Lemon, Noob, Expectations....

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TheEskimo

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So I'm a first-time gun owner, and I settled on a 15-22 as a nice gun to start off with. I did my research, and saw that people liked it for its ease of cleaning/breakdown, aesthetics, and decent accuracy. I bought mine from a LGS about 2 weeks ago, and spent the first couple of days shooting at soda cans, fruit, etc. I figured that I had better finally sight it in, and spent about 50 rounds getting moderately close to a bullseye from 50 yards(this used Winchester Super-X HP).
Eventually killed a raccoon that had been going after the chickens(from about 10 feet, so isn't worth bragging about). Anyways, I've had this nagging feeling that the gun feels "off", and decided to do some testing this afternoon. I did some 5-round shot tests at 50 and 25 yards, using Winchester Super-X HP, and Federal Automatch. What I got has me convinced I either A) Am a poor beginner shooter, B) My accuracy expectations were too high, or C)I have a bit of a lemon.
All shots were from a prone position using iron sights. Red Sharpied hits are the Federal, and Black are the Winchester.
The 50 yards shots, one of the Federal didn't even hit an 8.5x11 piece of paper. Targets are soupcan bottoms with Sharpy bullseyes. I'm considering selling this at a loss, and getting a Savage bolt-action.
I've put about 500 rounds through this(with only one fail to fire), and really want to like it.
Any thoughts? Sorry for the novel.
 

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is that from iron Sites???

AHHHH i noticed it WAS from irons..... it does take practice to get good....... Maybe get an inexpensive red Dot Site and Try that... will help alot with accuracy for sure.... irons are great but since you are a 1st time gun owner... maybe try some optics ta help ya out

Also be sure the barrel is tight and Dosent wabble, loose barrel nut would effect accuracy, but its so new, i dont think it will be that

have Fun.... its a GREAT gun and lots of Fun.... love mine... may be buying a buddies as well....



TheEskimo said:
So I'm a first-time gun owner, and I settled on a 15-22 as a nice gun to start off with. I did my research, and saw that people liked it for its ease of cleaning/breakdown, aesthetics, and decent accuracy. I bought mine from a LGS about 2 weeks ago, and spent the first couple of days shooting at soda cans, fruit, etc. I figured that I had better finally sight it in, and spent about 50 rounds getting moderately close to a bullseye from 50 yards(this used Winchester Super-X HP).
Eventually killed a raccoon that had been going after the chickens(from about 10 feet, so isn't worth bragging about). Anyways, I've had this nagging feeling that the gun feels "off", and decided to do some testing this afternoon. I did some 5-round shot tests at 50 and 25 yards, using Winchester Super-X HP, and Federal Automatch. What I got has me convinced I either A) Am a poor beginner shooter, B) My accuracy expectations were too high, or C)I have a bit of a lemon.
All shots were from a prone position using iron sights. Red Sharpied hits are the Federal, and Black are the Winchester.
The 50 yards shots, one of the Federal didn't even hit an 8.5x11 piece of paper. Targets are soupcan bottoms with Sharpy bullseyes. I'm considering selling this at a loss, and getting a Savage bolt-action.
I've put about 500 rounds through this(with only one fail to fire), and really want to like it.
Any thoughts? Sorry for the novel.
Click to expand...
 
Being a first time gun owner you shouldnt expect to be a marksman. A reddot will help but only practice will make you better. Its up to you to sell it at a loss and thinking the Savage will make it all better is novice thinking.
 
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(1) you initially sight in at 10 yards. This insures that you are hitting the paper. After getting the sights adjusted, confirm the sight settings at 25 yards. 50 yards is WAY too far to start sighing in any firearm, especially with iron sights.

(2) sight in with the rifle on a rest of some kind - sandbags, at a minimum. Trying to do it any other way is not conducive to success, as you have found out.

(3) the 15-22 is not a match rifle. 3 MOA (Minutes of Angle - 3" at 100 yards) is about about average for a shooter with moderate experience ... and you'll need a scope to get that. Unless one are an accomplished iron sight shooter, 4-5 MOA is more typical.

Not to be unkind, but I think your assessment of being a poor beginning shooter is probably an accurate statement. At this point you are probably just spraying rounds downrange. If you have a gun club near you, hook up with an experienced shooter to help you with your shooting technique.

Welcome to the forum and shoot as much as you can afford. Things WILL get better with time and practice.
 
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Exactly...


Time and Practice is yer friend for sure...... and some professional help as well as the Experts on here, will help ya as well


dont give up on it... its a GREAT Rifle... lots of Fun.... and CHEAP ta shoot if ya can find Ammo


Good luck, hang in there, and have FUN!!!
 
I was going to post the same thing. I always recommend new shooters staying with the iron sights until you are proficient with them. Plus it will save you money that you can spend on training and ammo.

telero said:
Get a sling and go to an Appleseed
Click to expand...

Also keep in mind there is a lot more to shooting then just having your sights dialed in, such as your shooting platform, prone, supported etc... and also trigger control is a huge factor. If you are slapping/jerking the trigger then your shots are going to go off target.
 
Wow, thanks for all the prompt and helpful replies. I'l definitely move my targets closer, and work on my basic skills. I guess I was severely overestimating my skills. Time to go get another brick and make something of myself.
 
Thats the SPIRIT


when in Dought..... SHOOT MORE LEAD.... worst case... ya get better and have a LOT of Fun..... best case..... the same but ya find LOTS of ammo


:D
 
TheEskimo said:
Wow, thanks for all the prompt and helpful replies. I'l definitely move my targets closer, and work on my basic skills. I guess I was severely overestimating my skills. Time to go get another brick and make something of myself.
Click to expand...

The basic skills are extremely important. I would highly recommend receiving some kind of training so that you do not develop any bad habits. You can watch all the youtube videos you want and read "how to shoot threads" all day (not saying you are doing this or that it is useless) but it is no substitute for having an instructor showing you the correct way and watching what you are doing to help diagnose your form.

Oh yeah, welcome to the forum.
 
my dad started me shooting a lever action, single shot .22 with open/iron sights when i was 8. in preparation for when i could legally hunt at 12. and even after all those years of shooting, it took a few boxes to be proficient with the scoped rifle at 100 yds.

i already had a red dot when i bought my 15-22...slapped it on, measured out around 50yds, sighted it in...and am pretty happy with the accuracy...so like others have said, get some practice,get some training and enjoy a fairly accurate, fun to shoot .22.
 
One of the best pieces of all the good advice you've received is to get the gun on sandbags or something to hold it very steady as you dial in the sights. It takes considerable discipline and practice to shoot off-hand at 50-yards and get even five-inch groupings. Adjusting the sights for accuracy without the gun as immobile as possible is like trying to nail Jello to a tree. There are tutorials online that will cover the subject very well and will help you immensely!
Don't feel like a freak about this; nobody is a great shot without some training despite the myth that all American men are instinctively fantastic at (a.) shooting, (b.) driving, and (c.) making love. Most of us can only manage two out of three...usually...with luck!
 
This is yesterday at My 10" Gong at 50yds..... had a reactive target on it but didnt last after 1 shot...LOL

this 10rds rested on mag on my table with sightmark reflex Site.... Not bad... Could do better Probobly but was just proving a point that you can do better and worse... But Practice HELPS a bunch...

 
This is yesterday at My 10" Gong at 50yds..... had a reactive target on it but didnt last after 1 shot...LOL

this 10rds rested on mag on my table with sightmark reflex Site.... Not bad... Could do better Probobly but was just proving a point that you can do better and worse... But Practice HELPS a bunch...
Click to expand...

Using the magazine as a rest is not conducive to good accuracy, neither is using it as a forward grip. :)
 
For the beginning shooter, to keep it very simple, you must do the same things each shot to expect a good consistent outcome.

You must repeat each time: your hold, your trigger pull, your sight picture, and your breathing. Also try different brands of ammo to see which one your rifle likes best. This will give you a good start.

Also remember wind is not your friend. All other things being even, you will likely shoot worse on a windy day.

Best of luck and practice often.
 
OP- Make sure that your barrel is clean. Visually inspect it. I have had problems with Winchester ammo causing some fowling in the barrel.
 
Make sure you are slowly pulling the trigger and keeping your sights on target the entire time. The shot should almost surprise you. This works great for me.
 
Lorelei said:
44 Magnum also works wonders. :D
Click to expand...

Either JSP or JHP, but nothing beats a 12-gauge slug. :)

The last one that was shot at our range, we timed how long it took for all the pieces and pulp to stop falling ... almost 10 seconds! And there were pieces in the trees!
 
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Dmacpro91 said:
Make sure you are slowly pulling the trigger and keeping your sights on target the entire time. The shot should almost surprise you. This works great for me.
Click to expand...

Proper trigger control is more important than just about anything else. Jerking, rather than squeezing, the trigger will pull the bullet off target EVERY time.
 
Majorlk said:
Either JSP or JHP, but nothing beats a 12-gauge slug. :)

The last one that was shot at our range, we timed how long it took for all the pieces and pulp to stop falling ... almost 10 seconds! And there were pieces in the trees!
Click to expand...

Cooked watermelon. :D

That reminds me of the time I put a JHP 44 Magnum through a gallon of paint. There was an ugly shade of blue everywhere! :D
 
Try this first. Line up your target in your sights, then close your eyes for a slow count of three. Open your eyes and see where you are really aiming at. Adjust your BODY, not the rifle. This is your natural hold.
Trigger control is important, but so is your breathing and your heart beat.
Take a breath, let out half, wait for in-between heart beats, squeeze.
The rifle will move with each breath and heartbeat and that is normal. The important part is that the sights line up at the same point in each cycle.
 
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