Single shot 22 more accurate?

ratherbefishin

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Fact or fiction, are single shot 22rimfires inherently more accurate than rifles with magazines?

I picked up an older European CZ single shot 'garden gun'as a companion to my CZ bolt action magazine 22
 
It depends. A single shot lends itself better to using a chamber done with a 22 match reamer, which will be more accurate all other things equal. There is no doubt that chambers on higher end single shots are generally tighter than on repeating arms, especially semis.
 
I find it has a lot to do with the shooters mindset, knowing that you only have 1 shot, as opposed to a magazine full, tends to focus the shooter to make every shot count. I learned on a Cooey 75 back in the 60's and it paid off !
 
There is a possibility rounds in the mag can get slightly damaged from the other rounds running over top of them or the bolt. Myself, I use a single shot adapter in my repeaters when going for absolute accuracy from the bench.
 
There is a possibility rounds in the mag can get slightly damaged from the other rounds running over top of them or the bolt. Myself, I use a single shot adapter in my repeaters when going for absolute accuracy from the bench.
This ^^^^
Loading one at a time in a repeater using a good single shot adapter, or using a single shot action will cause less damage to the round while loading.(in most cases)
Less damage = more consistency.
 
I was wondering if the stock was stiffer in a single shot due to not having a magazine and that might contribute to accuracy
 
No mag well means more ridged stock and action.
Different spring/follower tension pushing up has a different effect on the bolt body.
More concentration.

There are a lot of factors.
 
Using Anschutz rifles as an example, repeaters don't have a tight a chamber as a single shot match rifle. But a modest single shot like a Cooey is not going to be more accurate than a Cooey repeater because the chamber will likely be the same.

Shooting for accuracy using a single shot adapter is helpful for two reasons, as suggested above. First it avoids damaging the bullet on it's way to the chamber from the magazine. Second, it can promote greater concentration when loading is done singly because it encourages slower shooting than with a repeater.
 
A repeater action can be built into a very accurate rimfire rifle, especially paired with stocks such as Boyds Pro-Varmint, custom benchrest, and McMillan. Slim, trim, sporter style stocks may suffer from flex issues, more so in the fore end which can cause bounce during firing if you position the front rest improperly (too far forward). Otherwise, I'm not sure that this is really an area of much concern on a .22. Perhaps in centerfire? But that's not my field.
 
I own 1 single shot .22lr rifle and it consistently shoots more accurately with diopter sights than my scoped mag/tube fed rifles.....using the same ammo & rest inside 50yrds.
 
I'll call it a myth. Just because the rifle only holds one round does not make it more accurate. Accuracy from a gun is dependent on the quality of the barrel and trueness of the action, as well as action stiffness. then there are things like action speed, stock and stock bedding, trigger, and even the sights.

My CZ 455 American with its one piece well bedded stock, decent trigger and striker fired bolt action is quite a bit more accurate than the Stevens Favorite with long hammer fall gritty trigger and two piece stock.
 
Rimfire accuracy summed up: Well made barrel with tight match chamber fitted to well designed action with tight headspace and reliable ignition. Load consistent ammo and cause the barrel to vibrate in the ideal manner. You'd be amazed what some custom gunsmiths are achieving with a 455 action.
 
Using Anschutz rifles as an example, repeaters don't have a tight a chamber as a single shot match rifle. But a modest single shot like a Cooey is not going to be more accurate than a Cooey repeater because the chamber will likely be the same.

Shooting for accuracy using a single shot adapter is helpful for two reasons, as suggested above. First it avoids damaging the bullet on it's way to the chamber from the magazine. Second, it can promote greater concentration when loading is done singly because it encourages slower shooting than with a repeater.

When I was young(er), if I found my accuracy was dropping off when hunting for grouse/rabbits, I would go back to my trusty old Cooey 39 because I only had 1 shot, and it forced me to improve my marksmanship. It's one of the major things I notice with new shooters that go out and buy 10-22's, SR-22's or other AR variants (bazinga!) is that they don't spend enough time on technique or marksmanship.
 
Not scraping up the ammo probably helps, but this probably has more to do with the quality of the firearm manufacturer than single vs bolt. Like an old single shot Cooey won't won't be as accurate as a new cooper
 
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