My shooting results. Please advise or criticize

Some excellent advice so far, so nothing groundbreaking to add. I'm not one to tinker with guns but have been down this road so many times that new (or new to me) bolt guns don't leave the house unless I'm satisfied with the trigger. Won't say how light I like it, but it's under 2lbs.

I also think that when you're pushing these cylindrical projectiles at relatively slow speeds/@ longer distances like 100 yards=even the smallest details start to really matter if you're chasing accuracy. I prefer subsonic/standard velocity ammos but have seen HV stuff do very well on occasion. Based on my experience, brands like Winchester/Norma/Aguila/Remington (talking 22LR) don't even come along for the ride most of the time unless it's for testing purposes. (like the OP here) Those brands never seem to make it through round one for me. However, I won't buy boutique-grade ammo for any kind of high-volume shooting so if the end-purpose of the gun is something like that-I'm inclined to put a cap on what I know I'll spend, then test everything in that price range only. If that makes sense.

Otherwise, if it's a "lets see what this thing can do?" question, I suggest buying a box of every type of ammo you can get your hands on and get that gun on a rest more steady than a bipod. I use a bag like this filled with polypropylene regrind (dense/heavy/slippery plastic beads) and it really anchors the front of the gun, I use a rear squeeze-bag as well but most of the work is done by the frustratingly heavy front bag of this style;

https://www.cabelas.ca/product/29128/caldwell-tack-driver-shooting-rest

Day-in/day-out, if one of the following didn't shoot well out of my 22s, I'd be worried about the gun itself! :)

CCI Standard Vel.
CCI LR HP
SK Standard
SK Rifle Match **probably my favorite**
Eley (lots of options, none of them have been SK Rifle Match but some have come close)

Reluctant to mention CCI Velocitor, as I only have one rifle that has ever shot it well....and boy does it shoot it well! Mentioning because if 100 yards is the goal, there may be merit in trying all the HV options. (CCI Stingers, Eley HPs etc) Historically, I've shot thousands of 22LR rounds over 100 yards when gophering but for target shooting, I don't find the results satisfying enough @ 100 yards to pursue it. I do it once in a while, but always feels like I'm measuring the "best of the worst" groups. (comparing to what's possible with centerfire)

As someone said to me once about boats; you could cross the lake in a speedboat OR a kayak-depends on what you want out of the experience. As long as you understand that it's an uphill battle printing smaller groups @ 100 with a 22LR, then embrace the fun and see what's possible!
 
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***I haven't read any of the replys, just your first post.***

I'm going to say thats as good as it gets with bulk / cheap plinking ammo... I would look into target standard velocity stuff from SK, Lapua and the Eley lines. For cheap you might want to try some S&B canadian match, or Norma tac (the lower fps stuff) those 2x will likely do better then the ones you've tried so far, buts also still just a factory Ruger barrel.
 
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Eugene, Scotty is right that for 'lower-cost' ammo 2-3" is not bad -Especially with a 'lower cost scope'. 3 of the 4 brands are HV, which is notoriously inaccurate compared to SV. And a couple brands that say SV are over 1100fps, bordering on the sonic 'barrier', I've found thru chrono tests.
As for the 'sampler' with tax and shipping those run pretty high $. If you have a LGS or BP/Cab try there for better pricing or talk to friends at the range who might sell you a box.
The CCI-target is SV and should do better than others. I'd try to get a 'full run' of SK ammo - SK Magazine, SK Standard Plus, SK Rifle Match, Biathlon. and shoot 10-20 of each to see which does best. Did you at least run a dry patch thru bore between brands OR shoot 5-10 rounds of each brand to 'clear out' old debris/lube?
I've found for 'low-cost' ammo that CCI is quite good, but Minimags are HV. You want both 'SV' low-speed and 'consistent speed' or you will get vertical spread. Any wind between you and the target will add up to horizontal spread.
Finally, for 100 yds I'd suggest getting a scope with Adjustable Parallax (can't tell if you have AO) and better yet one with FFP and a 'numbered' Christmas tree reticle.
Good luck on your testing . . .
 
Buck1950 said:
Eugene, Scotty is right that for 'lower-cost' ammo 2-3" is not bad -Especially with a 'lower cost scope'. 3 of the 4 brands are HV, which is notoriously inaccurate compared to SV. And a couple brands that say SV are over 1100fps, bordering on the sonic 'barrier', I've found thru chrono tests.
As for the 'sampler' with tax and shipping those run pretty high $. If you have a LGS or BP/Cab try there for better pricing or talk to friends at the range who might sell you a box.
The CCI-target is SV and should do better than others. I'd try to get a 'full run' of SK ammo - SK Magazine, SK Standard Plus, SK Rifle Match, Biathlon. and shoot 10-20 of each to see which does best. Did you at least run a dry patch thru bore between brands OR shoot 5-10 rounds of each brand to 'clear out' old debris/lube?
I've found for 'low-cost' ammo that CCI is quite good, but Minimags are HV. You want both 'SV' low-speed and 'consistent speed' or you will get vertical spread. Any wind between you and the target will add up to horizontal spread.
Finally, for 100 yds I'd suggest getting a scope with Adjustable Parallax (can't tell if you have AO) and better yet one with FFP and a 'numbered' Christmas tree reticle.
Good luck on your testing . . .
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Remember you are limited to the rifle you have. Even with good ammo, I don't see any less than 1-3/4" occasional groups. Going to have to accept that you'll reach a limit, and have to accept what is acceptable for a Ruger American.
 
Your results were actually not bad at all for 100 yards and the quality of ammo used, as several folks have mentioned above.

Lots of good advice above.

To see what the rifle, ammo and shooter can really do, you need to focus on controlling variables as much as possible. Wind is a really big variable, and since you say you are new to shooting, you may be under-estimating the wind effect on .22 rimfire ammo. Wind effects are very significant.

My advice is to practice mostly at 50m/yards, and use wind flags for all your ammo testing and bench shooting systems (bags, bipods, mechanical rests, etc). Practice alot, plan on shooting several thousand rounds to start to learn what the wind does. Its a life-long learning curve, so don't get discouraged with wind reading. Its one of the skills that makes the sport very challenging and fun.

Mid-grade target ammo (subsonic), these days costing about about $100 to $120 per brick, is very productive for practicing. There will be bad rounds in each lot that causes strange fliers that are not the shooter's fault. That is why you need to shoot thousands of rounds to start to see the difference between a bad round, a wind gust effect, and a shooter error. After alot of shooting you will start to know when you caused the error with a bad trigger pull, versus a bad wind call, versus a bad ammo round in the box.

My favourite mid grade subsonic target ammo is SK brand: red (Rifle Match) and blue (Biathlon Sport). I have shot through several cases of the red and biathlon, and all my rifles seem to like it. I find the ammo relatively consistent lot to lot, and the number of bad round fliers averages about 1 to 2 rounds per box of 50.

At 100m I have tried various supersonic ammo brands, and none have performed as well as the subsonic ammo, whether it is windy or not. My experience is that subsonic is the best for target shooting within 100m.
 
Thank you all for the great input.
As you can see, a lot to learn.
Greatly appreciate everyone taking their time to respond.

I'll try to get some Subsonic ammo, as suggested, will focus on my fundamentals and will keep you all updated on my progress :)
 
I wouldn’t fret it or discount the rifle or necessarily ammo just yet. My first few outings at 100 yards were nothing to right home about. Back then I was shooting a savage MKii fv with cci Sv. That rifle later turned out to shoot moa or damn close to it regularly.

Practice the basics. Experiment with loading the rifle ( pressure forward against bipod). And as always focus on fundamentals. I have gotten many good 1-1.5” groups on many outings shooting that cheap cci blazer out of my rifles now. Don’t go crazy spending money to try and fix issues practicing will minimize. Yes better ammo and rifles will help but won’t do much if you’re not doing the part. I’d rather practice and perfect that with a little less $$$ invested. For now don’t look at the groupings as just a size. Look at them and try and read what you need to improve.
 
Get yourself some CCI standard velocity it is not true target ammo but is more accurate then any that you were shooting. Also captain obvious here 22 lr has a slow velocity low ballistic coefficient so ignore the lateral spread as this is caused mostly by wind and focus only on the vertical spread which is caused mostly by ammo.
 
Lots of good advice here, not sure if it was mentioned yet but also make sure that all your action screws and scope mounts are tightened properly. Not sure if you mounted the scope yourself or you bought it that way but dont ever Bank on it being mounted properly just because the store did it, Like everything in life there is people who know what they are doing and others who think they know what they are doing. Its something that is easy to check for and often over looked.

As far as ammo, I tested a bunch recently and found that CCI SV was a good compromise between cost and accuracy. As many have already stated, its all about the level of results you want to achieve. I've been around guns for almost thirty years and there is always something new to learn and different goals to go after. Seems like you are to a good start!
 
All, that CCI-Target he shot IS SV (on the box & website). Maybe they check lot speeds or something, like SK says they do??
 
I think CCI and others use the 'target ' monicker for bullets suitable for targets and conversely game or hunting for bullets suitable for critters
nothing to do with accuracy
 
I had same gun and got rid of it. Nothing really wrong with it but the short heavy barrel and clumsy stock was just awkward and out of balance for me. My other rugers I can shoot just fine.
 
wkp774 said:
I had same gun and got rid of it. Nothing really wrong with it but the short heavy barrel and clumsy stock was just awkward and out of balance for me. My other rugers I can shoot just fine.
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Thanks for letting me know.
As I said, I am new to the hobby, and this is my first gun. I'll see how far I can get with it, and then.. when my fundamentals are flawless, I can start thinking of replacing the rifle
 
Your group with Blazer, generally the least expensive of the higher velocity ammunition, is better than anticipated.
When told "my rifle loves Blazer" . . . the love affair generally ends at 100 yards or metres.
Try more brands of ammo . . . CCI SV might be the best of American made.
Until we meet keep practising but watch the wind.
Mel
 
I was just pointing out that the CCI - 'Target' is 1080 range, not 'promoting' it's "Target" quality. It was the only "SV" and it DID shoot poorly. "Regular" CCI-SV shoots very well in both my CZs and also my other rifles. Never had any of the "Target" flavour.
AND I wouldn't have a Ruger 22 anything anyway.
 
I am ready to go and practice on my fundamentals :)
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Being new to shooting in general, you have an advantage that you do not have any bad habits...yet.
If your club has an instructor, you might be well ahead to get some lessons, even if you have to pay for them, to get set up with solid shooting form basics that will be the best investment you can make right now. As mentioned above, cheek weld and scope/eye alignment can have significant impacts on shooting performance; being consistent here is important, especially at longer distances.

Bipods are cool and useful in the field...at the range, a bull bag or solid rest is better to start with while learning the basics. Just do not let the barrel touch the rest.
And a bipod can effect the rifle barrel's harmonics and impact results. Something to be aware of. If your stock is properly free floated, it shouldn't be an issue.

Quality of practice is far more important than quantity of practice.
And as suggested, work at closer distances for now...25 yards and 50 yards to get practiced with basic shooting form without the distraction of "larger" groups complicating your thoughts.
100 yards and beyond with a rimfire usually accomplished more successfully by experienced shooters, not beginners, which can be discouraging and you really don't need that as you are learning. This requires skill acquired over time. No beginner can go out and be a sharpshooter right off the start!

Even many of us experienced shooters will never be able to qualify as sharpshooters...and I am among this group. I know my limitations and can accept that. When I get better than average results because of my equipment and ammunition I am happy!
I know that it takes a lot of consistent, quality practice to be able to achieve a level of proficiency...and to be honest, we all have good and bad days at the range...for a multitude of reasons...so do not be discouraged when you experience this.

Welcome to the passion and have fun!
 
I would put a beanbag under your bipod versus having it on the hard table. It made a big difference for me.

Also I should add, when I had an American I removed the trigger release paddle and had a super light trigger pull afterwards. I did not have a pull guage at the time but it was considerably better.

Your CCI SV targets below look pretty good, perhaps you just need more time with the rifle? Or perhaps you need a better rifle if you want more. My American shot about like that. My CZ Varmint is even tighter with CCI SV.
 
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