.22 mag patterns

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Mojo99

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Left the range today thinking "Is it the gun? The scope? Or the shooter?

I started the day with decent pattern, a bit to the left. Zeroed the scope @ 50yds, and put 3 shots in a dime. Shot out at 100yds and plinked 12 shots into a 2x2 square. Then all hell breaks loose.

[hope this doesn't get too long]

I have a Marlin 925M with a Tasco 6x-24x 42MM scope. Todays ammo was Rem accutip-V and Winchester super-x JHP. I shoot using front and rear bags and figure I get decent stability.

After zeroing for 100yds, I switch targets and shoot 50yds. As predicted, its shooting high by 'bout 1" and I shoot two groups of the Rem ammo. I get it about in about a nickle. Then I shoot the Winchester, and now they are shooting left about 1/2".

I shoot the 100yd target again. The remington is shooting nickles, but 1" right..... hmmmm. So I switch to winchester. They're shooting nickles, but 1 1/8" left. WTF?? :confused: I adjust to the right for the Win ammo, and now am grouping 2" square. :bangHead:

Today (first time) I was shooting at 20X zoom at 100yds. At 50, I was shooting 14X zoom.

Last time I shot, I used the rem accutip-v, CCI Maxi-mag+V and federal champion FMJ. The CCI shot all over the place, so I discontinued that load.

I hope that's enough info to help diagnose my problem. I will add that I would like to buy a vise for the range so I can remove shooter error. I'm quite sturdy with the bags, but I still do move a little if I'm not carefull.
 
I TAKE IT YOU are useing one of those target varmit scopes if you are letting it coool between 3rnd groups then may be scope I have had 3 of the tasco target varmits 2 have failed and had to be sent back but they did send a new one to replace them. put on a different scope and give it a try .
 
Uh oh.... so what happens if I don't let it cool? :redface:

And yes, its one of the Tasco Varmint scopes. If I figure its the scope, I'm going to see if S.I.R. will take it back in exchange for a Bushnell Banner or Trophy scope. That tasco is too much scope for a .22mag really anyways (for hunting that is).
 
Start by checking all your mounts - especially the scope mounts but also the action bolts. If thats not the issue its most likely the scope has failed on you.

As you shoot the warming barrel can cause the POI to shift but it should not be that dramatic or that quick on a rimfire.

Shooter error could be the culprit but I think thats unlikely because: a) you were shooting good consistent groups to start and b) you are already thinking about it and being aware of the possibility you are most likely doing all you can to prevent it.

PS: There is no such thing as too much scope! Buy the best glass you can afford.
 
I have a vise on my list of things to buy. I'll check the things you suggested, and try it with a vise before I rule the scope the culprit I guess.

I get the feeling that because of the crappy (too low) benches at my range, that my cheek position on the stock keeps changing since I can never really get that comfortable. I figure a good vise will romove any shooter error.

Oh, and I got the rifle and scope from Cabelas Canada. Are they pretty good on doing returns/exchanges? If the scope is flawed, or I just don't like it, you think they'd allow me to trade up?
 
Tasco isn't a good brand. Rule of thumb is spend as much on the scope as the rifle.

Why are you switching ammo so much as well?
 
I find that with all of my rim-fires, (or any center fire as well) if I cange ammo brand or weight I need to re-zero my scope for that particular ammo.

The first year I had my .17HMR (Savage 93RFV) I was getting vastly differnt results from ammo to ammo. (as much as 3" left or right or up and down)

It is because of this that I tend to buy 2 or 3 bricks every spring and try to only shoot the one kind for the season/year.

You are much better off buying 500 to 1000rnds of which ever ammo you can find that quantity in, then zero you rifle for that ammo, half of your problems should dissapear.

That way you can at least take the different ammo types out of the equasion, you can then concentrate on the firearm/optics to get to the final problem.

A friend of mine has/had the same problems as I did with a .22 mag..... Here is how I fixed my "little issues". The platform may not be the same but there are some lessons here that maybe of use. The first year I had my .17 I shot it a bunch and eventually figgured out that my barrel channel on the stock had to be widened a bit to fully float the barrel & the screws that secured the action to the stock had to be ABSOLUTLY HE-MAN tight to get good results. Turns out my buddy had to do pretty much the same with his .22mag. Now both are good consistant shooters.

I have a tasco 2.5-10 on my Savage MKII FV (.22) and it is a great performer on that platform. (this is the first I hear about it being sub-standard) I would suspect that you are more than likely having problems with the rings than you are the scope, I had to put Leuopold rings on mine to finally get it solid, and I had to tighten them to the point of almost stripping the screws!

Currently I have a NcStar 6-24 on my .17 and so far I have no complaints, The comment above about spending as much on the optics as the gun is a good rule of thumb, but there are good ones to be had in a lower price point, just do some research first.

Hope this helps!

Cheers!
 
I got Weaver rings and bases on mine right now. I rechecked them and made them a little more snug.

I fired 100 rds of the Winchester through it, and like I said, it was zeroed, but would then shoot left. The remington would shoot right. I'm going to pick up a vise tomorrow and hopefully I'll make it to the range to try. I'll slow down on shooting and hopefully will be able to determine from there.

I tell ya, when it comes time to buy a centerfire, I'm getting my gunsmith to mount it and I'll stick with tinkering with shotguns instead. ;)
 
notsorichguy said:
(this is the first I hear about it being sub-standard)
Click to expand...
Personal experience, my father has a older one mounted on a marlin 30as, and it's never had problems. I took my first deer with it last year.
But generally, internet buzz is bad. I never used a Leupold before, or anything high end, so maybe I'm just simple.
 
The wood 925s are bad for the stock screws coming lose. And if you try to tighten them you will hit the bolt... So you need to file a little off the back stock screw. then it will be fine. (i had and worked on 3 925s 2 of them did this..)
 
Ok, I think I have it working ok now. I tightened everything and picked up a bi-pod for the stock (rather than spend more money on a vise). I rezeroed it for 100yds.

I believe the problem was my shooting. I practiced with some different shooting grips and positions. I found that many of the times, I was moving my head slightly to line up the xhairs rather than the gun (oops!). Once I realized that I started holding the gun nice and snug and making sure any movement while aiming was done nice and tight. So at 100yds with a 10km or so cross wind, I was putting three shots in a 1" group about 3/4" to the right.

At 50yds, 1/2" group about 3/4" high, which is pretty much right on with the balistics info.
 
Had my rifle bore sighted when its cool runs dead on once it heats up little off but I know were the bullet is going to go so I just correct my aim the same as if im useing iron sights I dont need it to be dead On im happy just punching holes in the paper
 
Another thing to check is barrel fouling build-up.
I have heard it through the grapevine, that almost all of us whom have been spoiled silly with great .22 LR arms, one must clean one's .22 magnums more frequently to maintain 'long range' accuracy.

(To maintain accuracy, I have heard two theories on this matter; every 20 rounds & every 50 rounds)

This is assuming of course, you have found already, that one certain brand of magnum rimfire, your rifle prints very well with.
 
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