Target Sports

RIFLE REVIEW: PREMIUM GUN

Created on 14th May 2009

DAVE FROGGETT tests out the Walther Magnum Lite - and finds it reliable and pleasant to use

WHEN MANY shooters think of a semi-auto .22RF they picture a Ruger 10/22. The robust, inexpensive Ruger was released in 1964 and the basic model has remained virtually unchanged since then - the company was probably working on the ‘if it ain't broken don't fix it' principle. However, the basic rifle's popularity, plus the fact that it was easy to work on, started a trend for aftermarket add-ons and accessories. Target barrels, magazines, sights, stocks and triggers were provided, most of which were retro-fitted by the user and allowed the humble semi to become pretty much whatever you wanted it to be. You bought a 10/22 and at the end all that was left of the original rifle was the action... well some of it anyway!

As if to put a stop to the madness, manufacturers started to say: "What if we built it from scratch... but better?" No longer a tricked-up 10/22, but a semi-auto based on it but constructed with a premium gun focus as
opposed to economy.

The latest edition to this craze is the Walther Magnum Lite Rifle. Walther has been knocking out semi-autos for quite some time but the two most recent additions have been the GSP carbine - based on the world-famous target pistol action - and the G22, a budget bull pup. I know many people are quite happy with those but for me neither really hit the spot. This time Walther has looked around for an external source for its semi which in this case is provided by Magnum Research in America, probably most famous for the big-bore Desert Eagle pistols.

Test gun

The test rifle was supplied in a sturdy plastic foam-lined case which is included in the cost. Also provided is a trigger lock for security purposes and a good instruction manual.

The right-handed thumbhole Barracuda stock is made from birch laminate and stained a pleasing mid-brown colour, which is referred to as nutmeg in the literature. It has a very comfortable grip profile which helps you get your hand in the same place each time. The fixed cheekpiece is raised for scope use - rightly so ,as there is no provision for open sights. The forend is deep enough to give a good off-hand hold but is cut away to clear the barrel and save weight. Further weight reduction is achieved by cutting away the centre of the butt section silhouette-style. The stock is finished with a slim rubber butt plate. If the first thing that hits you when you open the box is the quality of finish, the second thing is its weight. The Walther is very light. Tipping the scales at just over 4½lbs without the scope, it must be one of the lightest sporting .22 rifles available.

Action

Magnum Research has fitted the rifle with its MLR-1722 custom receiver. This has a French grey anodised finish and an integral Weaver scope rail which extends forward of the receiver to give more scope mounting options. I like this idea. The bolt-ons are fine (I have one on my own Ruger) but for a gun which will never have open sights on it the solid fixed rail is bound to be favourite - it can't work loose!

Barrel

The barrel is a stainless steel liner with a carbon wrap. This gives it strength and wear resistance internally, coupled with incredible lightness. This is not a ‘tension barrel' as on the Midway offerings (where the steel liner is pulled fore and aft by tensioning screws) but a wrap of carbon fibre bonded to the barrel liner. Only the breech and muzzle ends show the stainless finish of the interior.

Magazine

The Magnum Lite takes standard 10/22 rotary magazines and one comes with the rifle. That also means it takes all the aftermarket magazines, like the 25 shot Banana Mags. All are readily available.

Here's a little moan - there is no extended magazine release. I really have got used to having one and it makes life so much easier. However, it's no worse than the standard Ruger. I guess if you were going to go chasing rabbits with it you wouldn't want the extended release (as accidentally dumping your mag on the floor - especially in the dark - is less than a complete joy!) but for target use they are a must-have for me.

Bolt

The Walther has a finger-friendly bolt handle which makes holding open and chambering the round more comfortable. The bolt is held in the rearward position by a catch similar to the original rifle's. As ever, the best function is obtained by holding the bolt back, releasing the catch then letting the bolt slam forward under spring tension. Attempting to do this in a more leisurely fashion will result in a malfunction. The bolt has to be held back and the release depressed manually again, as on the original rifle.

Shooting

I had some Warne split mounts to fit the weaver rail and soon had a scope mounted. I chose a fairly large scope and was pleased to find the reach forward rail allowed several mounting options - a bit of a novelty for me as I usually struggle to get the scope far enough forward. Like other guns with aftermarket barrels, the Walther has a tight target chamber to enhance accuracy. As with all semis with this feature, it comes at a price. The instructions warn that some experimentation with different types of ammunition may be required to give the best functioning of the action. Also, from experience, keeping it clean goes a long way to help this. The accumulated grease from many rounds of .22RF does nothing to help.

The other factor is of course accuracy. Functioning aside, the Walther shot fairly good groups with everything - but soon started to show a preference for Eley Match (black box), which also fed surprisingly well. At the economy end of things Lapua Magazine also functioned well and gave good accuracy. The groups from the bench at 25yd ran around the 9mm mark (centre-to-centre) but the best five-shot group at 50m was 12mm centres with the Lapua Magazine ammo.

The trigger is referred to as a ‘target trigger' and it is certainly better than the standard 10/22 factory offering. Bizarrely, the advertising says 2,000g trigger weight. I think a pound-to-grams conversion has gone awry, as mine broke at just less than 500g. While it's not in the Kidd trigger class, it is pleasant to use.

At first I thought the light weight would be a problem when trying for a steady hold when shooting from the standing position, but I was pleasantly surprised. The rifle's overall balance is good and control under recoil is OK - however, there is bound to be a little more movement than with a heavier rifle.

Conclusions

I think that this time Walther has got it right. It has picked a tried and trusted system and found a good manufacturer to put it together. It has most of the features of a tricked-up Ruger right out of the box, coupled with a purpose-built action. The price is pitched at the top end of Ruger conversions, and indeed the Volquartsen offering, but to me it streaks ahead of the more expensive Walther GSP carbine. If you're in the market for a lightweight .22RF ‘space gun' the Magnum Lite is well worth a look: it's a true target-grade .22 semi-auto that handles and performs very well.

Technical Specification

Model: Magnum Lite rifle
Make: Walther (Magnum Research)
Calibre: .22RF
Action: Semi-auto
Weight: 4lb 9oz (2,090g)
Overall Length: 36½" (925mm)
Barrel: Stainless, carbon wrapped
Cost: £1,068

Contact: Walther Supplies UK
T: 01903 246301

RIFLE REVIEW: PREMIUM GUN

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