.22lr at long rang

[Andrew Cowling]

Hi brains trust.
I know the humble .22lr is really not considered long range compared to a centre fire. I have my triplets in a 308 AC Magnum (a wildcat I invented 14years ago) a 260 Remington and 223 Remington. All built on Ruger VT actions and all with fully blue printed actions and match barrels with stainless steel pillar bedding. All have drilled and tapped 8-40 threads and topped off with a Farrel 20 moa piccatini rail. All are fantastic but needed a little brother.

So the little brother, a Ruger VT 77/22 was purchased and given the same treatment as the triplets. The action was also threaded in the top straps and threaded in the front to accommodate a threaded barrel doing away with the troublesome V block barrel retainer. A match grade 24 inch 1 in 14 twist barrel is now fitted.

Now here is the issue. I am not sure if I screwed up on the twist selection. Depending on ammo 1 to 1.5 inch groups seems to be the best that I can get at 100 metres (not yards).

Is that good average or not?
What is the best groups you guys have achieved?
Is the 14 twist too tight?

Can't wait to here from you guys.
Cheers

 

[manitou]

Using premium ammo all from the same lot?
.22 ammo is terribly inconsistent.
Check out rimfirecentral.com

 

[Greyfox]

My stock Savages 22 rimfires used for both rimfire PRS, and hunting to 200+ yards are surprisingly accurate out to 300+yards. They are heavy barrel versions (TR and BVSS) with 1:16 twist. I have no experience with faster twist barrels. IMO, the key to accuracy is finding the comparable brand of ammo. I have been able to achieve fairly consistent sub first shot hits using my ballistic rangefinder out 300+ yards. Wind is always a factor at the longer ranges, and it's important to test velocity/ES and calibrate the BC. Some targets at 100 and 200 yards. The Lapua CX is my PRS/competition load.