G'Day, I purchased a 1913 br50 almost two years ago, I run 2500 shots thru the original barrel and it was a good performer.!! I then wanted to squeeze a bit more out of it and had a gunsmith pull the factory barrel and thread the action and installed a Maddco custom barrel. That gun has placed well in every shoot ive been to, it won the qld state heavy rimfire group shoot this year and has won at many different club and regional shoots. the thing you have to think about is if your prepared to wait for a custom action, then you have to buy a trigger and barrel and set it up in a stock. One phone call will have a 1913 barrel and action or whole gun on the way if thats what you wanted. It has been said that if Anschutz threaded their actions, they would be the leading action in the world.!! It all comes down to personal preference, but remember theres no guarantees with rimfires that they will be exceptional shooters.!! I would have another 1913 anyday, but ATM I am waiting for the paint to dry on my G&E racer stock.!!! Regards Native

I do alot of Rimfire shooting, quite a bit of importing Rimfire bits and a little rifle building. I will admit that I am a Calfee convert and closly follow / copy the USA way of doing things. Here are my thoughts.
1: The Anschutz rifles are purpose built for Olimp shooting Prone 3P etc. They have spent many years and Millons of dollars developing a rifles for that sport. If you are planning on shooting those sports Anschutz is a good option, so is the Racer and FWB. But I assume you are planning to shoot Benchrest this is completly different. Now the USA guys have spent years and Millions of dollars building Benchrest rifles, they by far shoot the best scores and rule international BR competitions. At the world titles in the USA reciently with best shooters from all over the world there was only 1 individual gold medal the USA guys did not win, but that medal was one with a USA rifle borrowed for the day.
2: You are correct there are some Anshutz rifles doing well in Australia, I can think of 2 "Factory" that are very good, but they are both quite old models, there are a bunch of others that have been worked and shoot quite well like Native's. But if you look at the cost he has bought another barrel modified the action and in the end most likly spent more then a custom, and now has replaced it with a $6000 rifle.
3: Custom actions have not been the answer to all our problems, until reciently our only options have been Hall and Swindlehurst. I have not worked on a swindlehurst but have never seen one shoot well. The hall is a good start but suffers the same ignition problems as the Anschutz. Not quite as bad and can be fixed but it took me 8 months and quite a bit of advice from someone with even more time invested to get it good.
4: The new crop of Customs are becomming available, Falcons, Coperheads, and Myers. I have a Falcon and have helped the import of 10 that are in Country and another 10 that are in transit and standing orders for at least another 5. I have not worked on the little problems the action has and it is already out perferming my Hall by a fair margin, time will tell how they turn out. I understand there are some Coperheads on their way and should arrive early next year. I had a close look at one in the USA and they also look great out of the box. No experience with Myers yet, may have to get one into Australia to have a look at them.
5: Cost: The Falcons I have in transit at the moment, Custom action with Broughton or Shelin Barrel fitted, Jewell Trigger, Custom trigger guard, Harrel tunner fiited, in a Custom Hardwood Bigstick stock ready to shoot, just add scope rings and scope for less then $3600. Of couse the price varies from shipment to shipment with the Aussie dollar like a Yo Yo at the moment.

In summary the Anschutz is a good entry level gun, likly to be good for local comps and learning, but unless you get the 1 in 1000000 that is special out of the factory, you will be outshooting it in 2-3 years and will need to upgrade. Either buy spending more on a rebarrel that might improve it or buying a Custom, that might be an improvement (Custom does not = winner).

Regards Brett

I started rimfire BR with an Anschutz 1907 that was hand picked at the factory by the 2000 Olympic team manager as a backup for the team. It went okay and won a few matches including the 50 agg at the group nationals (my first SSAA BR match) but a custom action has given me much better results and I wouldn’t go back to an Anschutz.

I think the point some forget is it’s the barrel ammo combination that delivers the accuracy. The action only needs to do its thing consistently so the barrel and ammo can do their job. The problem is no actions are 100% consistent so it becomes a percentage thing and the odds are improved with a custom action, but the action itself is only part of the package.

I have a new Falcon but due to some health problems it might be a little while until I have it shooting in a match, but the firing pin design does look like a step up from the Hall and I think in time these new design custom actions with the heavier firing pins will begin to dominate down here.

Brett has fitted barrels for me (and others) that have won a few national and international medals so I have no problem recommending Brett if you decide to go down the custom route.

Peter

I second Peter's advice re listening to Brett.

Brett acquired an FWB round action, fitted it with a 4-groove Lilja, and a custom stock, I eventually acquired it, and have won or placed in lots of competitions since. It's a very special rifle, with a rather ingenious quirk that works rather well. Brett knows what that is.

I too acquired a Falcon action/Broughton barrel off Brett. Am yet to shoot it in anger at a comp, but with a few tweeks recently, it's showing some stunning potential.

But Peter is also right, in that a large part of the story must also mention the ammo being used. I ran out of Lapua X-Act, found a batch (quite by mistake) in testing that performed well, took it out to its first major comp, and proceeded to shoot a 599.58. So I bought the rest of the case (expensive...).

That ammo is working as well through the Falcon/Broughton, as the FWB/Lilja.

I also have an Anschutz 1907 in a prone target rifle stock. If I wasn't shooting prone TR, I'd probably have it in a benchrest stock too.

Hey Psycronic Flavour of the month!!! How true is this. Over the years we have seen numerous actions used with custom barrels to produce some exceptional rifles. On their own Anschutz have possibly set the benchmark closely followed by Feinwerkbau and more recently Bleiker. The Americans seem to want to do their own thing and have done it very well indeed. They have some remarkable rifles and some remarkable shooters all using custom actions and barrels. They have probably done it years before we even thought of it. However, these people shoot over 100 competitions per year (two per week) when we are lucky to get off 10,000 shots per year. They are totally professional and it is big business for them. There are numerous manufacturers in the States who make their living from manufacturing "Flavour of the month" actions and barrels.Everyone wants the best so they pay enormous money for the latest and greatest. Manufacturers also ensure they get rave reviews from some of the best known gunsmiths and some of the top shooters. That's marketing and we don't know how much money changes hands or what sponsorship is provided. If you don't believe this, get real!!! There are many rifles here in Australia that are shooting brilliantly. Actions go from Annies to Bruno's to Feinwerkbaus to Bleikers to Swindlehurst to whatever. Ammunition and barrel are critical and so is the nut behind the butt. If you can't shoot, the best rifle in the world is not going to help at all. If you are looking to acquire a competitive rifle, go to some of our top competitions and have a look at what is on the firing line. Then seek out a good gunsmith and get his advice. You could pay through the nose for an action that will do no better than the tried and true variety. Some of the most expensive rifles are not keeping up with the tried and true brands. I am not looking for an argument but rather suggesting you should spend your money wisely. If it aint broke, don't fix it. Anschutz are reliable. I have a Bruno and so is it. Some of the newer actions with all the supposedly better attributes have yet to be proven. Just make sure you get the right advice and remember "new" is all in the marketing. The proof of the pudding is in the eating.

This is some very good advice that these guys have here and it’s good to see. For a great starter pack the Annie will be fine. Once you have learnt some tricks like how to tune the rifle to the ammo, read the wind and shoot consistently you’ll want more from your gear and that is where you need to make the decision, “do I customize the Annie or get a custom action?” Also I reckon if you where to look at those Annies on Gregs list, you’ll find that 99.9% of them have been reworked or customised in some way.

the "custom" action, most all of which are just a 40X copy, is adequate, not worn out, and the cheapest base to build a rifle on. At about half the cost of an Anchutz in the US market and starting with thrreading, the prefered barrel mounting method, with the Jewell trigger, simpler and way cheaper than the Anchutz, the custom becomes a no brainer...

G"Day All, Theres nothing wrong with Anschutz actions they are as good as any.!! Thats been settled. As for the custom verses factory ,well we all know its in ones nature as a competitive shooter to modify and play with a rifle to tweak the best performance from it and that usually involves a good ammo barrel and tune combination, but as has been said, wont mean anything if you dont have the ability or experience to drive it.!! On any given day if the conditions are right and the shooter is on his game, they will win with just about anything, mental ability and patience is a big part of any shooting. Anyway its always good to have a bit friendly rivalry, makes for better competition and makes one strive for perfection. Regards Native

I do remember BILL CALFEE saying some where the Anni action is one of the best he has come across They have had a long time to get them right I believe they have the fastest pin fall of any action Now the barrel may be a problem May I suggest the very best .22 rim gunsmith you can fine One that knows how to lap a bore, if he think it neads it. or reject it all together

Good day Psycronic, There is an enormous amount of pleasure in owning a custom rifle. The engineering, the ability of the rifle to do it's job. The thing that makes top shooters sit apart from the rest of us is generally their abilities, dedication, matching ammo to the rifle and above all being able to read and use the conditions. There is no doubt that barrel tuners help the rifle, it may be that is what the shooter believes that refines the shot. If you get all of the above right you will enjoy shooting with either an Anschutz or a custom rifle. I own a Hall put together by Brett and it is a pleasure to shoot, I also have an Annie and it is a pleasure to shoot. Unfortunately neither of them can help me to read the wind. Native's Annie is right up there with the custom rifles, he is dedicated shooter. I reckon buy the rifle that will fit your budget and allow you to enjoy a great sport at club and competition levels. Regards, Dennis J

my 2013 is factory standard as are a number which shoot at our club all perform very well ,my own has shot a best in a registered competion of 250.19 in RBA and 250.18 in IRB, would a custom gun do better or should i stick with the anschutz

Robin, Ya hit the nail on the head. Regards native

Native & Robin,

Yes your Anschutz’s shoot okay, so good that your next purchase wasn’t another Anschutz was it? I’m the same, my Hall has won 5 nationals yet the next gun I bought wasn’t another Hall. I think we all suffer from the grass might be greener on the side sort of thing.

Peter

Its been a long and informative discussion this one and Im pretty sure from what we all know and read is that ,theres good and bad in all factory and custom,you just have to be lucky enough to get one that stands out from the rest. Rimfires, dont ya just love em.!!! Regards Native

I think everyone has some very good points, rimfire shooting can be one of the most frustrating activities about. One day everything is great every shot goes where it is meant to, you can read the wind allow for it and in it goes. Then there are those other days where you feel like you are banging your head against the wall nothing is working and you keep changing things to try to get some consistency. On those days that when you start looking at what other people are using, and you start thinking he’s going well because of XYZ so if I change to that It will work for me ( Grass in greener mentality ). I think but you have to have confidence in your gear and if a new gun gives you that then it will help your shooting but I also think once you have all the good gear the biggest variable is the ammo and yourself. I shoot with a Anschutz 2013 basically stock with a tuner and most days it shoots better than I can but some days it throws them around a bit and I start thinking about a new rifle but I should buy a mirror and work on what I see in it. I know there are a lot of people that shoot with Anschutz and shoot some of the best scores out there but even the best are looking to keep that edge and a custom rimfire benchrest action does tick all the right boxes IF you can get someone worthwhile to put it together for you. But all the best gear in the world will not help if you can’t steer it right. Just my 2 cents Nic

Go to a few shoots and see whats being used and ask questions see if you can get to have a go with a few rifles see what fits and how they work for you. Most of the top rifles are very accurate Anschutz have been makeing rifles for 150 years so should know a thing or two. Which ever way you go you end up with a very accurate rifle match it up with the ammo it likes and thats all good but if you cant read conditions it aint worth a pinch of fairy dust. When that breese starts fishtailing and switching just as you let the shot go you start pulling out hair but dont blame the rifle. Practice is the key and not just in good conditions. The thing is there is no need to rush into anything as there is allways someone to lone you a rifle till you know what you want then stick with the decission.

Hi gang for the most part this is a great read, i am in a similar situation at the moment, I'm currently shooting a 1963 Annie 54 Super Match, its standard, in the wrong stock (small bore) so I have a block out front to keep her flat, I am new to the game so I TRY real hard not to blame her when one drops into the 9 ring, we have plenty of custom actions on the line and when I do my part we go well, the great gear doesnt seem to help much when the shooter isnt on his game though.
Psycronics question is good because we have probably all been in a similar situation, it looks like most of us have already moved to custom actions/rifles in an attempt to improve our scores, for me thats probably enough to know what direction, now just what action...barrel etc
Thanks to all for their input, you guys sharing your knowlege helps us all improve.