Anschutz .222

[Branxhunter]

When I was in secondary school the rifle to have around here was a .222 - preferably a heavy barrel. The shooting mags at the time talked about CMC Mountaineers, Remington 700s and the king of the heap - Sako L461s. I knew at the time Anschutz made good quality rimfires (Dad had a nice 1515-1516 22 WMR) but had no idea they also made centrefires.

Fast forward to about 2009, and I was out spotlighting with an old school mate. At the time I only owned my Roger .17hmr and an old Parker Hale .243. Towards the end of the night he asked "what should I do with an old .222 that I can't get to shoot?".

My ears pricked up immediately. "What is it?" I asked. "An Anschutz. I can't hit the side of a shed with it. I took it in to the LGS at one stage, and they said it looks like it has never been cleaned properly". I suggested that I take it home and have a look at it, and if I could get it to shoot I might buy it from him. "What would you want for it" I asked. "OOOhhh, how about $250?" he answered. Now I was DEFINITELY interested.

I picked it up a week or so later. It was a bit unloved looking - a number of dents over the stock including a nasty one on top of the comb, the dark stain finish was very scratched, the swivels had chewed into the stock wood. It was a beautiful, light, graceful little thing in the hand though - felt like a rimfire rather than a centrefire. The bolt was like a glass rod running in oil, and the trigger was a cracker. It was fitted with some weaver-style ring bases.

I set to with some Sweets 7.62, bronze brushed and clean patches. Three nights in a row, three hours each night. The amount of copper that came out of the thing was unbelievable.

I bought a set of low Weaver rings and mounted a Tasco 10x40 I had lying around. With some factory Remington Express 50gn loads it shot around an inch at 100m so I gladly paid my mate the $250!

After trying a few loads I eventually settled on 19.5gn of AR2207 and a 40gn v-max. It consistently shoots well under an inch at 100m, and has shot a few 1/4" groups at that distance.

I then got out the sandpaper and Tru-oil and refinished the stock. The deep dent on the comb was steamed out, although due to the wood fibres being broken its location still can be seen.

The scope has since been changed for a Bushnell Elite 3200 3-9x40. I tend to use this rifle as my walk-around varminter as it is so nice to carry.

Enjoy.

Marcus

[Branxhunter]

Here a the photos of the refinished rifle.

Marcus

[L579]

my complements that is a top job

[Ron Goulding]

Hi Branxhunter , Great buy and Fantastic job in your resto , Im sure it will serve you well and take plenty of game and last you a lifetime ! Cheers Ron

[1kshot]

Would have to agree nice rifle, nicely done and shoots nicely too

All the best
John

[MISSED]

Nice

[Camel]

Looks good, well done on the refurb.

[mistit]

Very nice....

[bigfellascott]

Top score mate - she's come up a treat and now shoots thats to some loving care and good handloads. When you run out of 2207 maybe try the 2206H if running heavier projies.

Congrats mate

[trevort]

I will give you $500 for it, doubled your money, what a deal

[frakka]

Nice story and pic's on both the Anschutz and Sako, walnut and blued metal....nothing better in my humble opinion, something about character and warmth.

Edit: my safe's allergic to synthetics and alloys, maybe that's coloured my view

[Branxhunter]

Yep, agree with you there Frakka - there is a place for synthetic and alloy rifles - in someone else safe!

Marcus