Making a .22 more accurate?

[Deus Machina]

My Henry H001 isn't exactly the tack driver a lot of people tout it as, or even over the borderline of the 'pretty darn good', as evidenced in My ammo test.

Now, I'm going to take it out and run some of Wolf's Match Target through it, and I figure $7/50 .22 will reveal if it's just really ammo-picky or not.

My dad taught me well what his dad passed down--there's no place in this world for a dull knife or an inaccurate rifle. And while he would tell me to sell it and get one that has proven itself or a Marlin 39A (I'm planning on a Model 60 soon anyway, but in addition to the Henry), I've gotten attached to it.

So, what's the best way to get the most out of the barrel? I did see where someone else lapped a barrel with 40-X, but I'd like some options.

 

[22-rimfire]

Only accurate rifles are interesting rifles.... guess I spend too much time listening to Midway's ads on the Outdoor Channel.

Visit Rimfire Central. But a Henry is not known for high accuracy; just squirrel and plinking accuracy. You are getting that based on your targets with bulk or cheaper ammo. Try an assortment of ammo and see how it does. I know you have already tried an assortment. Shoot some standard velocity ammo. Shoot 5-shot groups to test ammo. You will almost always spread out your groups with 10-shot or more groups. If nothing else, sometimes you destroy your aiming point. I would also get something a bit better in the scope department if you are serious about shooting accurately. You have a cheap air gun scope mounted on that rifle.

Try glass bedding or floating the barrel. Other thing commonly done is a trigger job. But first I would get a new scope and concentrate on shooting fundamentals. Shoot at 25 yds until you start seeing better groups. I will say that a Marlin Model 60 should do better. Some of them shoot surprisingly well considering the price.

 

[CornCod]

I read a lot of posts from people expecting target rifle accuracy out of rifles designed for plinking and potting squirrels. Rifles like the Henry 001 or even the Ruger 10/22 are modestly priced plinkers. If somebody want's some kind of uber target rifle, they should expect to pay more.

 

[gbran]

If somebody want's some kind of uber target rifle, they should expect to pay more.

There are lots of pretty accurate 22's out there that don't break the bank. Well, at least more accurate than this the Henry or the 10/22.

 

[Robert Wilson]

Without meaning to seem rude, it looks as though you are using a budget rifle of an action type not renowned for accuracy, along with ammunition that is often regarded as inaccurate itself. Perhaps you are an optimist!

I suspect you will have better luck with better ammunition, but I also suspect you may not be really satisfied with any of it. Lever guns are great fun, but not conducive to best accuracy. Some of them can be startling, but most are average at best, and few of the typical accuracy gunsmithing tricks are appropriate for them. In the end, if the gun does not do what you want, I would not throw good money after bad. Somebody will want it for what it is!

 

[Deus Machina]

22-Rimfire: I can't really bed or float the rifle. There's nothing to bed or float against, really. The receiver is solid metal and not bedded into a stock, and the only solid contact on the foregrip is where the barrel band holds it.

The trigger's not bad, and I know my fundamentals enough to get some nice tight groups out of my Nagant. And getting good groups with a trigger like that surprises me.

I'll check out another scope but, frankly, I'm surprised with the one on it. Hasn't lost zero to my knowledge, and doesn't seem to be scooting around unless I really abuse it. My cheapo air gun actually beat up the hand-me-down one on it worse than my .22. But a better one wouldn't hurt.

Frankly, I just wanted to see if there was anything worth my time. I love the rifle for what it is, and I'm not completely unhappy with it, but it could be nicer. I certainly heard some really encouraging things about the Henry's.

Maybe better ammo would make that much of a difference. I wouldn't have figured '.22 Target' would be one of the worst things through it...

 

[SeekHer]

Buy one box of every brand of ammo and shoot off three five shot groups from each box...compare which gives you the best accuracy--it's the only way...

I've done it that way with a Kimber Super America, Copper, Volquartsen, Anschutz, CZ, Remington and Winchester full size sporters and every one likes a different brand better...

You may want to mount a scope on it as that will improve your accuracy somewhat...

Robert Wilson -- Without meaning to seem rude, it looks as though you are using a budget rifle of an action type not renowned for accuracy, along with ammunition that is often regarded as inaccurate itself. Perhaps you are an optimist!

I'm afraid I have to disagree with you...My Marlin 39A is very accurate and my Browning BL22 is more so (granted not to the level of my Olympic Class Anschutz Target rifles, but then what is) but far more accurate then some cheap bolt actions and the majority of semi autos...So don't go labeling all lever guns the same...

Oh, and for the most part, Henry's are at best a high (over) priced budget gun!

 

[Biggfoot44]

Are there pics not showing up on my smart phone ?
Otherwise, how big ARE the groups ?
Even though I don't usually bother, it couldn't hurt to season the bbl . Some people swear by it, others find it makes no difference, But it won't make anything worse.
Try a different scope of known performance, preferably parallax adjusted for your distance.
Follow above sugguestion of testing every type of ammo you can find.

 

[Deus Machina]

Pictures are through the link in the first post.

TL;DR version: 50 yard, 15-round groups range from 2"-3.5" on the cheap stuff and half the mid-range, and smallest being about 1.25" from bulk-dox Dynapoint GT and largest being, understandably, 60gr Aguila SSS at larger-than-the-paper.

I'd be happy if these were 75 or 100 yards, like the other .22's I've had a chance to try (A Marlin 39a, most noteably), but 7" groups at farthest expected range upset me a little.

I plan to get a better scope when I can afford to, but until then the much smaller Dynapoint group relieves me and/or the scope from some small amount of the blame.

 

[Mr. Bojangles]

I've always had difficulty getting excellent groups with any rifle with iron sights. I realize a scope on a lever rifle isn't really appealing, but if you are looking for optimal accuracy, this would be a good place to start. I've seen several expensive, good rifles with crappy scopes whose owners can't figure out why their groups aren't good. I've always liked lever rifles and would love to take it off your hands for you

 

[JohnBT]

I agree with everything that has been said.

How's the crown? Have to pushed a tight patch through the barrel to check for really tight, or loose, spots? Heck, is the barrel coming loose from the receiver? Something sounds off, I'd think there would be more than one brand of ammo that would shoot an inch or so at 50.

Is Wolf Match Target really $7.00 a box where you are? I haven't bought any since it went from $15 to $18 a brick. Maybe I should think about selling.

John

 

[22-rimfire]

Deus, I also agree that the rifle just doesn't merit extreme measures to improve the accuracy. I'm not trying to put down your rifle. I kind of like Henry's, but never bought one. I was holding out for a Marlin 39A and finally bought one this spring. With open sights and cheap ammo (mostly thunderbolts), I don't get great groups with the 39A either (yet). I just haven't tried very hard to group it yet. I'm just not a good open sight shooter for the most part. But I love to shoot the thing. I intend to mount a medium grade rimfire scope on it; probably a 2.5-7x Weaver or 4x Weaver rimfire scope with a inch tube. The larger scope diameter does help to improve your shooting. But more importantly, it helps to make shooting more fun.

I know you know that you aren't printing great groups. You see enough "one hole" groups in the forums. You should be able to do better even with the less expensive ammo. Again shoot 5-shot groups, not 10 or 15-shot groups and do it at 25 yds. At that range, you should be able to keep them in quarter sized groups or less. Right now, you need to build up your confidence with that rifle; so shoot at closer range. Shooting at 50 yds with a 22 is not that easy. It is not a centerfire rifle.

Shoot from a good rest. Be consistant in your fundamentals. Many don't do well with the 60 gr Aguila. I would try some standard and high velocity CCI, Wolf Match Target, Remington SubSonics, Remington standard velocity Target, more Federal Lightnings, and maybe a box or two of something like Eley just for kicks. The Federal Lightnings (510's) is pretty good ammo and I shoot it often. Regardless of what many say, I shoot a lot of Remington golden bullets and thunderbolts too. Keep the distance to 25 yds. Move out to 50 yds when you start seeing better groups. There is no point in shooting at 50 yds just because that is what everyone does on the forums. If you can't get 1" groups at 25 yds, there is something wrong.

Wolf Match Target runs around $45 a brick now. The $20 days are long past.

Added: By the way, your Henry should do better than you are seeing even with bulk ammo. Something is wrong. It could be that particular rifle.

 

[NuJudge]

Can I suggest just using Standard Velocity (subsonic) ammo? Most of the ammo types you were using in your ammo test were supersonic, and shoot nowhere near as well as subsonic.

I've only been able to find one High Speed ammo type that shot well in my stock 10/22s, and it is no longer made (it was $11 a box too).

I just had two 10/22 rifles modified so they would function reliably with Standard Velocity. After seasoning with 20 rounds or so, they shoot beautifully with Wolf Match Target and several other types of Standard Velocity ammo that are moderately priced.

 

[krs]

A scope can go south with one shot. There's no reason to assume that it's good because of better former performance. This is true of Leupolds (ask another benchrest shooter if one (me) isn't opinion enough) and is certainly more true of anything that carries the BSA name. They've never been highly regarded and as I said in your other thread, a good one is a matter of pure luck and can change just as quickly as luck too often does.

I agree with all that 22-rimfire said above.

 

[Mousegun]

To really put the icing on the cake an get the 39A to full potential you can have the trigger worked on or if you really feel spunky, follow this link and go down the page about 3/4 of the way to my post at member name "Mousegun"

LINKY

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

I have never owned a .22 that wasn't accurate. I have had problems with parrolox on .22's and solved it with a rimfire scope set parralox free at 50 yds. Made a huge difference. The scope is a Bushnell.

 

[Sunray]

"...Buy one box of every brand of ammo..." Yep. With any .22, rifle or handgun, you have to try a box of as many brands as you can to find the ammo it shoots best. The price of said ammo means nothing either. .22's are just like that.
A scope won't make a rifle that doesn't shoot well any more accurate. A scope just lets you see the target better.

 

[Nhsport]

Most 22's that have not been totally abused will have the potential to shoot pretty good .
Unsutable ammo , poor sights ,poor scopes , loose scope mounts,poor triggers and poor technique along with wind can really mess up groups.

As others have said generally a match,standard velocity or sub sonic will outshoot most high velocity or high velocity bulk ammo.

good luck!

 

[CZguy]

"...Buy one box of every brand of ammo..." Yep. With any .22, rifle or handgun, you have to try a box of as many brands as you can to find the ammo it shoots best. The price of said ammo means nothing either. .22's are just like that.
A scope won't make a rifle that doesn't shoot well any more accurate. A scope just lets you see the target better.

Plus one.............excellent advice,

 

[rangerruck]

above box dudes are totally right, lots of ammo to test out there.
Now then, for testing, only shoot at either 25 or 50 yards,depending on eyes, wait a full 45 seconds between times you pull the trigger next, remove the front bbl band if you can, and allways put the front sandbag rest, right up against the front of the lever/trigger guard. never put the front rest forward of the reciever/under the bbl, if you can at all help it. when you change ammo, fire off at least 2 fouling shots of the new ammo, somewhere in the dirt, before you fire a real shot group string. We are trying to keep everything as consistent as possible here. this will give you a better idea, if your rifle can shoot or not.
If at this point, with open sites, at 50 yards, you find an ammo that will let you consistently shoot a group that is smaller than 2 inches, then you can work on that rifle. otherwise, you got a lemon.

NO SCOPE, REMOVE IT AS A VARIABLE.
that bsa scope, is about as bad as it gets, also, " If it says BSA, then run away...!"

You need to thorougly clean the bbl as well, especially from copper, that is what some of your
targets are telling me, from the ammo test, plus some of that ammo is keyholing. and I am surprised
that it shoots Hyper velocity well at all. If your rifle is designed to also shoot shorts,
then i highly recommend some CCI , Hi speed, short, hollow points. does some amazing work
in a variety of rifles.

I am also making the assumption, that you are using front and rear sandbag rests...

this is the best of the cheapy scopes; it is air rifle rated, spring piston rated, adult break bbl rated.
and it is under 50 bucks, plus prrlax adjusts down to about 10 ft, with the AO.
http://www.opticsplanet.net/tasco-3-9x44-titan.html
if you cannot get this one, look for another air rifle rated scope, with an adjustable ao, that goes
down to at least 10 meters, or less, like this one. Again, avoid BSA, next avoid Nc Star.next would be Barska.

 

[rangerruck]

one more thing; if accuracy tweaks are to be had on the Henry, you can bet the boys over at http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/
know them allready.