Looking for .22LR rifle that works for me

[doddg]

5th & last range visit before selling the Springfield 2020 Rimfire, that I bought just for fun since I'd never had a Springfield rifle.
I previously learned that only the Springfield 10 round rotary mag worked without feeding issues with 16 brands of ammo.

The extra Ruger 10 & 15 round mags that came with the rifle did not feed consistently.
The member who bought this new had never fired the rifle & didn't know those Ruger mags he threw in would not work.
I will not include those inconsistent working mags when I sell the gun.

Today I was checking to see if my older Ruger 10 rd or 25 rd mag would work.
My older Ruger 10 rd mag worked fine, but the 25 rd mag did not.
The 10 rd was a tad tight in fitment, but I learned to eject it simply enough.

I put 90 rds through the 2020 today at 25 yds for a total of 545 rds. since new.
- Federal AutoMatch
- CCI Mini-Mag
- Armscor
- Aguila

These four .5" circles from today using my older Ruger 10 rd rotary mag.
Going for groups & didn't bother to adjust scope to make allowances for the nuances of different brands of ammo.

 

[doddg]

Just for fun, I picked up a custom Ruger 10/22 Sporter here in the Classifieds:
- drop-dead gorgeous walnut stock
- 18.5" barrel
- Ruger BX trigger
- Samson B-TM sights
- extended mag release
- 15 mags x2
- red dot (Note: I put on a Nikon ProStaff 3-9x40 w/red cantilever rings.)

It's not going to be able to compete with either of my CZ 22LR rifles, but it I couldn't take my eyes off the walnut stock, haha!

Put 60 rds through it today using Federal AutoMatch 40 grain, SLN.

5 rds each 1.75" circle at 25 yds.
20 rounds in each row = 100%.
Note: At 50 yds, a 22LR rifle should be doing 1" groups (1/2" if you have young eyes )


About 20 days ago with a different scope I was trying out.
This scope seemed to be a bit tighter.
Armscor 36 grain, HP.
Row 1 & 2 Ruger 10/22
Ignore row 3 & 4 with the 8" Ruger Charger: it's gone.


Also, about 20 days ago.
3/4" circles using Armscor 36 grain HP at 25 yds.
Row 1 & 2: Only 80% & 68%
Ignore Row 4 & 5 with 8" Charger.

 

[el_barto3]

Just for fun, I picked up a custom Ruger 10/22 Sporter here in the Classifieds:
- drop-dead gorgeous walnut stock
- 18.5" barrel
- Ruger BX trigger
- Samson B-TM sights
- extended mag release
- 15 mags x2
- red dot (Note: I put on a Nikon ProStaff 3-9x40 w/red cantilever rings.)

It's not going to be able to compete with either of my CZ 22LR rifles, but it I couldn't take my eyes off the walnut stock, haha!

Put 60 rds through it today using Federal AutoMatch 40 grain, SLN.

5 rds each 1.75" circle at 25 yds.
20 rounds in each row = 100%.
Note: At 50 yds, a 22LR rifle should be doing 1" groups (1/2" if you have young eyes )
View attachment 342684

About 20 days ago with a different scope I was trying out.
This scope seemed to be a bit tighter.
Armscor 36 grain, HP.
Row 1 & 2 Ruger 10/22
Ignore row 3 & 4 with the 8" Ruger Charger: it's gone.
View attachment 342686

Also, about 20 days ago.
3/4" circles using Armscor 36 grain HP at 25 yds.
Row 1 & 2: Only 80% & 68%
Ignore Row 4 & 5 with 8" Charger.
View attachment 342693


View attachment 342688
View attachment 342689 View attachment 342691 View attachment 342692

I've never seen a wood stock on a 10/22 like that, reminds me of my model 60 but that wood is much nicer, scope compliments it beautifully. I really wanna ask how much you paid but I know I shouldn't

 

[doddg]

I've never seen a wood stock on a 10/22 like that, reminds me of my model 60 but that wood is much nicer, scope compliments it beautifully. I really wanna ask how much you paid but I know I shouldn't

I've had a Charger once where the stock was all one piece, including the grip.
Wish I'd kept that one!
I've had several, but never "got them" until this past summer.
I originally thought, "Might as well just shoot a rifle," but after I got over that and finally just started loving them as the most accurate pistol in town, haha!

Don't mind talking about money at all, that's part of the fun, confessing you paid too much b/c you wanted something so bad or bragging about what a steal a buy might be.
I have paid from $275 - $325 mostly since 2017.
Lately I've gave $375 for one b/c it came with a Holosun red dot I really wanted.
This one cost $350 and came with a Barska scope.

Couldn't find the all wood stock & grip one piece.
This is a Charger I had back in 2019.

 

[TJ Kackowski]

Just for fun, I picked up a custom Ruger 10/22 Sporter here in the Classifieds:
- drop-dead gorgeous walnut stock
- 18.5" barrel
- Ruger BX trigger
- Samson B-TM sights
- extended mag release
- 15 mags x2
- red dot (Note: I put on a Nikon ProStaff 3-9x40 w/red cantilever rings.)

It's not going to be able to compete with either of my CZ 22LR rifles, but it I couldn't take my eyes off the walnut stock, haha!

Put 60 rds through it today using Federal AutoMatch 40 grain, SLN.

5 rds each 1.75" circle at 25 yds.
20 rounds in each row = 100%.
Note: At 50 yds, a 22LR rifle should be doing 1" groups (1/2" if you have young eyes )
View attachment 342684

About 20 days ago with a different scope I was trying out.
This scope seemed to be a bit tighter.
Armscor 36 grain, HP.
Row 1 & 2 Ruger 10/22
Ignore row 3 & 4 with the 8" Ruger Charger: it's gone.
View attachment 342686

Also, about 20 days ago.
3/4" circles using Armscor 36 grain HP at 25 yds.
Row 1 & 2: Only 80% & 68%
Ignore Row 4 & 5 with 8" Charger.
View attachment 342693


View attachment 342688
View attachment 342689 View attachment 342691 View attachment 342692

Have you tried removing the scope caps to help tighten up your groups?

Seriously, great shooting @doddg ... you've come a VERY long way since you started this journey. I thoroughly enjoy reading your range reports.

 

[doddg]

Have you tried removing the scope caps to help tighten up your groups?

Seriously, great shooting @doddg ... you've come a VERY long way since you started this journey. I thoroughly enjoy reading your range reports.

Thanks!
Always having fun comparing guns!
And, I get to do my "school-teacher paperwork" even though retired.

Joined in May 2017, so going on 7 yrs & 8600+ posts.

 

[doddg]

80 rds on 1.75" circles at 75' with the Ruger 10/22/walnut stock & a few upgrades with scope.
Continue to use different ammo everytime I shoot it.

- Winchester Super X, 40 grain, SCN, 1300 FPS.
Groups not quite as good as with the Federal AutoMatch used earlier this week.
95% & 100% & 90% & 100%


Earlier this week with Federal AutoMatch.
100% (barely) & 100%.


Earlier this month using Armscor HP (best groups so far).
Row 1 & 2: 100% & 100%.
Ignore row 3 & 4

 

[doddg]

Bought a Thompson Center TCR I'd previously shot Nov. 2023, belonging to Zackcz.
Since November, I picked up a Ruger 10/22 Sporter.
I wanted to see if the TCR, a Ruger 10/22 clone, would outshoot the 10/22, like it's supposed to do.
I'll do more head-to-head testing using the same ammo in the future.

TCR was 100% at 75' on 1.75" circles using Armscor & CCI Mini-Mags.
The Ruger Sporter 10/22 also has had its share of 100% on these 1.75" circles at 75'.


I accidentally found a target with 7/8" circles, shooting the Ruger 10/22 Sporter w/Wood stock with Rows 3 & 4 empty I could fill with TCR rounds for comparison.

Rows 1 & 2 (under the top Practice row) with the Ruger Sporter 10/22:
- 80% & 68%
Rows 3 & 4 with the TCR for a comparison:
- 92% & 72%

Combining the 10 circles in the 2 rows:
- 74% Ruger Sporter
- 82% Thompson Center TCR (today's winner!)
(ignore row 5 where I had used a Charger 8" barrel)

Note: there are 10 small 7/16" circles at the bottom (only 9 showing).
I only hit 3/10 circles but can't find the pic, haha!


Pic from November with a different scope on it than used today.
I was using a sled, so no excuses about a floating shoulder like today, haha!

 

[doddg]

Fun day with two .22LR rifles:
- Thompson Center TCR (10/22 clone)
- Ruger 10/22 walnut stock

Brought the sled today so no excuses, except my eyes.
I wasn't happy with scope on either rifle I was using.
I couldn't use maximum magnification with clarity on reticle.

Used CCI Blazer 36 grain, HP, SLN, at 25 yds.
260 rds total.

Thompson Center TCR with 4/5 rds (80%) on 3/4" circle after dialing in scope for this ammo.


Ruger 10/22 w/walnut stock with 5/5 rds (100%) on 3/4" circle after dialing in scope for this ammo.


25 yds on 1/2" red circles with CCI Blazer.
1st row: old pic with CZ 455 = 96% (not today)
2nd row: Ruger 10/22 walnut stock = 34%. (trouble dialing in scope)
3rd row: Thompson Center TCR = 63%


7/8" blue circles at 25 yds.
Rows 1-3 TCR: 96%, 96% & 92% (95% avg)
Rows 3-6 Ruger 10/22 walnut: 96%, 88% & 92% (92% avg)
Row 7 on 1/2" circles (1 shot per circle):
- 5/5 Ruger 10/22 (100%)
- 4/5 TCR (80%)


Ruger 10/22 walnut stock



Thompson TCR

 

[TJ Kackowski]

What's the top end magnification of your scopes? Maybe you need more magnification?

Have you explored the refurbished scopes available from AA Optics? There's some killer deals available ... https://aaoptics.com/Riflescopes-_c_115.html

 

[patience0830]

What's the top end magnification of your scopes? Maybe you need more magnification?

Have you explored the refurbished scopes available from AA Optics? There's some killer deals available ... https://aaoptics.com/Riflescopes-_c_115.html

Probably could use an adjustable objective on the scopes he has at the distances he's shooting.

 

[doddg]

What's the top end magnification of your scopes? Maybe you need more magnification?

Have you explored the refurbished scopes available from AA Optics? There's some killer deals available ... https://aaoptics.com/Riflescopes-_c_115.html

Probably could use an adjustable objective on the scopes he has at the distances he's shooting.

Both scopes:
- adjustable eyepiece
- 3-9
- no parallax (which I think is the problem)
Only shooting at 25 yds, and I think they are set up for 50 yds??

On both scopes, when I look out my window at home around 50 yds, it is perfectly clear, not compromised:
- Tasco on TCR
- Nikon Prostaff on Ruger 10/22 Walnut.

If I knew I was keeping either of these rifles, I would look at another scope with a parallax.
I have a couple of other scopes available to me.

 

[TJ Kackowski]

Both scopes:
- adjustable eyepiece
- 3-9
- no parallax (which I think is the problem)
Only shooting at 25 yds, and I think they are set up for 50 yds??

On both scopes, when I look out my window at home around 50 yds, it is perfectly clear, not compromised:
- Tasco on TCR
- Nikon Prostaff on Ruger 10/22 Walnut.

If I knew I was keeping either of these rifles, I would look at another scope with a parallax.
I have a couple of other scopes available to me.

I know that we've discussed this before, but it's been a minute.

You don't have to keep a firearm in the same configuration as you bought it, and don't need to sell it as you bought it.

If you need a better scope to properly test a rifle, then get the better scope. If the rifle proves to not be a keeper, remove the scope before selling the rifle so that you can use it to test other rifles.

A scope that allows you to adjust parallax sounds like a good idea.

 

[zachcz]

I know that we've discussed this before, but it's been a minute.

You don't have to keep a firearm in the same configuration as you bought it, and don't need to sell it as you bought it.

If you need a better scope to properly test a rifle, then get the better scope. If the rifle proves to not be a keeper, remove the scope before selling the rifle so that you can use it to test other rifles.

A scope that allows you to adjust parallax sounds like a good idea.

I totally agree with this. As much as he likes to tinker and sight in every single range trip it would make sense to me to have two identical nice scopes to compare things and just move them as needed. If it was me I’d do one but I know Gary loves the head to head matchups so two would be a benefit. Especially since it’s his money and not mine lol

 

[TJ Kackowski]

I totally agree with this. As much as he likes to tinker and sight in every single range trip it would make sense to me to have two identical nice scopes to compare things and just move them as needed. If it was me I’d do one but I know Gary loves the head to head matchups so two would be a benefit. Especially since it’s his money and not mine lol

AA Optics has an enormous inventory of refurbished scopes. It would be like a BOGO deal if @doddg were to get two of the same scope for head to head testing.

 

[TJ Kackowski]

Here's a nice one with adjustable parallax from 10 yd. to infinity ... https://aaoptics.com/REFURBISHED-CROSSFIRE-II-4-12X50-AO-RIFLESCOPE-BDC_p_302.html

Also bigger objective lens for better light gathering.

 

[doddg]

I know that we've discussed this before, but it's been a minute.

You don't have to keep a firearm in the same configuration as you bought it, and don't need to sell it as you bought it.

If you need a better scope to properly test a rifle, then get the better scope. If the rifle proves to not be a keeper, remove the scope before selling the rifle so that you can use it to test other rifles.

A scope that allows you to adjust parallax sounds like a good idea.

Appreciate your helpfulness & experience!
Did you notice, I did what you suggested and used 1/2" or 3/4" circles or squares instead of just my 1.75" circles testing accuracy/groups to illicit better accuracy (smaller targets, smaller groups)
I was surprised it worked so keenly!

Certainly have learned about not selling a firearm with the same configuration as I bought.
Recently, I bought a gun just b/c it had a Holosun red dot on it, and after having fun shooting it, sold it, but swapped out the red dot, always wanted to try out the Holosun.

I'm not even supposed to be buying more rifles, since I've been content putting money into .22LR handguns.
A few yrs back I sold all but two CZ 22rifles.
The TCR and RGR 10/22 and Springfield 2020 (been sold) bought recently were just for playing around on the 25 yd indoor range, & have really enjoyed them in that context.
Buying rifles can be a hassle with rails, higher rings (arthritic neck ), and scopes.
I bought a boxful of decent used scopes years ago from a member that I've been used when testing 22LR rifles a few yrs back.

It's all I can keep up with getting optics for my handguns.
Especially so, since I like a scope instead of a red dot on the really accurate ones.

 

[snapping turtle]

I have scopes on guns that work really well for what the intended use of the rifle is. I also have scopes for target shooting that get moved around from gun to gun as needed.

I do contender rifles and pistols and I do warne quick detach rings on them. All have the same bases so you would not believe how close to on target they are from barrel to barrel. Pistols can go from 2 to 8 power and rifles from 4 to 16 power.

Maybe what you need is a contender rifle/pistol. I have 22 barrels from 10 to 23 inches in length

 

[doddg]

I have scopes on guns that work really well for what the intended use of the rifle is. I also have scopes for target shooting that get moved around from gun to gun as needed.

I do contender rifles and pistols and I do warne quick detach rings on them. All have the same bases so you would not believe how close to on target they are from barrel to barrel. Pistols can go from 2 to 8 power and rifles from 4 to 16 power.

Maybe what you need is a contender rifle/pistol. I have 22 barrels from 10 to 23 inches in length

WOW!
I knew they had 14" barrels to go on the Contender 22 LR.
The first time I saw a Contender for sale with only a .22LR barrel, I ran not walked to buy it, hahaha!
It came with a 10 inch barrel and I wondered if I should even bother getting the 14 inch?
I had no idea they actually even came in anything longer!
But a 23" is amazing!!!