New to long range 22

[Dave Way]

I’m just starting to shoot 22’s out past 50 yards and have a question or two. I picked up a used Anschutz 1416 and have been shooting out to 200 yards. What would a reasonable expectation be for five shot groups at 200 yards? I really don’t know what this rifle, or any rifle, should be able to do at that distance. I’ve tested quite a bit of ammo and have shot Lapua Midas under 2” several times now. Should I be able to do better than that? I know this isn’t a full blown high end 22.

Thanks for your advice,
Dave.

 

[DHuffman]

Curious about your setup, bags? Bipod? Rest? Prone or off a bench? Been thinking about it since we texted the other day.

 

[Dave Way]

Curious about your setup, bags? Bipod? Rest? Prone or off a bench? Been thinking about it since we texted the other day.

Old school with a simple front rest and squeezing a Protector rear bag off a bench. Nothing fancy.

 

[DHuffman]

So when do all the modifications commence LOL

 

[1Merlin]

Two inches at two hundred is bragging territory for sure IMHO. I'll take that everyday.

 

[deadidarren]

Anything under 4 inchs a 200 in perfect conditions that's not a custom-built bench gun take note of that batch number of ammo and by as much as you can the post above mine is correct if you can get two inchs that 200 it's definitely bragging rights

 

[PNW Skipper]

Short answer: on the NRA A-21 200 yd smallbore target the X ring is 2" and the 10 ring is 4"...stay withon those and you are doing good, especially if there's any wind.

 

[Dave Way]

Well, thanks for the responses. I’m glad that the rifle apparently shoots well but disappointed there may not be much more to get out of it! I have a lighter trigger spring on the way. I’ll see what that does. The largest of six groups with the same lot of Midas was under 4” and these two were back to back on Thursday. Thanks everyone.

 

[memphistransplant]

I think you're doing great. Every .22 is different regarding its accuracy, mostly dependent on the ammo it likes. It is always a trial and error process. Personally, I would be quite happy with 2" groups at 200 yards with that gun. Making improvements in your setup and trigger will certainly help your consistency.

 

[Mulligan]

Dave,
A group of fellas here on the Western Slope started shooting smallbore benchrest a while back. I think they were telling me the had upwards of 20 shooters attending the monthly matches now?
I reached out to one of them to see if he could add anything to the conversation

CW

 

[Emmett Dibble]

If the rifle shoots reasonably well ammo is going to be your make/break for MOA at 200+ yards. After 100 velocity spreads are your enemy as much as wind.

FWIW, I shoot 22BPCR and 4” or less at 200 on a calm day is reasonable. 3” or less is a fairly good shooting set up.

 

[PNW Skipper]

If you search ".22lr vs .308" you will find a lot of interesting reading. Generally, based on drop, shooting a .22lr at 200 yds is similar to shooting a .308 at abt 500 yds. But crosswind has more effect on the .22, making .22 at 200 more like .308 at 800+ yards.

 

[MarkS]

2" is good for 200yds. looks like you have wind in both groups. You vertical is ok for 200yds. The wind has more time to work on your groups. Also gun handling while shooting can open up the groups. Gun handling has more effect on rimfire's than centerfire's. You are just getting starting in long range. You are doing good so far, just keep shooting. For long range, I look for vertical spread more than anything in my ammo. Get you something out for wind reading, survey ribbon works great.

 

[PNW Skipper]

Well, thanks for the responses. I’m glad that the rifle apparently shoots well but disappointed there may not be much more to get out of it! I have a lighter trigger spring on the way. I’ll see what that does. The largest of six groups with the same lot of Midas was under 4” and these two were back to back on Thursday. Thanks everyone.


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Don't worry Dave, having mocked the rimfire Gods about how easy it was, you are probably doomed to wander a couple of decades in the desert of lousy lots, cursed with much larger groups and the knowledge that gun and shooter are capable, if only you could just find that one, perfect lot of ammo once again!

;-P

 

[shoot4fun]

I’m just starting to shoot 22’s out past 50 yards and have a question or two. I picked up a used Anschutz 1416 and have been shooting out to 200 yards. What would a reasonable expectation be for five shot groups at 200 yards? I really don’t know what this rifle, or any rifle, should be able to do at that distance. I’ve tested quite a bit of ammo and have shot Lapua Midas under 2” several times now. Should I be able to do better than that? I know this isn’t a full blown high end 22.

Thanks for your advice,
Dave.

Oh my Dave!
You need to tighten up buddy!
Since I didn't see this one already posted I'll give you the obligatory "You need to use wind flags or you're waving your time".
But seriously, you may have just answered the question I was about to start a thread on.
Will Annies shoot anything other that RWS ammo? I'd say yours will!

 

[grauhanen]

I’m glad that the rifle apparently shoots well but disappointed there may not be much more to get out of it! I have a lighter trigger spring on the way. I’ll see what that does. The largest of six groups with the same lot of Midas was under 4” and these two were back to back

You may be achieving what can reasonably be expected from your rifle. With all the vagaries of 200 yard shooting, groups as small as 2" should be considered good. Despite the Anschutz pedigree, there are limitations with this model, as there are with any one.

A lighter trigger pull will help. The factory 5094 trigger on the 64 action 1416 D HB Beavertail model is set at the factory at about 2.6 lbs (1200 g) and has an adjustment range from 2.2 - 4.4 lbs.

Keep in mind your rifle is a sporter model. It has as good a factory stock as available for shooting from the bench. While the beavertail stock is better than others from a rest, the ideal stock will be a BR-specific one. The 64 action is not the top Anschutz action, which is one of the 54 match actions (single shots). While the barrel can be as good as those on match models, the chamber will have a bit more generous dimensions than the Anschutz match chamber.

 

[Hi-NV Shooter]

Dave, I would say regardless of ammo, or the brand/model rifle you are using, pat yourself on the back because those results didn't just come about from just pulling the trigger.
I would look into wind flags as to what will provide the best advancement in trying to shrink the groups size. the results you are getting are for now seem to be working. IMO an aid to when to shoot will obtain faster results.

Lee

 

[wboggs]

If you search ".22lr vs .308" you will find a lot of interesting reading. Generally, based on drop, shooting a .22lr at 200 yds is similar to shooting a .308 at abt 500 yds. But crosswind has more effect on the .22, making .22 at 200 more like .308 at 800+ yards.

Do you have drop and wind figures for 100 and 200 based on a 25 or 50 yd zero?
I realize it is based on a specific load but would like some info to get on the target.
Thanks

 

[jepp2]

After 100 velocity spreads are your enemy as much as wind.

I have a Vudoo that I shoot at 100m, it shoots pretty good. When I use using my CE ProChrono bluetooth to my phone. I will announce the velocity. I could hear the velocity before the bullet reached the target. I knew vertically which ring my bullet would be in based on the velocity I just heard. At 200 yards, it has to be even more significant.

 

[outasite`08]

Well, thanks for the responses. I’m glad that the rifle apparently shoots well but disappointed there may not be much more to get out of it! I have a lighter trigger spring on the way. I’ll see what that does. The largest of six groups with the same lot of Midas was under 4” and these two were back to back on Thursday. Thanks everyone.


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Dave, If you keep shooting groups like that, I'll buy the gun from you and end your frustration. Jeff PS I`m always willing to help.