Realistic 100 Yard Accuracy

D

-Doug-

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Hey all I just started playing around at 100 yards with the .22 and I'm wondering what everyone is getting for groupings.

I am finding that I can't keep a constant zero in the slightest of wind conditions.
I realize that a lot of it could be operator error however I was just curious what you guys/girls are getting.

Debating on making a .22 precision build but debating if bumping up to a .223 would be better for the wind.
Don't want to invest money and still end up disappointed with the limitations of the .22lr.

Would be interested if anyone does any long range stuff with their .22 and what there experience has been. Thanks

Doug
 
I have shot a lot of rimfire over the past 60+ years. Did not get serious about
rimfire precision until about 1977.
Found it very intriguing. To that end, I have acquired several very accurate
HB rimfires, and have had a number of others pass through my hands over the
years.
The keys to rimfire accuracy are: A very accurate rifle, Quality optics, Match
grade ammunition that the rifle likes, and a well-practiced/disciplined operator. :)

However, the one limiting factor, particularly at longer range, is the ammo. We
have no control over that, since we do not load it ourselves, so we are at the
mercy of the maker, regardless of how careful they may be.

This becomes more and more evident as the range increases. For example, you
may be able to shoot groups in the .2s or even less at 50M, but it would be very
unlikely that this would interpret to .4s or less at 100M. [more likely .7s]
If you are shooting groups under 1 moa at 100, you are doing very well already.

The wind is a huge factor in rimfire. Put the handicaps together: Low velocity and
a bullet with a dismal B.C. conspire to make shooting at 100 and beyond a real
challenge, if any wind is present.

If you are only interested in small groups at 100, a good accurate 223, using ammo
you have loaded to match it, will trump the 22 rimfire every time. However, it is a
lot of fun to see what you can do with the lowly rimfire at 100 and even beyond.

On one very calm morning, I shot 3 consecutive 5-shot groups at 200M that were all
under 1" C to C. Is this repeatable consistently? Not on your life, but such things
are surprises of the most pleasant type. Enjoy your shooting!! Dave.
 
Eagleye offers an excellent response to the OP. At distances such as 100 yards, .22LR is tested so much more than at half that distance. A combination of a very good rifle, very good ammo, and very good shooting is required for consistently good results, and as Eagleye notes, under 1MOA is very good. Wind can be a big factor. Ammo limitations are critical. Even good ammo can have an extreme spread of 20 - 40 fps and 10 fps difference between rounds can result in 0.25" vertical spread.
 
.22lr has quite a bit of drift from wind. On a very calm day at my best I try for 5/5 shots on a 1" target at 100yds. If there is any wind it opens to 1.5-2" target (yes I have targets of many sizes printed that I bring to the range). If it is windy it is quite easy to have 3-4" wind drift that you have to compensate for. Precision rimfire is a deep, dark rabbit hole...

Center fire accuracy will be much easier to achieve/maintain because you make the ammo for the gun/conditions. The bullets have better BC and fly a lot faster so there isn't as much drop. 22lr is at a significant disadvantage- but is still a lot of fun.
 
For me .22LR and long range shooting would be with high speed hollow points on a big fat gopher at 100 yards or so ... with a slight wind... holding a little high and 4 inches windage... and POP!

Target shooting not so much.
 
You should be able to do 1/2" ten shot groups three times consecutively @ 100 yards with CCI SV's regardless of the rifle... even an RPR.
 
-Doug- said:
Don't want to invest money and still end up disappointed with the limitations of the .22lr.
Click to expand...

Then go centerfire. Rimfire is fun, but high level accuracy is very challenging (and expensive). Beyond 50 yards, you won't touch what a centerfire can do. I get many sub 3/4" 5-shot groups at 100 yards, but a little wind or a funky round can easily push it over 1". I don't even bother with long range if the wind is up, calm days only.
 
If your goal is consistent sub inch accuracy or to try for "one hole" groups at 100 yards and beyond, centrefire is the way to go....

As others have stated, with rimfire the ammo is the component we have no control over and there are lot to lot variations that will make the same brand/type of ammo shoot to a different point of impact. As well, most rimfires have definite preference for what they will shoot very accurately


With a centrefire, if you choose tp reload your own shells, you can tailor the reloads to rifle to further improve the accuracy.
Plus with a 222. 223 or 22-250 the recoil is still mild, plus you can reach out way, way farther for varmints or punching paper targets.

There are some very accurate rimfires out there, just depends what your end goal is...
Check out rimfirecentral for some very interesting info and builds on all makes
 
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Great info guys thanks.
I will probably stick with 22LR for now due to budget reasons.
Right now I’m shooting excellent groups with CCi sub sonics at 50yards. I’m going to try a bunch of other brands at 100 on a calm day and see what I can do.

Currently running a Bushnell Legend 5x15 I picked up a while ago for cheap however I find that the crosshairs are not only thick but also it’s hard to focus it at 100 yards. It does the job though so I’ll keep it for now.

Anyone have any scope suggestions for 100-200 yard rim fire shooting. Ideally budget options under 300$
 
If you cant shoot, then you need a center fire at 200, but it probably wont help, because well... you cant shoot.

If you can shoot, then a gopher is in serious danger out to 300 yards in calm conditions with a 22... you just need to train that way and have a good target turret scope so you can dial the 40 ish MOA youll need.

In winds under about 8 MPH, you can still do fairly well from a good solid position... assuming you can dope the wind or have good ballistic data handy.
 
hoytcanon said:
You should be able to do 1/2" ten shot groups three times consecutively @ 100 yards with CCI SV's regardless of the rifle... even an RPR.
Click to expand...

You mean covered by a dime.

I agree. Rimfire is fun. Great for 100 yards. Lots to learn, a real sense of accomplishment when you group well. Best is to do both.
 
Maybe when I die and go to heaven I'll shoot a .5" ten-shot group at 100 yds. Until then, this is my best effort. January club match. Rifle: Remington 40x. Scope: Bushnell ET 6-24x50. Range: 100 yds. 10 ring size: 1". 5 rounds on each target. Conditions on that day: Good, with light crosswind. Score and group size (measured centre to centre) noted next to each target. Total score: 598/600

The target sheets look messy because the shooter beside me accidentally shot two of my targets. Then he realized his error and told me. Fortunately he had started shooting at the top of one page and I had started at the bottom of the other. So he had two clean bulls on his page which I then shot last. The circles identify the correct shooter. Afterwards we did a cut and paste so that each of us had a complete set of our own target sheets.

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I wouldn't worry too much about trying to get one hole groups at 100 yards, or trying to shoot gophers at 300. Personally I like the challenge of shooting with aperture sights, on a good single shot target rifle. You can pick up an older Anschutz or BSA on CGN or elsewhere for well under $1,000. The basic Anschutz with the Match 64 action is fine, or any post war BSA, from the Model 12/15 onward (Martini action). The classic approach is to shoot prone or, for a real challenge, sitting or standing (perhaps with the aid of a military/target sling, the kind that straps onto your bicep), rather than off a bench.
 
I think that if someone wants to pursue tight groups @ 100 yards with a 22LR=go for it. It's not something I'm personally after, as I've always felt that getting there requires too much gun/scope/ammo and by "too much", I mean too much $. lol As long as LUCK plays too big a role in achieving it (ie, no wind, incredibly consistent ammo)...chances are, I'll leave that pursuit for others. I just think that @ 100 yards, pretty much every other caliber is more capable than 22LR...so to me, it's like racing your Honda Civic against Formula 1 cars just to see if can be done. :) Cool if you want to give it a go and see what happens, but realistically you can expect calibers like .223 to eclipse the performance of 22LR with a much lesser gun. I've not been around many guys trying to achieve it if I'm being honest, but I have seen a bone-stock Savage Axis .223 (with a $100 scope) shoot under 3/4 MOA @ 100 yards using factory Hornady ammo..and the shooter was my nephew. (under 20 @ the time, and not that experienced)

Anyhow, definitely not criticizing anyone who takes it seriously...far from it. In fact, when nobody is looking..maybe I'll take a go at it this spring with my 64 and only post the results if they're good. :) lol I've actually bought a few new ammo types to run through the gun in the coming weeks, as I'm looking for faster ammo it might like. Ultimate goal is longer-range gophers though, not paper targets.

Got Juice? said:
it's fun doping out gophers at 100, 200 yds.... you just haven't lived :)

Beyond 200, the 204 gets the nod.... or sometimes even at 100... serious giggles.
Click to expand...

^this... It's THE most fun I've ever had with a rifle, period..hands-down. :)
 
.22LRGUY said:
I think that if someone wants to pursue tight groups @ 100 yards with a 22LR=go for it. It's not something I'm personally after, as I've always felt that getting there requires too much gun/scope/ammo and by "too much", I mean too much $. lol As long as LUCK plays too big a role in achieving it (ie, no wind, incredibly consistent ammo)...chances are, I'll leave that pursuit for others. I just think that @ 100 yards, pretty much every other caliber is more capable than 22LR...so to me, it's like racing your Honda Civic against Formula 1 cars just to see if can be done. :) Cool if you want to give it a go and see what happens, but realistically you can expect calibers like .223 to eclipse the performance of 22LR with a much lesser gun. I've not been around many guys trying to achieve it if I'm being honest, but I have seen a bone-stock Savage Axis .223 (with a $100 scope) shoot under 3/4 MOA @ 100 yards using factory Hornady ammo..and the shooter was my nephew. (under 20 @ the time, and not that experienced)

Anyhow, definitely not criticizing anyone who takes it seriously...far from it. In fact, when nobody is looking..maybe I'll take a go at it this spring with my 64 and only post the results if they're good. :) lol I've actually bought a few new ammo types to run through the gun in the coming weeks, as I'm looking for faster ammo it might like. Ultimate goal is longer-range gophers though, not paper targets.



^this... It's THE most fun I've ever had with a rifle, period..hands-down. :)
Click to expand...



Hunting season if Great, Coyote season fun too, but VARMINT season TRUMPS all.

No Bag Limit.
Get to watch Eagles of all kinds and Hawks and Ravens/Crows fight over the scraps.
Ammo is cheap.
Barrel heat in a .22? yep, switch guns (talk about high volume)
Performing a valuable service for the farmers and the badgers
Sharpens the eye for movement detection at range.
Good for training for PRF matches.
Great for training on real moving targets

Still no downside...

I always take 2 bricks into the field per day and at least 3-500 rounds of 204Ruger.

Nothing better.
 
Seems like there’s fewer numbers of gophers than when I was a kid, haven’t gone for probably a decade specifically varmint hunting, got juice is making me think I should get out there this year!
 
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