THE BEST 22LR RIFLE I HAVE EVER SHOT IN MY LIFE!

[AJ]

A few years ago I realized that I didn't have a truly accurate .22 rifle in my safe. I purchased a Savage Mk-II FVT. The synthetic stock was terrible, so I put it in the Boyd in this picture.

At the range, while others are blasting away willy nilly, I take my time and put all of my rounds (it really likes CCI Standard Velocity) in one cloverleaf.

A Savage MK-II is one of the rifles that got me started in .22LR benchrest. I had bought it from a friend, who was getting out of BR due to his health. He had completely rebuilt the rifle so that the only original part was the action. The barrel, trigger and stock were all aftermarket. Shot very well. Sometimes I think I should have kept it.

 

[BB57]

You had me there for a moment, BB57. I thought who would shoot a cat, that is just terrible, being a cat owner myself. Then realized your cat is just background for your rifle. SF VET

She insists on inspecting my work. A cat scan so to speak.

 

[RetCapt]

I've got three .22 rifles, two of which I have tested.

The tightest grouper, as I have thus far determined (more on that anon) is my stainless Ruger 77/22.

I knew these were reputed to be inconsistent groupers but I liked the appearance and overdesigned strength so much I still wanted one.

The proper approach would have been to test with a known accuracy level ammo (Federal Gold Medal mid-late '90s vintage), assess any specific issues stopping me from 50 yard MOA, and step by step go from there.

Too sensible, so I took a more broad brush (and expensive) approach.

I had recently bought a Volquartsen 10/22 when Vq was still building them on Ruger 10/22s. From the first time out of the box, it was easily <MOA off the bench.

So modifying my 77/22 would center on Vq parts. I installed a Vq trigger which Vq said would result in a 2 - 2.5# pull. I also added a trigger shoe to give a wider (thus lighter feeling pull) surface. I next put on a Vq muzzle weighted barrel, which would require no modification to the stock. I asked Vq if their 10/22 pillar bedding system kit would work with the 77/22. They said it would, and suggested bedding only the front of the action. I also sent the bolt back to CPC in Ct to have it shimmed.

When I buttoned it up, I noticed the barrel floating in the larger laminated stock channel. Since some rifles shoot tighter floating, and some shoot tighter supported, I decided to test it first floating, then support later if necessary. It is still floated.

Using a 3X9 Leupold scope I bench tested it at 50 yards. The first three shots were touching each other in an overlapping cluster, not strung out. I then got called away to work with another shooter. By the time I returned to it the light had completely changed, so that ended the test.

But that had convinced me that this rifle was well <MOA, which was my goal. Once I have established a rifle meets my objective of <MOA, I don't go any further, because I have no further interest, the anon part I referenced above. Had I wanted to pursue ultimate grouping ability, I would have put on one of my longer scopes and gotten a supply of (more expensive) target ammo known to group well in Vq (Lother Walther blanks) barrels. But I was satisfied with where I was.

The last one is a Winchester Model 52, the latest iteration manufactured by Miroku. I was just starting to break in the barrel, prior to testing, when other activities and obligations got in the way. This would have been a longer road because I did not know what the Miroku barrel preferred, whereas I had that info about Vq.

At any rate I did not do further testing. Frankly one point limiting was/is the absolute perfection on this 52. I know Miroku is known for its craftsmanship, but the workmanship and finish on this rifle still amazes me. I would not even want to get a fingerprint on it. It is a safe queen, subject to change only if I so desire. If grouping ability is anywhere consistent with visible perfection though.......

 

[BB57]

A few years ago I realized that I didn't have a truly accurate .22 rifle in my safe. I purchased a Savage Mk-II FVT. The synthetic stock was terrible, so I put it in the Boyd in this picture.

At the range, while others are blasting away willy nilly, I take my time and put all of my rounds (it really likes CCI Standard Velocity) in one cloverleaf.

I did something similar with a Savage Anschutz 64 Match. The original stock didn't fit me well at all so I got a semi inletted Master class prone stock for it for prone and 3P shooting.

The good news is that I found a buyer for the original stock that almost paid for the new stock.

It shoots well with both SK Std Plus and CCI SV.

 

[AJ]

The one thing that I have not read in any posting is torquing of the stock bolts/screws. To get the best accuracy from a rifle the stock should be torqued properly. For most rifles it is about 25 inch-pounds. Torque the bolts and shoot for a group, then tighten and shoot again, until your group tightens up. Sometimes you can go looser than 25 inch-pounds, but not usually.

 

[Sgt. Buzzard]

Last year I bought a Ruger Precision Rimfire just because. They are really not known to group so I looked at it as a project. I sighted it in at 100 yards then started on five shot groups on five paper plates with 1" orange dots.

Son of a gun 3 of 5 plates showed .787, .809 & .896. This was without any trigger adjustment or action screw torque setting. I was so surprised I left everything alone as winter set in.

Late this spring I pull the RPR out to start ammo testing. I used the same lot# of CCI- SV as last year and... Garbage 2 to 3 inch groups. I started shooting steel plates. But when I get over the disappointment I'm going to start grouping at 10 inch lbs. and work my way up. I figure that's where to start, them ammo testing. Something should work. Yes, my scope is tight. Level too. F'in rabbit holes.

 

[Fishinfool]

^^^Good tip about the action screws^^^

Another tip for serious accuracy is to fire at least 10 rounds to season the barrel when switching ammo brands before shooting for group. You wouldn't think something so small as different bullet lube types could affect accuracy, but it does.

Larry

 

[zeke]

A few years ago I realized that I didn't have a truly accurate .22 rifle in my safe. I purchased a Savage Mk-II FVT. The synthetic stock was terrible, so I put it in the Boyd in this picture.

Have a Mk-IIFV-SR, and it's gotta be the the best deal for accuracy currently owned. One of theses days may put a scope on the CZ-452 to compare the two. Fortunately the short stock fit's me.

 

[LostintheOzone]

The one thing that I have not read in any posting is torquing of the stock bolts/screws. To get the best accuracy from a rifle the stock should be torqued properly. For most rifles it is about 25 inch-pounds. Torque the bolts and shoot for a group, then tighten and shoot again, until your group tightens up. Sometimes you can go looser than 25 inch-pounds, but not usually.

I sold a Ruger 77/357 for that very reason. When it came back from the factory Ruger had the take down bolt torqued at about 50 lbs. The bolt isn't a hex head, just slotted. I could never find a hex head bolt to replace it with so just sold the rifle. Never wanted another Ruger 77 after that. What a shame.

 

[wbraswell]

.22 lrs are quite addicting. 22 lr ammo can drive you to the edge of insanity, with it's inconsistency from lot to lot.

 

[AJ]

I sold a Ruger 77/357 for that very reason. When it came back from the factory Ruger had the take down bolt torqued at about 50 lbs. The bolt isn't a hex head, just slotted. I could never find a hex head bolt to replace it with so just sold the rifle. Never wanted another Ruger 77 after that. What a shame.

If I liked the rifle a lot, I would have had a new bolt made for it at a machine shop.

.22 lrs are quite addicting. 22 lr ammo can drive you to the edge of insanity, with it's inconsistency from lot to lot.

I test ammo all the time. When I find ammo that shoots well I buy a lot of it in the same Lot #. Match shooters do the same thing each year. Once they find the ammo their rifle likes, then they buy a case or two. The really big time shooters can tell you what machine their ammo was made on at the factory.

 

[Fishinfool]

Eley and Lapua both have test centers in Ohio and Texas where you send in your rifle. They bolt them to a machine rest, and fire 10 shot groups with a variety of lot numbers of their high grade match ammo. Once the lot # is identified that shoots best in your gun, you are offered the option of buying a case. There are videos on Utube.

Saves a lot of time testing random ammo, and trying to track down lot #'s that shoot good in your gun, always wondering if there is another lot # that is maybe a little better...

Larry

 

[Rodan]

Eley and Lapua both have test centers in Ohio and Texas where you send in your rifle.

I believe the western Lapua test center is in Mesa, AZ, not Texas.

 

[chief38]

What is your trigger pull? The trigger on my favorite 52D is a 2.4 ounces, using an electronic trigger pull gage.

According to my trigger pull gauge the trigger pull on the set trigger is about what yours is. The regular (non set) trigger is just under 2 pounds.

 

[AJ]

According to my trigger pull gauge the trigger pull on the set trigger is about what yours is. The regular (non set) trigger is just under 2 pounds.

That is probably what a set trigger should be. Mine is just a single stage trigger.

 

[cowboy94916]

The most accurate 22's I have shot in my life are:
Winchester 52B by Miroku ( had 2 tested 35 diff. ammo's) smallest grp. ,25", averge under .75 " at 50 yards. Sold 1 to buddy.
Anschutz 1422 Classic, was 2nd by a hair. Average for 35 was ,806 at 50 yards, smallest .375"
Dakota 22lr was 3rd avereage was .809 smallest was .375 (sold liked anschutz better). Shooter here not a collector.
Cooper 36 Custom average 1.06" smallest .25" at 50.
Had multiple Kimbers, classic and Superamerica's but none beat the above. But deserve mention.
The ammo used was everything from high end match Eley etc., to cheap bulk ammo from federal, remington and winchester,
These were the most accurate out of 20 plus Bolt actions, and another 30 or so auto's, SS, and levers I have tested.

The best 22, I have ever had and still own, is my first year 10/22. I ordered it, the day after I saw one on the cover of a Gun Digest, my dad brought home in 1964. I was mad, that it never came, until February of 1965, after hunting season closed. I shoveled a lot of snow and cut a lot of lawns for that gun and ammo. But 60 years later I still love it. Used it to shoot a steel challange match just last Thursday. Its never failed me and will go to my grandson, the 4th of us with same name, in 7 years. His brother will get my custom stocked one. Their dad and his siblings, each got one on their 14th BD from me.

 

[65-2x2]

Us poor boys had to pick up the Chinese JW 15 which is a fairly decent copy of the CZ and will cost about two hundred bucks. I found one at a flea market, missing the magazine and If I remember right I paid $75.00 for it. My favorite critter getter is a Winchester model 75 with Lyman sights. The local squirrels just surrender and come crawl in my bag, when I step out on the porch with that one. In my old age, I had to get a larger diopter for the sight, but you does what ya's gotta does.

 

[jaydoc]

Not nearly enough pictures in this thread
CZ 455 with a cheap Nikon scope.
Upgrading glass on my rifles is on my to do list

 

[MelvinWalker]

I am a big CZ .22 rifle fan. I have had this CZ 452 "Trainer" since 2009, have put many thousands of rounds through it and it still looks like new. Here is a steel rabbit target shot at 100 yards, prone position, five rounds on target:



With it's newer CZ 457 .22 Magnum brother, this one is quite worthy as well:

Very pretty guns, but my eyes were immediately drawn to the "bird" statue made from rebar, shovel, rake and other odds and ends...Good job on that one!

The wife is jelly of it.

 

[Kinman]

At the rifle range I shoot at three days a week there is a group of guys that shoot 100yds with .22 target rifles. The activity used to be ruled by a few guys that shot proven Model 52 Winchesters or Anschutz 54's, and a few others but usually a dedicated target rifle platform. I got interested and started looking around, following the advice of old timers and others that had been in the game in college shooting everything from Martini single shots to high end Walther and Anschutz rifles. I was looking at the Kimber Government but was waved off because their quality control was iffy and maybe one in ten would be a good rifle, noone shoots one of those at the match. I ended up with a proven mid 60's model 54 Anschutz/World Class Tasco 30 power scope, I did end up winning the rubber ducky a time or two but it just wasn't my thing. Today most of the top shooters are using $2000 platforms from a company that just went under, in the end what it comes down to with shooting high end .22's for competition is ammunition. A few of the old boys have been beating back the high end 22's with their old Model 52's because they bought a lifetime supply of quality target ammunition before the shortage hit. I'm sitting on a couple cases of Eley Match that my model 54 is capable of putting in one ragged hole at 100yds if I'm on my game. I also have a supply of R-50 from RWS that works just as well if not a bit better. Todays prices on quality brands at close to $20 a box has really put a damper on those high end rifle shooters because they are stuck using stuff that will throw a flier out of the ten ring and that is a looser in that game. Winners hold the ten ring (3/4") with 30X's or more out of a best of 45, three fifteen shot matches. Everyone is trying to outwait the ammo producers.
A buddy and I shoot our old Savage NRA model 19's which are both nearly 100 years old and capable of holding their own especially at 50yds. We can get by real well on CCI cheap target stuff. I have a Contender with a Bullberry match .22 10" barrel that will outshoot most .22 rifles at 50yds, from a target rest and sandbag its easy to shoot minute of angle or hold a 1/2" group with Eley Match ammo, if I use CCI stuff its out to 3/4" or more, its all about the ammo. To this day I still don't know why Contenders went over my head, much in the same way shooting .45ACP/AR in a revolver did.
I have said its all about the ammo and there was only one exception to that rule I am aware of. I had a buddy that shot in those .22 matches. He had a Model 54 Anschutz Bench Rest rifle that had a large beavertail type forearm and pistol grip stock, that thing shot everything he fed it lights out. He was an exceptional shooter, but that thing would shoot Wolf Target as well as anything else. His rifle did prefer RW-50 to anything else and was one ammo he could not blame a flier on. He practiced with everything but when it came down to competition time he loaded RW-50, some of his practice targets were incredible one tightly ragged hole at 100yds.