Can somebody explain to me the purpose of "match grade" .22lr rifles?

zZ_denis

zZ_denis

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I have been wondering for a while. I have a remy 597, the cheapest model you can get. Its semi-auto, had over 1500 rounds through it and groups around 1" at 100meters using CCI Mini-mags, and has no modifications on it whatsoever. I presume that the accuracy of an entry-level .22lr bolt action rifle with match ammo would be even better.
Now i've seen some rimfire rifles go for well over 2000$. Can somebody explain to me why? So you can group 1/4" at 100 m? Now i would understand this on a large caliber rifle, where such accuracy variation would make a huge difference at 1000meters or so, but its not like you can shoot .22lr much further than 100m anyway...
 
zZ_denis said:
I have been wondering for a while. I have a remy 597, the cheapest model you can get. Its semi-auto, had over 1500 rounds through it and groups around 1" at 100meters using CCI Mini-mags, and has no modifications on it whatsoever.
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That's very impressive. How many rounds in a group? Not many expensive 22's will shoot 1" 100m groups without a lot of ammo experimentation.
 
yeah... I must admit, I am a bit skeptical...
1" at 100m would be .2" at 20m, which is the range many rimfire matches take place at
so... you can put all the bullets through the same hole, consistently, at 20m with a cheap semi auto?
This is better than olympic level skill and standards...
 
zZ_denis said:
I have been wondering for a while. I have a remy 597, the cheapest model you can get. Its semi-auto, had over 1500 rounds through it and groups around 1" at 100meters using CCI Mini-mags, and has no modifications on it whatsoever. I presume that the accuracy of an entry-level .22lr bolt action rifle with match ammo would be even better.
Now i've seen some rimfire rifles go for well over 2000$. Can somebody explain to me why? So you can group 1/4" at 100 m? Now i would understand this on a large caliber rifle, where such accuracy variation would make a huge difference at 1000meters or so, but its not like you can shoot .22lr much further than 100m anyway...
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Cherish that Rem 597 & never sell it.:D
 
I don't think that 1" with a 597 on command is possible maybe the occasional lucky group... I enjoy shooting .22LR because it is pleasant (recoil, noise, and cost) and even with match loads it is still cheaper to shoot vs centerfire. Even reloading - I will pay close to 50 cents a round (reusing brass) but matchgrade 22LR isn't even half of matchgrade factory ammo (50 rds at 15 bucks is like 30 cents/rd whereas matchgrade centerfire 20 rds at 30-40 bucks is like 1-2 bucks/rd). I think a lot of ppl don't realize that there is good value in shooting high grade 22LR - shooting skills are transferable from rimfire to centerfire.
 
Rem 597 accuracy

zZ_denis said:
I have a remy 597, the cheapest model you can get. Its semi-auto, had over 1500 rounds through it and groups around 1" at 100meters using CCI Mini-mags, and has no modifications on it whatsoever. I presume that the accuracy of an entry-level .22lr bolt action rifle with match ammo would be even better.
..
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I'd have to see that to believe it. A puff of a breeze can blow a .22 RF bullet off an inch at 100 m. Are you saying one group once was 1", or are you saying out of 10 shots 5 made a 1" group and the rest were "fliers"?

Maybe I'm just sceptical because of my own incompetance.
 
Some very accurate .22s are being used for 200yd. offhand Shuetzen shooting, a true test of a .22s accuracy. 1" groups at 100yds. is very possible without wind, and an accurate rifle.
 
Ben,

Nobody here said that 1" is not possible or even probable but if you are trying to tell me that buddy, in the first post, is using a 597 with Minimags and getting 1" groups on command - I am going to call BS. When I had a 10/22 - I had it souped up with an aftermarket barrel, stock, and trigger, and it wouldn't group 1" at 100m on command with cheapo ammo. Sometimes if conditions were good I would get good groups with the target stuff. That is not say I never got 1" groups at 100m but definitely not on command. I am going to try my new CZ boltgun at 100m and see how she does at 100m but I doubt I will get 1" groups on command with T22.
One of the reasons I am moving away from cheapo ammo is I always loved shooting Dynapoints, American Eagle, and Remington (TBolt, Cheapo stuff). But hearing in between the pops, the occasional zings as some of the ammo was definitely loaded hotter then other rounds... definitely turned me off. Loved seeing rounds impacting upwards of 10" flatter at 100m. :(
 
As mentioned the purpose of a match grade .22 is usually for the purpose of competitive shooting. Many people including my self in the past however bought simply to have "For fun". Match grade .22's can be made for benchrest, or for three position shooting - usually depending on their stock (with benchrest having a flatter forend, etc).

My most accurate .22 (pictures below) will shoot 3/4" groups at 100 yards consistantly with match ammunition on a good day (for 5 shots) and MOA or less for 10 shots.

Can you group 1/4" 100 yards? No - you may get a real lucky group that goes to 1/4 "when the stars alligng but I don't think 1/4" groups at 100 yards with current technology is at all possible.

Here are some pictures :)

100_5539-2.jpg


100_5541.jpg


100_5540.jpg



More info pictures later
 
I just bought a CZ452 leftie and am really looking forward to a day at the range. Got a Nikon Prostaff for it and it should really shoot well. A beautifully built rifle to say the least-definitely a class act. All steel receiver too. Been shooting a 1022 for a couple of years but just got tired of doing stuff to it to make it shoot better. Figure I am saving money buying the CZ. Let you know how I do at the range. Prepared to be impressed. That blue beast is SWEET! I wanna fondle her Oh boy.
 
zZ_denis said:
Now i've seen some rimfire rifles go for well over 2000$. Can somebody explain to me why? So you can group 1/4" at 100 m? Now i would understand this on a large caliber rifle, where such accuracy variation would make a huge difference at 1000meters or so, but its not like you can shoot .22lr much further than 100m anyway...
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at 50 meters indoor, target quality 22 rifle can make a huge difference. Basically it will eliminate rifle part from competition. That will leave athlete himself to answer those "why" questions. Also I suggest you have a look at targets themselves to understand there is no margin at all, compare 22 rifle targets to 22 pistol rapid fire or something to appreciate accuracy needed to score. I do not mean to hurt your feelings but 1" groups from sporter semi at 100 yards does not sound right. Possible but very rare and hard to repeat.
 
After seeing what CZ452shooter uses for shooting 22 match and his posted results, I gave some 100 yard shooting a try at the Cold Lake and Bonnyville ranges. Silverback helped out to, and on a really good day,Silverback had the best results from the bench. He still has the target I gave him after dating it. I believe we were using the last batch of his PMC moderator ammo. His group was a nice, just a hair under, 3/4 inch group!
This was with a 1930s made German .22 single shot, bolt action Mauser, that is known to be very accurate, and a Weaver T-10 scope on top.

It soon became apparent to myself and Silverback, that really good ammo was the weakest link.(and no wind)
Knowing this now I am not saying anyone here is a liar, BUT I am highly suspicious of anyone claiming these results at 100 yards/meters with a stock semi-auto sporter rifle and "normal" rimfire ammo.
 
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Lol yeah ok there..
If you shoot a .2 group at 20,that in now way means your getting under 1" at 100
He'll you could shoot 3" groups at 300!!
It's Trig not multiplication for that equation
 
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