Realistic expectations at 100 yards with a .22lr?

[Dirtman]

I don't shoot .22lr much but picked up a second Marlin model 60 and a cheapo 4x20 scope down here in Georgia and started plinking, I already had a Marlin model 60 but it was old and beat to death so it was retired to hang on the wall and I never actually fired it since I was a kid. Anyway, I can't get this damn thing to shoot under 3" groups at 100 yards from a bench. Am I just expecting too much for a .22? Does this rifle just suck? What is realistic accuracy to be happy with? Using 40 grain CCI mini mag if that matters...

 

[Roert42]

100 yards seems like a lot for 22lr.

I prefer shooting empty beer cans at about 50ft.

 

[Dirtman]

What's the point of a rifle that can't shoot at least 100 yards?

 

[Roert42]

Sitting in a plastic lawn chair, in the front yard, in your underwear, and shooting beer cans.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

What's the point of a rifle that can't shoot at least 100 yards?

Chenza at court, the court of silence.

 

[RustyShackleford94]

With that gun depending on ammo id expect a 8” group. You need a serious precision setup to get 3” groups at 100 yards with .22lr.

 

[RonD]

I don't think the 3" pattern is a concern with box ammo and shooting outdoors

 

[Dirtman]

I can ring the 8" steel target 100% of the time, the 4" ring about 80% of the time, putting groups on paper I could get 3 in the 3" square if I really really took my time but alot of groups had strays.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

The only guaranteed way to get MOA or better groups on a 22 at 100yds is Eley or better ammo on a semi custom or custom setup, and no wind.

I have a benchrest only 22, does MOA or better on a perfect day, but the thing has a hydraulic plunger for a trigger, floated barrel, blueprinted bolt and receiver, etc. YMMV.

 

[Dirtman]

Why can't I just have a gun that doesn't cost a car payment for an hours worth of ammo and still friggin shoot straight...

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Why can't I just have a gun that doesn't cost a car payment for an hours worth of ammo and still friggin shoot straight...

5.56. Like literally any 5.56.

 

[Roert42]

.22lr is too slow and round shaped. Try .223 it’s almost the same as .22lr but goes faster and is pointer, accurate much farther.

 

[Dirtman]

Bleh I have no use for anything in .223. I have a Delta 5 in 6.5 creedmoor but it's around $3 per round right now so it collects dust, and my new Savage B mag in .17wsm but I literally can't even find that ammo in stock anywhere so that also collects dust. Both of those guns are insanely accurate, at 100 yards they are practically lasers.

I only paid $100 bucks for this little marlin but I guess I was expecting too much from it. I guess I can move the targets up to 50 yards tomorrow so I feel better about life....

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

.22lr is too slow and round shaped. Try .223 it’s almost the same as .22lr but goes faster and is pointer, accurate much farther.

Ballistics are easy.

Slow, round bullets are fine as long as they're heavy. Think 45-70, 8mm Mauser, etc. They're big and heavy, so tend to fly "straight" (arc) fairly well.

Fast, light bullets are a good tradeoff. You exchange mass for speed to get something that shoots predictably well. Think 22-250, 6mm crap, etc.

The best way I can explain it is that as long as boolit has either enough mass or energy to overcome outside forces, boolit hit target. Aerodynamics come into play and all, but to an extent. That can usually be overcome by moar energy (think 45-90 / 45-110).

22lr is none of these things. It's like trying to drag race with a prius. Ngmi.

 

[Roert42]

Why can't I just have a gun that doesn't cost a car payment for an hours worth of ammo and still friggin shoot straight...

Bleh I have no use for anything in .223.

You asked.