My shooting results. Please advise or criticize

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EugeneM

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Surrey, BC
Hi people,
I am still new to shooting, so learning the basics.
I've got a shooting range membership and now trying to take the advantage of my membership, shooting any time I can.

Today I decided to spend some time target-shooting with variety of ammo at 100yd, to see what would be the difference.
My rifle is Ruger American rimfire .22LR (16" barrel), scope Tasco 6-18x50, with bipod and rear rest bag, so my shooting position was pretty stable.
There was some mild wind and it was sunny.

On the picture you can see the results of my shooting with 4 different ammo.
I am not impressed with the results, and I am not sure why groups would be so wide.
Constructive criticism and suggestions are welcome.

20230723-TMSA.jpg



20230723-104712.jpg



Here are more updates on my shooting:

Aug 2023: Ruger American LRT -> https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/2390314-My-shooting-results-Please-advise-or-criticize?p=19777385&viewfull=1#post19777385

Sept 2023: CZ 457 MTR-> https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/2390314-My-shooting-results-Please-advise-or-criticize?p=19857974&viewfull=1#post19857974
 
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I would start again … shoot multiple groups @ 50M … then move on to 100m with the top two. With each change of ammo, I would shoot at least 5 shots to “re-season” the barrel with the “new” lube used on each batch.
 
Ammo is everything with Rimfire. If the headspacing of your Rifle is large or small it will prefer Large or Small Rim thickness. Typically Eley is small and SK is Large. .038 vs .041 rim thickness type deal. Then there’s Quality Control of said ammo. The difference of 10fps will result in 1/4” rise or drop at 100yards. So if your ammo isn’t consistently fast or slow the target will show. CCI Standard Velocity is where I’d start.
 
2ish MOA at 100 is not really bad for cheaper ammo.
If you want smaller groups you'll likely have to buy better ammo, like SK, Lapua, Eley, etc. They all have long range or match options that will probably shoot a lot better. Some vendors do a sampler pack with a box or 2 of a bunch of the different popular brands so you can see what your gun likes.
 
Scotty454 said:
2ish MOA at 100 is not really bad for cheaper ammo.
If you want smaller groups you'll likely have to buy better ammo, like SK, Lapua, Eley, etc. They all have long range or match options that will probably shoot a lot better. Some vendors do a sampler pack with a box or 2 of a bunch of the different popular brands so you can see what your gun likes.
Click to expand...
What type of ammo should I look for, i.e. Target, match, standard, etc? I guess this makes difference within the same brand as well?
 
EugeneM said:
What type of ammo should I look for, i.e. Target, match, standard, etc? I guess this makes difference within the same brand as well?
Click to expand...

For sure it does. 100m is considered longer range for 22LR, so some of the long range versions are what I'd be looking at. Check out Tesro, they have some of the sampler packs (Like this one, you're likely to find something it likes in here- https://www.tesro.ca/ammunition-and-pellets/ammo-sampler/small-bore-ammo-sampler-mid-range.html)

SK seems to be a bit more reasonably priced, The higher end Eley and Lapua gets awfully expensive for 22, lol.
 
I like the SK match for my 457. At 50 metres it'll shoot 1/2 inch groups all day if I do my part. Out of my semi I like to use CCI Mini mags.
 
Other possibilities aside from ammo to consider. Shooting fundamentals, are you consistent with your check weld, stock grip, trigger press, ect. Slapping the trigger can result in erratic groups. Good fundamentals are key! What about parallax? At higher magnification this comes into play... ammo is probably a big factor but these are also other things to analyze as well
 
You are going to find that you're gonna reach a limit with your rifle and ammo that you'll dont see an improvement. It's okay. It's not an Anschutz or high end gun. My 10/22 with a factory Ruger heavy barrel doesn't come close to the accuracy of my Anschutz.

But as someone that just started, I wouldnt be super upset with some of those groups. 100 yards is tricky for rimfire. Some people don't even see sub 2"

Even with high end ammo, you might only see a 1/4" difference. But don't expect consistently sub 1.75" groups.
 
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My $.02 --- that's actually pretty good, considering the distance, ammo, equipment etc.
At those distances, even a light breeze will will move a .22 bullet over a surprising amount.
Get yourself a couple of wind flags of some sort, watch the wind, note how it changes, pick a prevailing condition (wind direction) to shoot in, adjust your sights to that condition, only shoot in that condition, be patient, if it goes away, wait for it to come back.
Learning to "read wind" is probably the biggest impact on shrinking your groups and is almost free (except ammo cost).
Once you can "read wind", then you can start chasing the more expensive ammo, rifles, scopes etc.
 
obsessed1b said:
Other possibilities aside from ammo to consider. Shooting fundamentals, are you consistent with your check weld, stock grip, trigger press, ect. Slapping the trigger can result in erratic groups. Good fundamentals are key! What about parallax? At higher magnification this comes into play... ammo is probably a big factor but these are also other things to analyze as well
Click to expand...

Thank you, this is what I was thinking about.
I consider to tune my trigger as I feel the current setting is too hard to my liking, but I push the trigger gradually, no slapping. My scope has parallax adjustment, so I keep an eye on that.
I'll make sure to pay attention next time to the cheek weld and stock grip.
 
Try working at 50 yds. Note how you hold stock, squeeze trigger, and how and where you place your cheek. Little variances make a difference. Ammo is a hard variation. Try and be as consistent as you can. Try to wring out all you can get with what you have. Shoot 5/10 shot groups with one ammo then shoot a resighting practice group of 10 rds and start on your next group. Focus on you then the ammo. When you feel you are doing better get better ammo. ( hard to find here). Have fun
 
First, Welcome to the addiction!

As others have already alluded to, Ammo, Ammo, Ammo.

For the cheaper stuff you used, those are okay groups and to be expected.

You will want to up your ammo choice to better brands. Center X, Sk long range match type range. $15-$20 range per box of 50. Then it is still a bit of a draw if your rifle likes it. You can get several lot #'s of the same brand, and one lot will shoot great, and the rest not so great. That is why its an addiction when chasing the small groups.

Trigger pull, how you grip the stock, cheek hold, some great basics to work on. After tens of thousands of rounds I still tend to slap the trigger if I'm not actively thinking about it.
 
Cci hp is the best of them, what do your groups look like at 25 & 50y? Honestly I know when my groups start opening up it’s usually me that’s not paying attention or rushing it. If I concentrate on my fundamentals I shoot groups more to my liking, provided I’m shooting ammo my rifle likes.
 
EugeneM said:
Hi people,
I am still new to shooting, so learning the basics.
I've got a shooting range membership and now trying to take the advantage of my membership, shooting any time I can.

Today I decided to spend some time target-shooting with variety of ammo at 100yd, to see what would be the difference.
My rifle is Ruger American rimfire .22LR (16" barrel), scope Tasco 6-18x50, with bipod and rear rest bag, so my shooting position was pretty stable.
There was some mild wind and it was sunny.

On the picture you can see the results of my shooting with 4 different ammo.
I am not impressed with the results, and I am not sure why groups would be so wide.
Constructive criticism and suggestions are welcome.

20230723-TMSA.jpg



20230723-104712.jpg
Click to expand...

Salmon Arm?
 
Butcherbill said:
Cci hp is the best of them, what do your groups look like at 25 & 50y? Honestly I know when my groups start opening up it’s usually me that’s not paying attention or rushing it. If I concentrate on my fundamentals I shoot groups more to my liking, provided I’m shooting ammo my rifle likes.
Click to expand...
Since this is my second week into the hobby, and only around 300 rounds through the rifle, I am still trying to understand what the rifle likes in terms of the ammo.
Next time I will focus on my fundamentals, and I'll spend some more time at 50yd line to try getting tighter groups

BBDI said:
Salmon Arm?
Click to expand...
This is Thompson Mountain range at Pitt Meadows, BC
 
Well - Shooting 2 inch groups with the gear that you have is commendable. Bear in mind that the average recreational shooter has skills that typically limit what can be achieved, even with a good target rifle - in the range of 2 inches at 100 y. So, the question begs - what is limiting your group sizes? Dont be discouraged if you dont get better groups with match grade ammo.
You dont mention what ammo you were using. I've had good luck with the CCI product, and its much cheaper to shoot than match ammo.
 
You are off to a great start. I would focus on the CCI HP and just practise, practise, practise with it. If the ammo will be consistent for you, then you can learn all about the wind... just make sure every shot goes into expected group size regardless of what the air is doing.

That will keep you thinking for a good long time.

Lots of basic upgrades including trigger, bedding, optics and rests. Work for consistency and good habits.

Enjoy the journey.
 
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