Some Rimfire questions answered

[Epoxy7]

I decided to go to the range today (indoors) and did some benchrest shooting with my K10/22T target.

I've noticed a lot of common questions being asked with regards to scopes, ammunition and accuracy of a stock 10/22 rifle. So I'm hoping to answer some of these common questions and have included pictures of today's shoot.

Now, the disclaimer: This is a stock Ruger K10/22T (Stainless target). The trigger is the stock trigger, the barrel isn't fee floated, and the receiver isn't bedded. So... before I get those are crappy groups etc, please keep this in mind.

The scope is a Burris Fullfield II 3-9x 40mm. All shots were done at 5x magnification. This scope does not have Parallex adjustment and hasn't been set for rimfire ranges. The rings are (unfortunately) standard Weaver rings.

All shooting was done indoors at 25 yards (no wind), with the rifle resting on a shooting bag (filled with sand), and a bean bag for the back of the stock.

First I'll include a picture of the rifle. The rifle is the very bottom one on this picture.

 

[Epoxy7]

All groups are with 5 rounds.

The first 4 top targets were shot with Lapua Super club 40grain solids. My rifle was previously sighted in for this particular ammunition.

The bottom targets were shot with CCI velocitor hollow points. Same shooter, same rifle, same magnification etc. The only variable was the ammunitions.

I also used a bore snake before shooting the Lapua ammo and after. If I didn't I find the first few shots of any brand of ammo will shoot the same as the Lapua. I believe this has to do with the wax on the bullets. So I wanted to eliminate this.

 

[Epoxy7]

As you can see, my rifle hates the CCI velocitor hollow points. I found it shoots the CCI standard velocities not bad, but not as well as the Lapua.

So the common questions that I hope this answers.

Question:
1) How come my Ruger 10/22 only shoots 1moa?
Answer:
1) Could be the rifle, however it also might be the ammo you're shooting. Certain rifles like certain ammo, and no two are the same. However higher quality ammunition will generally give you better results.

Question:
1) Can I shoot groups with a non rimfire scope?
Answer:
1) Yes, however it is much harder since parallex is an issue. Your sight picture will have to be very good to get decent groups. A scope with Parallex adjustment, or one that is sighted in for rimfire ranges will make the task a lot easier

Question:
1) How accurate is the stock Ruger 10/22 target model?
Answer:
1) Depends, on the shooter, the scope, the ammunition etc etc.

 

[Epoxy7]

I suspect I could shrink those groups if I had the barrel free floated, and the trigger replaced.

However I also have a Kimber SVT bolt action that I'll be getting set up hopefully for spring. I've already tried the trigger on the SVT and the Ruger trigger is complete crap in comparison. Also the barrel on the SVT is free floated and the receiver bedded. So I don't know at this point if it's worth putting any extra money into the Ruger. I might but I haven't decided at this point.

 

[Epoxy7]

I found my first target from when I sighted in this rifle for the Lapua Super club ammo (I have the use of a camera for today, so I figured why not). It was dated March. 5th 2007. All groups are 5 shots. The last two 5 round groups didn't include any adjustments (middle left and bottom left). They are marked.

This rifle won't win any competitions (compared to bolt actions) however I'm fairly happy, especially since nothing has been modified. Everything is stock.

 

[Epoxy7]

Comments, suggestions, additions?

 

[chopper 1]

remember - when switching to a different brand of ammo it may take many rounds to condition the bore to the new brand and settle down the group size-made the mistake of cleaning the bore of my bsa martini I.S.U. rifle once - it took several boxes of ammo before the bore was conditioned and I was again able to shoot .22 cal 3 round groups at 50 yds

 

[lone-wolf]

Comment:
Great post, and the pictures really help to prove the point.

 

[Epoxy7]

Thanks Lone-wolf

Chopper,
I didn't want my rifle getting broken in to those rounds you'll notice I stopped after only 3 targets.

The interesting thing is the first shot with the Velocitors was pretty close to the Lapua POI. Even after I used a bore snake. I guess there was still a bit of the Lapua wax in there. After that shot POI went to hell.

In all fairness, my rifle shoots 40 grain solid dirty bird not too bad, however the POI is high and to the left compared to the Lapua and the group size opens up.

 

[M77]

I have a ruger 10/22 SS target as well. Mine, after trying 18 types of ammo prefers of all things American Eagle 38gr 40 rounds per box (part #AE22). In the beginning my groups were not great. I took the stock off and found that the barrel bolts/wedge was a little loose. This was found on the second day after I bought and shot it. I tightened them snug and accuracy was improved (went from about 3" to 1.5" at 100 meters). Your barrel might just be a little loose, and just needs to be seated a touch tighter. Hope this helps. I tried high/hiper velocty ammo as well but my rifle isn't accurate with it at all compared to the American Eagles.

 

[Allstone]

I'd like to see what the test shows at 50 yards.

 

[KDX]

Good thread. My 10/22 (modded) really shoots the American Eagle well. Good cheap ammo in my book.

 

[NormB]

I suspect I could shrink those groups if I had the barrel free floated, and the trigger replaced.

However I also have a Kimber SVT bolt action that I'll be getting set up hopefully for spring. I've already tried the trigger on the SVT and the Ruger trigger is complete crap in comparison. Also the barrel on the SVT is free floated and the receiver bedded. So I don't know at this point if it's worth putting any extra money into the Ruger. I might but I haven't decided at this point.

Epoxy,

A piece of broom stick and 80 grit sand paper should free float your barrel. Some sort of clear finish to seal when you are done. Not a lot of extra money.
Put on a decent scope with parallax adjustment and leat least 15X. Looks like you have something like that on one of your other rifles.

Check the sticky on 10/22's. there's lots of info on inexpensive action mods.

Run your test again, let's see if there is an improvement.

Let that Ruger sing!

NormB

 

[chopper 1]

ruger

Epoxy,

A piece of broom stick and 80 grit sand paper should free float your barrel. Some sort of clear finish to seal when you are done. Not a lot of extra money.
Put on a decent scope with parallax adjustment and leat least 15X. Looks like you have something like that on one of your other rifles.

Check the sticky on 10/22's. there's lots of info on inexpensive action mods.

Run your test again, let's see if there is an improvement.

Let that Ruger sing!

NormB

Rugers are capable of astonishing accuracy. Mine is floated with a Jewel trigger (worth more than the rifle) , bedded trigger housing, threaded stabilization module, factory bull barrel, epoxy bedded scope mount threaded to receiver AND barrel. It is cabable of ONE SIXTEENTH INCH groups at 100 yds.! (no wind) But it sometimes did have the first round from magazine flyer reported in many 10-22's. I think I solved it though.

 

[bogie]

Or get tired of putting "just a little more money" into it and sell it. Bought a CZ452. First time I have ever loved a 22. So far likes everything it shoots and it aint even broken in yet. The aluminum receiver weirded me out though on the 1022. The CZ is just a small mauser and very nicely put together. Some like to "mod" and some of us like it to shoot good out of the box. All part of the education of ownership. My $0.02

 

[Eagleye]

Rugers are capable of astonishing accuracy. Mine is floated with a Jewel trigger (worth more than the rifle) , bedded trigger housing, threaded stabilization module, factory bull barrel, epoxy bedded scope mount threaded to receiver AND barrel. It is cabable of ONE SIXTEENTH INCH groups at 100 yds.! QUOTE]

And I call BS on that one!! 100 feet, maybe, 100 yards with a 22 rimfire, not a chance!! Eagleye

 

[Mr AR15]

I had a 10/22 T for several years and although it shot pretty good with the right ammo, nothing made as big of a change as replacing the barrel with a VQ barrel. After that, even crappy ammo shot well. Not great mind you but way better than with the factory bull barrel. It was the best $200 I have ever spent. Those groups you shot at 20 yds look like what I get at 50 yds except mine are a little tighter. I never realized what a huge ( AND I MEAN HUGE ) difference a good match barrel can make.

I'll second what bogie said about the CZ452. My CZ452 will out shoot all of my other rimfires except my 10/22 with the Volquartsen Carbon Fibre Barrel.

 

[brnolvr]

Rugers are capable of astonishing accuracy. Mine is floated with a Jewel trigger (worth more than the rifle) , bedded trigger housing, threaded stabilization module, factory bull barrel, epoxy bedded scope mount threaded to receiver AND barrel. It is cabable of ONE SIXTEENTH INCH groups at 100 yds.! (no wind) But it sometimes did have the first round from magazine flyer reported in many 10-22's. I think I solved it though.

Yeah, Watch out for polar bears in Costa Rica too......

 

[chopper 1]

Unbeliever

Rugers are capable of astonishing accuracy. Mine is floated with a Jewel trigger (worth more than the rifle) , bedded trigger housing, threaded stabilization module, factory bull barrel, epoxy bedded scope mount threaded to receiver AND barrel. It is cabable of ONE SIXTEENTH INCH groups at 100 yds.! QUOTE]

And I call BS on that one!! 100 feet, maybe, 100 yards with a 22 rimfire, not a chance!! Eagleye

It has been done - even by others shooting my ruger - Lots of witnesses - If you follow .22 bench rest competition you will see lots of 100 yd groups rivalling centre fire. Its just difficult outdoors . Indoor 100 yd ranges are rare.

 

[Eagleye]

It has been done - even by others shooting my ruger - Lots of witnesses - If you follow .22 bench rest competition you will see lots of 100 yd groups rivalling centre fire. Its just difficult outdoors . Indoor 100 yd ranges are rare.

I'm from Missouri......You'll have to show me these marvellous 1/16" 100 yard rimfire groups. I shoot rimfire benchrest with top equipment, and have yet to see such a group at 100 yards with a rimfire. Big problem is ammo, even the very best rimfire ammo has some variances in it, which affects vertical dispersion. If you had said ½" group, or even possibly a 3/8" group, I might buy it, but 1/16" is not credible...unless of course you might have shot a 3-shot group this small, because I'm talking 10 shot groups here, the only ones that count in serious competition. Regards, Eagleye.