What group at 50yrds is very good? 22lr Semi Auto

[LiveLife]

This is what I currently have:

Based on my testing of 20+ boxed/bulk ammo in several factory 10/22, Take Down, new 10/22 Collector #3 and new T/CR22 (Along with GSG 1911 22LR), I think the following is capable of producing more consistent smaller groups (Around 1/2" single hole core groups instead of scatter group):

• CCI Standard Velocity - Smallest consistent groups
• Aguila Sniper Subsonic - I shot Aguila 40 gr Lead RN which produced slightly larger groups than CCI SV
• Blazer - Boxed, not loose bulk pack, has produced consistent small groups with less flyers
• Federal Automatch - For my test rifles, Automatch produced smallest of "scatter" compared to other "bulk" ammo
• Federal Bulk 38gr HP - While did not produce great groups for 10/22, produced surprisingly consistent small groups for T/CR22

In addition, Aguila 40 gr CPRN and Pistol Match 40 gr LeadRN both produced consistently smaller core groups with occasional flyers for both 10/22 and T/CR22.

While I captured many 10 shot groups at 25/50 yards, this composite target should give a good comparison between different ammo brands/types out of T/CR22 for reference (Yes, ammo selection DOES make a big difference for producing smaller groups, especially 10 shot groups ... Many of these 10 shot groups started out as tight 5 shot groups ).

 

[Roknstevo]

With these aging peepers, anything under 1MOA is acceptable at 50.

Min of squirrel or rabbit is just peachy for me.....

 

[d2wing]

I really don't have a lot of variety. All my stuff is either cheap bulk stuff or high velocity.

This is what I currently have:
CCI Standard Velocity
CCI Velocitor
CCI Minimag RN
CCI Minimag HP
CCI 22 Short
CCI Stingers
CCI Segmented
CCI Quiet
CCI Short Range Green
CCI Subsonic
CCI Suppressor 45gr
Federal Bulk 36gr HP
Federal Bulk 38gr HP
Federal Automatch
Aguila Super Extra Short
Aguila Colibri
Aguila Sniper Subsonic
Remington Subsonic
Winchester Subsonic
Blazer

Of the ammo you listed , I have had best luck with CCI standard velocity and Federal Automatch. I think you are getting acceptable accuracy for that ammo in that rifle if you are shooting around an inch. To shoot better I would try better ammo, something like Lapua, Eley or SK. or other match grade ammo. Mine likes Lapua Center-X and a couple Eley loads best. Also start with a clean barrel. Bore scope it if you can especially for a carbon ring.
Also I would expect the the T/C to shoot as or better than the Ruger. There could be issues with the bolt being dirty or some other small thing that affects consistency. Not seeing groups I am just guessing. Another thing is the amount of fouling can affect groups. Some like none, some like a few shots. Also folks recommend cleaning between different ammo. Good luck.

 

[LiveLife]

There could be issues with the bolt being dirty or some other small thing that affects consistency ... Another thing is the amount of fouling can affect groups.

Good points.

Definitely inspect the barrel crown. As I fired several hundred rounds, I casually took a glancing look at the T/CR22 crown and it "appeared" clean but after 1000 round count range session, I was surprised how much fouling had built up at the crown which can affect accuracy/group size.

 

[Orion8472]

So I took the Ruger 10/22 and the T/CR22 out to the range today. Shot at 50 yards. Ruger used CCI Standard Velocity. T/CR22 used CCI Velocitors.

This was my best 5 shot group for the 10/22. Target is a 1" square.


These are my best target shots with the T/CR22. Circle target is a 1.5" circle,...square is 1".


But the T/CR22 surprised me with this group [I just shot at a white section between the circles and continued to aim at that point.]


I am quite happy with this. Not sure what the problem was last week. Could have been an issue with wind...humidity,....my own poor performance? Who knows.

 

[ThomasT]

I also wouldn’t worry quite as much on REALLY quality ammunition, as much as trying just different ammunition. Some I have that one firearm does well with another just doesn’t like.

I have done that test before with my Ruger Single Six and a big variety of ammo. It was a real eye opener to see how much variation there was in group sizes. And the target and most expensive were not always the best groupers.

I am quite happy with this. Not sure what the problem was last week. Could have been an issue with wind...humidity,....my own poor performance? Who knows.

You have probably read on the internet that 22s don't need to be cleaned but nothing could be further from the truth. 22 ammo is some of the dirtiest of all the ammo made and you do need to clean the barrel. I mentioned the groups I can get with my Ruger 77/22. But after 300 rounds groups start to open up and scatter shots. Removing the bolt and brushing out the barrel puts me back to shooting good groups.

 

[Orion8472]

Oh...well, I did clean the Ruger before taking it out. Not the Thompson. Not cleaned that one yet.

I really have no GOOD way to clean the Ruger properly,....so may end up drilling a hole in the back of the upper receiver so I can get a cleaning rod down the bore the correct way.

 

[Orion8472]

I think I am going to have to change the lower trigger with a better one, for the T/CR22. The trigger pull is pretty long and heavy. I wonder how much better I'd do with a KIDD or Volquartsen trigger pack?

 

[Sniper66]

Our OP asks, "What groups are very good?" for a semi-auto. The ones he describes are not "very good", but not terrible. I had a 10/22 with bull-barrel and it shot OK, but not "very good" either. Sold it. Fast forward to my Bergara BXR. Used an OK scope first, but eventually switched to a Tract 4-12X and switched from CCI SV to SK Standard Plus. Now it is in the "very good" category. CCI SV is decent, but can't match the SK for consistency. My two bolt guns, a Remington 541S and a Mauser 201 will both out-score the semi, using SK and Norma Tac22 respectively, but not by much. I've not included here any group sizes because I don't usually measure them. I generally want my .22s to shoot minute-of-squirrel eye at 50 yds. I try for dime/nickle size groups and don't quit until I can put 8 or 9 of 10 shots in a circle about that size. Works fir me.