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Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: Wheelgun Dunn on August 25, 2009, 12:26:25 PM

Title: Rimfire Accuracy...expectations?
Post by: Wheelgun Dunn on August 25, 2009, 12:26:25 PM
What is a reasonable expectation for accuracy from a rimfire rifle?  .22LR? .22MWR? .17Mach2?  .17 HMR?  Let's assume a distance of 50 yds. and that you have found a good quality ammo in a factory barrel.  We have always lived by the 1 MOA law with most rifles.  Is this reaonable to expect from a rimfire?  I know all ammo/rifles are not created equal so I understand that, but what is a reasonable expectation?  What have you experienced?  Thanks!

Wheelgun
Title: Re: Rimfire Accuracy...expectations?
Post by: tombogan03884 on August 25, 2009, 12:41:32 PM
 I would expect to be able to keep all shots in 1 inch at 50 yards, depending on your eyesight with iron sights and tighter with optics.
Title: Re: Rimfire Accuracy...expectations?
Post by: mosbear on August 25, 2009, 01:46:42 PM
Here is the page from the NRA rule book for Small Bore Rifle.
http://www.nrahq.org/compete/RuleBooks/SBR/sbr-w04.pdf (http://www.nrahq.org/compete/RuleBooks/SBR/sbr-w04.pdf)

Gives you an idea what is expected. My .22s shoot way better then I.  ;D
Title: Re: Rimfire Accuracy...expectations?
Post by: Badgersmilk on August 25, 2009, 01:51:57 PM
"After the gun was sighted-in at 50 yards in a test tunnel, the first four 5-shot groups measured .191, .202, .263 and .260 inches, for an average of .229 inches. Yep, that's less than a quarter-inch! More remarkable is the fact that these tiny groups were fired with standard Remington/Eley ammo and an old lot of CCI Green Tag, neither of which are considered the ne plus ultra by accuracy fanatics. The smallest group of all was fired by team member Sam Arnett, who demonstrated his award-winning benchrest technique with a barely measurable .109 inches. By comparison, an eighth of an inch equals .125 inches, so go figure."

http://www.outdoorlife.com/photos/gallery/gear/shooting/2008/06/gun-test-08?photo=6#41789783

As good as any centerfire at that range.  It's usually more about the shooter than the gun.
Title: Re: Rimfire Accuracy...expectations?
Post by: MikeBjerum on August 25, 2009, 03:14:28 PM
I've been to small bore matches where guys are punching what would be one hole groups* at 100 meters all day long. 

*  These aren't true one hole groups, because in small bore you have a different target for each shot.  However, they are taking the "x" out of every target!

The most common brand at most of these matches have been Anschutz ($1,000), but I have seen a lot of older Wnchesters and Savages of all eras.

I'm thinking that you could take a new Savage Mark I (under $350) and expect sub 1 moa.

http://www.savagearms.com/markifvt.htm (http://www.savagearms.com/markifvt.htm)
Title: Re: Rimfire Accuracy...expectations?
Post by: blackwolfe on August 25, 2009, 04:26:00 PM
Depends on how much you want to spend and what you want out of it.  If you like to tinker with firearms and don't mind spendeing the money, you can get the results some have mentioned above.

You can do a lot with a Ruger 10/22 with out haveing to put a whole lot of $ into it if you like to tinker.  I have seen some out standing 10/22s that didn't have a lot of money into them.  Often just putting on a differant stock and making sure the barrel is seated properly and relieved in the stock  can work wonders.

Lot's of tips and teckniques.  It's amazing what some of the people are doing here:
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=167
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/index.php
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/
Title: Re: Rimfire Accuracy...expectations?
Post by: Timothy on August 25, 2009, 04:32:20 PM
Here's a question!

How does one shoot a group that is smaller than the bullet diameter?

 ???
Title: Re: Rimfire Accuracy...expectations?
Post by: ericire12 on August 25, 2009, 04:38:48 PM
Here's a question!

How does one shoot a group that is smaller than the bullet diameter?

 ???

Got 'em!
Title: Re: Rimfire Accuracy...expectations?
Post by: MikeBjerum on August 25, 2009, 04:50:37 PM
Here's a question!

How does one shoot a group that is smaller than the bullet diameter?

 ???

Minute of angle is measured at the center point of impact.  In a perfect world, with perfect ammo, and with a perfect gun minute of angle would be zero.  However, we are not in a perfect world, so we measure the circle formed by the imaginary dots representing the center of the hit, and that circumference is the moa when adjusted for 100 yards - 2" circumference at 50 yards is a 4" moa, 2" circumference at 200 yards is a 1" moa, etc.
Title: Re: Rimfire Accuracy...expectations?
Post by: Timothy on August 25, 2009, 04:54:47 PM
Thanks Mike.

So they actually measure the hole with a vernier, calculate the radius and determine centerpoint of hit.  Makes sense to me!  In these cases, they measured the deviation from centerpoint of "X"!
Title: Re: Rimfire Accuracy...expectations?
Post by: m25operator on August 25, 2009, 05:45:26 PM
An easier way to digest it is, measure the group outside to outside to the farthest point, subtract one bullet diameter.

Example: group outside to outside 1" projectile .452 1" -  .452" = .548" center to center.

MOA is 1/60 of a degree at a given distance, dangerously close to 1", 1.047197508733" to be exact, at 100 yards, close enough for me, works out to about 10 1/2" at 1,000 yards.
Title: Re: Rimfire Accuracy...expectations?
Post by: Timothy on August 25, 2009, 05:53:47 PM
thanks Benny....

.047 is HUGE in my business.  I was measuring parts today to .0005" ( 5 ten-thousands)....we got a new toy at the shop in the last few weeks.  A 4 kilowatt laser center capable of repeatable cutting of .001 over the 12 foot cutting area!  Right now it's brandy spanky new so it's really tight...

Fun stuff...
Title: Re: Rimfire Accuracy...expectations?
Post by: Badgersmilk on August 25, 2009, 06:30:11 PM
But can you shoot a squirrel out of a tree with it at a hundred yards?
Title: Re: Rimfire Accuracy...expectations?
Post by: Timothy on August 25, 2009, 06:45:30 PM
But can you shoot a squirrel out of a tree with it at a hundred yards?

In forty years of hunting, I've never needed to shoot more than twenty yards for small game, maybe thirty or forty for pheasant!  Accuracy is relative to the need and I don't need to be that accurate.

If your talking about the laser, it weighs about 50,000 pounds, a little hard to shoulder!
Title: Re: Rimfire Accuracy...expectations?
Post by: ericire12 on August 25, 2009, 06:48:36 PM
But can you shoot a squirrel out of a tree with it at a hundred yards?

You've got a good spotter. ::)
Title: Re: Rimfire Accuracy...expectations?
Post by: 1911 Junkie on August 25, 2009, 07:12:23 PM
I once killed a griz at 1100yds with my grandpappys old singleshot .22. Does that count?  :P

Anybody have a problem with changing BM's name to Gecko?  ;D
Title: Re: Rimfire Accuracy...expectations?
Post by: Timothy on August 25, 2009, 07:15:40 PM
I once killed a griz at 1100yds with my grandpappys old singleshot .22. Does that count?  :P

Junkie, your a stud!  Hope ya didn't wreck the meat with that shot!  It's a shame to waste a good Griz steak!

 ;D
Title: Re: Rimfire Accuracy...expectations?
Post by: 1911 Junkie on August 25, 2009, 07:18:48 PM
Junkie, your a stud!  Hope ya didn't wreck the meat with that shot!  It's a shame to waste a good Griz steak!

 ;D

I intentionally shot it in the paw so I could catch it and take it clean with my swiss army knife. No meat wasted at all.  8)
Title: Re: Rimfire Accuracy...expectations?
Post by: Timothy on August 25, 2009, 07:21:36 PM
I intentionally shot it in the paw so I could catch it and take it clean with my swiss army knife. No meat wasted at all.  8)

Well, Hell!  If ya had the McGyver, why'd ya waste the bullet!

 :)
Title: Re: Rimfire Accuracy...expectations?
Post by: alfsauve on August 25, 2009, 08:26:26 PM
[and getting back to the original question]

Here's a target from last week.  Not a $1000 Anschutz, just a CZ452 Varmint in .17M2 at 50yds.   

(http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh20/alfsauve/Targets/Target082109B.png)

I shot this in order of Upper Right, LR, LL, and UL.  There are 5 shots in each group.    It almost pulled together in a one hole group there at the end. 

I do not apologize for having a 5-15x Bushnell Legend on this gun.  It's in no way too much magnification when you're "hunting" mouse sized varmints hiding in vegetation.   And, on the range, I don't need a spotting scope.  Plus, it's absolutely a hoot to have other people sit down with my gun  and realize how much their heartbeat plays into 100yard (or longer) shots.   Of course, one young whipper-snapper said that wasn't a problem with his gun, since he only had a 4x scope!   ;)

Title: Re: Rimfire Accuracy...expectations?
Post by: tombogan03884 on August 25, 2009, 09:58:40 PM
 If you don't HIT the paper you have enough magnification to set the target on fire and burn up the evidence  ;D
Title: Re: Rimfire Accuracy...expectations?
Post by: TAB on August 25, 2009, 11:13:07 PM
even something like a less then 150 bolt gun from savage or marlin will shoot under a inch at 50 yds.  its just amatter of finding the right ammo for it.  I've seen lots of $1000+  10/22 that will shoot bigger groups then the a 120 savage right out of the box. 
Title: Re: Rimfire Accuracy...expectations?
Post by: Walkeraviator on August 26, 2009, 06:09:01 AM
Here is my plug for the 17HMR.  I spent some time with my Dads Henry Golden Boy in 17hmr and fell in love.  At 50 yards with Iron sights in teh prone with no rests or bags I was hittin about 2" groups.  I can imagine a scope, bbenchrest, and good ammo could cut that in half.  Now that I have shot that gun which is no long range varm rifle...i want to shoot a 17HMR made for killin groundhogs at long distances.  This round is slowly becoming one of my favorites.
Title: Re: Rimfire Accuracy...expectations?
Post by: Badgersmilk on August 26, 2009, 08:57:15 AM
.17HMR - A friend and I went out with his new .17 bolt gun, he'd just got it sighted in at the range with a nice Nikon scope that went up to something like 16X, and we were just out for some shooting / squirrel and rodent hunting.  After listening to his tales of how amazingly flat shooting it was for 20 minutes, and our not seeing anything, he decided to drop a crow off the top of a telephone pole about 20 yards in front of us.  I saw a poof of feathers from the center of the bird, and we watched it fly away!  He quickly tried to quench my laughter with shooting at another crow in the top of a tree (bout 40 yards this time).  I didnt see feathers fly, but the crow kinda fell off the limb.  Before he TOOK FLIGHT!  Both flew well away out of eye sight!  Later in the day he''d shot three chipmunks in all.  One we couldnt find (ran away?), one was still alive and struggling to crawl away with a hole in his neck, and one was a clean kill with a heart shot.

I think it was about 3 weeks before he was telling me about trading that rifle in on an Anschutze .22.  He'd done more hunting with the .17HMR, and the results were much the same as our trip together.

Cant help but notice a good number of very nice looking .17 caliber rifles on the used rack everytime I visit shops.

They DO look good on a ballistics chart.  Guess it just depends what your using it for.

He DID also have tales of blowing apart a ground hogs head with the .17 before getting rid of it.   :-\
Title: Re: Rimfire Accuracy...expectations?
Post by: blackwolfe on August 27, 2009, 02:47:49 AM
Now these are some squirrel guns.  Wish I had even one quarter this talent.
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=295026
Title: Re: Rimfire Accuracy...expectations?
Post by: Hazcat on August 27, 2009, 07:04:58 AM
Now these are some squirrel guns.  Wish I had even one qurter this talent.
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=295026

WOW!!   :o
Title: Re: Rimfire Accuracy...expectations?
Post by: Badgersmilk on August 27, 2009, 07:13:37 AM
Yeah, WOW!

That man has SKILLS!  Beutiful work!
Title: Re: Rimfire Accuracy...expectations?
Post by: tt11758 on August 27, 2009, 01:43:09 PM
.17HMR - A friend and I went out with his new .17 bolt gun, he'd just got it sighted in at the range with a nice Nikon scope that went up to something like 16X, and we were just out for some shooting / squirrel and rodent hunting.  After listening to his tales of how amazingly flat shooting it was for 20 minutes, and our not seeing anything, he decided to drop a crow off the top of a telephone pole about 20 yards in front of us.  I saw a poof of feathers from the center of the bird, and we watched it fly away!  He quickly tried to quench my laughter with shooting at another crow in the top of a tree (bout 40 yards this time).  I didnt see feathers fly, but the crow kinda fell off the limb.  Before he TOOK FLIGHT!  Both flew well away out of eye sight!  Later in the day he''d shot three chipmunks in all.  One we couldnt find (ran away?), one was still alive and struggling to crawl away with a hole in his neck, and one was a clean kill with a heart shot.

I think it was about 3 weeks before he was telling me about trading that rifle in on an Anschutze .22.  He'd done more hunting with the .17HMR, and the results were much the same as our trip together.

Cant help but notice a good number of very nice looking .17 caliber rifles on the used rack everytime I visit shops.

They DO look good on a ballistics chart.  Guess it just depends what your using it for.

He DID also have tales of blowing apart a ground hogs head with the .17 before getting rid of it.   :-\



I don't know how to break this to you, BM, but those shots at the crows were kinda stupid, doncha think?  In case you are unaware of the laws of physics, a projectile that is fired into the air is going to come down SOMEPLACE.  I only hope your dumbass friend's rounds didn't strike and kill somebody's little kid a mile or so away from where you are.  That's why NORMAL people use shotguns for birds.
Title: Re: Rimfire Accuracy...expectations?
Post by: Badgersmilk on August 27, 2009, 03:10:44 PM
He lives in a valley in KY, and ownes all the property around...  Unless the mighty .17 goes through mountains....

Off your high horse.
Title: Re: Rimfire Accuracy...expectations?
Post by: tt11758 on August 27, 2009, 03:26:30 PM
He lives in a valley in KY, and ownes all the property around...  Unless the mighty .17 goes through mountains....

Off your high horse.


Kentucky.  Explains a lot.  ;D

And it's NICE up here.  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Rimfire Accuracy...expectations?
Post by: Badgersmilk on August 27, 2009, 03:36:36 PM

Kentucky.  Explains a lot.  ;D

And it's NICE up here.  ;D ;D

Give a better view over the peasants.  ;D ;) ;D
Title: Re: Rimfire Accuracy...expectations?
Post by: tt11758 on August 27, 2009, 03:41:36 PM
Give a better view over the peasants.  ;D ;) ;D


Don't tell anybody, Badgersmilk, but I AM one of the peasants.   LOL
Title: Re: Rimfire Accuracy...expectations?
Post by: MikeBjerum on August 27, 2009, 03:54:23 PM

Don't tell anybody, Badgersmilk, but I AM one of the peasants.   LOL

Awful well fed peasant if you ask me  ;)
Title: Re: Rimfire Accuracy...expectations?
Post by: tt11758 on August 27, 2009, 04:33:50 PM
Awful well fed peasant if you ask me  ;)


Ok, here come the fat jokes.   ;D
Title: Re: Rimfire Accuracy...expectations?
Post by: Badgersmilk on August 27, 2009, 05:07:03 PM
(http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/ww40/BigCheeseStick/1111.jpg?t=1251411501)]

Salad.  It's what's for dinner!
Title: Re: Rimfire Accuracy...expectations?
Post by: MikeBjerum on August 27, 2009, 05:35:21 PM
Ok ... I should have done a little fix it on these (get rid of old fat dude), but I can't figure the program out on this puter  :-[


Beef ... It's whats for dinner !!!

(http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e330/m58/Annetherentsx.jpg)

(http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e330/m58/DadandAnnex.jpg)

Ok ... Just bragging again, but if she's got it I can flaunt it  ;D  She's done light years better than the old man!
Title: Re: Rimfire Accuracy...expectations?
Post by: tt11758 on August 27, 2009, 05:37:56 PM
Ok ... I should have done a little fix it on these (get rid of old fat dude), but I can't figure the program out on this puter  :-[


Beef ... It's whats for dinner !!!

(http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e330/m58/Annetherentsx.jpg)

(http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e330/m58/DadandAnnex.jpg)

Ok ... Just bragging again, but if she's got it I can flaunt it  ;D  She's done light years better than the old man!




She's a lot better LOOKING than the old man, too.   ;D


Wait a minute.........who IS that guy?!?  Can't be YOU.......too much HAIR!!!   ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Rimfire Accuracy...expectations?
Post by: tt11758 on August 27, 2009, 05:41:14 PM
(http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/ww40/BigCheeseStick/1111.jpg?t=1251411501)]

Salad.  It's what's for dinner!


I'd eat that!!   ;D























Yes, Teresa, I know..............................................corner!!  ;D
Title: Re: Rimfire Accuracy...expectations?
Post by: ericire12 on August 27, 2009, 07:41:12 PM
(http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e330/m58/DadandAnnex.jpg)



Are you taking a dump in that picture ???
Title: Re: Rimfire Accuracy...expectations?
Post by: 1911 Junkie on August 27, 2009, 07:48:47 PM


Are you taking a dump in that picture ???

No, he's not sweating enough.  :o
Title: Re: Rimfire Accuracy...expectations?
Post by: MikeBjerum on August 27, 2009, 07:58:18 PM
You had to be there for the previous half hour to understand.  I'm lucky to be standing at that point  ;D
Title: Re: Rimfire Accuracy...expectations?
Post by: MikeBjerum on August 28, 2009, 07:38:54 AM
We finished our firearms safety class this week and had one of those bonus moments.  An overweight 12 year old girl with glasses and very shy started the class because grandpa wants all his grandkids to take it.  Mom brought her the first night and was a little reluctant, but since grandpa said so they were going through with it.

As the weeks passed this young lady came out of her shell and was not afraid to express herself.  It was obvious that she had read the book far ahead of what we assigned (grandpa told me one day that she read the whole book the first weekend), and as I looked things over one night I saw that she had almost all the worksheets done early.

On range night this week she shot a gun for the first time.  We use the basic DNR paper at 75 feet, and they shoot five rounds from each of the four positions.  All twenty of her shots were within a 3" radius (that includes off hand, kneeling, sitting and prone).  We're excited to get these first timers on paper, and this young lady put every shot in the scoring rings.  When I would walk up to point out where they had hit between positions she had doubles or triples every time.

The 4-H coach works with me on these classes and the FFA adviser had left the range just as we started shooting.  By the time we finished the coach was talking to the young lady, mom and grandpa, and he had been on the phone with the FFA adviser.  I talked about how this type of shooting gave me the incentive to cut some weight and improve my diet so I could shoot beter, and all three thought that was a great idea.  We both talked about this being a true sport, and that it is a lifetime sport if you want it.

When we left the range the entire family was talking about this being her thing!

Sometimes you just feel great to be at the right place at the right time.

BTW - We were shooting cheap Winchesters that were picked up used on a farm sale many years ago, and American Eagle cheap ammo that the DNR gave us (they used to send us Federal Gold Match or CCI standard velocity - some companies donate some real nice stuff).
Title: Re: Rimfire Accuracy...expectations?
Post by: Hazcat on August 28, 2009, 07:54:46 AM
Great job and good follow up there!
Title: Re: Rimfire Accuracy...expectations?
Post by: Badgersmilk on August 28, 2009, 08:08:48 AM
Wait...  I declare HI-JACK here! 

Wasnt somebody somewhere talking about rimfires? ;D
Title: Re: Rimfire Accuracy...expectations?
Post by: MikeBjerum on August 28, 2009, 08:30:38 AM
Wait...  I declare HI-JACK here! 

Wasnt somebody somewhere talking about rimfires? ;D

Welcome to the forum!

I did bring it back somewhat with the class info  ;)