Scorpio .22LR First Impressions

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northerndad

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Hi folks,

I picked up one of the Scorpio (EM332A) .22Lrs on Friday, finally went and shot it twice now. I have only shot it a few times, it has become my kid's new favourite .22.
Shot alongside the Mossberg 702 Plinkster that I bought for the same price a couple months ago ($199). Quite different .22s but same price, so ok to compare.
Disclaimer - I'm a new shooter. Hence I lean towards cheaper guns as I'm learning (and my kids too). Trust me I've been glad to make noobie mistakes with a cheap gun rather than a beautiful expensive one!

It comes with 1 mag and I asked the store to order some more mags. The guys behind the counter know a ton about guns but this one is new to them. The only thing they could tell me about it is that it is chinese made.

Compared to the Mossberg this Scorpio is longer and much heavier - in the right places. The fit and finish is underwhelming and rough in spots, but it was well oiled and everything worked out of the box. I used a laser bore sight and the factory iron sights were already dialed in (the Mossberg wasn't).

I was surprised when I was able to hit a life-sized grouse target at 10, 20, 30 yards first shots with the open sights, standing freehand without a rest. I was shooting with older Fed lead 40 grain ammo. To compare, it took a while to get the mossberg on paper, and then many more rounds to get the sights properly dialed in, using a rest and grips to hold the gun steady. Not needed at all for this gun!

After shooting it a few times I was very, very impressed with the accuracy and reliability for the price. I want to go buy another one! It also begs for a .22 scope for those 30+ yard targets.

Pros:
- Heavy in the right places
- Bolt action (my personal fav)
- Shoots straight
- Trigger seems about right for the price (lighter than the plinkster)
- We like the pistol grip
- Looks nice
- Already has mounts for straps on stock

Cons:
- Some rough fit and finish/ machining in the bolt and action
- Dovetail mount is rounded rather than flat - my .22 sight won't mount without some grinding
- You'll probably want to buy another one for 'spare parts' or 'the kids'

Images:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1KjqiMRYtAhN2k0NnVlSUxzd0U
pic
pic
Very short clip of the gun shooting:
 
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@grauhanen - I edited the post and added the couple photos and vid clip that I have - as I said I haven't really had a chance to shoot it yet, and haven't taken any proper photos or video. Hope the above help a bit tho.
 
Not too sure why but not too much interest in this rifle ...I bought one but haven't got the right scope on it yet so haven't shot it.but if it's as good or Hopefuly better than a norinco JW 15 it'll be a good 'carry gun'
 
Lots of us probably got on the NS522 wagon, I still got one these but the weather has been too crappy for shooting here.
Just got 5 more mags from Durham though...lol.
 
I've got the NS522 but this Scorpio EM 322 looks to be more of a small game hunting rifle,looks kind of diferent but it feels pretty good.Now all I have to do is see if it matches expectations.Maybe the appearent lack of interest in a bolt action 22 is due to people looking more at tactical type semi automatic guns than hunting rifles,not sure
 
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My EM332A put 3" group at 60m for CCI MinMag, Federal auto match. 1-1.5" group for ELEY high velocity. Wait for some one try some match ammo.
 
I've tried to find out more about Scorpio,what guns they make and what reviews there are of them.Virtually nothing.No U Tube reviews or experiance. Gun Nutz has about the only information on them and I conclude there must have been very few sold from the lack of interest.Maybe because they were just another unremarkable bolt action 22 rifle and nothing really stood out,other than the stock which some people liked and others didn't.(actually,it fits better than it looks)
 
Had mine out today, shot RWS target rifle ammo and CCI mini-mag. Shot the mini-mag better, but nothing too spectacular. Definitely not on par with the NS522's. I'm going to try more pressure at the pressure pad and try her again before I give up on it.
The safety isn't really in a good spot for hunting as you can't reach it with your trigger hand.
 
ratherbefishin said:
I've tried to find out more about Scorpio,what guns they make and what reviews there are of them.Virtually nothing.No U Tube reviews or experiance. Gun Nutz has about the only information on them and I conclude there must have been very few sold from the lack of interest.Maybe because they were just another unremarkable bolt action 22 rifle and nothing really stood out,other than the stock which some people liked and others didn't.(actually,it fits better than it looks)
Click to expand...

Scorpio I think is just some dumb name North Sylva attached to these and a couple other of their "imports". Kind of like their branding...the gun is a EM322 with a space age stock basically.
Like CanAm does with their Chinese Imports calling them "Dominion Arms"...they are just your run of the mill Norks.
 
The EM332 has a good reputation for accuracy,which is the reason I bought it. I have the NS522 but it's a bit heavy for a walking gun.If the Scorpio shoots as well as or better than the JW 15s,it will be more than acceptable.The safety doesn't bother me, I never use one anyway..
 
Does anyone know if these Scorpio's are the same quality as the NOS EM332s that Marstar had years ago but in a new stock? Is the front sight metal? If they are true EM332s, I would think that the action will drop into a NS522's stock with issues.
 
ckd07 said:
Does anyone know if these Scorpio's are the same quality as the NOS EM332s that Marstar had years ago but in a new stock? Is the front sight metal? If they are true EM332s, I would think that the action will drop into a NS522's stock with issues.
Click to expand...

The mag guide on these is plastic, some mim/cast small parts mixed in as well so probably made a little cheaper then the EM332 we saw previously.
They will fit in an NS522 stock but these have pencil barrels so it looks weird.
 
Hitzy said:
but these have pencil barrels so it looks weird.
Click to expand...

oh, that answers my question, what the barrel profile is, sporting or mid-contour, or heavy. So it is sporting barrel...hmm...too bad. I suppose it is good for some purposes (walk in the woods as opposed so bench rest/target shooting). Still tempted though.
 
Had mine out at 50 yards yesterday and the groups weren't that good. It was windy though. I've had some ok groups at 20-25 yards with Eley sport. It's the best ammo I currently have. I'm starting to not like the stock. Think it may need more weight as well. Still working on getting it set up.
 
Was hoping this new rifle was exactly like the old EM332. Been looking for one of those for a while now, have heard nothing but good things about them.
 
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