Target v Plinking

[Mike1161]

When I got to a range that allows a more relaxed set of rules I like to enjoy plinking at things. Steel, spinners, clay targets and such. When I do this I expect the same accuracy from my gun and ammo as I do when I am shooting targets. I want accuracy when I go plinking so why would I ever shoot ammo that is considered good enough for plinking, but not for target shooting? I want to hit what I am aiming at in either type of shooting.

On a separate issue, After 3,000 plus rounds in the last 3 months with my 15-22 I have tried most of the major brands of ammo and speeds. While some brands are more consistent I found it interesting that the slower the bullet, the better the results. CCI 40 gr standard velocity 40 has given me the best result consistently while the CCI AR Tactical ammo is good at 25 yds, at 50 the group opens up to more than double the standard velocity.

 

[RedNeck Jim]

There is a current discussion regarding subsonic ammo.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-m-p-15-22/333001-subsonics-hrmm.html

 

[Majorlk]

Standard velocity ammo is virtually always more accurate than HV. there's a reason match ammo isn't HV.

 

[crazykg85]

I understand the point of the thread, but I just wanted to point out that target shooting and plinking don't need the same ammo. If you hit a spinner or other steel targets then you reached your objective. But when one is target shooting hitting paper does not equal hitting your target.

 

[Mike1161]

I understand the point of the thread, but I just wanted to point out that target shooting and plinking don't need the same ammo. If you hit a spinner or other steel targets then you reached your objective. But when one is target shooting hitting paper does not equal hitting your target.

I understand your point completely and generally agree. That being said, there are times when I plink that the target is as small as the 10 ring, or maybe as small as the X ring. In my way of thinking, I want the same accuracy everytime I pull the trigger.

I am just complaining because over 70% of my stash of ammo is 1200 fps or more. Good up to 25-35 yards... but from there it seems to be all down hill.

 

[Majorlk]

Just keep in mind that the 15-22 is not a tack-driving match rifle. On average, it is, at best, a 3MOA firearm. If you want better accuracy than that, you'll need to spend a whole lot more on a semi-auto than you paid for the 15-22 or buy a good bolt action.

 

[RedNeck Jim]

I understand your point completely and generally agree. That being said, there are times when I plink that the target is as small as the 10 ring, or maybe as small as the X ring. In my way of thinking, I want the same accuracy everytime I pull the trigger.

I am just complaining because over 70% of my stash of ammo is 1200 fps or more. Good up to 25-35 yards... but from there it seems to be all down hill.

With a 3 MOA gun, at 50 yards you will shoot approx. 1.5" groups... no matter the ammo. That is just the nature of the 15-22. That is why I shoot 8" steel targets at that range with a 3" reactive center. My intent is to plink but do so with training in mind. My primary goal is to hit center mass each time... thus the 8" target. I do like to know if I am doing better than that... thus the 3" reactive center. No matter the ammo, I can still train and not be worried if one brand is a little better than the other.

Now if I want to see how accurate I can get, I switch over to my CZ 455 with Leupold Mark 4. That is sub MOA. Then I bring out the CCI Green Tag.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

I shoot suppressed and use CCI SV. If I wasn't shooting suppressed, I'd use cheap HV bulk pack for plinking.

My definition of plinking is shooting offhand at soda cans and other debris inside 50yds.

If cheap HV ammo isn't accurate enough for your plinking, use bigger targets.

 

[Mike1161]

I know that the 15-22 is a 3 MOA gun and with standard velocity rounds I can shoot that size groups at 50 yards from a bench. Switch to the 1200 fps rounds and the group becomes 7-9 MOA. That disappoints me when I have just recently purchased so much of the HV ammo. Good stuff, just not as accurate.

 

[Doc Robin]

You might want to check the barrel nut to make sure it is tight; I sold my first 15-22 because it did not produce good groups at 50 yds; should have checked the barrell nut first. The ones I have now shoot much better.

Bill

 

[Doc Robin]

This is 100 rounds of Winchester 36 grain HP's at 50 yds using a Tru Glo Red Dot. Shot from the bench using sand bags. Good enough for plinking, I use the bolt action 22 for tack driving.

 

[RedNeck Jim]

I know that the 15-22 is a 3 MOA gun and with standard velocity rounds I can shoot that size groups at 50 yards from a bench. Switch to the 1200 fps rounds and the group becomes 7-9 MOA. That disappoints me when I have just recently purchased so much of the HV ammo. Good stuff, just not as accurate.

I don't see that much variation when I switch between my ammo. Wonder if others see such a great difference?

 

[photoracer]

I know that the 15-22 is a 3 MOA gun and with standard velocity rounds I can shoot that size groups at 50 yards from a bench. Switch to the 1200 fps rounds and the group becomes 7-9 MOA. That disappoints me when I have just recently purchased so much of the HV ammo. Good stuff, just not as accurate.

You have to remember that all ammo has accuracy issues when they go from hypersonic to subsonic. Crossing the SB causes the bullet to hit turbulence which can throw it around. The lighter the bullet and the lower the sectional density the more it can get pushed around. .22LR is almost the worst because the bullet is not very aerodynamic. But using standard velocity, subsonic, or match ammo can bypass that since it never goes hypersonic. Out of a pistol even Mini-Mags are usually subsonic. But other factors also affect accuracy. One of the biggest according to rimfire BR shooters is rim thickness. They usually mic all their ammo and put them in groups based on the rim thickness. that way they can shoot more consistantly.
My accuracy .22 is a custom Rem 597 semi with about $1000 into it. It shoots consistent .5 MOA.

 

[photoracer]

I understand your point completely and generally agree. That being said, there are times when I plink that the target is as small as the 10 ring, or maybe as small as the X ring. In my way of thinking, I want the same accuracy everytime I pull the trigger.

I am just complaining because over 70% of my stash of ammo is 1200 fps or more. Good up to 25-35 yards... but from there it seems to be all down hill.

Not possible unless all of your ammo is subsonic in speed. And even than no 2 ammos will shoot to the same point of aim either. I have 2 subsonic supplies, CCI-SV and Eley Pistol Match. Both will shoot .5 MOA out of my Rem 597 but if I zero for the SV the Eley shoots its group at about 3:30.

 

[photoracer]

I don't see that much variation when I switch between my ammo. Wonder if others see such a great difference?

The less accurate your firearm is the less difference you will notice because the spread of a 2-4 MOA rifle will make most of the ammo merge into a large group. It is more noticable with an accurate rifle. I notice it big time with my .5 MOA Rem 597. I hardly even notice it much with either of my 15-22s.

 

[SmokeStack Lightning]

I don't see that much variation when I switch between my ammo. Wonder if others see such a great difference?

Me neither.............Probably cuz I'm a bad shooter!!!

(At least I'll admit it!)

With a reflex sight at 100 yds (Both eyes open, I've been practicing), I'm satisfied to group 6".

 

[Majorlk]

I know that the 15-22 is a 3 MOA gun and with standard velocity rounds I can shoot that size groups at 50 yards from a bench. Switch to the 1200 fps rounds and the group becomes 7-9 MOA. That disappoints me when I have just recently purchased so much of the HV ammo. Good stuff, just not as accurate.

That is not normal. 3 MOA means three inches at 100 yards, 1.5 inches at 50 yards and 0.75 inches at 25 yards. Note that this is from a rest, not off hand shooting.

You have a rifle problem. Either loose sights or a loose barrel.

 

[Majorlk]

I don't see that much variation when I switch between my ammo. Wonder if others see such a great difference?

Me neither.

 

[Mike1161]

That is not normal. 3 MOA means three inches at 100 yards, 1.5 inches at 50 yards and 0.75 inches at 25 yards. Note that this is from a rest, not off hand shooting.

You have a rifle problem. Either loose sights or a loose barrel.

I know what MOA means and what I should expect. Ater 45 plus years of shooting I even know how to get those types of groups with all types of weapons. I know the sights are tight so I ordered a barrel wrench just to test out that potential issue. No question the 15-22 is a plinking gun and I don't expect the same results as a bolt action or a true target rifle. That being said, I have other 22s that seem to be less affected by ammo types (Std V vs HCV) than the 15-22.

On the other hand, with standard velocity ammo I get good results, 3 MOA at all ranges, but with HV ammo the groups are MUCH worse.

Assujing I attached the file correctly, here is a pic of two groups, both at 35-40 yards, the center mass was standard Velocity CCI while the head shoots were with the CCI AR Tactical ammo. That is not what I had expected with this type of ammo.

 

[Majorlk]

I don't know what to tell you. Federal champion gives me three inch groups at 100 yards, day in and day out, from a rest. Standard velocity about 2.5".