Gunsamerica: The Ultimate .22LR Competition Build

Precision Rimfire shooting is really popular right now. Why? Because it's easy for most people to get started. With the low cost of ammo, smaller range needs, and minimal recoil, almost anyone can enjoy it. But what if budget isn’t a factor in your build? The only requirement, in fact, is building the best out there. That’s what Mitchell Graf of GunsAmerica decides to do in his latest article: “The Ultimate .22LR Competition Build: Zermatt RimX Review.”

THE GOAL

Early on, Graf envisioned a build where every component directly contributed to the rifle’s performance without worrying about cost. “My goal was to build the Ultimate .22LR Competition rifle, and after about a year in the making, I think I finally did it,” says Graf. “Creating the ultimate .22LR bolt-action competition rifle started with a lot of research and ended up with a no-budget build.”

THE BUILD

This build centered around the Zermatt Arms RimX action. Unlike other options, the RimX perfectly fits the Remington 700 footprint—making it compatible with any Remington 700 inlet and trigger. For longer shots with 22, Graf chose a RimX action with a 30 MOA rail. Regarding the trigger, a TriggerTech Diamond was selected and tuned to a 10-12 ounce pull. A common problem with R700-pattern 22s has been magazines. There hasn’t been a reliable feeding option until RimX introduced its own magazine design—though it costs $125 per magazine. Ouch.

Walk around a PRS match, and you’ll see that Proof has become one of the top and most respected names in barrel making. It also makes it easy for the shooter, as Proof Research offers a plethora of pre-fit options—including one for RimX. Graf states: “The 20-inch steel barrel I used came with a 1/16 twist, a 1/2-28 threaded muzzle, and a competition contour that balances weight and stiffness. Proof is known for its carbon fiber barrels, but their steel variants shoot lights out and have proven to be just as consistent.”

Rounding out the build is the MDT ACC Premier Gen2 chassis. The author writes, “The MDT ACC Premier Gen2 chassis brought everything together. This chassis is already one of the most respected options in the PRS world, and its updated design borrows several enhancements from the higher-end ACC Elite line.”

THE ADD-ONS

To make this a truly formidable precision plinker, a Vortex Razor Gen III 6-36x56 sits atop the rifle. With its wide magnification range, excellent image quality, and micro-adjust zero setting, it’s the perfect optic choice for serious competitors. Vortex 34mm rings with a diving board attachment secure the optic to the gun, while an MDT CKYE-POD provides the shooter with maximum flexibility when shooting off barricades and other unconventional positions. All in all, a truly impressive machine.

ZOOMING OUT

While the rifle’s attention to detail is impeccable, the question is, how does it perform? To find out, you’ll have to read the article. But I’ll say this: you’ll want to have one for yourself.

For more articles like this, check out gunsamerica.com.