M&P 15-22 for Small Game Hunting
- Thread starter TedP
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team sidewinder
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Well my MP 15-22 wouldn't be my go-to .22LR squirrel gun. I guess if your goal is to kill a squirrel it would do the job but if you are looking for headshots at 50 yards ( for the meat ) this isn't the gun. The head of a squirrel is about the size of a quarter as I am sure you well know and at 50 yards my rifle won't shoot that well. I am lucky to make consistant kills on gophers ( about the same size a squirrel ) at 25 yards and those are not headshots. I am sure a better trigger group will help accuracy but IMHO this is just a fun cheap to shoot pop/beer can plinker.
I have not had any problems with fail to feed, fail to fire, or fail to eject so on that it is a great gun. Also the most fun gun to personalize with add ons. I have seen others on this forum that have good accuracy.
Guess I should have added my MP 15-22 is my go-to gun for taking out just for fun shooting and if the opportunity presents itself for a shot at gophers I will send them running for their hole if they make it that far. In short I am sure you won't regret buying this rifle.
I have not had any problems with fail to feed, fail to fire, or fail to eject so on that it is a great gun. Also the most fun gun to personalize with add ons. I have seen others on this forum that have good accuracy.
Guess I should have added my MP 15-22 is my go-to gun for taking out just for fun shooting and if the opportunity presents itself for a shot at gophers I will send them running for their hole if they make it that far. In short I am sure you won't regret buying this rifle.
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Jammer
US Veteran
Hello, Ted P,
I don't usually use my 15-22 for hunting, but maybe the attached target will give you some idea of the accuracy that I get at 50 yards with a 3-9x42 scope. Currently, I'm working on getting good results at 100 yards!
I don't usually use my 15-22 for hunting, but maybe the attached target will give you some idea of the accuracy that I get at 50 yards with a 3-9x42 scope. Currently, I'm working on getting good results at 100 yards!
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Dead eye 22
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Last season I used my scoped 15-22 extensively for hunting small game, both squirrels and rabbits. I must say that the gun
performed admirably! I had no problem potting game. One rabbit that was in thick brush was impossible to make out when looking through the scope, so I used the laser to make the one shot kill.
As far as accuracy is concerned I can shoot 3/4 inch and smaller Three shot groups at 50 yds. using Winchester copper plated hollow points. One hole groups are not uncommon. Especially under field condictions, the gun is more accurate than you can shoot. Remember to hold the gun gripping the forend at the same spot each time to keep the point of impact from shifting. Go For It! Is is a great critter getter!
under field condictions, the gun is mo
performed admirably! I had no problem potting game. One rabbit that was in thick brush was impossible to make out when looking through the scope, so I used the laser to make the one shot kill.
As far as accuracy is concerned I can shoot 3/4 inch and smaller Three shot groups at 50 yds. using Winchester copper plated hollow points. One hole groups are not uncommon. Especially under field condictions, the gun is more accurate than you can shoot. Remember to hold the gun gripping the forend at the same spot each time to keep the point of impact from shifting. Go For It! Is is a great critter getter!
under field condictions, the gun is mo
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team sidewinder
Member
Hello, Ted P,
I don't usually use my 15-22 for hunting, but maybe the attached target will give you some idea of the accuracy that I get at 50 yards with a 3-9x42 scope. Currently, I'm working on getting good results at 100 yards!
Good shooting. I would be happy with those results also. What 3-9x42 scope are you using ?
Jammer
US Veteran
It is an NcStar Compact Tactical with a sniper P4 reticle. A 3-color choice (black, red & green) illuminated crosshair. Picked it up thru Optics Planet for $79 + shipping. Not the most fancy scope out there, but by golly, it works for me!
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Jammer
US Veteran
Hello, Newo18, I like it, too! I ordered it on Amazon, and it is the UTG brand. Something like $20 or so. My scope riser mounted on the handle is a "see through" which allows me to use the iron sights as well as my scope!
team sidewinder
Member
It is an NcStar Compact Tactical with a sniper P4 reticle. A 3-color choice (black, red & green) illuminated crosshair. Picked it up thru Optics Planet for $79 + shipping. Not the most fancy scope out there, but by golly, it works for me!
That is pretty much the same scope I am using but not a 3x9. I am using a NcStar Mark III 4X32 P4 ret.
But I am not getting groups like that.
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Jammer
US Veteran
What kind of groups are you getting, Sidewinder? What kind of ammo? Are you shooting off-hand or benched? Have you checked your barrel-nut for tightness? Scope mount tight?
I use CCI Minimags, 40gr. FMJ only! That's all I have ever shot in my 15-22, other than one box of Stingers. My shooting was from a benched sandbag position. Barrel nut is tight. Even so, I am envious of others on the forum who have much better results than mine. Maybe I'm doing something wrong?
You might try zeroing in at 25 yards. Compare your scope with your open sights shooting. I would think that the patterns should be very similar (close). Then, if so, go to the 50 yard mark and repeat the setup. That's exactly what I did with mine. Just a suggestion....maybe someone else can shed more light on the situation?
If nothing else, give S&W a call and see what they recommend. Who knows? Maybe they will send you a new barrel! (yeah, right!). Good luck and I hope you solve your issue.....
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team sidewinder
Member
Jammer. 2-3 inch groups at 30 yards from a bench rest using CCI MiniMag 36gr HP. Even with my poor eyesight I can get those size groups with the iron sights, go figure. I really need a 4 power scope to see gophers at 30-40 yards or I would just plink cans at20-25 yards. I am going to get a barrel wrench when finances permit and check the barrel nut for tightness before I go too much farther. I have a RMA # from McStar to send it back as I do believe the scope has some adjustment issues .
Thanks Jammer for the comments and suggestions.
Thanks Jammer for the comments and suggestions.
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Thank you!!
Thank you all for your comments and inputs!!
I'm thinking of getting the M&P 15-22 due to the synthetic stock (don't need to worry about scratches etc..) and was hoping it would be accurate enough for the small game job.
Take care,
Ted
Thank you all for your comments and inputs!!
I'm thinking of getting the M&P 15-22 due to the synthetic stock (don't need to worry about scratches etc..) and was hoping it would be accurate enough for the small game job.
Take care,
Ted
I consistently bag rabbits at 75+ yds with my M&P 15-22. Those who question the accuracy of this firearm are being dishonest to themselves and everyone here, IMO.
tacticool22
US Veteran
It's a great meat getter.
I can hit shotgun husks at 30 yards all day long, and I can pick the plastic or the brass to hit. I do not "lock" the rifle down. It is in my hands sitting on a chair or the ground. Kneeling or prone too. Standing is a bit of a guess though.
I do have my aluminum free float hand guard on with no sling.
I can hit shotgun husks at 30 yards all day long, and I can pick the plastic or the brass to hit. I do not "lock" the rifle down. It is in my hands sitting on a chair or the ground. Kneeling or prone too. Standing is a bit of a guess though.
I do have my aluminum free float hand guard on with no sling.
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Jeffro57
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Holy three year old thread!!!
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I have used my 15-22 for squirrels and love it. I put a red dot scope on it and can easily kill squirrels at 50 yards. Have killed a bunch of groundhogs and some fox with it also. I tested a bunch of ammo and they all worked well but use Mini Mags for ground hogs. When squirrel hunting I normally get to within 25 yards easily but have killed them out to 50 yards.
little_airwolf
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Anyone who says they can shoot consistantly offhand and make 1" groups @ 50 yrs if feeding you stuff.
Atleast with our gun.
I love the 15-22 but it isnt a single hole puncher, switch to a boltaction for that.
Even with a scope, shooting goohers, being honest, youll get some crawlers. Its not a clean shot every time.
Switch to a CZ or even a savage btvs. Now youre cooking imo.
Atleast with our gun.
I love the 15-22 but it isnt a single hole puncher, switch to a boltaction for that.
Even with a scope, shooting goohers, being honest, youll get some crawlers. Its not a clean shot every time.
Switch to a CZ or even a savage btvs. Now youre cooking imo.
Kayback
Member
I have used my 15-22 for loads of varmit control but I won't any more. My last shot (with my up till now very reliable Winchester Super X 40gr sub sonic HP, suppressor, 4x scope) missed the pigeon's head/neck/spine/vitals and tore out its chest. From my preferred hunting distance of around 10m. Some my DOPE and mechanical offset was spot on. Second pip down on the mildot scope right on its noggin. Should have been a clean decapitation like all the others. Ended up snapping its neck.
Maybe it was a freak occurence. Maybe my scope was off (it shot perfectly the nect weekend when checking zero) Maybe my barrel nut had loosened (it was tight when I replaced the hand guard recently) Maybe I just pulled my shot. But I have broken my BRNO out of the safe for this job from now on. Quieter too.
Maybe it was a freak occurence. Maybe my scope was off (it shot perfectly the nect weekend when checking zero) Maybe my barrel nut had loosened (it was tight when I replaced the hand guard recently) Maybe I just pulled my shot. But I have broken my BRNO out of the safe for this job from now on. Quieter too.
Wow old thread.
That sound like a flier to me your not using match ammo so there is going to be a flier at some point, or as you said just maybe you pulled the shot a bit.
While my 15-22 is not a tack driver like my CZ455 Evolution, it is more then accurate enough to take down small game and varmints at up 75 yards with clean head shots. And when I miss it is not the gun it is the ammo or me. With a UTG compact 4x16x44 scope I do work out to 100 yards with easy. Out about 15 yards I use the co-witness rail mount red with great results.
And at the range all I shoot at are the 2" easy see targets and I can put 25 rounds at 25 yards and make the red disappear, so about a 25 shot group is less then an inch and that is without me not taking my time and with CCI Velocitor which I used to Zero it with. Yep I get a flier here there, but she is very accurate with the Velocitor.
Agian it is not my CZ455 but it is more then accurate enough for hunting and crazy amounts of funny for Plinking and target shooting. It the best all round .22LR weapon I have and honestly imo on the market.
little_airwolf
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2 Bad youre in the US. Id lay a $100 down on seeing that!
Funny you say clean headshots @ 75 yards yet shot 2" at 25 yards.
If you do the simple math. It doesnt add up.
Sorry.
Kayback
Member
He says about 1" @25. Uses a 2" target.
Thank you. He didn't read the post correctly.
2" target, 1" with group 25 shoots at 25" yards. It not hard to do. 25 yards it is not a great distance for any well design rifle with ammo it likes.
I just don't understand the people who say the 15-22 is not accurate, no it is not a tack driver like some of the high end .22lr rifle, but by no means is it not accurate. Unless it having a problem or shooters error.
I hit a dime at 75 yards with it on my first shot. Maybe I was lucky, but yet I did it. With my CZ I did the same thing 5 times in a row using Center X.
But again I have a power scope at 4-16x44 on the 15-22. And on the CZ a 6-24x50
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tacticool22
US Veteran
I hit shotgun shell husks all day long at 40 yards or more.
That would be minute of squirrel head.
That would be minute of squirrel head.
Idk what the heck
I shoot 12 gauge shells floating around a pond at 30 to 45 yards with blazers dead on with very occasional fly away. I don't know what the heck yalls problems are lol. Dial in your dot and learn your distances.
I shoot 12 gauge shells floating around a pond at 30 to 45 yards with blazers dead on with very occasional fly away. I don't know what the heck yalls problems are lol. Dial in your dot and learn your distances.
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Everyone and their uncle is a qualified Marksman when the topic comes up. Myself, if the gun shoots, I can hit about anything I want off of sandbags. Stand me up with the gun in my hand and I can't hit an elephant in the ace with a bass fiddle.
It could be you're just using the wrong caliber fiddle. [emoji23]
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It's my belief many don't practice off-hand* shooting very much. Bench is fine to zero and get as many "non-human" gremlins negated however the next step needs to be the shooter away from any assist practicing, practicing, practicing.
* Off-hand in this context applies to a standing position with a rifle, not single-handed firing of a handgun.
Srruger762
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