22 Long Gong anyone?

[Just another 22 shooter]

This past summer, our local gun club has hosted a Long Gong match every month.(basically shooting 8", 6" and 4" hanging steel targets at 300 yards off a bench with a 22 rimfire rifle) We've had 10 to 15 participants show up every time.
I've always had something going that interfered with me getting there in time to shoot, but this past weekend I made it my priority to do it.
This game is quite humbling, even to veteran shooters. I'll leave the rules below.
10 years ago I wouldn't have even thought to try to shoot 300 yards( with any kind of accuracy) with any of my 22s. Then two years ago I bought a CZ 547 Varmint MTR. This gun has really impressed me from the git-go. With some encouragement from a couple guys at the range, I decide that I would shoot at least one match this year. After sending many rounds down range and figuring out the ballistics and scope settings, I got the gun zeroed at 300 and figure I might as well shoot my first match and get the shaming over with. Actually it turned out not too bad; 7th place out of 11 shooters and only 12 points away from the winning score.
Our range has almost aways a breeze blowing and even the veteran shooters have problems with it. And the terrain along with the wind really messes with 40 grain bullet moving at 1100 fps or less from the muzzle. This is really the first new shooting venue I've attempted in the last few years and it is something that is definitely fun and challenging enough for me to continue.

https://www.skowhegansportsmansclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Long-Gong-Rules.pdf

 

[Empe]

I've heard of it just recently but didn't really know what it was about . There seems to be a renewed interest in the .22 rimfire with several different options as far as competition is concerned ....several involve shooting the .22 at distances that no one would have imagined 10 years ago . Anywhere from 100 - 300 yards .
I watched but did not participate in one where the targets ranged from 50 all the way out to 300 yards . You had to be pretty familiar with the trajectory of the .22 bullet not to mention the wind in order to stand any chance at all .
The Long Gong you mention is new to me .
Thanks for posting about it.

 

[Empe]

Out of curiosity what type of ammunition did you use and what was the group size at 100 yards ?

 

[Just another 22 shooter]

Out of curiosity what type of ammunition did you use and what was the group size at 100 yards ?

My CZ shoots Lapua Long Range the best. It will shoot 5 shots into an inch or less at 100 yards. That ammo is very expensive so I practice with SK Long Range or SK Pistol Match. Those two will shoot 5 shots real close to an inch at 100. To shoot 300 yards, you dial the scope up 33 to 36 moa, depending on the ammo. So you must have a scope with very repeatable, reliable elevation turrets.

 

[Imissedagain]

I have a Weaver T36 for a close look at distant targets.
Have heard it called, a poor shooters,
"F Class" glass.

 

[TIMETRIPPER]

I see it more and more at my Fish & Game Club range. Mostly by older shooters. Ely ammo is very popular but there are other brands used. The good stuff runs between 10-15 dollars a box of 50. As with any .22 shooting, what works well in one rifle may not do well in another.
Most of the rifles used are standard factory target fare but with high end scopes.
I've been shooting at 100 and 200 yards with my CZ 455 Trainer .22 and CZ 457 22 Mag. I'll eventually get out to 300 yards. Scopes are Vortex with the BDC reticles. Both rifles are beautifully built and have smooth as silk actions. Neither have heavy barrels so I guess I'd be at a disadvantage in a match. But it sure is fun to hit consistently at long ranges with either one. The biggest problem is confirming hits. A spotter is needed because those heavy gongs barely move and I sure as hell can't hear the ding.

John

 

[greenwellg]

That would be a lot of fun.

 

[greenwellg]

With some of the modern scopes you don't need a spotting scope

 

[Just another 22 shooter]

We have a nice dirt berm behind the targets so when you're shooting by yourself, you can see probably 95% of your misses.