I seem to have hit a plateau.

If I can drill the center once, I should be able to do it consistently, right?

Apart from the obvious, "practice", any tips on improving my shooting at 50yds from a rest?

thnx

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Professional Trainer

Match grade ammo should do it.That's very good shooting with mini mags.

Thanks...what type of match grade ammo?

I've tried some, and it seemed like lower velocity than the Mini Mags.

Couldn't get consistent cycling of the MKII.

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Professional Trainer

And, at some point, you'll probably find that your equipment will not rise to the level of your skill, and you may need to call it "good", or invest in better equipment... I'd call that a very satisfactory group, and be pleased...

Yep I forgot about that part 😬 Both of my Rugers will cycle cci sv,but I haven't benched them,I just plink.Eley,Wolf and SSK are 3 makers I can think of off hand.Have you checked out Rimfire Central? There are some very knowledgeable members there.

As suggested, better ammo. The Ruger forum guys might have some suggestions. You might consider trigger work if you haven't already, and then just focus on trigger control and consistent breathing.

Nice group though...I'd be proud!

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Even older, even crankier....

thnx

trigger's been worked and is excellent

I've slowed down and breathe now.

But better ammo might help if I could find some that cycled the MKII.

fwiw: I shot the same groups with a S&W Model 41.

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Professional Trainer

I wish I had your 'problem'.

Oh BTW - I'm going to video my shooting close up and see what I'm doing when I pull the trigger. That will probably show an encyclopedia of errors!

Last fall, I took my 1959 vintage Model 41 with the 7 3/8" barrel to the range and decided to see what the difference would be for different ammo. I recently put a heavier spring on it and a buffer so as to handle high velocity ammo. I shot at a target at 15 yds.

The results are as follows 10 shots from a rest:

Remington bulk ammo: 1.0" group
CCI Green Box Standard Velocity: .75" group
CCI Subsonic" .5" group

I was surprised at the group for the subsonic ammo.

I have a feeling that a better shooter can get smaller groups with the 41.


Soon I will try some match pistol ammo

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Corripe Cervisiam

And you want to improve that group ??? At 50 YARDS ??? To what .... for christsake ?

With a scope and a rest you should have them all in the 10 ring ( The Red Dot ).
Buy a S&W M41 and it will do it without the scope.

I believe you are shooting within the capability of your current gun and ammo. Match grade ammo such as Ely TenX or Ultimate, Fiocchi SM300, SK, RWS, etc. will show you the best your equipment can do. Since 22RF guns are very picky about what they shoot, you may have to try several brands until you find what does the best in your gun, then note the "Lot #" and buyy all you can of that Lot #. Next, the gun barrel and is it "match chambered"? Is the barrel a tried and true "Match" barrel, installed by a top custom gunsmith? When you have all that accomplished it depends on the individual day, the angle of the light, how much your arthritis is kicking up that day, how may work problems are still on your mind, are your children trying to decide on the most expensive college? What way the wind is blowing, how solid is your bench rest, do the grips fit your hand correctly? Do you get my drift? There are so many ammo, mechanical, personal and environmental factors involved you may search for awhile. That's what keeps us all coming back for more all the time.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Are yo doing cold shots or throwing some rounds downrange to warm up the barrel? There is a lot better ammo out there than what you are using.

Thanks for the info.

(I used the MKII for silhouette matches in both optics and irons classes.)

I'm warming up the barrel before trying to shoot tight groups.

Ammo is scarce, and although my tests were limited, some of the "standard velocity" match ammo didn't cycle the MKII dependably.

I'll borrow/swap for some more match-grade ammo and test again.

And my M41 didn't shoot "$600 better" than the MKII.

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Professional Trainer

Many years ago I was good friends with Robert Sheffield . He was a professional shootist of the highest order. He ran the Memphis gun club.
When he was in competition he routinely shot 200 rounds per day , every day.. He did not concentrate on sight picture any thing else , but trigger pull, trigger pull , trigger pull.
His pistol was a S&W M-41.

As mentioned a number of times you are at the limit of what your ammo can deliver....you should see group size diminish with higher grade ammo.

The least expensive standard velocity seems to be CCI 0032 when you can find it. My Ruger MK2, Hi Standard Supermatic Citation and S&W 41 shoot it VERY well. Any of them will carve the X ring out when I do MY part.

Randy

fire a shot ... set the gun down ... take a sip from your coffee or a bite from your sandwich then repeat.
This absolutely forces your focus upon placing the first shot, like its your only shot.
shouldn't take too long to set you straight.

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it just needs more voltage

Try not to hiccup while pulling the trigger.

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Thirty characters. Exactly...

A 40gr. round nose sv bullet is the way to go. Bulk bullets are a no no for target shooting. Remington Target--Winchester Target--Winchester Super x hv--are some of the cheaper bullets that do ok. Invest in a 50 ROUND BOX of good target ammo & when the wind & sun are ok & u are shooting good with another bullet--drag the hi dollar ammo out & do the 10 round thing & see if it makes a difference. Different guns like different ammo sometimes. Your gun is doing ok if u aren't shooting target ammo. Make sure the barrel is tight on the frame. Mine was a little loose & is easy fix with a hammer & brass punch. JUST AT THOUGHT --everyone has their own ideals. I THINK I will drag mine out tomorrow & blow the cobwebs out.

so true....guess what number that center shot was?

I've been gradually slowing down.

And on those targets the orange dot is .5", the next ring is 1.5", so that's about 1.5" group.

I'm shooting CCI Mini-Mags because I have a good supply of them, and most everything else is nonexistent right now.

sipowicz, I think you're on to something there...or maybe just on something.

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Professional Trainer

I like Federal Auto Match as a better than bulk, bulk 22. I get very good groups with it in my rifles. It works good in my Mark II, but I can't shoot as well as you can. It is high velocity and should cycle your Mark II just fine.

You're on the wrong forum if you want advice on bullseye shooting. This is the place you brag about your 5" group at 7 yards. just kidding...

Looking at your pistol and the excellent sight, you should be able to shoot that offhand at 50 yards and certainly at 25 yards. In all seriousness, trigger control is probably your biggest concern.

Go to The Encyclopedia of Bullseye Pistol, look around there...

Thnx, I did not know that about Clark Rugers.

I have a centerfire silhouette match in the morning and will be shooting the 629 Classic. Can't shoot it as well as the MKII, though.


But, just for spits and giggles I shot my carry piece, a Colt CCO at 50yds. Thought I might use it as a backup at the centerfire silhouette match.

Probably couldn't duplicate this, but I did it once. (includes obligatory flyer)

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Professional Trainer

Seriously??!!? I'd love to take lessons from you. I have several rifles I can't get that good a group from.

You might try one of the .22 sizer dies on the market. There are about three I think. I have the Neil Waltz die. It sizes the .22 round up from .222 to .225. Made each of my 22's shoot more accurately. It is supposed to sort of make "match ammo" out of regular .22. Mine does a good job. In mine there are two stems for the die. One makes hollow points out of round nose or bigger hollow points out of factory and the other stem puts an "Ely" nose on round nose bullets. The die fits all presses. I put mine on a Lee hand press so I could take it to the range. It does wonders with wolf .22 ammo.

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War Eagle!!!

The things you learn on the internets.

Will, for sure, look into it.

thnx

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Professional Trainer

Are you using a chrono and windflags?

I'd also suspect the rest(repeatability).

Diet and mental prep(positive mindset) along with realistic goals.

Making an investment in one area may show bennies.....but just as often is more akin to throwing darts at the problem.Shooting and its tools need to be viewed as a system.One reason most professionals use coaching is that it gives an outside,hopefully objective look at the issue.So,if you're chasing bullet holes.....go find who or where there are like minded folks,which is one more example of "investment".

Good luck,JMO....I'd say wind drift.Might look for an indoor facility?

Just a quick comment on frame #26, resting the "barrel" on a bench rest can (and usually will) make your shots go high as you are putting downward pressure on the barrel (even a little can hurt). This will give you a different POI than when you are shooting the gun in your hand only. When resting a revolver on a bench rest, rest the frame not the barrel.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

thanks...more good advice

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Professional Trainer