"Free Recoil" and The BXR.... Uh Uh!

Working on the same experience with my BXR. At least trying to make it accurate.

NETim said:

I FINALLY realized I have to pull the BXR in tight to my shoulder and grip it with moderate pressure if I want I decently sized small groups, which I do. This "free recoil" stuff may not be the best approach with a semi-auto. I dunno. The BXR is the first semi-auto 22 rimfire I've tried to do anything remotely approaching serious benchwork with though.

Aim small, miss small!

Click to expand...

While I don't have a BXR, I noticed the same for my BMR. Firm, moderate pull to shoulder really helps accuracy.
BTW. Love your avatar.

I found a wide, 3”, forend in a good rest with a rear bag keeps the rifle stable and a trigger heavier than 2 oz causes the rifle to move at the shot. Seems rimfires are more difficult to shoot than centerfires probably cause the bullet is in the barrel 3 times longer.

1911nut said:

I found a wide, 3”, forend in a good rest with a rear bag keeps the rifle stable and a trigger heavier than 2 oz causes the rifle to move at the shot. Seems rimfires are more difficult to shoot than centerfires probably cause the bullet is in the barrel 3 times longer.

Click to expand...

I am finding "follow through" to be EXTREMELY important with the slow rimfire cartridge. It's always critical with any rifle cartridge, but even more so with rimfire.

Paper doesn't lie.

I do not know about the BXR but the BMR is a very light rifle with a very flexible stock. It is a great carry-hunter rifle but off a bench it is a bit touchy, For me, with mine, I need to the right hand to be gripping the rifle solidly and a bit of tension to my shoulder. For me the trigger pull process is also important. I find The BMR shoots a bit like on spring air rifle (TX200 Mk III). The movement of the sear and release of the firing pin act on the rifle in a free recoil setting. So it needs a bit more finesse to get it there.

Through experience I also found the best way for me to shoot my BXR, as well as my Savage MK II bolt rifle, is to pull it gently into my shoulder and apply gentle forward pressure at the same time, whether using a bipod or front rest/rear bag benchrest setup. I tried free recoil and couldn't make it work. Follow through is also extremely important.

Weight is your friend for consistency. It does not take much input, whether it be mechanical, physical, or environmental to move a lighter rifle. This is why benchrest rifles are heavy and NRL/PRS rifles aren't far behind them, maybe even more after adding weight for balance.

I did a quick numbers comparison:

Bergara BXR 4.7lb(c) 6.1lb(s)
Bergara BMR 5lb(c) 5.5lb(s)
Savage Mkii 5.5lb to 6.5lb
CZ Varmint MTR 7.5lb
Bergara B14r 8.1lb(c) 9.2lb(s)
Vudoo Foundation 12lb
Anschutz 1913 BR50 12.5lb

NETim said:

I FINALLY realized I have to pull the BXR in tight to my shoulder and grip it with moderate pressure if I want I decently sized small groups, which I do. This "free recoil" stuff may not be the best approach with a semi-auto. I dunno. The BXR is the first semi-auto 22 rimfire I've tried to do anything remotely approaching serious benchwork with though.

Aim small, miss small!

Click to expand...

Without the following modifications and gear the light weight BXR is going to be very difficult to get consistent results shooting free recoil.
1. Trigger pull weight less than 8 ounces. The lighter the better.
2. A plate (3") attached to the forend.
3. A decent front rest.
4. A decent rear bag.
5. A bungee cord attached to the trigger guard and front rest.

I am currently running a Bergara BMR. I have added 1.5 pounds of weight to the Tupper stock and epoxy bedded the action and 1.25 inches of the barrel. Trigger pull weight is 1 pound 12 ounces. I will need to perform the trigger mod and add a 3" aluminum plate. I believe the rifle/ammo combination has accuracy potential. Shooting free recoil has it's requirements. Good luck.

Gregg