.22LR Rifle Range Fun

[doddg]

I use my weak hand to squeeze the rear bag for slight adjustments and often just "pinch" the trigger and stock between my trigger finger and thumb. A light touch inputs less of your body movements to the rifle.

Thanks gmcttr: priceless detail.
I'm always strugling after each shot to get everything back to point: I'll try the "squeeze" next time.

 

[doddg]

Stats on the Savage FV-SR bull barrel.
I just counted the number of rounds inside the 1" outer blue circle with 5 rounds per small target.
57% accuracy using both CCI SV & Mini-Mags .
66% accuracy using just CCI SV (#1 -- #10, first two rows).
51% accuracy using just Mini-Mags (#11 - #25, rows 3-5).

Compare the % with the other rifles & sometimes different ammo.
- 57% Savage Bull barrel bolt-action
(CCI SV & CCI Mini-Mags)
- 66% Savage Bull barrel (CCI SV only)
- 51% Savage Bull barrel (CC mini mags only)

- 38% CZ 457 bolt-action
(Aguila or Armscor or Blazer)

- 30% CZ 457
bolt-action (CCI SV)

- 44% RPR bolt-action
(CCI SV)

- 78% CZ 512
semi-auto (CCI SV)

- 59% Ruger 10/22
(CCI SV)

I'm thinking I'll shoot the semi-autos better than the bolt-action b/c my set up is so poor.
I don't have proper height for my rear rest & have bean bags stacked up on top of each other stacked on top of wood trying to achieve that.
I'm constantly moving everything back into position after manipulating the bolt.
It is one of the reasons I didn't like the lever-action for accuracy, since there was so much movement on my part.

 

[doddg]

Picture of a few of the rifles using same target.

 

[doddg]

Savage SV-SR at 50 yds.
Using Aguila Super Extra (Eley Prime), 40 grain, HV, solid copper round nose
83 pts counting number of shots in/on 1" outside blue circle w/5 rds x 25 targets.

 

[Gingerbeardman]

This looks like loads of fun! I did some work last week with Aguilar sv versus federal 36 grain and some browning bulk I didn't know I had. A couple were pretty accurate but the poi was about 5 inches different, which was interesting. Nothing was THIS accurate though! I'm running a browning tbolt with vortex diamondback 6-24 ffp, front rest rear bag, 65 yards

 

[doddg]

This looks like loads of fun! I did some work last week with Aguilar sv versus federal 36 grain and some browning bulk I didn't know I had. A couple were pretty accurate but the poi was about 5 inches different, which was interesting. Nothing was THIS accurate though! I'm running a browning tbolt with vortex diamondback 6-24 ffp, front rest
rear bag, 65 yards

It's quite fun when there is consistency, but when you go from shooting 5 in the circle to only 1 on the next target it is exasperating.
When using CCI Standard Velocity Friday, then switched to CCI Mini-Mags at 50 yds, the Mini-Mags were shooting higher: still climbing b/c of higher velocity, I assume.
When I switched today to the Aguila Super Extra, it was shooting even higher.

Finding the "right" ammo for a gun is time-consuming.
In the past I've not bothered with it much, but now that I'm trying to shoot longer distances, I'm forced to do so.
I used to think that CCI SV was the standard for accuracy w/o going to another price level, but I have found differently.
I even have a rifle that is having extractions issues & will not do well with CCI either SV or HV, which is a puzzle.
But does fine with Aguila: go figure.

 

[doddg]

2 rifles today: Ruger 10/22 & RPR
Using Aguila Super Extra, 40 grain, solid copper nose, HV
1" outside dark blue circle & 1/2" inner dark blue circle.

50 yds. Really bad today.
Overall score for the 25 targets = 44 pts. (out of 125 possible) at 35% (44 divided by 125)
Each row has a separate score: 25 possible points.

68 pts. at 54%
Each row with it's separate points & percentage.

 

[johntheplinker]

If you're looking for the best ammo instead of rating them by where they go you should be looking at how close together the holes are. Then once you decide on a type, then concern yourself with where they go. I see some respectable groups in the above targets that get low ratings because they aren't centered on the target and other groups get a good rating that don't look so hot.
As far as your zero changing when you switch ammo types, that's to be expected. Lots of factors come into to play in addition to velocity. Bullet length, barrel harmonics, bearing length, ballistic coefficient, etc etc etc. I've seen changes in literally every direction of the compass, including some that seem counter-intuitive at first glance, like higher velocity actually hitting lower.

 

[doddg]

If you're looking for the best ammo instead of rating them by where they go you should be looking at how close together the holes are. Then once you decide on a type, then concern yourself with where they go. I see some respectable groups in the above targets that get low ratings because they aren't centered on the target and other groups get a good rating that don't look so hot.
As far as your zero changing when you switch ammo types, that's to be expected. Lots of factors come into to play in addition to velocity. Bullet length, barrel harmonics, bearing length, ballistic coefficient, etc etc etc. I've seen changes in literally every direction of the compass, including some that seem counter-intuitive at first glance, like higher velocity actually hitting lower.

Right now my 1st priority isn't the best ammo, but finding a single leader each of the bolt-actions & the semi-autos.
While I'm doing that I'm also trying out different ammo to get an inkling of preference each rifle has.
After I narrow down to the "keeper" rifles, I'll need to start measuring groups as you suggest to find which ammo for each rifle.

I've already sold a couple of bolt-actions I had.
I thought my CZ Trainer 457 would be the leader, but not yet.
After the CZ 457, I thought the RPR would be in 2nd place with the Savage bull barrel in 3rd.
Ironically, the Savage FV-SR bull barrel has been the best bolt-action, which has surprised me since it is the least expensive one.

The clear leader for semi-autos, and surprisingly enough, as well as any of the rifles, has been the CZ 512.

 

[Gingerbeardman]

Is it possible with .22s to identify a preferred brand and weight, or is it a better use of time to stick to one brand/weight and learn to shoot it well? My understanding is tenex is the best, so couldn't I just stock up and train with that? I didn't notice a large difference in performance among the three brands I have, other than what could have been my influence on the gun.

 

[doddg]

Is it possible with .22s to identify a preferred brand and weight, or is it a better use of time to stick to one brand/weight and learn to shoot it well? My understanding is tenex is the best, so couldn't I just stock up and train with that? I didn't notice a large difference in performance among the three brands I have, other than what could have been my influence on the gun.

Good question.
Over time I've learned that a particular gun will do better with a particular ammo & a person has to find out which is preferred.
I have guns that shoot major brands about the same.
In shorter distances the different ammo brands might not show up as much difference in accuracy, but it is there.

Right now in dealing with .22 rifles, it really makes a difference, and I'm only shooting at 50 yds since 100 yds was kicking my butt.
I thought that CCI Standard Velocity was the best brand for accuracy, but I discovered one of my rifles preferred Aguila Super Velocity instead.
I have good luck with Armscor & CCI Blazers as well.

Just today I was shooting 4 rifles with CCI Mini-Mags & it was driving me nuts b/c I would shoot 3 touching, then there would be a flier 1.5 inches away.
Partly ammo & partly the wind today, but my CZ 512 semi-auto out shot all the other rifles including 2 bolt actions (RPR & CZ 457).
I'll post a pic of it.

 

[doddg]

Trying a new approach today.
Instead of 1 page with 25 7/8" targets on it with 1 rifle, I'm going to start putting multiple rifle on a page with 1 rifle on 1 row for easy comparison.
Today 4 rifles: 2 semi-autos (CZ 512 & Ruger 10/22) & 2 bolt-actions (CZ 457 Trainer & RPR).
Used only CCI Mini-Mags, both HP & SRP with 1235 & 1260 FPS (didn't know there was a difference until done).
50 yds with outside blue circle 7/8" & inner blue circle a hair under 1/2".

CZ 512 continues to beat all my other rifles no matter what ammo I run that day, which means the Ruger 10/22 will be sold since I don't need two semi-autos.
If the 10/22 could beat the bolt actions, I might keep it, but bolt-actions are usually more accurate than semi-autos.
I'm trying to determine which bolt action shoots the best for me, but the Savage, which is not here, has been known to be on top of the list in the past.

 

[700 LTR 223]

Ironically, the Savage FV-SR bull barrel has been the best bolt-action, which has surprised me since it is the least expensive one.

I know this thread pertains to long guns but two of my best shooting rimfire handguns are also two of my least expensive - a used 22/45 for $200 and a Taurus 96 for $239. Although my CZ 452 Special , later called Trainer was only around $189 back in 2002 and is amazingly accurate for what was a budget rifle at the time.

 

[johntheplinker]

Is it possible with .22s to identify a preferred brand and weight, or is it a better use of time to stick to one brand/weight and learn to shoot it well? My understanding is tenex is the best, so couldn't I just stock up and train with that? I didn't notice a large difference in performance among the three brands I have, other than what could have been my influence on the gun.

Best to find what your rifle likes. Your rifle will show a definite preference for certain types, and if you chose a type your rifle doesn't like, its not really going to matter what you do, it just isn't going to shoot good. As a general rule the more expensive the better it will shoot but again, your gun could prefer otherwise. It is also not really cost efficient to use a very expensive brand when something cheaper would do the job just as well. Unless you're shooting serious competition where every point or 1/1000 of an inch could make the difference between winning or finishing mid pack, I really don't see a need to shoot stuff like Tenex or Midas. IMHO the average shooter would benefit more by using a mid range ammo and shooting more than buying the most expensive ammo they can find and then have to limit their range time because of cost.

 

[doddg]

So windy today.
Used CCI SV today.
Used a practice target to dial it in but you wouldn't know it the way the wind was going.
Looks like the CZ 457 drew the short straw with the wind today.

 

[sgreen3]

I was finally able to get my hands on one of the Savage B22 precision rifles. Its proven to be quite the shooter so far, it really seems to like the CCI standard. Ive been weighing those out and has seemed to have helped the consistency.

 

[Zephri]

I was finally able to get my hands on one of the Savage B22 precision rifles. Its proven to be quite the shooter so far, it really seems to like the CCI standard. Ive been weighing those out and has seemed to have helped the consistency.

Images deleted to save room.

You're lucky. I took my B22 Precision out to the range yesterday and had nothing but problems with the CCI standard, all failure to extract. The extractor just hops over the rim of the cases on mine but the case could be extracted 98 percent of the time with a fingernail. With some research it seems quite a few people have extraction problems with the CCI standard in their savage 22's with this system of extraction. I'm going to call Savage and see if they'll send me a new extractor and spring and try and fix it because I'm sitting on 4k rounds of the stuff and it shoots great in all my bolt guns this one included.

Hopefully Savage takes care of me because this rifle has a fantastic trigger and I quite like the stock on it.

 

[sgreen3]

You're lucky. I took my B22 Precision out to the range yesterday and had nothing but problems with the CCI standard, all failure to extract. The extractor just hops over the rim of the cases on mine but the case could be extracted 98 percent of the time with a fingernail. With some research it seems quite a few people have extraction problems with the CCI standard in their savage 22's with this system of extraction. I'm going to call Savage and see if they'll send me a new extractor and spring and try and fix it because I'm sitting on 4k rounds of the stuff and it shoots great in all my bolt guns this one included.

Hopefully Savage takes care of me because this rifle has a fantastic trigger and I quite like the stock on it.

Yes its a very common problem with these rifles as well as the MK II series. Mine did the same thing till I filed on the extractor. If you take the extractor out of the bolt and file down on the hook portion of the extractor it all but takes care of this problem. Ill include a couple pics of what I'm talking about. If you don't want to do this Savage will take care of it. Just might have to be prepared to wait on getting it back. Just know if you do this you void the warranty.. With that said I've done this in all my MK IIs as well as this B22 and its taken care of the issue. its a pretty common fix over on rimfire central..

You need to file down on the side I painted blue to make the point sharper..

Hope this helps..

 

[Zephri]

Yes its a very common problem with these rifles as well as the MK II series. Mine did the same thing till I filed on the extractor. If you take the extractor out of the bolt and file down on the hook portion of the extractor it all but takes care of this problem. Ill include a couple pics of what I'm talking about. If you don't want to do this Savage will take care of it. Just might have to be prepared to wait on getting it back. Just know if you do this you void the warranty.. With that said I've done this in all my MK IIs as well as this B22 and its taken care of the issue. its a pretty common fix over on rimfire central..

Images removes to save space.

You need to file down on the side I painted blue to make the point sharper..

Hope this helps..

I've got no problems modding , I already polished the bottom of the bolt to reduce shaving some lead off of the rounds and the little plastic guide thingy as well as round off some sharp plastic in the mag.

The hook on mine was already quite sharp so I filed a little bit where the two arrows are on this picture below. I also flattened and polished where the single arrow is with a oil stone and flattened/polished both flat sides of the extractor. It went through a mag with no extraction issues and it's also now quite difficult to pull an empty case from the bolt head with my fingers.

Thanks for the tips, I'll have to so some shooting with it next week and post some targets here.

 

[sgreen3]

I've got no problems modding , I already polished the bottom of the bolt to reduce shaving some lead off of the rounds and the little plastic guide thingy as well as round off some sharp plastic in the mag.

The hook on mine was already quite sharp so I filed a little bit where the two arrows are on this picture below. I also flattened and polished where the single arrow is with a oil stone and flattened/polished both flat sides of the extractor. It went through a mag with no extraction issues and it's also now quite difficult to pull an empty case from the bolt head with my fingers.

Thanks for the tips, I'll have to so some shooting with it next week and post some targets here.

Awesome! Hope it helps. I haven't seen that much of insure about shaving rounds off in the magazine. However Ill have to try polishing the bottom of like you mentioned just in case...