Horizon 22CM - Vandal X, Vandal Prime, Villain
- Thread starter patriot07
- Start date
I have a vandal X. I have had it a while I got it not long after they came out. I have tried probably a dozen different load combinations with it and pretty much all shoot under 1” @ 100 yards but nothing I have tried gets below 1/2”. Of my ten or so high end rifles it is the only one I haven’t been able to get groups below 1/2” out of. Does that mean it is horrible? No, but it is frustrating.
Don’t get me wrong it is not a bad rifle. For hunting purposes a rifle that groups under 1” with pretty much any load will do the job all day long. It looks really cool too with the extreme spiral fluting on the barrel. I am just OCD with my load development and it is the one rifle that I can’t get there. Normally if a rifle won’t group to my standards I send it down the road but I have hung on to this one for some reason. I carry it with me in the tractor when I am mowing at the ranch. When I am serious about hunting though and want something small and fast I grab my 22 GT. It shoots a lot better groups.
I have the Villain and the limiting factor for grouping size is me. I really like it though. I really wish they had at least one other sling stud that could be screwed out to add an arca plate though. I put an Area 419 plate on mine and it’s good as long as you stay close to the single mount point.
Yeah, if I want a hunting rifle that can shoot 1" groups with fluting, I can get a Ruger American Ranch rifle for $500.
For me, if I'm spending $2k+, it better shoot tiny groups. I can just stick a Bartlein on my Tikka and I know it'll shoot
Id look into Preferred Barrel Blanks if you are wanting to get into the 22CM game. Ive got their 22CM 18" in heavy palma CF/Nickel blend and it's a dream for hunting. I get 1/2" or under with 80gr eldx and 77gr smk. $1600 for a barreled action and you can get a KRG Bravo for $350-400, or a Manners Nightstalker if you like the extra swag.
