Have YOU Shot 500 and 600 Yards With 22LR?

[jstamper1979]

Check out the Rimfire ELR match criteria for July 28th, 2018. This is why I am seeking real-world results so I can understand what the real-world expectations should be for this match.

If they are literally only using 12” plates, I would say real-world expectations at 500 and 600 are, well, whoever is luckiest wins.

I haven’t shot paper at those ranges, but I would be shocked if any 22 LR in the world could shoot a sub-18” 10-shot group consistently at 600 yards.

A rule of thumb I’ve heard, and confirmed for myself, is that group sizes for 22lr at 100y and 200y are 4x and 10x, respectively, what they are at 50y. My rifle shoots consistently in the 0.2”s at 50, around 1” at 100, and in very good conditions, 2”-3” at 200.

This is with very good ammo. At 200 velocity differences really show up; a bad round at 200 (probably at least 1-2% of any sub-$10/box ammo) may drop 6” more than the average.

In other words, this is a whole different ballgame from centerfire. A merely “MOA” rimfire at 50y probably isn’t MOA at 100, and certainly isn’t at 200.

So, hitting a 12” plate at 600 yards more than occasionally, is, in my estimation, going to be frustrating, and a matter of luck. Who knows, maybe someone will prove me wrong.

However, with a little practice, 12” plates can be easy for you at 200 and 300.

 

[Topstrap]

It was tough to measure but with a Rem 40x rimfire and Lapua Center-X, on a painted 4x8 sheet of plywood I shot a .223 one shot group at 400 yards.

With that high dollar top shelf ammo I'd have expected a smaller group, especially that close.

Topstrap

 

[js2013]

It was tough to measure but with a Rem 40x rimfire and Lapua Center-X, on a painted 4x8 sheet of plywood I shot a .223 one shot group at 400 yards.

That’s good shooting! At 400 yards I consistently shoot in the 1’s or less with a sling. Group size usually opens up a bit after the second shot though.

 

[hawkeyeshoooer]

According to my iSnipe ballistics calculator a 30 grn High velocity (1750 fps) 22 LR with a 100 yd zero drops 81.9 inches at 300 yds. A 168grn match .308 rifle round traveling at 2650 fps zeroed at 300 yds drops 353.1 inches. So, not sure about equality there. There is greater than a 1/3 difference. Move to CCI green tag, you end up with 131 inches of drop bringing you a little closer to a difference of a third.

 

[jstamper1979]

According to my iSnipe ballistics calculator a 30 grn High velocity (1750 fps) 22 LR with a 100 yd zero drops 81.9 inches at 300 yds. A 168grn match .308 rifle round traveling at 2650 fps zeroed at 300 yds drops 353.1 inches. So, not sure about equality there. There is greater than a 1/3 difference. Move to CCI green tag, you end up with 131 inches of drop bringing you a little closer to a difference of a third.

According to my iSnipe ballistics calculator a 30 grn High velocity (1750 fps) 22 LR with a 100 yd zero drops 81.9 inches at 300 yds. A 168grn match .308 rifle round traveling at 2650 fps zeroed at 300 yds drops 353.1 inches. So, not sure about equality there. There is greater than a 1/3 difference. Move to CCI green tag, you end up with 131 inches of drop bringing you a little closer to a difference of a third.

You are right, but only in pure vertical correction terms. The vertical correction for my 22 (std velocity, 50y zero) at 430 yards roughly matches that of my 308 (178g bullet with 100y zero) at 1000y. However, the group sizes are not even remotely close, the dispersion is much greater for the 22. Wind? Forget about it past 250y in any measureable wind with the 22. 1 MOA targets at 1000y (10”) are reasonable (but challenging, for me anyway) with a 308. 1 MOA targets (4”) at 400y with a 22? Good luck.

Not sure what the answer to the distance equivalency question is, but it isn’t simple.

Jonathan

 

[js2013]

I think it hit a branch of a tree during the arc and caused it to tumble which is why the large group.

LOL

 

[shutinlead]

A 12" x 12" plate at 500 - if you can hit 70% doping the wind -pat yourself on the back - you're good!
I follow a religion that shoots vintage single shot rifles with iron sights (Ballards, high/low walls,Sharps, Stevens, etc.) we have a match coming up in a couple weeks (Little Gun/ Big Gun) shooting gongs where the furthest is a black bear silhouette at 408 yds. My first run at this a few years ago I thought BS, but there are individuals out there that can dope wind, know their weapon, jerk just right, and have considerable luck. Witnessed a few 8 shot groups that hit the 15" minus at that distance consistently- so it can be done. Following this match there is another in October where the target is just a little further out - a life size elk silhouette at 480 yds. The wind at this particular target, this time of year, is a lot more challenging. I've never witnessed any spectacular groups.
I use a Lab Radar to get data on my rifles and process data with the "shooter's app" for settings. Out of my Ballard and my low wall I've found the settings and corrections for these 22's to be more accurate than any of my other firearms. If I follow the data provided, don't try and second guess - thinking I know better, do my part on the trigger, they shoot remarkably.
My 2 cents...
Greg