Ruger Rimfire Range Session

[barnfrog]

Took my brandy new Ruger American Rimfire .22 WMR out for a spin. I had two different flavors of ammo: Winchester Super-X that I got in an estate sale and had been sitting in a basement for an indeterminate length of time, and some new CCI Maxi-mag. 50 yards with open sights off bipod and rear bag. Grid is actually 3/4" squares, not one inch. Somewhat disappointing, but it's been a long time since I shot without optics, so a lot has to do with me. Winchester is the first pic, CCI second. Vertical stringing in the Winchester group is interesting and I wonder if it has anything to do with the age of the ammo. Still loads of fun and looking forward to getting familiar with this latest addition to the gun rack.

 

[d2wing]

With a scope I do better than that with mine at 100 yards. Break it in and scope it and you will be happy.

 

[barnfrog]

With a scope I do better than that with mine at 100 yards. Break it in and scope it and you will be happy.

Weaver #12 bases arrived in today's mail.

 

[d2wing]

Mine likes CCI too.

 

[barnfrog]

Interesting results after mounting a scope. I took a Leupold 1-4x that I had in the closet and put in on the RAR. Since the CCIs had shot better previously I figured I'd concentrate on those. Bore sighted the scope by looking through the barrel, and then shot three at 25 yards to see if I was on the paper. All three touching, which was encouraging, but a little high. Adjusted the elevation and moved back to 50 yards. Three 3-shot groups got me to 1" high at 50 yards, which I figured is fine. But the groups were still a little over an inch. Not as good as I was hoping.

Just for kicks I loaded up five shots of the Super-X, and wouldn't you know it they produced a nice round group just under 0.7". A little low and a little right, so I adjusted the windage and elevation and shot five more. Again, a nice round group just under 0.7".

No complaints, of course. I'll still try some other flavors, but if the Winchesters keep shooting that well I'll stick with them. I've only got about 75 rounds through the barrel thus far, so things may smooth out for all brands as I break it in more.

 

[Airedale1]

Before I even attempt to get a group on paper I like to send a minimum of 5 rounds down range off target just to warm up the barrel. Maybe that's just an old wive's tale that has no bearing on how tight the rounds that follow will be but I'm old and that's the way I was taught. Anybody else?

 

[tominboise]

When I clean the barrel or change ammunition brands, I shoot 5 shot groups, enough groups until I am satisfied that the group size has stabilized. Usually 10 shots does it.

 

[barnfrog]

Before I even attempt to get a group on paper I like to send a minimum of 5 rounds down range off target just to warm up the barrel. Maybe that's just an old wive's tale that has no bearing on how tight the rounds that follow will be but I'm old and that's the way I was taught. Anybody else?

That's interesting, in that I don't think I've ever heard that for rimfire rifles. All the time for centerfire, but it seems like lots of folks just expect less from a RF gun so the idea of shooting foulers or warming the barrel don't seem to get mentioned.

However, there is a related philosophy that I would apply to a rimfire rifle just as much as a centerfire, which is that if I plan to hunt with it, then I zero it with a cold barrel. Critters like the chuck below typically won't wait while I warm up the barrel. I shot him with the new RAR at about 70 yards as he stood on his hind legs facing me next to my mom's barn.


I like my new gun.