutz/FWB/Walther.

Yes a System Gemini stock is an excellent choice for smallbore. I use the older Ultra model (with the wooden butt section), and find it very comfortable. You can have a Gemini stock for most of the major smallbore rifles: Anschutz, Walther, Bleiker, but not FWB.

I think you may be a little confused, The System Gemini is just a stock, not a complete rifle. Your fullbore rifle may have been built by HPS, but they only made the stock. The action, barrel, trigger, and sights were bought in, and assembled (very carefully, and with great skill) by HPS.

If your budget is limited, and it is for most first time buyers, look at a second hand rifle. .22 barrels last a long time, so a used rifle can still be very accurate. I'd look for the newest and least used barrel/action you can find. If the stock isn't perfect, these can often be made to fit with a little woodwork, or replaced with a newer one at a later date. Roughly speaking £500 would get you a wood-stocked Supermatch rifle from the '80s or '90s; this means Anschutz 1813 or 1913, Walther GX-1, or FWb 2600.

Most of the rifles I've mentioned about are the heavier free rifles. You say you are of slim build, so you need to make sure the rifle is comfortable for you, sometimes a lighter barrel can be more comfortable.

Tim

Hi Tim, I'm not looking to spend any more than £3500at the most, but as i come from the channel islands i dont have to pay VAT! wahoo! I currently own the anschutz I shoot with now but am looking to upgrade it to a newer, more complete rifle. When referring to the "system Gemini Fullbore" I was just referring to the stock in which i have the rpa 2011, for .22 with gemini stock I would probably have an anschutz action put in. how does that compares to the other main players (anschutz/walther/fwb/g&e/ etc)

Thanks

Fabien

Fabien,

An Anschutz-Gemini combo can shoot very well. I would be surprised if there is any difference in accuracy between the Gemini stock and the factory Precise stock. It would just come down to personal preference about the fit and balance of the stock. If you find the Gemini comfortable (and bear in mind that not all do), and your budget stretches to one, I'd say go for it. However the factory stock is a little cheaper.

The FWB 2700 is another really good rifle. The fore-end is quite rounded, so it won't squash small hands like the Gemini can. I'm not a fan of the buttplate.

The KK300 is said to have one of the best factory triggers, and the action is tank-like. The aluminium stock looks a little tinny to me, but I'm prejudiced against cast alu stocks. The wood-laminate Anatomic costs more, but should be very strong. The Walther barrel is a little lighter than an Anschutz 1913.

Even without VAT, you won't get a Bleiker or G&E on your budget.