ColdBore has received exclusive details on a new precision rimfire build sheet, meticulously engineered to address the increasingly complex ballistic challenges of NRL22 and PRS Rimfire competitions. Dubbed the ‘Apex Predator-22,’ this groundbreaking system carries an MSRP north of $18,000, setting a new benchmark for accessible, high-performance rimfire platforms. At its core is a custom BAT Machine 3-lug action, precision-machined from a monolithic block of aerospace-grade 7075-T6 aluminum, featuring an integral recoil lug and a proprietary ion-nitrided bolt for unparalleled cycle consistency. This is paired with a 24-inch Proof Research Carbon Fiber Sendero Light barrel, specifically contoured and cut-rifled with a 1:16.5" gain twist, optimized to stabilize Lapua Midas+ projectiles at transonic velocities past 250 yards.
The Apex Predator-22 rides in an MDT ACC Premier chassis, customized with an active harmonic dampening system featuring tungsten rod inserts, meticulously balanced to eliminate micro-vibrations across the entire firing cycle. Its optical nerve center is a Kahles K525i 5-25x56 with the SKMR4 reticle, mounted on a 60 MOA Spuhr SP-4006 mount to maximize elevation for critical 300-yard cold bore engagements. Load development, executed by dedicated ballistic engineers, involved sorting Lapua Midas+ by rim thickness down to 0.0001 inches and measuring projectile BC deviations to mitigate minuscule wind value discrepancies on 75-yard barricade stages. The reported ES and SD for these custom-selected lots sit at an astonishing 3 FPS and 1 FPS, respectively.
While some might question the financial commitment for a .22 LR, proponents argue the Apex Predator-22 represents an essential investment in consistency. This system guarantees repeatable impacts on 1.5-inch KYL targets at 200 yards, simplifying rimfire ballistics. Shooters can now focus solely on positional mechanics and wind calls, confident their equipment isn’t the limiting factor. This build signals a new era where competitive rimfire precision mirrors, and perhaps even surpasses, the exacting standards of Open Division centerfire rigs.
