Rimfire tactical matches, the NRL22 series in particular, draw more shooters than all centerfire PRS and NRL matches combined. It’s not surprising when you think about it — with rimfire PRS/NRL you still get the fun of tactical stages and hitting steel. But that all comes with a much lower overall cost. You can definitely win matches with an affordable rimfire rifle, and .22 LR ammo is a fraction of the cost of centerfire ammunition. Plus, the rimfire barrel can last for tens of thousands of rounds. By contrast a centerfire barrel can lose competitive accuracy after just a couple thousand rounds.

Seeing the rapid growth of the tactical rimfire game, Volquartsen now offers a semi-auto .22 LR in an MDT modular stock — the new VF-ORYX rifle. This rig, priced at $1944.00, features a CNC-machined stainless steel receiver with integral +20 MOA rail. The CNC-machined bolt includes a titanium firing pin and tuned extractor for improved function. The VF-ORYZ features a TG2000 trigger with a crisp 2.25-pound break.

The 20.5″ (1:16″ twist) fluted, free-floated barrel is threaded into the action just like on a centerfire rifle. This improves barrel rigidity and accuracy.

This rifle is also available as the VF-ORYX-S model, delivered with Zeiss Conquest V4 6-24x50mm scope with rings. MSRP is $3269.00.

MDT ORYX Aluminum Modular Chassis

The VF-ORYX features an ORYX Chassis from MDT. This chassis has earned high marks and is well-suited for practical/tactical competition. This integrated aircraft-grade aluminum chassis and buttstock are designed to improve the consistency and accuracy of your rifle. The chassis features a contoured fore-end, adjustable cheek riser, and overmolded pistol. Spacers in the buttpad permit adjustable LOP.

Here are two video reviews of the ORYX Chassis Systems for centerfire rifles. MDT’s rimfire ORYX chassis is essentially identical, but just configured for Volquartsen’s semi-auto rimfire action.

The Canadian Precision Rimfire Series (CRPS) is a non-profit organization founded in 2018 to promote competitive shooting sports for Canadians coast-to-coast. The CRPS now hosts 100+ events with over 1500 competitors annually. The CRPS was created to provide shooters across Canada with a challenging environment to test their precision shooting skills using .22 LR rimfire rifles. Matches are held throughout Canada to allow all Canadians a chance to see how they “stack up” against the rest of the country. The CRPS has three divisions: Open Class; Production Class (Rifle $500 USD MSRP max, Optics $700 USD MSRP max); and Youth Class. These events give shooters of all budgets an opportunity to test their skills and equipment under demanding conditions.

Using a PRS-style match format, with timed stages, competitors engage 1-5 steel targets per stage. Targets are placed from 50 to 300 meters. Target sizes range from 1/2″ to 9″. The steel targets are shot from a variety of positions. Many stages involve a challenging set of platforms or barricade rests.

CRPS Match Video — Watch the Action

This video is well worth watching. It shows actual CRPS rimfire tactical matches, showing stages and discussing match strategies. The video also shows a wide collection of rimfire tactical rifles and accessories.

What Gear You Need for CRPS Matches

How to Get Started
Are you just starting out? Wondering what you should bring to a rimfire tactical match? CRPS Staffer Matt explains the essential match gear you will need, including rifle, support bags, mags, and chamber flags. Check out his “Womfat” YouTube Channel for more helpful videos.

Savage Sponsorship of CRPS

Savage Arms is a 2021 Gold Sponsor of the Canadian Rimfire Precision Series. Rick Katigbak, CRPS Founder and President, observed: “The partnership with Savage Arms will allow the CRPS to host more events in 2021 and provide competitors with the opportunity to see, first-hand, Savage’s line of precision rimfire rifles including the new competition-oriented B22 Precision models“.

To succeed at the PRS game you need position shooting practice — and lots of it. Thankfully you can train affordably using a .22 LR rimfire rig. Decent rimfire ammo can be purchased for 7 to 10 cents per round, an order of magnitude cheaper than centerfire ammo. For the best results, you’ll want your rimfire trainer to sport the same ergonomics and “feel” as your centerfire match rifle. You can get just that Masterpiece Arms 22BA, a “turn-key” PRS rimfire cross-training rig. The MPA 22BA Bolt Action Rifle combines the proven CZ 455 action with a custom Spencer barrel and modern MPA modular chassis. With this chassis you can easily adjust length of pull, butt-pad height/cant, and cheek riser position. Chambered in .22 LR, the MPA 22BA Bolt Action Rifle can change to .22 WMR and 17 HMR through a simple barrel change. So, this gun can do double duty as a .22 LR trainer and a 17 HMR varmint slayer. Basic MSRP is $1850.00.

The MPA 22BA Bolt Action Rifle is available with numerous rugged Cerakote finishes: black, burnt bronze, flat dark earth, gunmetal, marine red, NRA blue, sniper green, and tungsten. Custom Cerakote colors cost $135 extra for the chassis body and/or $65 for the barreled action.

MPA 22BA Bolt Action Rifle Specifications:
Caliber: .22 LR (.22 WMR and 17 HMR via barrel change)
Action: CZ 455
Chassis: MPA CZ455 BA Chassis, 13.50″ – 14.75″ LOP
Barrel: 416RQ Stainless Steel Spencer / MPA barrel, 1:16″ twist
Barrel Length/Countour: 16-24” (customer specified), 0.920″ straight
Barrel Muzzle Thread: ½-28 TPI (if requested)
Trigger: CZ 455 Trigger (yoDave Trigger Upgrade, 1-3 lbs.)
Magazine: CZ 455 10 round polymer magazine with DIP floorplate
MSRP: $1,599.00

The CNC-machined MPA chassis has some very cool features: enhanced vertical grip, thumb notch, built-in bubble level, MPA trigger shoe, and spigot mount with lower-mounted Picatinny rail. The rig comes with a D.I.P. +25 MOA Picatinny scope base and you can add side Picatinny rails, as well as increase the distance from the spigot-mounted bipod to the rear support. The chassis is also compatible with a barricade stop system, an extra-cost option.

Masterpiece Arms centerfire chassis systems have won 5 out of 12 recent PRS matches (story HERE).

Why rimfire cross-training? Because this stuff is ten cents per round. Premium handloads can run $1.00/round (counting brass depreciation), and the best factory ammo can cost over $2.00/round.

A Rifle is Only As Good As Its Barrel
The key to accuracy for any rimfire rifle is a great barrel. The MPA 22BA Bolt Action Rifle includes a precision drilled, reamed, and honed Spencer / MPA rifle barrel made from 416RQ stainless steel. The hand-lapped barrel is inspected with a video borescope. The chamber is indicated within 0.0001” or less to the bore of the rifle.