My 22 shoots 1/2" groups at 50 yards/meters all day! Really? Prove it!

At long last! I've been wondering why you were so shy to post about this rifle. It does indeed show good potential, I like what I see in the patterns, I could work with that. So, what's the plan for improving from here, what do you need to do next?
 
A few years back, when I began to more seriously think about shooting, I used to think how good a shot I might be if only I had one of those top notch BR style rifles made by Anschutz, like the 54.30. Somehow I imagined that simply having one would make me a better shot. That may be a fallacy that helps explain why there have been more 54.30's exchanged on the EE over the past two years than any other Anschutz BR rifle. Since then I've learned that, while it's imperative to have a rifle capable of good accuracy, no rifle shoots on its own and practice is absolutely necessary to improve technique and results. My first targets with this rifle back in June were proof of this.

Prior to today, I shot just under three bricks of ammo with this rifle, having had to be patient during a range closure of over seventy days this summer. Yesterday I shot it for the first time since June and today I thought I could improve on those results. Although today's results are promising, there is still room for improvement. The rifle is stock as it came to me from the dealer. The ammo was not lot tested.






From left to right: .337, .257, .298, .289, .207"

Average: .278"

Edit to add this target, which I overlooked.




From left to right: .174, .284, .354, .426, .195"

Average: .287"

The distance was 57 yards. The ammo was Center X. The scope is a Sightron SIII 10-50. The front rest bag is a new Protektor with the "Super Slick Silver Material".

Impressive shooting. Added to the list.
 
Nice shooting Glenn,
About the same kind of results I get from my 54.30 but only when I shoot well which is not always. Goes to show with this rifle, I am the limiting factor...

Thanks, Gilbert. A good rifle can show who is the boss, so to speak.

At long last! I've been wondering why you were so shy to post about this rifle. It does indeed show good potential, I like what I see in the patterns, I could work with that. So, what's the plan for improving from here, what do you need to do next?

I appreciate the interest. Perhaps the key reason I hadn't posted about this rifle earlier was the enforced seventy-plus-day shooting hiatus stemming from my range closure this summer. And of course, as Gilbert wisely notes, even shooters with experience can be the limiting factor.

First, and most importantly, I'm going to continue to practice to reduce the shooter error which is revealed on the targets. Among the most often cited factors of shooting technique are seating, head position, breathing, trigger control, follow through, mental attitude and discipline, and they can apply to any rifle and shooter. All of these can be difficult to keep in line at the best of times.

There are other, perhaps more nuanced, aspects of technique when it comes shooting a particular rifle well, even a good one. These include position of the rest and the rifle on it, alignment the rear bag (which can alter POI from target to target, among other things), shoulder pressure (and conversely pull into the shoulder), tightness of hold on the pistol grip, determining how, if at all, to grip the rear bag, and adjusting conditions unique to your facilities such as a too-slippery bench under the rear bag. It can be challenging to keep them always under control and in order. I need to work on them to improve consistency. Even having the tongue on the correct side of the mouth when moving from bull to bull across the target is not too trifling to ignore.;)

After I have made improvements in the consistency of my technique, I may look to put a tuner on the rifle and learn how to use it and perhaps try different ammo, although the Center X seems good for the money.
 
That is a dizzying list, no wonder you've been having a hard time keeping it all together. Tongue position, who would have thought!? I'll have to be observant about that next time I go shooting. What might the target results look like once your technique is determined to be sufficient? I don't want to put words in your mouth, so you state the group sizes. So you say these targets reveal shooter error in the shot dispersion? Which groups? Or is it all of them, every single wayward shot was your error? I'm not mocking, just trying to understand how you see things, you pulled the trigger so you'd know. Best of luck and enjoy your range time. No matter the target results produced, I'm sure that rifle is a joy to operate.
 
Grauhanen, it is great to read your posts. I have a few guns that can do the 1/2”, but shooter error is the problem. Keeping consistent is my challenge. A better gun or better ammo means little if I don’t mount the stock the same each time. Great shooting and thanks for sharing.
 
Nothing to say, Glenn? I'm not arguing with you, just asking questions. Arguing with you is like talking to a brick wall, nothing gets through, so I am modifying my approach. I am not injecting my opinion or observations of your target results, nor will I provide my thoughts on the subject unless you ask. You'll do what needs to be done, albeit in a protracted and roundabout way, but that is your choice.

Since I need to stay relevant to the thread... I shot my Remington 597 for the first time in pretty well a year the other day, and I must say... for under $1000 build cost it's mighty satisfying to be able to obtain results comparable to a $4514 Anschütz 54.30 :d Glenn makes some very good points though, I am shooting with just a basic Caldwell rest system, the rifle has a sporter style stock and barrel, I don't use a fore-end plate adapter, plus the trigger is 5 pounds and creepy. If I wasn't so disadvantaged by my equipment so as to highlight extreme shooter error, I'd really blow these Annies out of the water with a frickin' Remmy ;) It's too bad your tip about tongue position came 3 days post my shooting of this target :(



 
This fall in my part of the country has been colder than last year. As a result, I haven't shot as much as I would like. Today that changed for two reasons. First I received yesterday a new-to-me rifle; and second the forecast called for snow this afternoon and evening, with a special weather statement from Environment Canada advising of the possibility of significant snowfall by tomorrow morning. My range is down an unplowed road on which I got stuck late last fall. As a result I thought I better go this morning as it might be the last time I can shoot at the range this year. I hope that's not true, but I really wanted to try out my newest rifle, a Winchester 52E.

It took some time in the cold morning to become acquainted with the rifle, to find out how it liked to be treated on the bench. I shot several boxes of SK Rifle Match and Center X that I kept warm as I tried to familiarize myself with the Winchester, but I still wasn't getting great satisfaction. Shooting was slowed down by a hopeful deer hunter who came early to the range to avoid the snow in order to sight in his rifle for the upcoming season on Manitoulin Island, a mecca for deer if there ever was one. I grew colder and decided to shoot a final box of ammo, some Midas + (it was that or SK Standard Plus, my remaining choice).

The first half of the box was disappointing. The second half was much more encouraging.




The rifle with a T36 scope




The distance was 57 yards.

The groups, left to right, .148, .187, .195, .325, .348"
Average size: .241"

If I was not so cold by the time I shot this target, I might have done better.

Last week I had one really good five shot group at 57 yards with another rifle. As lucky as it was, I'd like to shoot groups like the one below more often.

 
This fall in my part of the country has been colder than last year. As a result, I haven't shot as much as I would like. Today that changed for two reasons. First I received yesterday a new-to-me rifle; and second the forecast called for snow this afternoon and evening, with a special weather statement from Environment Canada advising of the possibility of significant snowfall by tomorrow morning. My range is down an unplowed road on which I got stuck late last fall. As a result I thought I better go this morning as it might be the last time I can shoot at the range this year. I hope that's not true, but I really wanted to try out my newest rifle, a Winchester 52E.

It took some time in the cold morning to become acquainted with the rifle, to find out how it liked to be treated on the bench. I shot several boxes of SK Rifle Match and Center X that I kept warm as I tried to familiarize myself with the Winchester, but I still wasn't getting great satisfaction. Shooting was slowed down by a hopeful deer hunter who came early to the range to avoid the snow in order to sight in his rifle for the upcoming season on Manitoulin Island, a mecca for deer if there ever was one. I grew colder and decided to shoot a final box of ammo, some Midas + (it was that or SK Standard Plus, my remaining choice).

The first half of the box was disappointing. The second half was much more encouraging.




The rifle with a T36 scope




The distance was 57 yards.

The groups, left to right, .148, .187, .195, .325, .348"
Average size: .241"

If I was not so cold by the time I shot this target, I might have done better.

Last week I had one really good five shot group at 57 yards with another rifle. As lucky as it was, I'd like to shoot groups like the one below more often.



Fantastic shooting from a great classic rifle. I love all my 52’s. I added you to the successful list.
 
Very nice shooting from a very nice rifle there, Glenn.

I have another "1st" for the list. 1/2" Cooey 750 ;) This was a fun little project that got into my mind because of this post in my thread about my Custom CZ 455

Would also be fun to see what could be done with same barrel on a Cooey action. ( all if cost was no limiting factor). Food for thought is a good thing.

Well... I didn't exactly put a 24" straight 0.850" Lilja 3-groove barrel on a Cooey... But I did re-work an unsatisfactory Anschütz made barrel that I took off of my Weatherby XXII. Subsequently, said barrel was fitted to a Cooey 750 that I picked up off the EE. With less than 500 rounds down the tube so far, I am pleased with what I am seeing, and expect consistency to improve as the round count goes up. Nonetheless, after getting the barrel warmed up and lubed with SK Biathlon, I loaded up Lapua Polar Biathlon and nailed this challenge. Too bad for the danged "flier" on the last group, but the rifle does struggle to go 25 rounds without acting up at this point, something that should diminish with an increased round count. Didn't have to "get acquainted" with the rifle, or figure out some special hold for it... just applied my standard firm hold, held steady, and broke that 4.5# creepy @$$ trigger clean (like, the creepiest trigger EVER). Results speak for themselves.

Rifle: Cooey 750 w/Anschütz made Weatherby XXII barrel
Scope: Sightron SII 6-24x Fine Duplex
Rest: Caldwell Rock w/narrow front bag, Caldwell Rear Bag
Ammo: Lapua Polar Biathlon
Groups: 0.352", 0.303", 0.258", 0.359", 0.436"
Average: 0.338"











While I appreciate compliments towards my shooting... credit is more appropriately given to the workmanship on re-working/re-chambering/re-crowning/re-fitting the barrel and bedding of the rifle. To me, my shooting is neither here nor there... the rifle can either do this challenge, or it cannot, and if it cannot, it obviously has a mechanical issue with it. Sometimes these issues can be corrected, depending on what you are willing to put into the rifle ;) When I re-barreled my Weatherby XXII with another barrel that evaluated well, I quickly found success in this challenge. When I removed the flaws in the original barrel, I also found success in this challenge in less than 500 rounds shot with the barrel attached to a Cooey. Truly, rimfire accuracy is primarily based on the equipment one is using, judgement of weather conditions aside, as nobody should have much difficulty on this challenge off a suitable bench rest setup if their rifle is capable of the performance.
 
Very nice shooting from a very nice rifle there, Glenn.

I have another "1st" for the list. 1/2" Cooey 750 ;) This was a fun little project that got into my mind because of this post in my thread about my Custom CZ 455



Well... I didn't exactly put a 24" straight 0.850" Lilja 3-groove barrel on a Cooey... But I did re-work an unsatisfactory Anschütz made barrel that I took off of my Weatherby XXII. Subsequently, said barrel was fitted to a Cooey 750 that I picked up off the EE. With less than 500 rounds down the tube so far, I am pleased with what I am seeing, and expect consistency to improve as the round count goes up. Nonetheless, after getting the barrel warmed up and lubed with SK Biathlon, I loaded up Lapua Polar Biathlon and nailed this challenge. Too bad for the danged "flier" on the last group, but the rifle does struggle to go 25 rounds without acting up at this point, something that should diminish with an increased round count. Didn't have to "get acquainted" with the rifle, or figure out some special hold for it... just applied my standard firm hold, held steady, and broke that 4.5# creepy @$$ trigger clean (like, the creepiest trigger EVER). Results speak for themselves.

Rifle: Cooey 750 w/Anschütz made Weatherby XXII barrel
Scope: Sightron SII 6-24x Fine Duplex
Rest: Caldwell Rock w/narrow front bag, Caldwell Rear Bag
Ammo: Lapua Polar Biathlon
Groups: 0.352", 0.303", 0.258", 0.359", 0.436"
Average: 0.338"











While I appreciate compliments towards my shooting... credit is more appropriately given to the workmanship on re-working/re-chambering/re-crowning/re-fitting the barrel and bedding of the rifle. To me, my shooting is neither here nor there... the rifle can either do this challenge, or it cannot, and if it cannot, it obviously has a mechanical issue with it. Sometimes these issues can be corrected, depending on what you are willing to put into the rifle ;) When I re-barreled my Weatherby XXII with another barrel that evaluated well, I quickly found success in this challenge. When I removed the flaws in the original barrel, I also found success in this challenge in less than 500 rounds shot with the barrel attached to a Cooey. Truly, rimfire accuracy is primarily based on the equipment one is using, judgement of weather conditions aside, as nobody should have much difficulty on this challenge off a suitable bench rest setup if their rifle is capable of the performance.

Talk about lipstick on a PIG!!!!

Congratulations, that is flat out AWESOME!!!! The sleeper pig.... a real 'Q ship' so to speak.
 
Very nice shooting from a very nice rifle there, Glenn.

I have another "1st" for the list. 1/2" Cooey 750 ;) This was a fun little project that got into my mind because of this post in my thread about my Custom CZ 455



Well... I didn't exactly put a 24" straight 0.850" Lilja 3-groove barrel on a Cooey... But I did re-work an unsatisfactory Anschütz made barrel that I took off of my Weatherby XXII. Subsequently, said barrel was fitted to a Cooey 750 that I picked up off the EE. With less than 500 rounds down the tube so far, I am pleased with what I am seeing, and expect consistency to improve as the round count goes up. Nonetheless, after getting the barrel warmed up and lubed with SK Biathlon, I loaded up Lapua Polar Biathlon and nailed this challenge. Too bad for the danged "flier" on the last group, but the rifle does struggle to go 25 rounds without acting up at this point, something that should diminish with an increased round count. Didn't have to "get acquainted" with the rifle, or figure out some special hold for it... just applied my standard firm hold, held steady, and broke that 4.5# creepy @$$ trigger clean (like, the creepiest trigger EVER). Results speak for themselves.

Rifle: Cooey 750 w/Anschütz made Weatherby XXII barrel
Scope: Sightron SII 6-24x Fine Duplex
Rest: Caldwell Rock w/narrow front bag, Caldwell Rear Bag
Ammo: Lapua Polar Biathlon
Groups: 0.352", 0.303", 0.258", 0.359", 0.436"
Average: 0.338"











While I appreciate compliments towards my shooting... credit is more appropriately given to the workmanship on re-working/re-chambering/re-crowning/re-fitting the barrel and bedding of the rifle. To me, my shooting is neither here nor there... the rifle can either do this challenge, or it cannot, and if it cannot, it obviously has a mechanical issue with it. Sometimes these issues can be corrected, depending on what you are willing to put into the rifle ;) When I re-barreled my Weatherby XXII with another barrel that evaluated well, I quickly found success in this challenge. When I removed the flaws in the original barrel, I also found success in this challenge in less than 500 rounds shot with the barrel attached to a Cooey. Truly, rimfire accuracy is primarily based on the equipment one is using, judgement of weather conditions aside, as nobody should have much difficulty on this challenge off a suitable bench rest setup if their rifle is capable of the performance.

Nice shooting with an interesting rifle. Congrats on the first “Cooey” to make the list.
 
Talk about lipstick on a PIG!!!!

Congratulations, that is flat out AWESOME!!!! The sleeper pig.... a real 'Q ship' so to speak.

Thanks, maybe I oughta name 'er "Miss Piggy" :d

That's a real nice rebuild, Myke. With less than 500 rounds of ammo it didn't take long to become familiar with how to shoot it with good results.

Thanks Glenn. That's what I like about my bench technique, I shoot all rifles the same way, the only thing I change is the front bag to suit the forestock of the particular rifle I'm using. You can hand me any rifle and I'll be able to shoot it well right off the bat if you give me the ammo it likes. Each target I've shot with the Cooey so far has been with a different box of ammo: Eley Sport, HVHP, and Match, SK Biathlon, Lapua Biathlon and Center-X, RWS Rifle Match and Rifle Match "S", BBM Semi-Auto. Myself and many others note that rifles tend to improve their performance as the round-count goes up from 0, and it is encouraging to see early results like this. This rifle could become quite the zinger around the 5000 round mark!

Nice shooting with an interesting rifle. Congrats on the first “Cooey” to make the list.

Thanks, I never did test it with the factory barrel, but it's good to know that the action doesn't really hold it back if you fit it with a good barrel. I love doing these experiments, and I'm licking my chops to do a custom build off the new CZ 457 action. That it uses the 455 barrel system was music to my ears, cheap/easy fitment of a custom barrel!
 
Walther single shot target rifle (Don't know the model, any information about this rifle appreciated, https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...fire-rifle-in-Tanner-or-Hammerli-Tanner-stock)
Eley Match at 50 meters.
Group size: 0.392", 0.455", 0.299", 0.330", 0.263"
Smallest: 0.263"
Average: 0.348"
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