Am I expecting too much?

[Pinoc]

Are you guys getting good accuracy out of your .22s? I want to squirrel hunt with it but cannot seem to get it to group tight enough. It will group a couple then have a couple flyers. I have checked the barrel nut and cleaned the barrel. I also have tried several brands of ammo. My next step is to change scopes. Maybe I am looking for it to do more than it can. Thanks for any help.

 

[RedNeck Jim]

Are you guys getting good accuracy out of your .22s? I want to squirrel hunt with it but cannot seem to get it to group tight enough. It will group a couple then have a couple flyers. I have checked the barrel nut and cleaned the barrel. I also have tried several brands of ammo. My next step is to change scopes. Maybe I am looking for it to do more than it can. Thanks for any help.

The 15-22 is a plinker... not a hunting rifle. Sure it can be used to hunt but it is normally a 3 MOA gun. That means at 100 yards you can expect a 3" group. To me, that is not accurate enough to hunt small game humanely. Don't get me wrong... I love my 15-22s. They are great at what they do. Other guns are better at hunting.

I use a CZ 455 Varmint for when I want accuracy from a .22. Mine shoots sub MOA.

Gun Review: CZ 455 Varmint - The Truth About Guns

 

[dullh]

Am I expecting too much?

Yes. Use something else, especially if any distance is involved.

My 15-22 is "zeroed" at 25 yards - to me it's a fun bullet hose, especially with my SiCo Sparrow screwed to the end of the barrel...

 

[Overpaid Union Thug]

I zeroed mine out to 43 yards one day at the range just for kicks. I was getting two to three inch groups. I had the scope attachment on my Vortex Sparc. It was fun.

 

[Wheeler57]

I give up
How did you know the OP was talking about a 15-22?

 

[Overpaid Union Thug]

I give up
How did you know the OP was talking about a 15-22?

This is the M&P 15-22 forum. Most of us would have assumed the OP was talking about that rifle.

 

[RedNeck Jim]

I give up
How did you know the OP was talking about a 15-22?

Because he posted in the 15-22 forum. This is not a general rimfire forum. Also mentioning a barrel nut sounds like a 15-22.

 

[Wheeler57]

got it
thanks

 

[Shoot2kill]

My son hunts squirrels with a BB gun....I think a 3 MOA .22 is perfectly fine


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Smokin' Iron]

Sorry guys, but the last .22 rifle I had that shot 3"MOA at 50 yards is now a dandy floor lamp in my man cave.

 

[F75gunslinger]

Never mind...

 

[Pinoc]

Thanks for the replys. I havent given up on it yet but I do want a tight group if I am shooting at live game. What is odd is I did shoot some squirrels with it and then started missing everything so something has changed but I havent found what yet.

 

[squirrelman]

I intend to use mine for hunting squirrel. Shots are usually only 20 to 40. Yards I just need to figure out which scope will help the most

 

[RedNeck Jim]

Thanks for the replys. I havent given up on it yet but I do want a tight group if I am shooting at live game. What is odd is I did shoot some squirrels with it and then started missing everything so something has changed but I havent found what yet.

Obviously, when dealing with accuracy, there are several factors. The main ones are what the gun is capable of doing & what you can do... and you need to be able to separate the two. First thing I suggest you do is clamp down the gun so that you can determine what the gun can do. As I said, this is a 3 MOA rifle, on average. Some are better... some worse. Find out what yours does. If you get 2" groups at 50 yards, that means yours is shooting 4 MOA. If that is the case, I'd wonder if your barrel was not crowned properly.

You mentioned changing scopes. That is a good idea in that yours might not be holding zero properly. Also a good scope helps you do your part better in this whole issue of accuracy.

As a point of reference, I took this pic last week to show a member here the change in point of impact with and without my suppressor. These 2 groups were shot at 33 yards with me leaning against my Gator, so my poor marksmanship is still somewhat of a factor in the grouping. This was shot with my SBR build with an 11" barrel using my Eotech & 3x magnifier. The barrel was cut, threaded & crowned by Adco, so that helps accuracy. I mention that because if you can't find any other solution, that possibly could fix it. The barrel crown is critical for accuracy. BTW, even with me shooting, at that range my CZ would have one big hole.

 

[ScoobyDoo]

If you haven't already, check that the rings are tight - that they are both keeping the scope from moving in the rings and keeping the base of the rings tightly fastened to the rifle. It's an obvious thing that we all overlook sometimes. Like you said, something has changed so it may still be something small you haven't found yet. I'd try looking for that thing a little longer before you buy another scope or spend a lot of $$$.

 

[Biggfoot44]

So what size groups is the OP getting, and what is your expectation.

The 15-22 is a "sporting" aka general purpose .22lr , not a pure target or benchrest gun. Your standard of comparison are Marlin 60, 735, etc , box stock 10/22 , Rem 597 ect. Generations of hunters have used such guns to hunt generally , and squirels in particular. Just like any gun and ammo combination , keep your shots withing the capability of you and your gun.

For guns of this type ( translating to typical 25yd groups) 1.0in is reasonably adaquate, .75 is pretty good. ( substitute 4MOA and 3MOA for those inclined) If your requirement is for sub 0.5in aka sub 2MOA plan on either a target gun, or rebarelling with good bbl and tight chamber.

 

[Pinoc]

I will try clamping the gun down to eliminate me. I hadnt thought of that. I also always clean from the breech end so I dont think I did anything to the crown. I also already have another scope to try so no expense there. I have always just used bulk .22s but I might also try some higher grade match ammo if all else fails.

 

[little_airwolf]

I cant believe no one has commented on ammo aswell.
What ammo were you using? If you want the most out of your 15-22. Be perpared to spend money on ammo!
Match ammo runs about 50¢ a shot. Im guessing the OP is using bulk ammo.

 

[RedNeck Jim]

I have always just used bulk .22s but I might also try some higher grade match ammo if all else fails.

Match grade might be overkill. I think a good subsonic, such as CCI Standard Velocity or Norma Tac-22 will serve you well... at a reasonable cost.

 

[stavman11]

there is a HUGE difference in just Bulk Fed ammo and CCI tactical Ammo

That may help alot...

and Like others... Bench shoot it to be sure it the Scope is holding zero...

Hey... did ya ever think It may just be the SHOOTER