accuracy testing questions

[Droppin Deuces]

What is the standard distance for accuracy testing of a rimfire rifle?

Also, what is a considered a good group size out of a 10/22/AR-22, etc.?

[wu_dot_com]

What is the standard distance for accuracy testing of a rimfire rifle?

Also, what is a considered a good group size out of a 10/22/AR-22, etc.?

100 yds. its used to measure MOA. so 1 MOA you should have a 1" group.

the test should be done through bench rest, and in door. so user error and wind will not affect your shots.

ammo selection should also be a factor. they typically use SV round rather than HV rounds so the bullet trajectory will not change when the bullet went from super sonic to sub sonic.

standard 10/22 and AR-22 aren't typically consider accurate rifles unless you change just about everything.

[Droppin Deuces]

Gotcha. I'm asking because I didn't think the 100 yard/MOA standard really applied to the 22lr and that a shorter distance would be more appropriate because of the limitations of the ammo. I'm familiar with bench resting and eliminating variables from shooting larger calibers.

What's the best groups size one could expect out of a basic 10/22? I'm curious, because someone was trying to convince me that they are "very accurate."

[NorCalDustin]

I'd be happy with 3" at 50 yards using an optic from a 10/22.

Of course, accuracy also has a lot to do with the shooter's skills, the ammo used, and the gun.

[Droppin Deuces]

I'd be happy with 3" at 50 yards using an optic from a 10/22.

Of course, accuracy also has a lot to do with the shooter's skills, the ammo used, and the gun.

OK, that sounds reasonable. This guy seemed to believe that a stock 10/22 would match my LaRue at 100 yards. I can see a tricked-out target 10/22 coming close in the right conditions, but not a stock one.

[22popnsplat]

I shoot alot of rimfire , The bench rest matches are generally held at 50 yards . I cant say what should be expected from a 10/22

[Izzy43]

Manufacturers such as CZ and Kimber test (or in Kimbers case, tested)their rimfires @ 50 yds. The U.S. Army accuracy requirement for the Kimber 82G target rifle was 10 shots in a .7" circle @ 50 yds. CZ supplies the test target with each rifle that is shipped. Most International competions are held @ 50 yds or 50 meters. While MOA is 1" @ 100yds, that is hard to acheive with most rimfire firearms. Not that it can't be done its just not the norm.

Alot depends on the ammo as always. Just about any rimfire rifle should hold 1" @ 50 yds with moderately priced ammo, good shooting technique and decent optics. Some shooters can do that with iron sights, aperature sights, 4x scope and some like me need at least 9x (old eyes).

50 yds is the norm for accuracy tests from what I can tell. Use a bullseye target whose center bull is 1/2" in diameter. As Mel "The Patriot" said, "Aim small, miss small".

I don't own a 10/22 or AR-22 so can't say what a good group size is for those particular rifles. I only shoot bolt action rifles as they are nearly always more accurate than an out of the box semi-auto. Personally I would not own any rimfire rifle that will not hold a 3/4", 5 shot group @ 50yds, but then that's just me.

[shadow65]

I shoot and zero my .22's at 50 yards. I've never seen a 100 yard indoor range.
100 yards outdoors has a lot of factors that will affect a .22 LR.
Dave

[Izzy43]

Gotcha. I'm asking because I didn't think the 100 yard/MOA standard really applied to the 22lr and that a shorter distance would be more appropriate because of the limitations of the ammo. I'm familiar with bench resting and eliminating variables from shooting larger calibers.

What's the best groups size one could expect out of a basic 10/22? I'm curious, because someone was trying to convince me that they are "very accurate."

The MOA standard applies to .22lr, just difficult to achieve unless conditions are perfect (outdoor), good shooter with a rifle that has been accurized or you spend some $$$ on a real target rifle such as an Annie or Cooper, etc.

Ask that person to define "very accurate" and produce a target that shows that level of accuracy. Very accuracte for some folks is 2" @ 50 yds.

[Tactical Tom]

The 50 yard group is going to be much better than 100 yard. At 50 yards you should be able to shoot sub MOA all day. At 100 1-2 MOA is good.

[Droppin Deuces]

Thanks for the resposnes! As always, some very enlightening information. I will ask this guy what his definition of "very accurate" and "tight groups" is when I see him.

Last time I was at the outdoor range, a buddy brought his savage bolt action .22. I know him and his gun to be a very accurate shooter at the indoor range(1/2" and smaller groups @25 yards compared to my 3/4-1" AR22 groups using irons), and he was having trouble keeping his shots inside 4".

[22popnsplat]

In perfect conditions my contender pistol or cz rifle will shoot close to 1/4 inch 50 yard 5 shot groups , my remington 40x and wichester 52 will come close to cutting that in 1/2 with my mossbergs shooting around 5/16 . one day i will scope my Martinis and give them a fair chance but with the irons they will shoot a ragged hole at 25 yards but the groups are about 1 inch at 50 yards , the problem is most likely my eyesight.

[Boarding-Team-Leader]

50yds, 25 yds, 100 yds you need a no wind condition.
Here is a 50yd Remington 40Xb group.

[Fjold]

At the rimfire matches that Timberwolf runs we usually zero at 50 yards and the heavily modified 10/22s need to shoot about 1/2" 5 shot groups. Almost all of us shoot Wolf or SK match ammo although some people use Eley.

[pennys dad]

Ya for 22lr, I would start at 25 yards and work 1 inch squares, work out from there and figure out the come ups.