ghoffman wrote:
The biggest question is what do you want to do with it? I have a 17HM2, (converted Ruger 10-22), 22's of various sorts, a 222 Rem, a 223 (DPMS heavy barrel AR-15) a 22-250 (custom Rem 40-X) 7mmSTW, 300 Winmag. In 1999 I went to a Benchrest school in upstate NY and used a Borden/Nesika Bay action, with a Hart barrel in 6mm PPC and shot 100 yard groups (in inches, center to center of the widest holes, 5 shot groups) of .192, .195, .205, .209 (which had me 3rd out of 130 going into the 5th and final match of the day)., then I choked and shot a horrible .405 which dropped me into like 13th or so. The funny thing is 4/10th's of an inch group size at 100 yards is great for most varmint rifles, and awesome for any hunting rifle, but .405 is totally atrocious for Bench Rest Competition rifles. The point here is, what do you want it to do? The famous gunsmith P.O. Ackley was quoted as saying "only accurate rifles are interesting" and that is pretty much my attitude as well.