Looking for .22LR rifle that works for me

[doddg]

Been over a year since posting .22LR rifle pics since 465 has been an issue with traffic getting fluidly to MCFG.
Today was no traffic issue at all to & fro.

Rifles were CZ 512 semi & a CZ 455 bolt.
I do have 2 nice air rifles that are really accurate at 25 yds I use at the indoor range.
Used CCI SV at 50 yds today.
Was not pleased.
I am using a sled & have decent scopes so I should be able to consistently get all rounds in the 3/8" inner blue circles.
The "flyers" & inconsistent groups drove me nuts.
The rifles have not been shot for over a year, perhaps they need a cleaning??
I'll blame the ammo.
I do intend to take some of the "good" ammo to see if better groups.

Practice warm up shots in 1.75" circles.
CZ 512 semi on Row 1 & 1st circle on row 2.
CZ 455 bolt on Row 2, circles 2 & 3.
Do not understand the "flyers" with 512 semi on row 1, circles 3 & 4???
50 yds with CCI SV


50 yds with CCI SV.
Larger outside blue circle is 7/8".
Smaller inner blue circle is 3/8".

Scores with 7/8" larger outside blue circles:
- CZ 455 bolt:
* 21/25 = 84%
* 16/25 = 64%
* 25/25 = 100%
AVERAGE = 89%

- CZ 512
* 18/25 = 72%
* 22/25 = 88%
AVERAGE = 80%

Scores with 3/8" smaller inner blue circles:
- CZ 455
* 15/25 = 60%
* 6/25 = 24% ?????
* 14/25 = 56%
AVERAGE = 47%

- CZ 512
* 11/25 = 44%
* 11/25 = 44%
* 13/22 = 59%
AVERAGE = 49%

 

[wcd]

Been over a year since posting .22LR rifle pics since 465 has been an issue with traffic getting fluidly to MCFG.
Today was no traffic issue at all to & fro.

Rifles were CZ 512 semi & a CZ 455 bolt.
I do have 2 nice air rifles that are really accurate at 25 yds I use at the indoor range.
Used CCI SV at 50 yds today.
Was not pleased.
I am using a sled & have decent scopes so I should be able to consistently get all rounds in the 3/8" inner blue circles.
The "flyers" & inconsistent groups drove me nuts.
The rifles have not been shot for over a year, perhaps they need a cleaning??
I'll blame the ammo.
I do intend to take some of the "good" ammo to see if better groups.

Practice warm up shots in 1.75" circles.
CZ 512 semi on Row 1 & 1st circle on row 2.
CZ 455 bolt on Row 2, circles 2 & 3.
Do not understand the "flyers" with 512 semi on row 1, circles 3 & 4???
50 yds with CCI SV
View attachment 298091

50 yds with CCI SV.
Larger outside blue circle is 7/8".
Smaller inner blue circle is 3/8".

Scores with 7/8" larger outside blue circles:
- CZ 455 bolt:
* 21/25 = 84%
* 16/25 = 64%
* 25/25 = 100%
AVERAGE = 89%

- CZ 512
* 18/25 = 72%
* 22/25 = 88%
AVERAGE = 80%

Scores with 3/8" smaller inner blue circles:
- CZ 455
* 15/25 = 60%
* 6/25 = 24% ?????
* 14/25 = 56%
AVERAGE = 47%

- CZ 512
* 11/25 = 44%
* 11/25 = 44%
* 13/22 = 59%
AVERAGE = 49%

View attachment 298092

Ok this is a good start, but where are the spreadsheets?

 

[actaeon277]

 

[rala]

More 22's have been ruined by over zealous cleaning than have ever been worn out. Having said that after sitting for a year, they probably could use a clean. If you want to drive yourself nuts (more so than currently) get a borescope. What your looking for is not a clean barrel, but a ring of carbon just at the mouth of the cartridge in front of the rifling. After cleaning you'll have to re-season the bore with 10 or so fouling shots.


then again it could be the nut behind the bolt is rusty.

 

[Born2vette]

I don’t shoot groups with my CZ 457 but use the ARA factory target. My rifle likes to be cleaned about every 200 rounds then accuracy drops off. Then it needs at least 10 foulers before shooting for record. It also does not much like cheap ammo and the wind swirls at MCFG can really mess with you at 50 yds (I have purchased some wind flags and am starting to get the hang of reading the wind—maybe).

This is my best target from earlier this week at MCFG shooting Eley Team. If you look at the sighter 2nd from right on the bottom you can see my foulers. Did not change POA (bull) but as the barrel warmed up the shots walked their way in.

EDIT: all these were shot at 50 yards, CZ 457 MTR, 6-24x50 SFP Vortex


This was a worse target from the same day. Even with better ammo I get flyers. I score a bit better using premium ammo for matches but at almost $20/box I try to practice with the $13/box ammo.

This was some ammo testing I did last year and earlier this year and you can see the difference between average ammo (Federal Automatch) and premium ammo. Also my rifle is picky and does not like even some very expensive premium ammo



2 different lots of the same ammo shot the same day (Eley Team)

PM me sometime if you want to meet and shoot at MCFG.

 

[doddg]

I don’t shoot groups with my CZ 457 but use the ARA factory target. My rifle likes to be cleaned about every 200 rounds then accuracy drops off. Then it needs at least 10 foulers before shooting for record. It also does not much like cheap ammo and the wind swirls at MCFG can really mess with you at 50 yds (I have purchased some wind flags and am starting to get the hang of reading the wind—maybe).

This is my best target from earlier this week at MCFG shooting Eley Team. If you look at the sighter 2nd from right on the bottom you can see my foulers. Did not change POA (bull) but as the barrel warmed up the shots walked their way in.

EDIT: all these were shot at 50 yards, CZ 457 MTR, 6-24x50 SFP Vortex

View attachment 298144
This was a worse target from the same day. Even with better ammo I get flyers. I score a bit better using premium ammo for matches but at almost $20/box I try to practice with the $13/box ammo.
View attachment 298146
This was some ammo testing I did last year and earlier this year and you can see the difference between average ammo (Federal Automatch) and premium ammo. Also my rifle is picky and does not like even some very expensive premium ammo
View attachment 298147

View attachment 298150
2 different lots of the same ammo shot the same day (Eley Team)
View attachment 298152
PM me sometime if you want to meet and shoot at MCFG.

Totally amazing shooting!
You are living my dream!

Love all the targets, thanks for posting them!!!

 

[Born2vette]

Totally amazing shooting!
You are living my dream!

Ammo testing and practice will get you there. The MCFG factory class champion last season used a CZ 452 American with a bipod and rear bag. Shot a 2500 card in competition with that setup.

 

[doddg]

2nd range time for this year for the CZ 512 (semi) & CZ 455 (bolt).
Shot half-a-brick of Norma Tac-22 ammo to see if I could get any better groups with less flyers.
A guy at the range (shooting a CZ 457) today said Norma Tac-22 was no better than CCI SV.
Another guy said it was his go-to round that he used in matches.

I was hopeful starting out, but then the usual flyers started happening.
50 yds again today but didn't use my 1.75" circles since they were too easy last week.
Hope to use them at 100 yds next week.
I'll take a 3" or 4" target incase I can't handle 1.75".

Small inner green circle is 7/16".
CZ 512:
- 1st row was practice.
- 2nd row = 64%
- 3rd row only 2 of 5 circles b/c I wanted to switch to a different target.
CZ 455:
- 4th & 5th row = 56% & 52%
Note: I remember last summer that the 512 did better than the 455 at 50 yds.
The 512 got more 4s & 5s than the 455.


Red circle is 1/2".
CZ 512:
- Row 2 & 3 = 69% & 69%
- 4s & 5s total = 8
CZ 455:
- Row 4 & 5 = 60% & 74%
- 4s & 5s total = 7




Pic of 512 at indoor range


455 Varmint bul barrel pic

 

[Born2vette]

2nd range time for this year for the CZ 512 (semi) & CZ 455 (bolt).
Shot half-a-brick of Norma Tac-22 ammo to see if I could get any better groups with less flyers.
A guy at the range (shooting a CZ 457) today said Norma Tac-22 was no better than CCI SV.
Another guy said it was his go-to round that he used in matches.

I was hopeful starting out, but then the usual flyers started happening.
50 yds again today but didn't use my 1.75" circles since they were too easy last week.
Hope to use them at 100 yds next week.
I'll take a 3" or 4" target incase I can't handle 1.75".

Small inner green circle is 7/16".
CZ 512:
- 1st row was practice.
- 2nd row = 64%
- 3rd row only 2 of 5 circles b/c I wanted to switch to a different target.
CZ 455:
- 4th & 5th row = 56% & 52%
Note: I remember last summer that the 512 did better than the 455 at 50 yds.
The 512 got more 4s & 5s than the 455.
View attachment 299593

Red circle is 1/2".
CZ 512:
- Row 2 & 3 = 69% & 69%
- 4s & 5s total = 8
CZ 455:
- Row 4 & 5 = 60% & 74%
- 4s & 5s total = 7
View attachment 299594

View attachment 299613

Pic of 512 at indoor range
View attachment 299623

455 Varmint bul barrel pic
View attachment 299624

Small world. That was me with the 457

 

[doddg]

Small world. That was me with the 457

That is hilarious!
You ought to post your targets from today, they've got to be better than mine, with my eyes.

 

[Born2vette]

My best target from today

 

[doddg]

My best target from today

View attachment 299635 Nice consistency!!!

 

[Born2vette]

Next time will break out a bit of the match ammo ($$) and see if I can decrease those flyers.


Next time you head out let me know. Should have offered you a few rounds of my mid tier ammo to try.

 

[doddg]

Next time will break out a bit of the match ammo ($$) and see if I can decrease those flyers.


Next time you head out let me know. Should have offered you a few rounds of my mid tier ammo to try.

I had someone do that 2 summers ago & it did make for delightfully tighter groups!
My range times are usually M, W & F.
I go to Range USA (Point Blank/Greenwood) mostly, but the last 2 wks I have started braving the traffic on 465 to go to MCFG on Fridays since I get up at 4:45 am for a meeting.
On the way home around 1:30 pm I was moving 10 - 20 mph on 465 on my way home.
I planned to take some of my Eley & RWS ammo & whatever else I find I've been saving, especially since I'm going to try 100 yards!
3 summers ago, when I started out at MCFG, I could barely keep rounds in 3-4" circles at 100 yds, but last summer I used 1.75" circles & did OK.
Using CZ rifles & having better scopes than what I started out with helped.

Previous 100 yd targets using CCI SV.
June 2022.


Nov. 2021


Nov. 2021

 

[doddg]

CZ 455 (bolt) & CZ 512 (semi) using Eley Force HV ammo.
Not impressed.
50 yds.
Started put at 100 yds, but I couldn't see where I was hitting with the x18 power scope & barely see with a separate free standing optical.
I just didn't have the right targets with me today to dial scopes in for 100 yds.

1st row using 455.
2nd row was switching ammo from CCI SV to Eley Force HV & as you can see was all over the place.
Finally got it dialed in on last 1.75" circle on the 2nd row.
3rd row, still struggling with it.
4th row I was using some Eley Team SV that an INGO member, Bruce, gave me to shoot.
It was delightful with its consistent smaller groups.
1st circle POA (X) was center & POI was at 7 o'clock on the edge.
2nd circle POA (X) was the top of the circle & POI was 9 o'clock.
3rd circle POA (X) was "triangulated" from an imaginary line intersecting from the top & right side (hoping POI would be center, haha!, but POI was at 3 o'clock)
4th circle POA (X) was 1 o'clock.
Nice CONSISTENT small groups.
If I had a supply of this ammo, I would have changed scope settings & used my smaller circles.


The smaller blue circle (inner circle) is 7/16".
60% & 56% on less than 1/2": I can live with that.
If I would have used my 1" targets, I could have compared with other rifles.

 

[Born2vette]

My efforts for the day. Getting ready to pillar and epoxy bed my 457 so shot today with 4 different ammo: SK Rifle Match, Lapua CenterX, Eley Team, Eley Tenex. Will repeat with the same ammo & lots once I have finished the pillar and bedding. Hopefully will be able to see a difference.

 

[doddg]

My efforts for the day. Getting ready to pillar and epoxy bed my 457 so shot today with 4 different ammo: SK Rifle Match, Lapua CenterX, Eley Team, Eley Tenex. Will repeat with the same ammo & lots once I have finished the pillar and bedding. Hopefully will be able to see a difference.
View attachment 300941

It was a pleasure to have you there at the range today, Bruce.
Having someone to process with about my accuracy attempts was helpful.
I really enjoy your posting targets.
That CZ 457 with the ammo you were testing really is encouraging.
If you would have been using my 7/16" circles, you would have nailed it today!
I could barely keep my rounds inside my 1.75" circles today.

 

[wcd]

2nd range time for this year for the CZ 512 (semi) & CZ 455 (bolt).
Shot half-a-brick of Norma Tac-22 ammo to see if I could get any better groups with less flyers.
A guy at the range (shooting a CZ 457) today said Norma Tac-22 was no better than CCI SV.
Another guy said it was his go-to round that he used in matches.

I was hopeful starting out, but then the usual flyers started happening.
50 yds again today but didn't use my 1.75" circles since they were too easy last week.
Hope to use them at 100 yds next week.
I'll take a 3" or 4" target incase I can't handle 1.75".

Small inner green circle is 7/16".
CZ 512:
- 1st row was practice.
- 2nd row = 64%
- 3rd row only 2 of 5 circles b/c I wanted to switch to a different target.
CZ 455:
- 4th & 5th row = 56% & 52%
Note: I remember last summer that the 512 did better than the 455 at 50 yds.
The 512 got more 4s & 5s than the 455.
View attachment 299593

Red circle is 1/2".
CZ 512:
- Row 2 & 3 = 69% & 69%
- 4s & 5s total = 8
CZ 455:
- Row 4 & 5 = 60% & 74%
- 4s & 5s total = 7
View attachment 299594

View attachment 299613

Pic of 512 at indoor range
View attachment 299623

455 Varmint bul barrel pic
View attachment 299624

Thought we talked about spread sheets?

 

[Hookeye]

I never use a cradle.
Front and rear bag or bipod and rear bag.

Heard front support closer in can make a diff.
Bag allows that experimentation.

May buy a pedestal eventually, but proly not good enough to justify

 

[doddg]

I never use a cradle.
Front and rear bag or bipod and rear bag.

Heard front support closer in can make a diff.
Bag allows that experimentation.

May buy a pedestal eventually, but proly not good enough to justify

I appreciate the input!
As expected, using the sled improved my rifle accuracy, so I stopped using my small bags.
I have always wanted larger bags, but never ran across them where I frequent & refrained from ordering online.
I have 4 small bags now, one is a homemade bag filled with sand a member gave me.

I will try elevating my smaller bags using my blocks of wood (2x8 & 2x10) to a height where my arthritic neck can see through the scope, haha!

"front support closer in can make a difference"
Good to know, which the "sled" takes away that option.