I too live under the fallacy that a person on a budget can compete in a rimfire BR league. Recent history: Purchased a really sharp, used CMP 40Xb ($1200) with~98% bluing left. Replaced the trigger with a Jewell ($229.00) and put a used but clean Sightron SII 36X scope on it ($250.00), along with a Harrell tuner ($150). My experience with it was at best an 1800-1900 ARA rifle. Stumbled upon a clean, used Stith inline stock for $175 on Ebay. Now an ARA 1900-2000 rifle. Saved my farthings for a year, purchased a Shilen ratchet barrel ($300) and sent it to Brian Voelker to have it mounted and whatever else he could do for it and stay under $500. It came back a short while ago with the new barrel cut and chambered (for Lapua), along with new pillars and bedding. Brian also replaced the out of spec recoil lug, trued the receiver, lapped the lugs, the normal good engineering practices stuff. Total for his work was $439 including return shipping. Finally got decent weather (>50 degrees) and took it out for its maiden voyage this past Tuesday. I had intended to just do some shoot-n-clean and dial in the scope, so I only took some SK+ and a box of Wolf ME with me. None of my Center-X since that has to last the upcoming season. As the day progressed slowly with all the cleanings, the SK+ shot surprisingly well, so I switched to the Wolf and shot an ARA card. Rang up a 2150 without touching the tuner from its 250 setting and without regard to wind, much to my pleasure. I feel like the barrel job by Brian was money well spent and look forward to the local ARA league beginning on April 20th. Almost forgot new Base and Burris Signature rings off of ebay ($75)
Add the numbers up. This setup promises to be a great shooter with good ammo.
Hoot