newbie query about target shooting excellence

Shooting from a bench will tell you what your particular rifle/ammo combination is capable of under ideal circumstances. Since you have done the math, a half inch at 50 yards is 1 MOA (close enough anyways).

I wouldn't worry about getting MOA with a 22, unless you are shooting Eley Tenex through an Anschutz it probably isn't going to happen.

What would be more beneficial is to shoot several 5 shot groups at 25 yards with your 22 from a rest on a bench. This will give you a goal, to repeat those group sizes from the standing unsupported, sitting/kneeling, and prone positions.

There are "benchrest" competitions, but I wouldn't recommend them for someone getting into target shooting. The equipment is pretty specialized and it won't necessarily make you a better shot from field positions.

Jimro

It wouldn't hurt to find some competition matches around your area, and just go watch. You can see what folks are using in the different classes, and figure out just how serious you want to be.

I wouldn't worry about getting MOA with a 22, unless you are shooting Eley Tenex through an Anschutz it probably isn't going to happen.

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i disagree. i've got a $100 marlin 795 that shoots about 1/2" at 50 yds. i've got a $400 CZ that shoots smaller groups than that with CCI standard velocity off a bipod and a bean bag.


to answer the op's question, how small you can shrink your groups is only limited by the amount of money you have to spend and the amount of time you have to practice.

personally, i'm happy with a 22 as long as i can hit a squirrel in the head at 40 or 50 yds with a tree for a rest. what i'm getting at is everyone's goals are different. if you want some very good rimfire shooters to compare yourself to, go to rimfirecentral.com and start reading and look at some of their groups. this should give you some idea of what different guns are capable of in the hands of a good shooter. you'll find plenty of info there.

Art's advice is also very good.

It wouldn't hurt to find some competition matches around your area, and just go watch.

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+1. Maybe check out a CMP Rimfire Sporter match in your area. Rimfire sporter matches are shot standing, sitting & prone, using a sling, rather than off a rest. Seems to me to be a great form of rimfire target shooting that's not only practical (i.e. field positions with a sling), it doesn't require über-expensive gear, either.

I attached targets I created that ought to come close to regulation CMPRS size, in case you'd want to try shooting for score, rather than group size. Both are shot at 25 yards, as the sitting/prone 50 yard target is reduced 50%.

my 2c

My goals are nearly always 1 MOA, 308, 223, or even 22lr. 2 MOA is closer to my skill shooting supported, without full bags front and back and without high magnification scopes.

Wind is going to be a factor for 22lr for shots beyond 50y and father, so keep in mind that 1MOA is only reasonable if the conditions are calm. A 1/2" 5 shot group with a 22lr at 50y (1 MOA) is really quite good.

223/556 and 308 are less affected by wind, which I start to notice and factor in for shots ~200y and farther.

So in my experience, 2 MOA is quite good for a human, while 1 MOA is good for a benchrest. Bulk (non-match) ammo may have trouble shooting better than 2MOA out of a rest.

FWIW Appleseed (based on the ARMY AQT) use 4 MOA as a target for rifleman accuracy with non-match ammo and more practical position shooting.

Keep in mind that 3-shot groups are really not big enough to use a measure of anything. Shooting 4 or 5 shot groups is a better measure, so worry too much about somebody's tiny one-time lucky 3 shot group measuring 1/4 MOA or whatever. Its difficult to get reliable results much below 1 MOA unless you're shooting ammo perfectly matched to a rifle and in a rest of some sort.

Take a look at the 50 yd NRA Smallbore target. Shooting above 95% from positions (not a bench) would be nothing to be ashamed of.

http://www.letargets.com/estylez_item.aspx?item=NRA-A-23-5

i disagree. i've got a $100 marlin 795 that shoots about 1/2" at 50 yds. i've got a $400 CZ that shoots smaller groups than that with CCI standard velocity off a bipod and a bean bag.

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Good for you. But can you do it without the bipod and beanbag?

Jimro

Go to an Appleseed. It will not only teach you to shoot your rifle like a rifle but also to shoot it accurately. They have this little thing called the AQT which helps benchmark your progress. Be aware that they shoot from standing, sitting and prone with a sling. Great instruction and lots of fun.

Here's what I am talking about from this past weekend. The shooter is a 12 year who had never shot before and who was not on the paper at all when we started. Top group is aimed at the top left square after teaching the very first lesson, the prone position and sling. Middle group aimed at the middle square after teaching six steps to firing a shot. Bottom group, lower left after a trigger control/reset exercise. Those are 1" squares at 25 meters. Three points of instruction, three 5 round drills, that's what we got. BTW, that's a less than 1" group at 25 meters which is less than 4 MOA.

Good for you. But can you do it without the bipod and beanbag?

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no, but i don't see how that's related. all i did was say that i don't think it takes an Annie and Tenex to shoot sub MOA with a .22LR. don't take it personal.

Un-regard.

i know what his point was. it was to make a snide comment to me simply because i disagreed with him.

still don't see how it's related.

If you can get to a rimfire match, it's worth the effort. It will also be an enlightening and humbling experience.

Appleseed is a good idea. 500 or so rounds of intensive marksmanship practice in two days will drill it into your skull. Best thing I ever did for my shooting.

A rimfire match it a great idea, too. At my club we're starting up a CMP Rimfire Sporter match: http://www.odcmp.com/nm/rimfire.htm

This should be a great event for new shooters and experts alike. Shooting from positions is a much better indicator of skill than from a bench.

See who shoots well and shoot the breeze with them. Most people you find at the range are happy to help.

the 1 MOA criteria only comes important when you can shoot a lot better than the rifle. Many people cannot do that - with work almost anyone can - but the amount of work may differ. Usually its used to measure how good a shooter the rifle is...

no, but i don't see how that's related. all i did was say that i don't think it takes an Annie and Tenex to shoot sub MOA with a .22LR. don't take it personal.

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You didn't say "I don't think" you emphatically stated that you could consistently hit "about" a half inch target at 50 yards using a hundred dollar rifle and CCI standard velocity ammo. The reason I asked about getting that performance without a rear sack and bipod is competition.

If you can truly get that level of performance from your rifles, you should compete. The 50 yard ten ring is .89 inches (1.8 MOA roughly) X ring is .39 inches (around .79 MOA), which means you should be shooting a 250-18X or thereabouts.

You would definitely turn some heads with a score like that using a Marlin 795 and CCI standard velocity fodder.

However, before you compete, I would seriously check those 5 round groups again to make sure I wasn't wasting my time.

Jimro

i'll stick to the squirrels

Well, good hunting, although I don't think the squirrels stand a chance.

Jimro