Questions about free rifle

[Steve]

I would like some opinions about the .22 free rifle.
1. What is the “best” of, the pros and cons of, or your opinion of, the various “off the rack” free rifles?
2. How much better are the more custom rifles, made up of specialist components?
3. What are the best of/your opinions of, the various components available? (actions, stocks, barrels, sights, triggers, etc.)
4. What are the current trends in/your thoughts on, rifle specification? (heavy/lighter, sport rifle with free stock, long barrel/short barrel, bloop tube, etc.)

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[Steve]

This is a narrow answer to a broad question but one thing I noticed was that in '03 Anschutz put the 1907 style butt plate/cheek piece systems on their free rifles. I figure they did this to control cost but I think it is a significantly less desireable setup than their old butt plate/cheek piece assemblies. I have a 1907 and the butt plate in/out clamp has to be clamped really tight, almost to the point of stripping the bolt, to keep it in place in prone.
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[Joseph]

You can't go wrong with anschutz.
And the answer to your question is that there is no answer, besides your own personal preference.
Personally, I want a light rifle, short stock, relatively short barrel, with any decent palmrest (read ansthuz or centra) and any customizable buttplate (mec, stopper, s&n, anschutz)...based on preference/position demands/price, and no bloop tube.
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[Eric U]

Make sure you use the threaded nut/washer on the buttplate prongs, or it will slide in under pressure. That is what it is there for.
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