Accuracy potential of 15-22

B

Brian P.

Member
Joined
Oct 1, 2009
Messages
17
Reaction score
2
I know there are multiple variables and differences in individual guns, that will affect the outcome of a range session, but what is the average accuracy that one can expect from a 15-22 at a given range with its preffered ammo?
I have been wanting to put mine on the bench to answer this question myself, but work and (mainly) weather have prevented me from doing so.
I currently have a 2-7 power Nikon P22 scope on mine, and several thousand rounds of various manufacture to try. I expect 30-50 yards to be the zero range because I am hoping I can use this gun to squirrel hunt, and would like to have confidence in the gun to make heads shots when presented.
What can/should I expect?
BP
 
Register to hide this ad
I could be wrong but my S&W 15-22 is more of a fun range gun and so far I would not call it a 50 yard head shot squirrel gun. Now I haven't worked at it either by testing lots of different ammo but at 50 yards it's currently shooting over an inch in group size.

It is a fun rifle to shoot and one I let my grandkids have a fun day at the range with.
 
Head shots at that range with a scope shouldn't be a problem.

Last time I fired mine was at 100yds, standing, and I used the Magpul Gen 2 flip-up sights. I had a grouping of 5 inches...

Recently, I found a good deal on a Vortex Strikefire red dot. Haven't had a chance to shoot it since I've mounted the red dot but I would believe at standing with the red dot at 100yds - I shouldn't have a grouping larger than 2 inches...
 
The 15-22 is a 3 MOA gun. That means at 50 yards, you can expect 1 1/2" groups. That is with the gun locked down... not out hunting.

I know folks around here hunt with this gun but it is rather inaccurate for such... at least for me. A head shot on a squirrel requires something more like a 1 MOA gun, such as my bolt action CZ 455.

Once again, just my opinion. A great shot can do better with a 15-22 than I can with my CZ... shooting offhand that is. Not on a bench.
 
RedNeck Jim said:
The 15-22 is a 3 MOA gun. That means at 50 yards, you can expect 1 1/2" groups. That is with the gun locked down... not out hunting.
Click to expand...

I would agree with this... about 3 MOA +/-. That has been my result, using bulk ammo. I haven't tried match grade ammo, just mostly CCI Blazer and Federal. Open sights or red dot, supported shooting.
 
Also agree that they are fun guns with about 3 MOA +/-. If you want accuracy get a rifle designed for that like a CZ bolt.
 
When I first got my 1522 I tossed a magnified optic on it to see what it was capable of. By the end of the day I took the scope off and has never been mounted again. :p

Mine is closer to a 4moa rifle with HV bulk pack that curiously does not respond all that well to match ammo, even Wolf. It does shoot a little better with Aguila Match rifle for some reason but the soda cans don't know the difference... so I figure why waste the money.

The potential? Have no idea. But there's enough guys out there with bipods and magnified optics who agonize over groups on paper to make an overnight millionaire of the guy who comes up with a reasonably economic way to make the 1522 an moa rifle.
 
Last edited:
Yes, they are a fun gun, but when it comes to accuracy, a $200 bolt gun will beat it all day, any day.
Suggest zero for the 15-22 at about 25 yd. If you zero at 50, it will be too low at 100.
 
Agree with all that's been said. My Ruger American 22LR shoots circles around my 15-22 and can head shot a squirrel at 50 yds no problem. My 15-22, with a scope, might be able to do it 1-5 shots.
 
This is the PC vs. a MOE 15-22 at 50' off a rest.
 

Attachments

  • PC MOE target 50 feet.jpg
    PC MOE target 50 feet.jpg
    36.4 KB · Views: 581
You want a squirrel gun?

Go pick up a used Marlin 60/795 for around $100. My scoped Marlin 60 will shoot circles around the 15-22...
 
Some time back when I first got my 15-22, I did a write-up on the accuracy using several brands of 22LR.

Ammo selection will make a difference, no doubt about it.

mp15-17.jpg
 
3 MOA unless you are willing to do a few things to help tighten it up. But it will never be a sub MOA rifle. I have a customized Rem 597 that can shoot .5 MOA.
Stage 1: Remove the end cap from the quad rail. Get a 6"x 1/2" riser block and use it to bridge the receiver and the quad rail.
Stage 2: Buy and tune a SIMS Barrel De-Resonator, standard barrel size.
Stage 3: Buy the tools and replace the polymer quad rail with an alloy aluminum railed handguard and re-install the bridging riser.
Stage 4: (put in any position) use CCI-SV or match ammo.
 
photoracer said:
Stage 1: Remove the end cap from the quad rail. Get a 6"x 1/2" riser block and use it to bridge the receiver and the quad rail.
Stage 2: Buy and tune a SIMS Barrel De-Resonator, standard barrel size.
Stage 3: Buy the tools and replace the polymer quad rail with an alloy aluminum railed handguard and re-install the bridging riser.
Stage 4: (put in any position) use CCI-SV or match ammo.
Click to expand...
So how much did any or all of these mods decrease your group sizes? From what before to what after?
 
Re: Accuracy. Hum... those who worship at the high altar of accuracy will never be pleased w/ the 15-22, nor with any other similar rifle. Fine. Always fun to fool around with such stuff. Done it myself. However for lots of folks, fiddling around w/ such shooting is simply not particularly interesting. They gravitate toward rifles and shooting that is more geared toward (for lack of a better word) tactical shooting.

If 5.56mm ammo were still as cheap as once was the case, there might be less of a market for .22 LR tactical type rifles. But, that's about like frogs. If they had wings, they would probably not bump their back side when they jump. Reality is that 5.56mm ball ammo will never again ever be as inexpensive as once was taken for granted. Reality is that the cost of the rifles and magazines, etc., will always be problematic for many, especially those who simply do not have access to ranges, land where one can shoot something more than just plain paper targets. Reality is that the .22 LR tactical rifles allow many people to enjoy shooting the types of targets that appeal to them in scenarios that they find interesting and relevant. And it is for that very significant market segment with those interests in mind that the 15-22 is simply outstanding. It is the ne plus ultra of tactical .22 LR rifles.

It is not unlike the era following WWI when the realities of combat drove efforts to develop a workable semi-auto infantry rifle. There were those who bitterly complained that the M-1 Garand was not as "accurate" as the beloved 1903. They were correct. The boys at Camp Perry, etc., weren't concerned with anything more than putting little holes in little paper targets. The folks pushing the M-1 Garand wanted a rifle that would very effectively put holes in the enemy at normal engagement ranges. A similar comparison can be made between the development of the AK-47... and the fiddling with the AR-15 that finally produced the M-4. The folks whose great concern was tactical effectiveness and function will never satisfy those whose abiding concern is to shoot the smallest groups possible.
 
tomcatt51 said:
So how much did any or all of these mods decrease your group sizes? From what before to what after?
Click to expand...
I have done a few of these over time just to try them out, but never quantified them, because they were not what was needed for my guns that shoot action/speed competition. So I plan on doing them this spring/summer on my PC model, in sequence just to see how much, if any all of these do, and record what I find. However I am not going to put a stock handguard back on either of my 15-22s. I have plenty of CCI-SV and match ammo but I will save the match ammo till I get to the end, then compare the results of a couple of different ammo brands. I will do it this way:
1. Shoot with an alloy handguard but no bridge riser. This is generally the first real mod most do. Most likely a Samson Evo as that has a full length top rail and I have a couple.
2. Put the riser on and shoot it.
3. Take riser off and install Limbsaver Barrel De-Resonator and shoot that and tune it for the ammo.
4. Put the riser back on and shoot that.
5. Try different ammo: CCI-SV, Eley Pistol Match, Eley Club, and any other I can get. I won't try any high or hyper velocity ammo because I know what that does.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

three50seven
M&P 22 Magnum - An Answer to Nobody's Question?
Replies
11
Views
1K
BSA1
B
V
Range Day 15-22 always goes.
Replies
1
Views
1K
Jeppo
Jeppo
N
Light strike or no strike?
Replies
15
Views
3K
Navy vet
N
C
Bought Another Bodyguard 2.0
Replies
13
Views
932
halfmoonclip
H
Narragansett
Target 22 Selection ( Follow UP )
2 3
Replies
40
Views
2K
Baxter6551
Baxter6551

Latest posts

Back
Top