I am thinking about getting a Schuetzen rifle for benchrest competition. I have seen some original Hi-walls around, One in particular chambered in 30-30 for about $900. I dont know what to look for when examining an original, can anyone help me out?  I also note there are some Italian imported low walls in 32-20 with double sets. Is 32-20 a good way to go?   Is it possible to get a serious benchrest rifle for $2,000 or less?  That is about the max I would want to invest at this point.I dont think I can get a US made replica in that price range.  I was also considering an imported Hi wall with double sets  and rebarrelling it to a schuetzen caliber.  I would strongly prefer to go with a Hi wall or low wall, import (Italian only) would be  OK if quality is there. Thanks, Joe S

There's only rifle I know of that sells for $2000 or less that is competitive for benchrest shooting that is a CPA Stevens.CPA's can be bought in different calibers but the 32/40 -32 Miller Short are presently the most popular.
     IMO original barreled rifles are generally not competitive in benchrest shooting.   
      There are other really good benchrest rifles the De haas- Miller is one but. not for $2000.   leadball

Here was a post in the classifieds section from a couple of weeks ago.:
Ken Meyer has a SST Winchester Highwall in 32-40 with a Darr #6 barrel for sale. Call him at (231) 759-0592

A #6 Darr barrel is a great set up for bench shooting and Ken Meyer installed Darr barrel is great.  I have a 32-40 Ballard with a #4 Darr barrel that shoot 10 shot one hole groups from bench with a Unertl scope.  This rifle might just fill your needs if the price is right.
Red

I gotta go with leadball on this. The CPA is the only rifle that I can think of that will come in under 2,000. My advice would start with a barrel. I would go for a 1:12" twist or tighter for a .32. Chamber it for one of the smaller cases 32 X 357 Dell or the 32 Miller short. As for stock have it fit with the CPA benchrest stock in a heavy dense stright grain wood.  You may want to think about haveing the wood stableised. That will get you the gun.
Now it is time to buy a scope, decide on a front rest, rear bag, Powder sieves, powder measure, it never stops.
Welcome to the maddness.
40 Rod

To make a standard Winchester 1885 Highwall in to a competitive Schuetzen rifle usually requires the following:

1. bush and convert to a Neidner firing pin
2. install crossbolt between tangs so a through bolt can be installed to stabilize the rear stock.
3. replace flat spring with a coil spring and skeltonize trigger to speed up lock time
4. install single or double set trigger
5. replace stock with offhand schuetzen style stock
6. rebarrel to .321 (32-40) and chamber to a gain twist 11.5 twist 32 schuetzen wildcat cartridge to shoot 230 grain bullets

Then add up the required modification costs and compare to purchase of a new Miller or CPA and then decide if it is what you would prefer to do. Been there done that. The Winchester has won many medals for herself though I eventually did go to a MIller. Still prefer to caress the Winchester though.

Oops. 

3. should have read sketonize "hammer" (not trigger)

Stabilizeing the wood is a process That Ken Hurst told me about. I am not sure how it is done but according to Ken when they are done the wood is denser and will not warp at all. I am thinking about sending a stock out to see how it works.

40 Rod

I do not think that #'s 1-5 of Schuetzendave's need to be done. As Joe is looking for a bench gun the only thing is a barrel.
1. bush and convert to a Neidner firing pin 
Many shooter myself included shoot with the original fireing pin it is not a major component for accuracy.

2. install crossbolt between tangs so a through bolt can be installed to stabilize the rear stock.
The Winchester stock is a ball and socket and is quite stable as it was designed and well bedded.
 
3. replace flat spring with a coil spring and skeltonize hammer to speed up lock time 
Have not seen any thing to show that the coil is faster but it may be.

4. install single or double set trigger 
The set trigger will make the lock time slower but I do like them.

5. replace stock with offhand schuetzen style stock 
Not needed for a bench gun. I do not shoot a bench stock as I only schuetzen style stocks. Yes they can be competitive off the bench but it is not easy.

6. rebarrel to .321 (32-40) and chamber to a gain twist 11.5 twist 32 schuetzen wildcat cartridge to shoot 230 grain bullets 
You will find many people shooting all sorts of cases. I like the bigger old cases but the new small cases do well but I do not like the pressures that they can generate with very small changes in powder charge. As to twist and bullet weight a long discussion would be interesting as almost every one has their faviroite.

fallingblock