IMPACT SHOOTING: Lightweight Rimfire Hunting Rifle

Pieter Malan is a dedicated precision shooter and hunter. Hailing from South Africa, he demonstrates to the rest of the world that precision rifle shooting is an international phenomenon with fans everywhere. In an earlier video, Pieter promised to build a new .22 rifle if that video reached 2,000 likes. Well, unsurprisingly, it did, and Pieter is back to fulfill his promise: an 18-inch “little hunting” .22 rimfire built around the Voodoo V22 in this video. True to form, the build blends technical know-how with Pieter’s easygoing, shop-floor energy, making the process as enjoyable as the finished rifle.

THE BUILD

This build is intentionally smaller and lighter than its 22-inch sibling, designed with real hunting in mind. Starting with an 18-inch Vudoo Gunworks V-22, the project aimed to create a lightweight .22 rimfire hunting rifle. After a social media poll, viewers selected the MDT CRBN stock in a limited-edition TrueTimber Prairie pattern. Pieter is also using the hunting bottom metal made for the CRBN stock. The assembly process is simple—requiring just two action screws, fix-it sticks, and a little patience. A function check confirms everything operates correctly. The MDT CRBN system is a straightforward plug-and-play setup that fits right in, and the shorter barrel makes the rifle compact and easy to maneuver in the field.

Optic selection follows the same philosophy. A Vortex Strike Eagle 3–18x44 in PMR rings keeps weight down while still offering plenty of reach for small-game work. There’s no muzzle device, by design. With subsonic .22 ammo, the rifle stays hearing-safe and well-balanced—exactly what you want in a practical hunting rimfire.

A GREATER MISSION

Piet and his Impact Shooting YouTube channel offer more than just impressive gun builds and hunting videos. He also founded a nonprofit called the Impact Project, dedicated to combating human trafficking. Both Vortex Optics and MDT support Pieter’s vital mission, donating products and helping turn viewer engagement into meaningful, real-world impact.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Light, handy, and purpose-built, the 18-inch V22 isn’t just beautiful—it’s exactly what a small-game hunting rimfire should be. It shows that with the right components, a rifle can be easily assembled to match its purpose, then taken straight from the bench to the field.

For more, check out Impact Shooting on YouTube.