Building/buying an accurate 22
- Thread starter qwertar
- Start date
I'll never understand people that spend so much money on a .22 target rifle! I picked up a great condition (although used) Marlin 981T and I LOVE the thing. I can hit one inch groupings out to 150 yards and I haven't modified a thing! Just spent a good amount of time zeroing in the scope.
Look into it, the marlin 981T. That gets my vote.
And what ever you do, remember that bolt action is ALWAYS more accurate than semi-automatic
Look into it, the marlin 981T. That gets my vote.
And what ever you do, remember that bolt action is ALWAYS more accurate than semi-automatic
Rifles
"I can hit one inch groupings out to 150 yards and I haven't modified a thing!" I'd have to be there to believe that one. " And what ever you do, remember that bolt action is ALWAYS more accurate than semi-automatic" I have a Rimfire Technologies bbl on a 10/22 that says otherwise to ALWAYS. Keep your eyes peeled for an old Bruno, all models are accurate, any of the 52 series Winchesters, CZ's are accurate, build a 10/22, Anschutz is always a good bet, the sky is the limit. Go to lots of gunshops and look at everything, so you can get a feel for what you might like. Then spend, spend, spend. Good luck.
"I can hit one inch groupings out to 150 yards and I haven't modified a thing!" I'd have to be there to believe that one. " And what ever you do, remember that bolt action is ALWAYS more accurate than semi-automatic" I have a Rimfire Technologies bbl on a 10/22 that says otherwise to ALWAYS. Keep your eyes peeled for an old Bruno, all models are accurate, any of the 52 series Winchesters, CZ's are accurate, build a 10/22, Anschutz is always a good bet, the sky is the limit. Go to lots of gunshops and look at everything, so you can get a feel for what you might like. Then spend, spend, spend. Good luck.
Chris Dingell
Member
- Location
- West of Windsor, Ont.
It does not take a lot of work to take a Ruger 10/22 from a "digests everything and always works, but not that accurate" to a "really accurate, but a little picky, and won't do Stingers" rifle.
The big thing is facing off the rear of the barrel about 0.2" and rechamber with something like a pistol match chamber (slight engraving of bullet). There is a bit of work to be done on the outside rear of the barrel so it can re-install, and you'll need a spacer for the clamp. Next would be at least partially facing off the bolt face and setting headspace precisely where it should be, instead of with all the slop that lets the factory bolt handle so much crud. Finally, one of several bedding techniques. Optional would be putting a pin above the front of the firing pin to keep it from occasionally kicking up and giving you irregular ignition.
There are several gunsmiths on Rim Fire Central who will freely talk about what they do. I would suggest "Nemohunter", but there are others that are equally free about talking regarding their techniques. I have had a bad experience with VQ's bedding system, which works sometimes, but quit on me right at the worst time.
Here's a target I shot Prone, Slowfire in a sling last weekend at 50 yards:
The big thing is facing off the rear of the barrel about 0.2" and rechamber with something like a pistol match chamber (slight engraving of bullet). There is a bit of work to be done on the outside rear of the barrel so it can re-install, and you'll need a spacer for the clamp. Next would be at least partially facing off the bolt face and setting headspace precisely where it should be, instead of with all the slop that lets the factory bolt handle so much crud. Finally, one of several bedding techniques. Optional would be putting a pin above the front of the firing pin to keep it from occasionally kicking up and giving you irregular ignition.
There are several gunsmiths on Rim Fire Central who will freely talk about what they do. I would suggest "Nemohunter", but there are others that are equally free about talking regarding their techniques. I have had a bad experience with VQ's bedding system, which works sometimes, but quit on me right at the worst time.
Here's a target I shot Prone, Slowfire in a sling last weekend at 50 yards:
french_fried_taters
Regular
- Location
- Sparwood, B.C.
Don't over look the older mossberg 22's. Just bought a model 146 Ba a little while back and i love it. Nice long barrel, tube fed, comes with a nice factory peep sight and the tube holds 20 rounds! Not to mention quite accurate, half an inch at 50 yards is no problem.
Before embarking on a build or buy of an accurate RF rifle or rifle of any kind,one should ask what level of accuracy one is looking for. Semi-autos can be made to be very accurate but the ultimate in accuracy is a bolt gun. There are no international,world or Olympic records held by SA actions. But there are no world class target rifles that can put rounds down range with the rapidity combined with the accuracy of a breathed on 10/22 or 597.
There are places for both - you just have to decide where to place your shekels.
There are places for both - you just have to decide where to place your shekels.
I picked up a Remington 513sa awhile ago and it shoots some very serious groups but didn't break the bank. Do some research on the net and you’ll soon find a consensus on which rifles shoot well. Then spend some time looking for one that suits your style and budget. Gun dealers are good resources too, find a few in your area and tell them what you’re looking for.
I have shot maybe 10,000+ rounds through my $1000 Valmet target rifle. It is still wickedly accurate and has a trigger to die for. It has survived years and years of being dragged around the gopher fields around Calgary. I expect it to go another 10,000 or even 20,000 rounds no problem. I have never regretted, not for a second spending the money on it. I know that when I miss, it was me who missed and not the rifle acting up. It is so much fun to shoot because it is so accurate. It just allows me to make shots that other rifles wouldn't allow.
I wouldn't for a second expect a 10-22 or cheapo bolt action to be able to match that kind of accuracy and service life. It is like comparing a $400 Rem 870 to a $20,000 Perazzi over a trap field. Sure the 870 can breaks clays and sure you can run a 25 with one but which is going to last and perform the best over years and years of use?
Half an inch at 50 yards is not even close to being "quite accurate".
french_fried_taters
Regular
- Location
- Sparwood, B.C.
Well pardon me, but I'm pretty happy being able to shoot that and sometimes under using peep sights and federal bulk ammo. My standards for accuracy are clearly not as high as yours 
Diddle doddle around with a 10/22 for weeks or months, spending hundreds of dollars along the way.
Or buy a bone stock CZ452 and be done with it.
I have tried both. Both ways get you there. How much time, money, and patience do you have ?
Or buy a bone stock CZ452 and be done with it.
I have tried both. Both ways get you there. How much time, money, and patience do you have ?
speedjunkiesracing
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Kitchener Waterloo Area Ontario
As the title says, I'm looking to buy or build out an accurate 22.
I know there is a 101 ways to do this, I just don't even know where to begin
Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Q
1 What's it for? Popcans, targets, hunting or all of these?
2 What is your buget?
Some more info on what you want this rifle to do would help.
Thanks for the responses. I am mainly looking for something to go plinking, perhaps target/silhouette shooting.
I haven't considered a bolt action type rifle. I saw that there was a lot of modifications for the 10/22 so I started there.
I'm looking to spend 500+/-
Q
I haven't considered a bolt action type rifle. I saw that there was a lot of modifications for the 10/22 so I started there.
I'm looking to spend 500+/-
Q
Here I am, reading this entire thread and getting all the way to post #15 before the OP has even decided to let us in on even a portion of what he wants to do with the rifle. Why are these threads so predictable? The first post after the OP should always be "What the hell do you want to do with the rifle?" if the OP is not able to define that him/herself in their opening post. But, no, everyones gotta jump on the "My rifle is best" bandwagon before they even know what the new guy wants.
Me, I am not a competition shooter. I hunt varmints and plink. I also use my rifles to do some shooting with the Boy Scouts. I do not think that I need to spend hundreds of dollars on a rifle to shoot very small game or single hole 10 shot groups because that doesn't interest me.
I know that anything I shoot will be used for specific ranges.
Therefore, I have a 10/22 (completely stock) I bought in 1977 with a 4x scope on it. It still easily shoots 1/2" at 75yds. Perfect accuracy for me.
I have a Cooey 64B my wife uses with the same setup and she shoots less than 1/2" at 75yds.
I also have a Stevens 300 BA with a 3-9X Tasco that shoots less than 1/2" at 100yds.
All of these rifles satisfy my accuracy needs for the uses I put them to. My 10/22 is my all-round plinker, gopher shooter out to 75 yds or so (zeroed at 50), my 64B is zeroed at 75yds and wife uses that consistently out to that range, my Stevens is zeroed at 125yds and is used for those shots where the gophers tend to be a little more skittish 75yds out to 164yds (one I am particularly impressed with, but the gopher hung around for 5 ranging shots so the 6th one got him).
I am sure that I could spend a fair bit of money on a "target rifle" and get better results but why? For me this does it. I drive a 91 Jetta, it gets me from point A to point B. I could spend a lot more money on a new car but it will still only get me form A to B. I don't car that it gets me there in a higher cool factor.
So, OP, all of this ramble is to demonstrate that you need to define your ultimate use of a firearm before throwing it out there.Just because you can modify something doesn't mean you have to if it isn't going to really change your goals in the end.
Do you want a plinker that will hit a popcan 3 out of 5 times at 25yds? Or do you want a tackdriver that will shoot one hole 10 shot groups at 500yds? Are you going to hunt, run tactical courses, or just let the kids use it? Do you just want a cool RF rifle that you can say, "I spent lots of money building this but I wouldn't take it out hunting, it might get wet!!!"?
Define your needs, include your desires, and then people on here can help you get whatever/wherever you want to eventually be.
Good luck and have a great time looking for and realizing what you want.
Me, I am not a competition shooter. I hunt varmints and plink. I also use my rifles to do some shooting with the Boy Scouts. I do not think that I need to spend hundreds of dollars on a rifle to shoot very small game or single hole 10 shot groups because that doesn't interest me.
I know that anything I shoot will be used for specific ranges.
Therefore, I have a 10/22 (completely stock) I bought in 1977 with a 4x scope on it. It still easily shoots 1/2" at 75yds. Perfect accuracy for me.
I have a Cooey 64B my wife uses with the same setup and she shoots less than 1/2" at 75yds.
I also have a Stevens 300 BA with a 3-9X Tasco that shoots less than 1/2" at 100yds.
All of these rifles satisfy my accuracy needs for the uses I put them to. My 10/22 is my all-round plinker, gopher shooter out to 75 yds or so (zeroed at 50), my 64B is zeroed at 75yds and wife uses that consistently out to that range, my Stevens is zeroed at 125yds and is used for those shots where the gophers tend to be a little more skittish 75yds out to 164yds (one I am particularly impressed with, but the gopher hung around for 5 ranging shots so the 6th one got him).
I am sure that I could spend a fair bit of money on a "target rifle" and get better results but why? For me this does it. I drive a 91 Jetta, it gets me from point A to point B. I could spend a lot more money on a new car but it will still only get me form A to B. I don't car that it gets me there in a higher cool factor.
So, OP, all of this ramble is to demonstrate that you need to define your ultimate use of a firearm before throwing it out there.Just because you can modify something doesn't mean you have to if it isn't going to really change your goals in the end.
Do you want a plinker that will hit a popcan 3 out of 5 times at 25yds? Or do you want a tackdriver that will shoot one hole 10 shot groups at 500yds? Are you going to hunt, run tactical courses, or just let the kids use it? Do you just want a cool RF rifle that you can say, "I spent lots of money building this but I wouldn't take it out hunting, it might get wet!!!"?
Define your needs, include your desires, and then people on here can help you get whatever/wherever you want to eventually be.
Good luck and have a great time looking for and realizing what you want.
For that $ ballpark - a good rifle can be had far easier than building. BRNO/CZ series, Savage Mk II , Marlin ,Anschutz 64 sporter(used). And of course Ruger 10/22. Generally, without further work the Ruger will not perform as well as the others. Choose one you like and just start shooting it!
I'm gagging on this one...probably shot with run-of-the-mill bulk ammo as well. Or are we talking 2 shot groups here? Less than ½" groups at 100? With a 3-9 Scope? Give me a break!! There was an extensive test of rimfire ammo done at Accuratereloading.com a short while ago. The average 5-shot group fired at 100 [using a Swiss-built, very accurate target rifle with a tuner and top quality match ammo] was .588" This is the average of 5 - 5-shot groups using 20 different match ammos. The very best groups were shot with ELEY match ammo, and they barely squeaked in under the ½" line at .455" And you are shooting better with a Stevens 300? One group under ½" does not make a ½" rifle. Tell you what. You go shoot 10 - 5 shot groups at 100 yards and post them for all to see. I'll be watching for them. Regards, Eagleye.buy a cz 452 off the shelf $500 rifle and have plenty of fun for years, very accurate with bulk AE 40 gr ammo. some others may be more accurate but will cost a fortune in finding the right ammo. my little guys cz scout shoots excellent with AE ammo really, don't think you can find more accurate for the money.
^^^^^
So true.
