Junior Shooters

Posted by Junior Shooters

By: Sarah Bowers (For Kids BY Kids)
Photos By: Andy Fink

I am 17 years old and I?ve been shooting precision smallbore and precision air rifle for almost seven years now. I began shooting Anschutz rifles about three years after I started, and have been shooting the same rifles ever since. I?ve taken the rifles to state as well as national competitions all over the mid-west and they have held up very well to everything I?ve put them through.

Precision shooting is very different than any other genre of shooting. Instead of trying to shoot within a time limit like in tactical sports such as IDPA and cowboy action, you?re trying to stay as still as possible and take as much time as you need for each shot. Some shooters take as long a minute per shot. Obviously, there is a time limit. If there wasn?t matches would go on for hours and days! In International precision smallbore there are three positions; prone, kneeling and standing. In prone you receive ten minutes for ten shots, and kneeling and standing you receive 15 minutes for ten shots.

Anschutz, through Champion Shooter’s Supply, provided us two precision rifles to test and use: an 8002 S2 Compressed Air ALU air rifle used for standing international & Olympic precision shooting and the 1903 JR .22 Long Rifle (LR.) intermediate smallbore competition rifle. The Young Marines in Boise, and the juniors in the EE-DA-HOW Long Rifles, used them for a while with great success in training new shooters and then I got a chance to perform some tests.

The Anschutz Intermediate 1903 JR, and the 8002 Compressed Air air rifle are both great rifles for any young person to use. They have two stage triggers, 21.2" barrel, adjustable butt and accessory rail, and only weigh 7.8 pounds. Because they?re so light weight, and have shorter stocks than other full sized rifles, they?re extremely easy to adjust to fit the shooter perfectly every time. This makes them just about the perfect rifle for the beginning precision smallbore and air rifle shooter.

Since the rifles are German the sights are a little different than say a Remington or other American made rifle. The sights are basically the exact opposite of most rifles. Clockwise is down and left, where as on most rifles clockwise is up and right. Also, since Anschutz sights are so precise it generally takes seven to ten clicks (clicks is how we measure how much we change sights) per ring on an A-17 target. So if I wanted to move my sights up two rings, I would move my elevation knob counter-clockwise twenty clicks.

Anschutz triggers are generally very light. Most precision shooters want their trigger to be as light as is safe. The goal is to be as still as possible, and pulling a heavy trigger could cause some movement, at least enough to effect where the bullet goes.

 

Another great feature on Anschutz rifles is the adjustable stock. All of their newer precision models have adjustments for just about everything you would want to adjust. You can move the cheek piece to different heights, the butt plate to different lengths, angles, and heights

 

 

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I shot the1903 Jr. rifle with four different kinds of ammunition. They all worked well in the Anschutz, but some worked exceptionally well. We tested the Super X Long Rifle High Velocity ammo, Federal 40 grain, Lapua Pistol King, Winchester and Super X High Velocity ammo. The one that had the best group out of all of them was the Select Precision ammunition, which kept a five shot group within the 9 ring on an A-17 smallbore target at 50 feet. Almost equally consistent were the Winchester Super X High Velocity and Super X Long Rifle. The Lapua Pistol King wasn?t quite as consistent, keeping a 5 round group within the 7 ring on an A-17 target.

 

Some things we look for in a rifle as a precision shooter is easy adjustment, consistency, and most of all accuracy and these two rifles accomplish all of those things very well. They?re great guns for any shooter, whether they?re a beginner, a junior or an advanced shooter. Because of their simple structure they?re easy to use and adjust, which makes an Anschutz especially appropriate for beginners or junior shooters.

Contact Information:

• Anschutz precision rifles can be purchased through Champion Shooter’s Supply.
• Anschutz: http://jga.anschuetz-sport.com/index.php5?sprache=1
• Champion Shooter’s Supply
• CCI Federal Select: www.federalpremium.com
• Lapua: www.kaltron.com
• Winchester: www.winchester.com

Technical and Summary Data:

Smallbore Model 1903 – Match Rifle
The Anschutz small bore match rifle model 1903 is a match rifle for all small bore shooters.

It is often used in clubs due to its precision, extraordinary quality and long service life. There is hardly a shooter around the world who has not had their first experience and success with this rifle. It is available in right and left hand version.

Stock ? This is an anatomically perfect walnut stock with vertically adjustable cheek piece. The cheek piece is adjusted via unthreaded steel columns. The butt plate 4709 A is adjustable in height and length by 8 mm spacers 4709 P. The backend is prepared for the clamping element and the aluminum carrier 4759-2000 and can be extended. If demanded, this carrier can take the aluminum butt plate 4759, the hook butt plate 2213-8700 or the rubber butt plate 4709A.

Delivered with
Hand stop 6226, screw driver, allen key, manual with test target.

Technical Data:
Total length: 109.00 cm / 42.91 inch
Length of barreled action: 79.00 cm / 31.1 inch
Weight approximate: 4.40 kg 9.68 lbs ? Junior model is only 7.8 lbs
Version: Single-loader

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The Model 8001 Compressed Air is derived from the renowned barreled action of the compressed air rifle 8002.
This model is especially interesting for beginners and clubs who are looking for a high quality, attractive but low-cost air rifle version. The cocking lever is at the right side. It is possible, however, to attach it to the left as well.

The light aluminum barrel jacket is as long as the one of the model 8002, the JUNIOR model, however, is equipped with a shorter JUNIOR compressed air cylinder. As this beginner model is based on a modular principle it is possible for the advanced shooter to attach all of the other Anschutz accessory components.
The 8001 Compressed Air JUNIOR COLOR is equipped with a colored right/left stock. The cheek piece is variably adjustable in height via steel columns without thread; the backend is equipped with the butt plate carrier with tiltable column guide and the aluminum butt plate 4758.
Delivered with:
Accessory box with filling adapter, air release screw, sight raiser block, special grease 4425, Allan key (5 pieces), safety discs, o-rings, barrel weight, manual, and original test target.

Technical Data:
Total length: 95.00 cm / 37.4 inch
Length of barreled action: 67.00 cm / 26.38 inch
Weight approximate: 3.70 kg / 8.14 lbs
Version: Single-loader

Copyright & Published By: Junior Shooters & Junior Sports Magazines Inc. August 2009

Categories: Airgun, Guns & Acc., precision shooting, Smallbore
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