Looking for .22LR rifle that works for me

[Born2vette]

Since my range trip last week I have pillar bedded my 457 MTR. Here is last week and today on the same card. Ammo was the same lots shot in the same order. Overall consistency is improved, average group size is slightly smaller and I had a couple of the smallest 50 yd groups to date. Overall I feel the effort was worth it. Next up will try various torque settings on the action screws to see if that makes any difference/improvement. CZ says 25 in/lbs on wooden stocks and 35 in/lbs on stocks with metal pillars so will start at 20 and incrementally work my way up to 35 to see what happens.

 

[doddg]

Today at MCFG at 50 yds.
- CZ 512 semi-auto
- CZ 455 bolt-action Varmint
Used Eley Standard (low level Eley similar to CCI SV)

7/16"= Inner blue circle scored below
7/8" = Outer blue circle (not scored)
CZ 512 semi = 36% & 60% =
CZ 455 bolt = 68%


1/2" circles
CZ 512 semi = 57% & 77% (5/5 = 0/14 circles = 00%)
CZ 455 bolt = 83% (5/5 = x3/7 circles = 43%)

 

[TJ Kackowski]

hmmm ... when this thread popped to the top, I was hoping to see some targets from @zachcz ... guess I'll just keep waiting and watching.

@Born2vette ... outstanding groups ... remind me again what scope and bench rest set-up you're using.

@doddg ... man, you have got to ditch that circle scoring technique you use and start looking at your groups ... they are really looking great!

 

[zachcz]

hmmm ... when this thread popped to the top, I was hoping to see some targets from @zachcz ... guess I'll just keep waiting and watching.

@Born2vette ... outstanding groups ... remind me again what scope and bench rest set-up you're using.

@doddg ... man, you have got to ditch that circle scoring technique you use and start looking at your groups ... they are really looking great!

Haven’t been able to get out to range yet. Thought I had a time last week and last minute a bucket list Cz popped up on the classies so spent my free time getting it. Slim chance I get to range just to sight in cheap scope I had laying around tonight. We will see.

 

[Born2vette]

@Born2vette ... outstanding groups ... remind me again what scope and bench rest set-up you're using.

Thanks!

Rock BR front rest, Protektor rear bag, Vortex StrikeEagle 4-24x50 sfp

 

[doddg]

Haven’t been able to get out to range yet. Thought I had a time last week and last minute a bucket list Cz popped up on the classies so spent my free time getting it. Slim chance I get to range just to sight in cheap scope I had laying around tonight. We will see.

I could do a 25 yd indoor range test with it.
I hope to take the "new" 1973 Gen 3 Colt Woodsman Match Target .22LR Monday for a test run.

 

[doddg]

Another Friday at MCFG:
- CZ 512 (semi)
- CZ 455 (bolt)
Got to try out SK Plus SV ammo I picked up yesterday at 1/2 retail, thanks to a tip from Zackcz.
I had to drive 165 miles round trip, but still worth it b/c of price since I got 10 bricks.

I had the errant thought of selling the CZ 512 semi-automatic today.
I enjoy shooting the CZ455 bolt action more.
Been putting my money into higher grade .22LR pistols lately.

CZ 455 bolt-action
Mislabeled: 1st row, 1st circle should have been 4 (not 5), therefore 1st row 95% (not 100%).
1st round flyer on that 1st circle b/c barrel not acclimated to SK Plus SV ammo.
I was surprised the other 4 rounds did so well, since there was no warm up rounds.
7/8" outer blue circle at 50 yds.
I should have used the 7/16" inner blue circle for evaluation since the 7/8" outer blue circle was too easy for rifle work.
This trigger is much better on the 455 b/c of an upgrade.


1/2" red circles at 50 yds.
29/35 = 83%
Only did 1 row since I was getting tired & wanted to conserve ammo.


CZ 512 semi-action.
7/8" outer blue circles at 50 yds.
Forgot to write in the %, but looks like: 95%, 85%, 90% & 90%


CZ 512 semi-automatic.
1/2" circles at 50 yds.
Row 1: 20/35 = 57%
Row 2: 22/35 = 63%

 

[el_barto3]

I have a Ruger 10-22 Mannlicher .22L semi-automatic rifle which I've posted comments in the Rimfire thread about trying to make it work for me b/c of arthritic neck issues.
I had to get a taller rail, taller rings cantilever style to get the scope to come back toward my eye and up so I didn't have to "scrunch" my neck to look through the scope.
I ended up with this which was a great improvement:

If you think you're still comfortable with it the new Ruger mk4 come with a pic rail you can put a good red dot on, about the easiest gun you could find to shoot

 

[doddg]

If you think you're still comfortable with it the new Ruger mk4 come with a pic rail you can put a good red dot on, about the easiest gun you could find to shoot

I just bought a Mark 4 before I went out of state earlier this week,
and even though the Mark 4 has never been that accurate for me
I am going to put a rail & optic on it to see if it makes it fun.
if not, I will sell it or maybe even put full Volquartsen upgraded parts on it.

 

[el_barto3]

I just bought a Mark 4 before I went out of state earlier this week,
and even though the Mark 4 has never been that accurate for me
I am going to put a rail & optic on it to see if it makes it fun.
if not, I will sell it or maybe even put full Volquartsen upgraded parts on it.

I personally haven't interacted much with the mk4 but I grew up with a mk3 that was pretty accurate out to 45-60yrds and I've heard nothing but good things Abt the new ones with proper red dots on them

 

[doddg]

Another Ruger Mark 4 one of Zackcz's, a SW 15-22 today.

I bought a 2nd Ruger Mark 4 with great wood grips yesterday.
Now I get to compare it with another I bought recently with TandemKross grips & a halo ring.

95% & 95% at 21'
75% at 30'
Used CCI SV with iron sights.
View attachment 311167

left side pic of RM4 w/Wood grips
View attachment 311168

Comparison target #1 of the RM4 with Tandemkross grips.
Row 2 & 3 resting barrel on rest like the RM4 w/Wood grips:
90% & 95%
View attachment 311169

Comparison target #2 of the RM4 with Tandemkross grips.
A 100% & 80% resting just hands.
View attachment 311170

SW 15-22 at 75' on 5.75" circles. (1 of 3).
Used Federal AutoMatch with red dot.


SW 15-22 at 75' on 5.75" circles (2 of 3).


SW 15-22 at 75' on 5.75" circles (3 of 3).


SW 15-22 at 75' on black playing cards (couldn't see the red, haha!)

 

[TJ Kackowski]

I no sooner figure out how you score your targets, then you turn a rifle thread into a pistol thread ... you're making my head spin!

 

[doddg]

I no sooner figure out how you score your targets, then you turn a rifle thread into a pistol thread ... you're making my head spin!

Thanks!
I just noticed I put the handgun & rifle post on the same thread, by mistake.
I just corrected that, putting the Ruger Mark 4/Wood handgun on the "22 Range Fun" thread
which is meant for 22LR handguns.

With Zackcz's SW 15-22, the 5.75" circles were not scored, I was just seeing the patterns/groups to know how to adjust POA.
Same with the playing cards.
It wasn't shooting well enough to use my 1.75" circles.

At 25 yds using red dot.


At 25 yds with red dot.

 

[doddg]

I couldn't help myself when there was a Springfield 2020 in the Classifieds & I'd never tried one:
- $425
- NIB
- 6 mags (10 rd x4 & 15 rd x2)
- scope
- box
- carrying bag
A friend just told me he saw the SPRNGFLD 2020 locally for $460 plus tax.
I didn't buy this as a keeper, since I've already got a CZ 455 that I love, just having fun.

1st range visit, I put only 65 rds through.
It had feeding issues using only CCI SV (I think).
The last mag had no issue, so I thought it might just need broken in or it was the ammo.

Ammo tested 2nd range visit using 190 rds:
- Federal AutoMatch HV, 5/25 rds FTL
- Eley Force HV, 0/25 rds, no issues
- Eley Green box HV, 0/25 rds, no issues
- Eley Standard SV, 1/25 rds, FTE
- Armscor HP HV, 8/25 rds FTL
- CCI Mini-Mags, 0/25, rds, no issues
- Aguila Super Extra HV, 12/23 rds, FTL (didn't shoot full 25 rds since FTL)
- SK Standard Plus, 1/25 rds, FTL
- CCI SV, 1/5 rds, FTL (I was tired & didn't shoot 20 more rds.)

I was not shooting for accuracy today, so I did not "clear" or acclimate the barrel when I changed ammo.
Plus, I was indoors, limited to only 25 yds, so nothing to impress using
1.75" circles anyway.


Also had an issue with the trigger not resetting at both range visits with today's FTL using:
- Federal AutoMatch x5/25
- Armscor x5/25
- Aguila Super Extra x12/23
- CCI SV (on the 1st range visit) (
Previous owner said he didn't shoot it, but he had adjusted the trigger down & perhaps it needs to be adjusted heavier.

 

[Colt556]

I need to see about getting back in MCFG. I used to love sitting out there with one of my CZ 452s, Smith 41 or Ruger MKII Target and shooting an afternoon away. It’s been quite a few years since I’ve been there. Shooting the 100 yard steel with an open sight Mod 39A was fun too. Have several more 22s I’d love to break in out there. Nice shooting guys.

 

[doddg]

I need to see about getting back in MCFG. I used to love sitting out there with one of my CZ 452s, Smith 41 or Ruger MKII Target and shooting an afternoon away. It’s been quite a few years since I’ve been there. Shooting the 100 yard steel with an open sight Mod 39A was fun too. Have several more 22s I’d love to break in out there. Nice shooting guys.

Back after Covid when MCFG opened up again & before the Expressway started being shut down, one direction or the other (3 summers ago, I think), I would go multiple times per week & stay for 4-5 hours.
Mostly, I was working on which .22LR rifle to settle on:
- Ruger
- Savage
- Henry
- CZ
- maybe the occasional Rossi or whatever a friend would lend me
I remember going below 40* & having to use a hand warmer, haha!

Shooting the 100 yd steel with the Henry pump was fun!
Too easy with any of the others.

 

[Colt556]

Back after Covid when MCFG opened up again & before the Expressway started being shut down, one direction or the other (3 summers ago, I think), I would go multiple times per week & stay for 4-5 hours.
Mostly, I was working on which .22LR rifle to settle on:
- Ruger
- Savage
- Henry
- CZ
- maybe the occasional Rossi or whatever a friend would lend me
I remember going below 40* & having to use a hand warmer, haha!

Shooting the 100 yd steel with the Henry pump was fun!
Too easy with any of the others.

I would go mid week and sit to the far left of the rifle range and shoot 22 for a couple hours. Sometimes I’d just sit more than shoot. I’d use the pit for handguns and my 9mm AR. Unfortunately I broke some rules by having a bunch of guns laid out Willy Nilly on a table, walking in front of the table to shoot and wearing a shoulder holster, even though I wasn’t drawing from it as I was using it for my EDC that time of year, and some guy chewed me out and took my card. I tried to find out what I needed to do to get reinstated but got no response. I’m embarrassed to admit it but it happened so I’ve been out for a long time now. Anywhooooo….. I still love my 22s and CZs are my favorites. Might sell off all the others and stick to just CZ.

 

[doddg]

Got to take Zackcz's Thompson Center TCR22 rifle he picked up recently.
I put an old NCStar 3-9x42 scope with a red/green reticle on it.
I picked it up 2 yrs ago & never had used it.

TCR22 simply worked. No issues in 125 rounds today.
That was a pleasure.
Always loaded up, always ejected & always went bang.

Used Federal AutoMatch since that is Zack's go-to everyday ammo.
He can use his AutoMatch to compare his shooting free hand, while I'm using a sled & still can't keep up.

I liked the positive way it locked in the 25 rd magazine I used (10/22 mags).
Don't remember what he paid for it or maybe he traded for it, but it retails in the $350-$399 range.
It isn't going to replace a CZ, Savage or some Ruger .22LR rifles, but a decent plinker.



10-13 rds after adjusting optic.
25 yds.


Continuing to tweak optic on 1.75" circles at 15 yds.
5 rds each circle.


1/2" circles at 25 yds.
Supposed to be 5 rds each 1/2" red circle.

 

[doddg]

3rd range visit with the BNIB Springfield 2020.
Had nearly 0 issues with loading problems or the trigger resetting.
11 brands of ammo used today, with 4 brands same as used 2nd visit with no issue.

I'm not sure of exact reason for the nearly flawless shooting today:
- needed a break-in process
- cleaned & oiled the bolt with Ballistol & Lucas Gun Oil before shooting
- Used 6 different brands of ammo
- using only the original Springfield Armory 10 round magazine since I read online that sometimes the Ruger 10/22 mags had feeding issues
- learning technique of a slower touch pushing in the bolt to load a new round

Or, perhaps a combination of all the above?

I now have confidence in the rifle after 165 rounds & only 3 issues:
- only 1 failure of the trigger to reset.
Previous owner had lightened the trigger & suggested adjusting trigger back a half-turn toward the original position could help.
Wheeler gauge show it at 2.3 oz & 2.9 oz presently.
- only two FTL (load), but this was on the 1st round of the first two mags, before I learned to manipulate the bolt more gently.
I learned this by simply watching how the round chambered & saw that not being so "snappish" when pushing the bolt in to chamber a round.

I could vigorously pull the bolt back to extract a spent round, but when pushing bolt forward,
I learned to start off slowly which allowed the round to line up with the chamber better.

I didn't have time today to retest many of the brands of ammo that were problematic on the 2nd range visit, but the ones I did retest did fine.
Also, I didn't have time to test the Ruger 10/22 mags to see if they would function properly using the problematic ammo or the ammo that worked today.

At least I have a list of 10 ammo brands that work great with the Springfield Armory mags.
Next range visit I might be able to add more brands to the list & more mags.

7 brands of ammo on 7/8" blue Cir


4 more brands on 7/8" Cir

 

[doddg]

4th range visit with the Springfield 2020 I bought just for fun.
I tested the 5 brands of ammo that didn't work on the 2nd range visit before I learned the
problem was the Ruger 10/22 mags did not work consistently, especially the 10 rd.
The Ruger 15 rd mags did better but they are a bear to lock in when inserting & even more difficult to get magazine to release.
When I sell it, I'm just going to include the Spr. Arm. mag that always works.
Next range visit, I'm going to try a 10 & 15 rd mag I have with my Ruger Charger
to see if they will work in the Spr. Arm. rifle.
Perhaps the Ruger mags that came with the Spr. Arm. rifle will work in the Charger.
If not, I'll know the Ruger mags are not fit.

Brands used today are written on target below.
All 5 brands worked with no FTL using only the Springfield magazine that originally came with the rifle.
I was careful to not rush pushing the bolt in to load another round in case that makes a difference, but I would get in a rhythm like I normally do just fine.

My theory: the Ruger mags must not line up high enough for the round to be centered with the chamber to enter smoothly??
Ruger mags will sometimes work, but I have no patience for mechanical things that don't function consistently.

Total of 15 brands of ammo have worked using Spr. Arm. mag.

Supposed to be 5 rds each 7/8" circle.