What is a respectable group size for .22LR @ 50m?

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Tikka223

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I'm enjoying plinking with my Savage Mark II and I'm starting to take it a bit seriously as I find my savage shots rather well. What is a respectable group size for a .22 LR shooting at 50 meters? Check out the target pic. Any suggestions to help shrink the groups?

IMG_2528.jpg
 
Good ammo makes a world of difference in the Savage Mark II. Wolf Match Extra is good if you can get it in Canada.
 
It's hard to tell without seeing your gun or your shooting method. However there are a few basics that apply to many situations. First, have you tried different brands of ammo. Some ammo is more accurate than others and some guns just like certain brands better. Are you using match ammo or bulk ammo? What kind of sight are you using. Is it open, peep or scope. Each has it's own little certain characteristics that takes a little getting used to. If a scope, is it an AO adjustable type. In other words, are you using a high powered rifle scope without the AO at 50 meters? This could give you some problems. How is the trigger pull on your gun. Does it need some tweaking? As far as yourself, you have to get into controlled breathing to really be consistant. Don't slap the trigger but squeeze it gently. Are you shooting from a bench rest, sand bags or using a sling in various positions. Maybe it is the way your body is positioned while you are shooting or how you are holding the gun. So you see, there are a lot of things (many that I haven't listed) that can help make a shooter a better marksman. Problem is you have to identify what those areas are that need improvement on. You could let someone who can really shoot try your gun to see what groups they achive.
 
Shooting with a Savage Mark II BV ... it is stock. I've got a Bushnell Legend 5-15x40 mildot scope mounted on it with Millet rings. The shooting was all done off of the bench with front and rear bags. I have used the bipod as well with similar results. So far I've used CCI mini mag ammo and the Federal Gold Medal ammo. I do need to adjust my accutrigger as I find it's a tad heavy. I've heard good things about Lapua .22 ammo as well but I'm going to have to shop around to see what is available.
 
With your rifle and shooting off a bench with front and rear bags you should be able to consistantly shoot half inch groups. I would suggest using CCI standard velocity and keep practicing.
 
+1 for above

As we all know, .22lr ammunition is incredibly inconsistent in general.
With your setup (as long as there are no mechanical/tolerance issues) and decent ammo I would definitely expect tighter than what you are showing at 50m.

A x15 scope? You should be putting them through the same hole at 50m ;)
 
Is Federal Gold Medal poor quality ammo?

I am a bit of newbie but I don't think I'm all that bad of a shot. Is the Federal Gold Medal crappier ammo than I thought or the group sizes to be expected with this type of ammo? Someone told me that Savage recommends the Gold Medal with their 22s. Or maybe I must need a lot more practice.

I've checked Cabelas, Le Baron etc. and I can't seem to come across any higher quality ammo. Suggestions?
 
It's not necessarily that the ammo isn't as high quality as you thought, but different rifles like different rounds. Most around here will recommend spending a few bucks and trying every brand you can get your hands on, same sort of firing (IE 5 rounds, 5 minutes, 5 rounds), a couple of groups of each type, and finding what your particular rifle likes best.

You might find that it likes the cheaper stuff, and at very least it's a great excuse to spend some time behind the rifle.

Note: I'm not the guru on this by any means, so the 5-minute intervals may be less than optimum..I'm sure someone will chime in and correct me.

-Scott
 
I picked up the same rifle a few years back and its been a consistent performer. I turned the trigger down to 13 oz a year after I got it. It will print a half inch or better at 50 yards without issue. Try some Std+ or RWS Club for better results. The Fed GM has seroius flyers and is not match or practice ammo by a long shot in most guns. Fed 510 performs equally well from the Savage for 2/3 the price.

One of these days I'd like to lap the barrel on mine and see what it can really do.

Its worth it to splurge once and pick up a box of ultra premium ammo like Lapua Midas to see what it can really do. But after that it gets hard to go back.
 
A very accurate 22, using ammo it likes, will shoot ¼" or better at 50M.
The trick is finding ammo your 22 really likes.
I would try RWS, Lapua, Eley and the like.
SK match has worked well in some rifles I own.
Get that trigger fixed as well, ideally, for match shooting 4 oz or so is ideal.
Eagleye.
Couple of 50M targets below. First shot with my 40X, second with a Suhl 150
50M40XgroupEleyblack.jpg

Suhl50Mtarget1007.jpg
 
try the SK standard plus as mentioned above. my savage mkII really likes it. It shrunk my groups by half the size. Now its shooting around .5" center to center at 50m. I think it could better with a little more practise on my part. Also, the RWS Rifle Match does well but the SK was better for my case
 
You can get SK from Hirsch Precision, Prophet River, Or Target Shooting Products.

Below are some of my 50 yard groups fired with SK Standard Plus. The groups were fired with my Anschutz 1907 repeater.

1907groups.jpg
 
My Iron sighted Martinis will do under 1/2" at 50 yds. with the proper ammo, one prefers Lapua and the other Eley Tenex, I forget what the lapua's are....you have to experiment with ammo and technique and even your cleaning/gun management.
 
ben hunchak said:
My Iron sighted Martinis will do under 1/2" at 50 yds. with the proper ammo, one prefers Lapua and the other Eley Tenex, I forget what the lapua's are....you have to experiment with ammo and technique and even your cleaning/gun management.
Click to expand...

Not many things i enjoy more in this world than parking myself beside someone with a scoped rifle, and outshooting them with iron sights! Gotta love the Martini's! And for me as of late the cooey's believe it or not.
 
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