NRL22 Base division: rules and budget setups under $1,500
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What are the NRL22 divisions?
NRL22 runs Open (any .22 LR rifle), Base (the budget division), Young Guns (youth), Ladies, plus Semi-Auto, Old Guns and Air Rifle at the national level [1] [2]. There's no division called "Factory". The factory rules are what define Base. Rifles with fixed tube magazines aren't allowed, because they're harder to make safe.
What are the Base division rules?
- Cap: rifle MSRP plus scope MSRP at or under $1,650, using the MSRP listed on the manufacturer's website. Sale prices and used prices don't count [1] [3].
- Accessories that don't count toward the cap: removable grips on factory attachment points, bottom metal/magwell, scope rings and bases, bipods, suppressors, data card holders, magazines, auto bolt releases, extended mag releases, levels, red dots, bag riders, bolt knobs and handles, and rail-attached weights [1].
- Barrel: factory barrels must stay at factory spec (threading is OK), and replacement barrels must also match factory spec.
- Stock: must stay factory. Local clubs (e.g. Salt Lake NRL22) note that aftermarket stocks, tuners and most stock modifications aren't allowed, and some clubs list aftermarket triggers as not allowed. Ask your match director [3].
Rules quoted from NRL22's current published rule summary. Always check the season's official rules before a match.
Sample Base setups (combined MSRP)
| Rifle (MSRP) | Scope (MSRP) | Combined | Room left |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruger American Rimfire ($469–$509) [4] | Athlon Argos BTR Gen2 6-24x50 ($429.99) | $899–$939 | ~$711+ |
| Bergara BMR Steel ($699) [5] | Primary Arms SLx 4-16x44 FFP ($399.99) | $1,098.99 | $551 |
| Tikka T1x MTR 16 in ($699, retailer-listed MSRP) [6] | Vortex Diamondback Tactical 6-24x50 (list $649.99) | ~$1,349 | ~$301 |
| CZ 457 from $729 [7] | Athlon Argos BTR Gen2 ($429.99) | $1,158.99 | $491 |
| CZ 457 Varmint MTR ($999) [8] | Athlon Argos BTR Gen2 ($429.99) | $1,428.99 | $221 |
Scope "list" figures come from our scope picks. Some are retailer "was" prices, so confirm the maker's MSRP. The T1x MSRP is from a 2024 review; check Tikka's current listing.
A complete budget setup under $1,500 street (example)
A sample street-price shopping list. Your rifle price depends on your dealer.
- Scope: Athlon Argos BTR Gen2 6-24x50 ($288.99 seen) or Vortex Diamondback Tactical 6-24x50 ($449.00 seen)
- Rail (T1x): EGW HD T1x 20 MOA rail. Rail (CZ): EGW HD CZ 457 rail
- Bipod: Harris S-LM (sling stud) ($121.99) or MDT ORYX bipod
- Rear bag: Armageddon Gear Squishy (price not captured)
- Extra mags: CZ 10-round / T1x 10-round
- Ammo: SK Standard Plus ($81.99/500 seen)
With a typical street price for a RAR, BMR, T1x or base CZ 457, this setup can come in under $1,500.
Our range results (coming soon)
This box will hold our own groups, chronograph data and photos for this topic once we've shot and recorded them. Until then, every accuracy number on this page comes from the published source cited next to it. We have not tested these rifles or products hands-on for this article.
What scope features matter most for NRL22?
Parallax that focuses to 10–15 yd (targets run from about 25 to 100+ yd), first-focal-plane mil or MOA with matching turrets, and 4–16x or 6–24x magnification. Details: optics and mounting.
What to bring to your first match
Rifle, 3+ magazines, about 100 rounds of your zeroed lot, a bipod, a rear bag, a data card, eye and ear protection, and a dope chart from 25 to 100 yd. Checklists: range bag · NRL22 details.
Common Base-division mistakes
- Using street price instead of MSRP. The $1,650 cap uses the MSRP listed on the manufacturer's website for the rifle and scope, as of the first day of the season, not what you paid. Left-handed versions count at the right-hand MSRP [1]. Save a screenshot of both MSRP pages for the match director.
- Swapping the stock or trigger. Aftermarket triggers and non-factory stocks move you to Open. The 2027 rules (valid May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027) do allow replacing factory trigger springs, safely adjusting pull weight and polishing internal parts [1].
- Forgetting accessories. Rings, bases, bipods, bags and slings don't count toward the cap, so put money there instead of exceeding the limit on glass.
- Ignoring the match format. Courses of fire mix prone, barricade and positional stages at 25–100 yd. Practice positional shooting, not just bench groups (NRL22 overview).
Other factory rifles that fit Base
Beyond the T1x and CZ 457, Savage, Ruger, Bergara and others leave room under the cap:
| Rifle | Action | Barrel | Trigger | Magazine | Optic mount | Weight (lb) | MSRP (source, date, confidence) | Aftermarket depth | NRL22 fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Savage Mark II FV-SR | Bolt; thread-in headspace | 16.5 in heavy fluted, 1/2x28 | AccuTrigger 2.5-6 lb | 5-rd box | EGW one-piece rail included | 5.5 | $329 Savage MSRP. source, 2026-10-12, conf: high | High (Boyds/MDT stocks, triggers, rails) | Base: leaves ~$1,321 for scope |
| Savage B22 Precision (70248) | Bolt; MDT one-piece chassis | 18 in heavy threaded, 1:16 | AccuTrigger 1.5-5 lb | 10-rd rotary | One-piece Pic (20 MOA per Gun Tests) | 7.38 | $749 Savage MSRP. source, 2026-10-12, conf: high | Medium (AICS-style chassis accessories) | Base: leaves ~$901 for scope |
| Ruger Precision Rimfire | Bolt; adjustable bolt throw (rimfire or short-action stroke) | 18 in cold hammer-forged, 1/2-28, 1:16 | Marksman Adjustable 2.25-5 lb | BX-15 / BX-1 (22 LR); rotary (17 HMR / 22 WMR) | 30 MOA Pic base | 6.8 | $629 Ruger MSRP. source, 2026-10-12, conf: high | Medium (AR grips and stocks fit) | Base: leaves ~$1,021 for scope |
| Ruger American Rimfire | Bolt; 60-degree throw | 18 in 1/2-28 threaded (8305); other lengths by model | Marksman Adjustable 3-5 lb | 10/22 BX-1 rotary | 3/8 in rimfire base machined in; drilled and tapped for Weaver #12 | 5.5 | $509 Ruger suggested retail $509 (model 8305; other RAR models vary). source, 2026-10-12, conf: high | Medium (some stocks; uses 10/22 mags) | Base: leaves ~$1,141 for scope |
| Bergara BMR Steel | Bolt; match chamber | 18/20 in threaded | Bergara trigger | 5 and 10-rd slim mags | Pic rail | 5.5 | $699 Bergara MSRP (Carbon $799; BMR-X $799). source, 2026-10-11, conf: high | Low | Base: leaves ~$951 for scope |
| Bergara B-14R Steel | Bolt; Rem 700-footprint trainer | 18 in heavy threaded | Rem 700-compatible triggers | AICS-pattern single stack | Rem 700 bases | 8.1 | $1,229 Bergara MSRP (Brownells listed $1,149.99). source, 2026-10-11, conf: high | Medium-high (Rem 700 stocks, bases, triggers) | Base: leaves ~$421 for scope |
MSRPs from the maker where available, otherwise labeled retailer listings, checked Oct 2026. Aftermarket depth and NRL22 fit are our editorial summaries (NRL22 Base: rifle plus scope MSRP up to $1,650). Specs are published figures, not our measurements.
FAQ
What is the NRL22 Base division price limit?
The rifle MSRP plus the scope MSRP must be $1,650 or less, using the manufacturer's listed MSRP. Accessories like rings, bipods and suppressors don't count.
Can I use a chassis in NRL22 Base?
No. Base requires the factory stock configuration; an aftermarket chassis or stock moves you to Open.
Is the Tikka T1x allowed in NRL22 Base?
Yes, if its MSRP plus your scope's MSRP is $1,650 or less and the factory stock and barrel spec are kept.
Is there an NRL22 Factory class?
No. NRL22's budget, factory-configured division is called Base. Other divisions are Open, Young Guns and Ladies, plus Semi-Auto, Old Guns and Air Rifle at nationals.
Sources
- NRL22 2027 Rules (valid May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027)
- NRL22 2026 Nationals divisions
- Salt Lake NRL22 division guide
- Ruger American Rimfire 8305 spec sheet
- Bergara BMR Steel
- Omaha Outdoors T1x MTR listing (MSRP $699, 16 in)
- CZ 457 series page
- Sportsman's Warehouse 457 Varmint MTR listing
Confidence: maker specs and prices are high confidence as of the date seen; forum and owner reports are low–medium confidence and labeled as such.
Not affiliated with Sako/Tikka, CZ, Bergara, Ruger, Savage or any retailer. We have not tested products hands-on for these guides; figures come from cited sources. Affiliate disclosure · Privacy · Terms · Rimfire Builds is operated by Tomahawk Designs LLC, Utah · contact@rimfirebuilds.com