.22LR Range Fun

[gregkl]

I am probably going to buy a TX Competition before long. I want to start shooting Rimfire Falling Steel next year and my Mark II isn't really the best pistol for that IMO.

Curious to hear how you guys like the Competition and also how it differs in "feel" from the standard TX-22. I have shot the standard, but not the comp model.

 

[doddg]

Unexpectedly picked up a Taurus TX Competition 5".
I got it to comparing to the regular TX 4," which I like to do.
I'm going to check into getting a picatinny rail that is supposed to bolt onto one of the plates that come with the Competition 5" so I can try out a red dot on it.

Used Federal AutoMatch at 21'.

3.75" circles at 21'.
Top row: TX Competition 5"
2nd row: TX 4".
Measured main groups leaving out the fliers.
TX Competition got the smallest group at 1".


Beige circles: 1 5/16" (1.3125")
Green circles: 2"
TX 4" & 5" tied with both beige & green circles:
- 56% in the smaller beige circles (labelled on top of squares).
- 80% on a bigger green circles (labelled on bottom of squares).
Even though both tied for in their individual rows, the, TX competition finished up stronger on last
3 circles.
With more practice I expect the TX Competition 5" will edge it out the regular 4".
1st row: TX Competition 5".
3rd row: TX 4".

 

[DadSmith]

Unexpectedly picked up a Taurus TX Competition 5".
I got it to comparing to the regular TX 4," which I like to do.
I'm going to check into getting a picatinny rail that is supposed to bolt onto one of the plates that come with the Competition 5" so I can try out a red dot on it.

Used Federal AutoMatch at 21'.

3.75" circles at 21'.
Top row: TX Competition 5"
2nd row: TX 4".
Measured main groups leaving out the fliers.
TX Competition got the smallest group at 1".
View attachment 232795

Beige circles: 1 5/16" (1.3125")
Green circles: 2"
TX 4" & 5" tied with both beige & green circles:
- 56% in the smaller beige circles (labelled on top of squares).
- 80% on a bigger green circles (labelled on bottom of squares).
Even though both tied for in their individual rows, the, TX competition finished up stronger on last
3 circles.
With more practice I expect the TX Competition 5" will edge it out the regular 4".
1st row: TX Competition 5".
3rd row: TX 4".
View attachment 232796

That's not bad at all.
I've been loading Automatch in my TX22 for working around the yard etc. I bought a little to much of it when it started coming back on the shelves. It isn't to bad in my 10/22 as well.

 

[gregkl]

Doddg, how does the competition model compare to the standard in terms of feel? Balance? Weight?

I have shot the standard but I think I want to buy the competition model since I will be running a dot and may even do some competitions next year.

Oh, and where did you find the Competition model?

 

[doddg]

Had fun trying out a Kel-Tec P17 that Zachcz bought new.
140 rounds with no issues.

Threaded barrel
Picatinny-style accessory rail
ambidextrous safety
ambidextrous magazine release
CALIBER=.22LR
WEIGHT = less than 14 ozs.
MAGAZINE =16 (x3)
LENGTH= 6.7″
BARREL LENGTH = 3.8″
HEIGHT = 5.3″
WIDTH = 1.2″
TRIGGER PULL = 3lbs
Sights = fiber optic front sight & adjustable rear sight

I hate the magazines since they don't have a "plunger" to assist pushing the spring down for the next round.
After a couple of mags killing my thumb, I limited my loading to loading only 10 rounds, haha!

Maybe with a different ammo I could get 5/5 rds. into my 1.75" circles??
But, the Federal AutoMatch traditionally does a fine job for me.

 

[doddg]

Doddg, how does the competition model compare to the standard in terms of feel? Balance? Weight?

I have shot the standard but I think I want to buy the competition model since I will be running a dot and may even do some competitions next year.

Oh, and where did you find the Competition model?

I remember reading your comment earlier about getting a TX Competition.

I like it since it is heavier at 23 ozs with the 4" at 17.4 ozs.
But, no front fiber optic, since most people would simply be putting a red dot on it.

I bought it from Zackcz who is my main supplier, haha!
7/12 of my present .22LR handguns have come from him.
I couldn't pass up an opportunity to see if the Competition model would shoot any better
than the regular 4".
I see the potential that it will, as it should with the longer sight radius & weight.

Without a red dot, it will have to do at least 90% on my 1.75" circles to be a keeper
&
100% if I get in trim mode, haha!
With an optic I have guns that do 100% on my 1.75" circles at 30' w/optics.
I won't keep both models but it will take a hundreds more rounds to see which one or both make the cut.

 

[TJ Kackowski]

8< 8< S*N*I*P 8< 8<

Used Federal AutoMatch at 21'.

3.75" circles at 21'.
Top row: TX Competition 5"
2nd row: TX 4".
Measured main groups leaving out the fliers.
TX Competition got the smallest group at 1".
View attachment 232795

8< 8< S*N*I*P 8< 8<

What are these groups you speak of? What sort of scoring madness is this?

However, if you do decide to continue down the path of measuing groups as a means of determining accuracy, flyers aren't typically discarded unless you purposely called it bad when taking the shot. This is especially true with .22 rimfire ammo.

 

[doddg]

What are these groups you speak of? What sort of scoring madness is this?

However, if you do decide to continue down the path of measuing groups as a means of determining accuracy, flyers aren't typically discarded unless you purposely called it bad when taking the shot. This is especially true with .22 rimfire ammo.

I knew I was cheating when I ignored the fliers.
When there is a prominent group & then a round or even 2 that is not with the main group out of 10 rounds, I blame the ammo, haha!
A MCFG friend of mine told me when talking to a rep for CCI SV that having 2/10 fliers is "normal" for that round.
That's my excuse, but, I was using the excuse of ammo even before such "validity."
A person hears what they choose to hear, haha!

 

[doddg]

Wanted to see if the Taurus TX Competition 5" would beat the TX 4" original the 2nd time around comparing them.
TX 5" Competition did at 93% vs 78% (combining the 2 rows each).
Competition had 5/8 circles with all 5 rds inside the 1.75" circles.
The TX 4" original only had 3/8 circles with all 5 rds inside the circles.
1 & 2 rows = TX Competition 5"
3 & 4 rows = TX original 4"


It was impossible for my eyes to see the tiny "X" in the black.
I wanted to start using up these targets I bought yrs ago since my eyes don't like them.
Groups seem a little better, but not as definitive.


TX 4" original.
Not much difference with these targets, since I couldn't see, haha!
But, a bit more spread out.

 

[doddg]

Had some fun with the small Bersa 22LR & the Beretta Bobcat.
I shot Zackcz's Kel-Tec P17 one last time before I returned it today.




Bersa Thunder .22LR


Beretta Bobcat


Kel-Tec P17

 

[gregkl]

doddg, you just need to sell me that TX Competition and focus on the TX!

 

[doddg]

I had purchased a Picatinny Rail for my Taurus TX Competition 5" so I could put a red dot on it to see whether it really is a "Competition" pistol!
But, the red dot I used was too long by 1/16" & I have to switch it out with another red dot so the slide can properly close.

I consoled myself by trying out a new-to-me Browning Buckmark 5.5" that I picked up 3 weeks ago right before I had to go out of town & hadn't tried it out yet.
Previous owner said he'd put only a few rounds through it, don't remember, maybe 200?
I used some CCI Mini-Mags at 15', 21' & 30'.

I used different distances to see the grouping.
I never adjusted the windage, but kept adjusting the elevation higher about 5-6 times.
15' (top left)
then,
21' (top right)
then,
30' (middle)
then,
15' & 21' again (bottom row).


Now for my ultimate test for my .22LR pistols for my eyes : 1.75" circles.
The never-sell-keepers get 100% on the entire page of 16 circles & 80 rds (5 each circle).
Couldn't get 1 row at 100%, but that could be the ammo.
But, overall, it did get 93%, so I can justify keeping it to see if other ammo will tighten up groups.
You can see why I kept having to adjust elevation higher every row or more.
I never did quite get it right yet.

 

[700 LTR 223]

Pretty consistent shooting with the Buckmark. My Smith 617 , MKIIs and Smith 41 are my top accuracy 22 pistols. The Smith Victory is going to be up there too after I get the motivation to install the trigger I bought for it. Still it does shoot some good targets even with the stock trigger.

 

[doddg]

Pretty consistent shooting with the Buckmark. My Smith 617 , MKIIs and Smith 41 are my top accuracy 22 pistols. The Smith Victory is going to be up there too after I get the motivation to install the trigger I bought for it. Still it does shoot some good targets even with the stock trigger.

My Dan Wesson 8", 54 oz revolver has beaten all other .22LR revolvers (w/o optics), & I've had them all with repeats.

I've had many Ruger Mark 4s, & they never did keep up with others, & I marvel that others include them in the "accurate" category.
They are fine, but not quite up to the accuracy standard, but that is with my old eyes/hands.
I've had a couple of Mark 3s that were awesome, though.

My SW 41 does great & I do love the heft of it.
My Browning Buckmark Target 10" is the best of everything, but not sure between the two.
I'll have to do a runoff between it & the 41 sometime.
I could go back & just compare old targets using my 1.75" circles, but what's the fun in that, haha!
They both can do 100%, so it would be a matter of comparing groups, but I'd rather just use
1" targets & count those rounds, since I like that approach better.
I don't care about the potential of groups if it doesn't translate into bullseyes, haha!

I have had 5-6 of the SW Victorys, but like the Mark 4s, they don't measure up the the rest of the gang.

Putting upgraded triggers would improve things, I am sure, but I haven't gotten to the point of doing that.
I might when/if I decide something is a permanent keeper.
In my mind, I hold out the possibility of selling most things & dropping nearly $1500+ into one of the Volquartsen .22LR pistols, if I could figure out which I should get, or whether that is the right direction to go, haha!
Since I enjoy the cycle of buying, selling, shooting, then repeating, it keeps me from dumping too much $$ into any one gun.

 

[doddg]

I bought a Picatinny rail to put on the TX Comp model so I could put a regular red dot on it.
I put a Bushnell red dot on it from my SW 41 (see 3 pics below).

I put 90 rds through dialing the red dot in.
I then got out my 1.75" circles at 30' which distance I use with optics (21' w/o).
See target of 16 circles below.
I improved until the 4th & last row then everything went south???
Maybe it needs cleaned?
I was using CCI Mini-Mags.
I wasn't able to get even 1 row at 5/5 or 100%, which I did w/o an optic




As you can see on rows 1 & 2 using the 5" Comp. model w/o a red dot, it did as well or better than with the red dot???

 

[TJ Kackowski]

Given your improved shooting skills, I'd rule out operator error ... no joke ... you've come a loooong was since you started down this path.

So, perhaps something worked loose in the red dot mounting system? Or, perhaps the red dot gave up the ghost and won't hold zero?

 

[doddg]

Given your improved shooting skills, I'd rule out operator error ... no joke ... you've come a loooong was since you started down this path.

So, perhaps something worked loose in the red dot mounting system? Or, perhaps the red dot gave up the ghost and won't hold zero?

Appreciate the positive comments!
Although, I am under no delusion as to my eye/hand skills, haha!

I intend to go to the range tomorrow & intended to clean it, but after cleaning 3 other guns this am & had to take the wife to work out & was too fatigued to clean it, haha!
I hope to get back to it if my strength recovers, haha!
I have a Romeo red dot I can use, but that Bushnell I put on the TX 5" Comp. is one of my best I used on my SW 41.

I've haven't use red dots much & didn't know they would be working one second & then be off the next, unless this is the gradual decline & it's going to get worse!!!

 

[jwamplerusa]

Not a pistol, but Mossberg 46b 25 yards 15 rounds standing supported, Aguila 40gr Cu plated.

 

[doddg]

Not a pistol, but Mossberg 46b 25 yards 15 rounds standing supported, Aguila 40gr Cu plated.


View attachment 240536

Oh yeah!
Love 25 yards with a rifle, makes me feel like I'm a good shooter, haha!
When I moved to an outdoor range & I tried 100 yds, it was humbling & I crawled back to 50 yds, haha!
I can do what you did, maybe on a good day, but the fact that you did it unsupported blows my mind!

 

[doddg]

Finished up my day, after shooting .38 special & 9 mm with two .22LR.
The Beretta Bobcat tip-up barrel is the smallest .22LR I have.
Next today was the 5.5" Browning Buckmark I picked up recently to have a Buckmark w/o optics to use.
I already have a 10" Buckmark with some slight upgrades that rivals the SW 41 in accuracy.

3 pics using the Beretta Bobcat .22LR tip-up barrel.
Only accurate enough for 15' and the rounds are close enough to the 1" red circle to be interesting, getting most of the rounds w/i 1'-2" of the red circle.


Beretta Bobcat .22LR tip-up barrel with rubber grips.


Browning Buckmark 5.5" at only 15' at 1" circles.
I was adjusting the windage to bring the POI back to the left more.


21' adjusting the elevation starting on the right 1" circle,
then to the left 1" red circle,
finishing up on the larger 3.75" circle.
If I switch ammo, I'll have to fine-tune again: used CCI Mini-Mags today.


Pic of the 10" "special" Buckmark that is the ultimate keeper,
not the 5.5" used today.