.22lr 100 yd target shooting advice

[ditchdigger]

Indoor Range 25 Yards
Unsupported Offhand
Stock 10/22 with Tech-Sites
Winchester Bulk

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I find ammo being my biggest issue when it comes to grouping. I don't even bother with hollow points. They go all over the place. I've had good grouping with m-22, federal auto match and lighting, and cci target 40g. Shooting with a 10/22 and 3-9x40 scope.

[as_rocketman]

Indoor Range 25 Yards
Unsupported Offhand
Stock 10/22 with Tech-Sites
Winchester Bulk

That's great grouping for off-hand. Like me you've got a little vertical stringing, probably fatigue... slinging up tighter and taking more rests will tighten that up a bit.

But you made the point I was going to bring up. You're using a simple rifle, simple sights, cheap ammo, and still getting the job done. It's the rifleman, not the rifle.

A lot of people are recommending high-quality ammunition as a fix. It won't work. It is true that rimfires are tempermental and you will find sometimes that your rifle just doesn't like one brand or another -- but almost always the difference is subtle. You can't just throw money at the problem if your fundamentals aren't correct.

For example, here's a typical target of mine. 10 shot group at 25 meters, shot from unsupported prone, iron sights (Tech Sights). The black square measures 1" across (4 MOA).



This is from a VERY humble rifle, and literally the worst ammunition you'd actually want to shoot. Rifle is a Marlin Model 70, 20 years old and with about 40,000 rounds on its still original barrel. Ammunition is a box of CCI Blazer bulk 40 gr LRN that got left out in the rain and relegated to plinking duties... about 1 in 20 is a misfire, velocity is inconsistent, and the bullets themselves have visible surface blemishes from oxidation.

And yet this unassuming equipment can still put down respectable groups, time after time.

Unless you're shooting well beyond 50 meters where transonic effects become important, or unless you're shooting consistently 4 MOA or better, don't waste your money. Ammo like the Wolf Match mentioned above is quite good, don't get me wrong, but improving your equipment from a 2 MOA theoretical limit to 1 MOA won't make any difference unless you're outshooting the rifle.

So feel free to shoot the cheap stuff while you build your skills. I do.

[bigbossman]

But you made the point I was going to bring up. You're using a simple rifle, simple sights, cheap ammo, and still getting the job done. It's the rifleman, not the rifle.

^^^ This.

There are a lot of things that contribute to success, but practice and good fundamentals will get you there with an inexpensive rifle and bulk ammo.

Breath control, trigger control, and sight picture. These three things are the building blocks for success. If you master these three things, good things happen.

I went DE in NRA 4 position with a humble Remington 513T and Remington/Winchester/Federal bulk ammo. My daughter did it with the same ammo and a Marlin Little Buckaroo.

[ar15barrels]

.22lr 100 yd target shooting advice

A lot of people are recommending high-quality ammunition as a fix. It won't work. It is true that rimfires are tempermental and you will find sometimes that your rifle just doesn't like one brand or another -- but almost always the difference is subtle.

I'll just leave this here:

[as_rocketman]

Yup. Without a ruler I'm eyeballing it, but your lower groups are about 2 MOA, while the upper right is about 4 MOA. Upper left has a 4 MOA core plus several flyers, so there's something else going on...

Anyway, you are outshooting the rifle with cheap ammo, so for you it makes sense. Most of the posters in this thread are not.

This is one of the more extreme examples of ammo particularity that I've seen, though. I'm going to guess you have either (a) a tight chamber, and the bulk ammo is getting jammed into the rifling; or (b) a long barrel, and the bulk ammo is going sonic before reaching the target. Re-shooting at 25 meters would clear up the latter possibility.

[hairtumor]

Take an Appleseed class

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Appleseed classes and priceless for learning good shooting skills

[hatidua]

A lot of people are recommending high-quality ammunition as a fix. It won't work. It is true that rimfires are tempermental and you will find sometimes that your rifle just doesn't like one brand or another -- but almost always the difference is subtle.

That differs, rather significantly, from my observations.

[covingtonhouse]

Don't have any recent photos of 50 yds groups but intend on setting up a 50 yd target on friday and will post photos after.

You may have different results from your ammo selection at 50 yds. What worked great at 100 yds may not be so great at 50 yds. and vice versa.

[bubbapug1]

Here is a typical wind correction chart for 22 ammo.

[stretch2]

Sorry for the long delay since my last post. I've not had a chance to get to the range in a long time. I decided to only shoot at 50 yards until I can get my groups under 1" consistently. Here's my best group from the day, although all my groups looked pretty similar to this one. Each square is roughly 7/8" x 7/8". I was shooting off sand bags and using only CCI Standard Velocity ammo. Wind direction was side to behind at 0 - 5 mph. Air temp was around 75 degrees. Elevation around 2500 feet. I tried a couple of different techniques for holding the grip and squeezing the trigger. I didn't try to correct for wind or anything else. Just wanted to see how consistent my groups would be if I simply shot when the cross hairs were on the bulls eye. What do you think?

[as_rocketman]

Looking much better, that's nice shooting. You're down to about 2.5 - 3 MOA now, and a little more practice and a few fundamentals should do it.

There is really only one correct technique for hold and trigger squeeze. However sandbags will mitigate this somewhat. But a little more work should get you under 2 MOA easily:

Trigger hand can still screw you up even when shooting from sandbags. You should have what we call a "firm handshake grip" and make sure that your trigger finger touches nothing but the trigger, and that only on the sensitive pad of the finger. You can lay your trigger thumb alongside the stock, instead of wrapping it around the stock wrist, if that helps put your trigger finger in the correct position. Don't have to -- but do it consistently.

Trigger technique: Squeeze the trigger with breath out. Steady increasing pressure until the shot breaks. If you need to breathe, leave the trigger finger there and take a breath, and continue in your next respiratory pause. Be sure to HOLD the trigger BACK for a good half-second after the shot. With a bolt-action you don't have the luxury of leaving your trigger finger on the trigger for consistent finger placement, so pay extra attention to getting your hand back to exactly where it was.

Having said that, there's no evidence in your group shape of either problem. Maybe a hint of trigger issues, but it's weak at best.

Most likely the best thing to work on is sight picture. Make sure your eye is focused on the crosshairs, not the target. Yeah, I know they're in the same focal plane, but do it anyway. Makes a significant difference.

There is also Natural Point of Aim to work on. Again I don't see evidence of NPOA being a problem in your group, but it never hurts to repeat it. Your body should be almost totally relaxed as you take the shot, and if relaxing takes your sights off the target, adjust your body before continuing.

Glad to see you doing better so quickly.

[doc540]

AMMO is the key

1949 Mossberg 144



Wolf Match Target is hard to find and you have to pay top dollar when you find it.

BUT....



CCI Standard Velocity is easier to find and accurate for the money.

[stretch2]

@Doc540 - Nice rifle and shooting. I'm inclined to agree that, more than anything else, my biggest problem has been my ammo. Particularly the groups I posted here in the beginning of the thread.

@as_rocketman - Great advice, as always. Thanks. I tried to use most of the advice I got here while at the range yesterday. I think that advice helped me be more aware of potential problems in my shooting.

[Izzy43]

Sorry for the long delay since my last post. I've not had a chance to get to the range in a long time. I decided to only shoot at 50 yards until I can get my groups under 1" consistently. Here's my best group from the day, although all my groups looked pretty similar to this one. Each square is roughly 7/8" x 7/8". I was shooting off sand bags and using only CCI Standard Velocity ammo. Wind direction was side to behind at 0 - 5 mph. Air temp was around 75 degrees. Elevation around 2500 feet. I tried a couple of different techniques for holding the grip and squeezing the trigger. I didn't try to correct for wind or anything else. Just wanted to see how consistent my groups would be if I simply shot when the cross hairs were on the bulls eye. What do you think?

Not bad, just one recommendation. Use a smaller target. A 1/2" dot is a good target for 50yds. 1/2" is MOA at that distance. I believe you will find that you will shoot better with a smaller target. With the target you used it can be difficult to get the same sight picture from shot to shot. When shooting groups it is best to zero your scope so that your point of impact is 1" below or above your point of aim. In that way you do not shoot out your aim point which makes it even harder to repeat your sight picture. I personally use a 1/2" crosshair target when shooting groups. If you would like a PDF copy of that target PM your email to me.