The Match chambers are cut tighter, particularly in the throat area, and shorter, and may require thumb pressure seating, depending upon the ammo used. My Model 252 (83 frame) required thumb pressure on every ammo I used in it, except for Winchester 37 gr. hollowpoints. However, that ammo also happened to be the most accurate I ever tested in the gun. The accuracy of the gun (7 1/2" Varmint Special, with 4X Leupold) was extraordinary, easily exceeding any .22LR handgun I ever owned...a bunch...and matching my best .22LR rifle.
However, after a few cylinders full, even the 37 gr. hollowpoints required thumb pressure seating, to prevent the rims from dragging on the breechface and locking the gun up.Obviously, this can be an annoyance in the field. On a prairie dog hunting trip in Wyoming 3 years ago, this proved to be such a nuisance that I called Bob Baker when I returned, and sent him the cylinder to have it opened up to Sporting chamber tolerances.
This probably reduced the pure mechanical accuracy a bit, but I really can't really tell it in the field, or even on the range, although I never conducted truly extensive bench tests once it came back from the factory. It gives me all the accuracy I can use.
I have also owned a Mdl. 97 .22LR with Sporting chambers for several years (the first commercial gun to leave the factory, after John Taffin's test gun). I have used it mostly with iron sights, but recently put a T'SOB and 2X Leupold on it. The groups are not QUITE as small as those with the Mdl. 252, but I believe this is due to the 2X vs. the 4X Leupold. One of these days I may test a higher magnification on it. I actually prefer the Mdl. 97 size in .22LR.
The bottom line to me? Match chambered 83's are great for target and Silhouette applications (better have that wooden dowel) , but I don't want them in a hunting gun anymore.
