22lr...accuracy questions
like yerself, 20+ years ago, i delved into trying to find the mobeterest 22lr ammo for a tack driving bolt i own.
as an aside, it has the largest X variable on it of any in the long iron stable. even 2X more than a 338 lapua with a 5x22 nightforce X mdl. the higher magnification creates no problem finding a target at the 100yds or less i use a 22lr for. the half century+ optical receptors don't do iron sights well anymore.
i recomend a tasco 6x24 as they will focus as close as 15yds on the low power end.
but i digress--------
per a magazine article i had read about how highly sensitive 22's are to ammo, i went out and bought every flavor of 22lr available in this area at that time. the full spectrum was represented, from eley match to bargain basement brick. needless to say, the pickin's were much slimmer back then. at 50 yds from a sand bagged rest, the difference was disappointing. eley match went less than/about half inch, and brand X wally-world brick fodder went more than/about 5/8ths ", 10 shot groups.
well, ole dummy came away with the mindset that the extra practice of bulk pack purchasing far outweighed the eighth inch improvement at 50yds. i don't shoot match, and even a squirrel won't know the difference.
then he read an article about how critical headspacing is in the rimfire persuasion. same lauded the virtues of getting a NEIL JONES rim gauge for presorting ammo by rim thickness. dunno if they still make'm but my shipping box reads:
...Neil Jones Custom Products
R. D. #1 Box 483A
Sagertown, PA
16433
ITEM: 22RFG
presorting above mentioned brick ammo wouldst then render the same 1/2 holes as match grade...but they still misfire more than premium offerings.
i sorted about 100 rounds into groups of two tenths of numbered increments variations on the taper gauge scale, and shot'm to find the rifle's favorite rim thickness.
it's all good- no more ammo constipations to deal with- never looked back?
WRONG. a coupla summers ago a bud let me burn some of his wolf match target, 40gr solid lead round nose. bar code #4561122212. these consistently do less than 1/2" @ 50. i haven't even bothered rim gauging these, and the taper gauge languishes, fading into a lonely, secluded death.
perhaps, just for grins, i will go ahead and check the wolf ammo out someday for rim thickness/variations.
but then, there is really no need to [from my experience].
yer on the right path, keep searching. when you find ammo yer 22 likes, it'll tell you so!!!
gunnie
'tis better to hit with a .22lr than to miss with a .50 BMG!