If you don't care about times you can use anything you wish, even a bolt action or a single shot. But you won't be competitive. For that you really want a semi-auto.

Here's my thinking, and the thinking of many other people on the ultimate SC rifle.
The theory is that the less muzzle mass the better. So you'll see attempts to get that done by various means, carbon fiber barrels, even a SBR length barrel with a tube permanently welded to it to make it >16" and thus federally legal w/o the $200 tax. Also legal in states that aren't free. But simplifying all of those attempts down to what they are actually trying to accomplish leaves one with a SBR (short barreled rifle). But that means paying a $200 tax to ATF. It also has other restrictions. But despite the restrictions that's the route I took. But I didn't intend to make a great SC rifle. I started out with the goal of making the smallest packable rifle possible. I tested the idea out with an arm brace. I liked the idea, but really disliked the arm brace. But I learned enough to know that I wanted to build the SBR version. So I paid my $200 and waited for ATF to send me my tax stamp. Then I bought the parts. I had 6 months to research the parts before the tax stamp arrived.

First test build w/ arm brace. The base firearm was a Ruger Charger Takedown (handgun). As a braced handgun it wasn't usable in SC.


In testing the above build I found that it would work but really disliked the arm brace. But I had what I needed for data and decided to move on with the build.

At some point in the build I found accuracy to be disappointing but realized that it would make a pretty nice SC rifle (RFRO). So while I met my goal of a small packable rifle I switched lanes and decided to use it where accuracy wasn't required and started to use it for SC. Here it was as I used it at the time.


But the I didn't forget the design goal. I needed to fix the accuracy issue and I wanted to make it smaller. So I got an 8" TacSol barrel that fixed the accuracy and also dropped the weight while making it smaller. The GI pistol grip came off and a folding grip went on. The buttstock changed a few times and for awhile much lighter arm brace went onto it. That was still legal for SC because the firearm itself is a rifle thanks to the $200 tax paid for it to be registered as a SBR. It finally morphed into this. It's short, light, and fast handling since it has no muzzle mass. It has no "holding" qualities for position shooting but I knew what I was building from day one. Accuracy isn't a priority but it's a tackdriver.

For SC the red dot goes on. The stock folds as does the pistol grip.


OK, I mentioned restrictions for a SBR. There are states where I can't take it. But for me that's not an issue. I stay in my state. But if I want to take it into a state that does allow them I need to inform ATF a week or so before making that move. There's paperwork that needs to be filled out. Once I manufactured the SBR it will ALWAYS be a SBR. There's no turning it back into a handgun as far as ATF is concerned. But on a positive note, I can do anything I want to it as far as configuration. I think I can even remove the stock entirely and just is it as a handgun and I'm good. But as far as the paperwork goes it's a SBR.

Not a restriction for me, but for others... When fellow squad member guns don't run as they should I have offered to let them use my SBR. I have yet to have any takers. One gent told me, "I'm afraid I'd shoot my finger off. ". I absolutely understand that concern. I've been using SBRs for many years but for a noob, yeah I get it.

But what do folks use for SC that don't want carbon fiber barrels or go through what I did? The rifles I see the most of are 10/22 types, Ruger and clones. They run and they're relatively inexpensive. Once moving they work fine. But the muzzle mass will slightly slow them down with a change of direction and every stage has at least one of those. The key to a good rimfire SC rifle is reliability. Great accuracy is NOT a requirement. I used my SBR for a few years before deciding I wanted better accuracy than I was getting. But it never held me back in SC.

Since a 2nd gun is only an additional $5 I also use a handgun. OK, I drive an hour one way to get to the match and we shoot 5 stages. If I'm having a good day that means approx' a minute of actual shooting for one gun. So yeah, another $5 and a second gun makes sense. After I started doing that it made sense for lots of other folks too. I was shooting a Browning Buckmark (RFPO) with a red dot sight. But I didn't like the grip angle. It's retired now and I shoot a KelTec CP33 with extended mags that hold 50 rounds. I shoot it cheeked. But it's definitely NOT old school. I have never seen anyone do it, but there's no reason someone couldn't shoot a SA revolver if they wanted to. I doubt that it would be competitive but I'd like to see it done.

 

Ruger 10-22 model 1151. Start there. The rifle comes with a rail mount for a dot or try a peep sight if you want to change the sight. That is all you need stocks and barrels can be added when you decide which way you want to go.

 

One thing I forgot... you'll need immediate access to a minimum of 25 rounds of ammo loaded in magazines when in the shooting box, more if you intend to miss. When using 10 round mags I enter the shooting box with 5 loaded mags. Or if you want to use an extended mag they work also. OR, if you don't have enough mags you could ask someone to load a magazine while you empty one. But what you don't want to do is load a magazine while in the shooting box. That wastes everybody elses time and you won't be very popular.

 

I have a 10/22 takedown that I use for steel. Works well with a red dot.
The best I’ve shot so far is my buddies S&W AR style .22lr. Don’t know if it’s the pistol grip style stock or what, but I can shoot that thing fast.

 

KIDD, not old school, but it shoots amazing.

 

I am using a 10-22 sporter with an optic I found that 25 round mags will cause trouble at times and went back to the 10 round ones, I shoot CCI minimags hp I have had almost no problems with them, I usually finish near the top, in fact I just got put in B class.

 

Just get a standard 10-22 and enjoy it. Get at least 5 magazines, I carry 12 loaded magazines with 6 in my shooting bag at any time. Reason I need six is just in case I need a reload.. After you've shot for a while you can start upgrading with new stock, red dot sight etc.

Steven

 

The Ruger 10/22 is a great place to start.

 

What do you guys shoot for steel challenge?

Any reccomendations?

Would love to use something old school to compete with.

Build one yourself, that's what I did, well actually six 4 long guns and two handguns for Steel Challenge.
start with a 10/22 receiver add a very lightweight barrel, chassis, red dot or fiber optics and get 5 mags.

 

Last year I went to a steel challenge match in OK City as a spectator,,,
There were over two dozen rifle shooters,,,
Every one of them had a 10/22,,,
All were well tricked out.

Pistols were a bit different,,,
I saw Beretta NEOS, S&W 22-A, and other brands,,,
But again like the rifles, most were shooting highly tricked out Rugers.

Aarond

.

 

I'm using a plain old Ruger 10/22 carbine in RFRI with a William's Ace in the hole sight, peep insert removed.
I have worked over the factory trigger to just over 2lb. But, the only part inside the gun that is not what it shipped out from the factory with, is a TK buffer pin.
My first time out with it I made B class, the trigger wasn't even worked over yet then.
I would like to change the stock next, but at this point I may just make a point out of running it as near to stock as possible.

 

I'm using a plain old Ruger 10/22 carbine in RFRI with a William's Ace in the hole sight, peep insert removed.
I have worked over the factory trigger to just over 2lb. But, the only part inside the gun that is not what it shipped out from the factory with, is a TK buffer pin.
My first time out with it I made B class, the trigger wasn't even worked over yet then.
I would like to change the stock next, but at this point I may just make a point out of running it as near to stock as possible.

You're in good company. Check this out! It's not the bow or arrow but the Indian.

The mods are just to make us happy or deal with our infirmities (IMO).

 

I’d just get a 10/22 and call it a day until you figure out what you do and don’t like on a rifle.

 

I shot the Great Lakes Rimfire Challenge last week. A handful of shooters shot the whole stage in the time it took me to shoot 1 string. We had a great time and i ended up third in my age group and won a red dot off the prize table.