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Lithgow Arms LA101

Lithgow Arms LA101

The Lithgow Arms LA101 Crossover hit the UK about two-years ago and, I have to say, I was impressed! Made in Australia, the name offered a clue to what you were getting, as it was initially a 22 Long Rifle but built more like a centrefire. At 6.83lbs (less scope, moddy and bipod) with a 20.9- inch, medium weight, floating barrel and 39.25-inches long, it was big and heavy for a rimfire, especially when fully bombed up! However, it offers high accuracy potential due to its heavier barrel and semi-target build!

Lithgow offers a number of build options but all on the identical chassis – stock: synthetic with adjustable LOP, walnut and laminate (fixed LOP) and a choice of 22 Long Rifle, 22 WMR (Winchester Magnum Rimfire) and 17HMR (Hornady Magnum Rimfire). Rifling-wise, the 17HMR is button-broached, as opposed to being hammerforged, as are the 22LR and 22WMR guns. Though a unique product, the 101 uses a dead copy of the polymer CZ452 magazine, so allowing the use of standard CZ units too. With one action length, cartridge overall length (COL) is adjusted by using removable spacers in the mag well to take up shorter 22 LR COL, like CZ’s switch barrel 455.

Steel appeal

The all-steel action shows a closed-topped receiver with a large, square ejection port; barrel, bolt and action are finished in Cerakote Titanium. Also included are one-inch Weaver-style bases and a muzzle threaded ½ x 20-inch UNF for a moderator. The action, with its straight bolt handle and synthetic knob, locks by three rear-mounted lugs giving a short, 60° lift angle. The rolling safety pushes forward to FIRE and reverse for SAFE and allows bolt operation in the latter position. The trigger sits in a large polymer housing that includes the mag well with a forward-mounted release catch. Finger access, even with gloves on, is not an issue! The blade is near straight with a slight concaved face and breaks at a pleasing and predictable 3lbs.

The stock shows a deep butt with a high comb and vestigial gripping hook at the heel. The forend is medium/heavy with a rectangular tapered build, both it and the pistol grip are chequered and the job is finished off with QD sling studs and a rubber recoil pad. Not cheap for a rimfire but overall a well-built, accurate and shootable rifle!

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However, the model I really wanted to test was the 17HMR, as it’s the rimfire calibre I use the most. But I have only just got my hands on one, as the 22LR was the first to be launched. My tester had the walnut furniture and as I said, looks and feels the business! Bolt operation was smooth and easy and feed reliable, if I was to complain it would be about how noisy the safety catch is coming off. That loud, mechanical click is not conducive to stealth!

For testing, I fitted a Nikko Stirling Diamond 4-16x50 scope with lift to turn turrets, side focus and illumination. I chose two moderators; a reflex Wildcat 17 Whisper with its distinctive goldcoloured diffuser made especially for the HMR and a Hardy Gen III for Hornady’s 17 Hornet centrefire. I was keen to see if the extra volume and baffling of the Hardy would make any difference to suppression. Ammunition was the standard 17-grain ballistic tip, boat tail bullet from Remington (AccuTip-V) and Winchester with their older Supreme and the latest Varmint HV. To be honest, HMR ammo quality has been in a slump for a few years now; pity, as in the beginning you could set your watch by any brand of HMR!

The 100 yarder

Past experience has shown that a good HMR can group into ½-inch or less at 100-yards consistently, which is my benchmark for this calibre. Off a Harris BRS bipod and rear bag I shot for group and velocity.

Conclusion

With both old and new ammo, 90% of cases were coming out split, again common for this calibre. Though having the worst ES, the Winchester Varmint HV shot the tightest groups and gave the best drop and energy figures. Out at 200-yards with this load I was getting average of one-inch groups, but I consider this extreme range and also the tiny HMR pill is badly wind affected! But, as I have proved to myself with my old Ruger M77/17 All-Weather many times, it’s a capable head shooter on hares and rabbits at this distance in ‘no wind’ conditions. Out of interest; the larger .17 Hardy can did not make a noticeable difference to moderation!

The 17HMR version of the LA101 is a nice rifle and must be considered in the upper echelons of guns in this calibre! What I particularly liked is the fact that they make a dedicated left hand model and also there’s no price difference between left or right handed options!

  • Lithgow Arms LA101 - image {image:count}

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  • Lithgow Arms LA101 - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Lithgow Arms LA101 - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Lithgow Arms LA101 - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Lithgow Arms LA101 - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

gun
features

  • Model: Lithgow Arms LA101
  • Calibre: 17HMR
  • Capacity: 5 & 10 (DM)
  • Weight: 6.83lbs (un-scoped)
  • Length: 39.25-inch
  • Barrel: 20.9-inch threaded ½ x 20-inch UNF
  • Finish: Cerakote Titanium
  • Stock: Walnut, One-inch scope bases included
  • Options: L/H rifle available
  • Price: Walnut: £982.99; Laminate: £1016.99; Synthetic: £915.99
  • Contact: Highland Outdoors, www.highlandoutdoors.co.uk, www.lithgowarms.com Wildcat Whisper 17 moderator: £120, www.wildcatrifles.co.uk
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