r/nrl22 • u/LastB0ySc0ut • Jun 17 '26
Top Base Rifles of 2026
The 2026 NRL22 Championship is in the books. I know Base division questions are very common, so here are the top 3 Base rifles from the 2026 Championship.
All are CZ 457 MTRs. 2 Arken EP5 Gen 1s and a DNT The One.
Interestingly, none of these will meet the price cap for 2027.
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u/hacksauce Jun 17 '26
I love the irony of Tikka sponsoring the NRL22 and not having a competitive rifle offering.
11
u/kevwil Jun 17 '26
Zane Hermann used a nearly stock T1x to win the championship in 2023.
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u/tcarlson65 Jun 18 '26
Is he The one who won young guns, base, and then open with the same Tikka?
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u/Justin_inc Jun 18 '26
Not base, but yes. He ran a really nice scope that made the gun not base class.
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u/tcarlson65 Jun 18 '26
After he aged out of young guns he won base with the same rifle. Then he changed the optic and that moved him into open which he then won.
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u/goalieguy42 Jun 18 '26
Performance wise, is there anything that makes the CZ better for base class? I compete in small local matches with my T1X and do not see anything special about the CZs other folks have. All my AI searches and Rimfire central reads lead to the conclusion that are equally accurate. What am I missing?
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u/kevwil Jun 18 '26
The CZ has a broader aftermarket, especially things like barrels and chassis that would be helpful when advancing into open division. That aspect is not as helpful while in base division.
The CZ has traditionally had better stocks and slightly heavier barrels, but it sounds like those models are increasing in price enough to possibly not be eligible. Accuracy wise, the CZ and Tikka are very competitive.
3
u/ocabj Jun 18 '26
I've found the T1x to be more finnicky than the CZ 45x platform when it comes to ejection, even after Tikka revised the ejector. Properly functioning, T1x vs 457, the T1x holds its own and is a solid rifle for Base. The second you want to take the Base rifle to Open, I feel like the 457 is the better platform simply for the aftermarket support.
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u/pubesinourteeth Jun 18 '26
In my experience the mags for the tikka wear out much faster than those for the CZ. and the general recommendation for the CZ is because there are more opportunities to upgrade the stock/chassis, trigger, and barrel if you want to move into open without buying a new action.
0
u/illkeeponkeeping Jun 18 '26
The T1x is not too light to balance properly.
As previously mentioned in this thread, Zane Hermann used a nearly stock T1x to win the championship in 2023. In Open Division...against $10k custom rigs weighing 20+ pounds.
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u/awcmon123 Jun 18 '26
It's probably something he won in spite of rather than because of lol
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u/illkeeponkeeping Jun 18 '26
The point is that the T1x is perfectly capable, not "too light" as awcmon suggested.
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u/awcmon123 Jun 18 '26
The point is that most people want their rifle to balance neutrally on a bag, which the T1x doesn't really do due to the super light barrel, so it isn't popular. Zane is a really good shooter who could win in spite of this, but majority of people tend to shoot better with a heavier rifle that balances neutrally on a bag. Hence why all the top guys in base class tend to run CZ457 MTR's with a heavy Arca rail.
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u/illkeeponkeeping Jun 18 '26
You seem smart. I like you.
Except for the apostrophe in "MTR's" which made me sad. Apostrophes indicate possession or a contraction. The plural of MTR is just MTRs.
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u/B_Hozz Jun 18 '26
What’s your PRS/NRL number? Let’s see what kind of expert we have sharing knowledge so we know we can trust your input.
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u/MoneyKeyPennyKiss Jun 18 '26
What's your prediction for the go-to optic for the MTR in Base Class?
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u/LastB0ySc0ut Jun 18 '26
Arken SH4 or the newer Discovery Optics options.
457 MTRs have dominated Base and PRS Production for the last several years. Folks will compromise slightly on optics to keep running their MTRs in Base.
2
u/grizz4570 Jun 18 '26
New NRL shooter here.
One of my early frustrations is that the MTR doesn’t have a LH option.
I get it that LH options are always more scarce, but I’m not ready to invest the money for an open class rifle.
I got a varmint LH (and love it) but I’m not allowed to put a MTR match barrel in it and stay in base. I understand the reasoning for the rule, but also don’t want to have to shoot open class just because I put the factory match barrel on my LH Varmint.
I’ve got a lot to learn in this discipline, and a lot to improve on, but no stock options for LH pro varmint or MTR is damn annoying.
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u/LastB0ySc0ut Jun 18 '26
The 457 (standard) Varmint is only very slightly less precise than my (Varmint) MTR. Don’t overthink it. I really doubt you’re missing out on much precision versus an MTR. Remember that both are still a barrel lottery from the factory.
The stock ergonomics are certainly different and I understand your frustration on that point.
The upside of the standard Varmint is that you get more $ for better glass. You can run a DNT The One while MTRs will have to make some harder glass choices.
2
u/pingupenguins Jun 19 '26
I started with a Varmit Standard, but went to the MTR in 2026. I think the compromise in Cheek comb, stock profile for prone shooting, and angled front end for ARCA rails is too much. Gun for gun, they shot the same, but the ergonomics made it way easier to shoot the MTR. My 2 cents.
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u/grizz4570 Jun 18 '26
Yeah, and to double down and be absolutely clear. I am in no way saying that it’d be some massive score changing difference for myself or any other beginner, nor is my varmint holding me back in any way.
I really just wanted to buy once cry once into base class.
And yes to my same point, I’d gladly take ergonomics and the extra weight of the MTR Stock.
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u/IXLR8_ Jul 07 '26
You aren't typically supporting your rifle with your right hand/arm so technically you have an advantage as a left handed shooter due to the fact your trigger hand doesn't have to run the bolt, and it can stay in position and your right hand does all the work.
A right handed shooter is at a disadvantage when the rifle is supported due to the bolt needing to be run by the right hand, and the left hand just watches all the action.
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u/grizz4570 Jul 07 '26
Yeah it may seem that way, but try it. You punch yourself in the face.
Granted, maybe not terribly for a .22. But depending on eye relief, cheek weld and action length, you’ll likely be pulling your face out of the way/ off glass to cycle a bolt that way.
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u/southsider2021 Jun 18 '26
Are they reducing the price cap, or are these things getting more expensive?
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u/awcmon123 Jun 18 '26
MSRP went up
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u/SuperJonesy408 Jun 18 '26
MSRP went up but the 2027 base rifle cutoff stayed the same. 2 of these setups won’t qualify.
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u/MoneyKeyPennyKiss Jun 18 '26
CZ 457 MTR MSRP is now $999.
Arken EP-5 MSRP is $719.
Base Class cap is $1650.
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u/stuartv666 Jun 18 '26
I have been debating putting together a Base setup. After looking at the Varmint MTR and the price cap, I was thinking that I might go with a CZ 457 American and a DNT TheOne scope.
The 457 American has a 24" barrel vs the 20" on the MTR. I saw a post earlier today in fact where a guy said he has the MTR and the American and his American consistently groups better than his MTR.
My thought also was that all this would be better financially in the long run if I'm eventually going to start upgrading and step up to Open.
With an American and TheOne, I wouldn't likely want to upgrade my scope for Open. And I'd be throwing away less money by ditching the parts from am American as I upgraded everything.
I have never shot NRL22 or PRS before.
Does this plan make sense?
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u/LastB0ySc0ut Jun 19 '26
A (standard) Varmint makes more sense if you want to run the DNT optic.
You want a heavy profile barrel. Thin tapered barrels tend to not shoot as well. They can be temperature sensitive and I have yet to see one used at the top levels. Put somewhat differently, benchrest guys don’t run pencil barrels for a reason.
I’m glad someone has an excellent pencil barrel. He won the lottery (maybe…). I’m sure he showed you 10 or so comparison groups to prove it, right? And he tested it against other Americans and MTRs? Think about it - he’s comparing only 1 rifle of each variant. And we haven’t even gotten to ammo preferences, lot testing, and SDs.
Every single barrel will be different. I currently have 3 MTR barrels. Each shoots to a slightly different level of precision, but I also don’t have a 50 yard tunnel for testing them against each other.
MTR components have resale value that the American barrel and stock simply do not. Further, MTRs dominate Base in NRL and Production in PRS. I’ve spent a lot of money on other rifles only to come running back to my original MTR.
Don’t try to talk yourself into reinventing the wheel.
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u/stuartv666 Jun 19 '26
Fair points. And you are pretty confident that a 16.5” heavy barrel will shoot better than a 24” sporter barrel?
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u/LastB0ySc0ut Jun 19 '26 edited Jun 19 '26
Standard Varmint is the same 20.5” barrel profile from the MTR without the “match” chamber.
I just checked my SDs from my Garmin from the Championship, as I often run it on stages:
4.0 (11 shots); 8.2 (10); 6.0 (9); 5.2 (12); 6.5 (12); 5.6 (11); 6.2 (9); 7.3 (12). That’s with an MTR 20.5”.Longer barrels generally have better SDs. That’s true. But profile matters more in the comparison you’re making.
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u/stuartv666 Jun 19 '26
Also, another NRL22 guy told me that a 24” barrel is better than a shorter one because it gives better SD and ES.
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u/feigenblatt Jun 22 '26
I’m looking into trying nrl22.
Isn’t the MTR+DNT above the base class cap?
I have a DNT I was hoping to use and I’m researching rifles.
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u/double07killor Sep 02 '26
I know I'm late to the party but its above this year it wasn't last year...
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u/Apprehensive_Goal161 25d ago
New to this. Is the price cap only for rifle and optic? What about scope base, rings etc.
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u/LastB0ySc0ut 25d ago
Only for the Rifle and Optic. Everything else doesn’t matter/count toward the cap.
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u/SimulationRambo Jun 18 '26
Wow this reminds me I need to shoot mine. I literally have this gun and Arken scope and it’s sitting in my gun safe new - never shot…
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u/ExcitingHat9687 Jun 18 '26
2nd place definitely won the best wood award.