Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Rimfires 541 S Range report

A while back I posted about a 541S that I bought, here is it's first outing. No pictures, for some reason I can't get photobucket to work and anything I try and post says the attachment is too big.. At any rate it fired several 10 shot 1/2" and a bit less groups with ammo it liked at 50 yards. Ammo it didn't really care for was about 1". Federal Match, Federal Target, RWS Rifle Match, and Norma Tac22 were the winners. Odd thing is it didn't like Norma Match, nor Aguila Rifle Match. In general it likes standard velocity match ammo. More open groups with the High Velocity and cheap ammo. Me thinks it's a keeper..

Smithrjd: Good for you and for the Remington!
What scope is on it?
I have a Weaver KT-15 (straight 15 power) on my Remington 541-T.
I love this Rifle/set-up.
Great trigger on my Rifle and I use the wonderful Winchester 40 grain Power-Point (hollow-point) ammo as I use mine mainly for Ground Squirrels and small game.
I am happy you are happy with that Remington.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Good to hear. I have one on the way in a few days and I hope to have as good results with mine.

Bob

It came with a Williams 1.5X4.5X20 Guide Line Scope.. (older Japanese scope sold by Williams Gun Site Co) I put a Mueller APV 4.5X14X40AO on it. Might change again later now that I know it can shoot. The trigger is really very nice, especially for a Remington..

Glad to hear it! Seems like I heard the S has a trigger from the Custom Shop.

A friend has a 541S and it's a shooter...

Try Wolf Match or Extra Match; CCI standard velocity; RWS Target Pistol; Eley Club, Club Extra, and Match. These are reasonably priced. Tenex or Midas+ if you dont mind the price.

If you have one that does not throw a 1st shot flyer hang on to it

The odd's would be 1 in million it doesn't passport.The T's are even worse.Yes I "had" 3 'S's and 4 'T's.

I had the 1 in a million. It never did have a first shot flyer. I have a "T" barrel on a custom 581, again, no 1st shot flyer.
I have a Rem. 504 that I mounted a Weaver on and it always had a cold bore flyer. Changed the scope and the flyer disappeared. Same thing happened with the KDF K22 I have. Again, changed the scope and no more flyer.
I have 9 rimfire rifles and none of them have the first shot(cold bore) flyer, but I do not shoot bulk ammo or HV ammo so that may be the reason why.

I can't say that I really noticed, it was it's first trip to the range and I was more worried about getting the scope dialed in than seeing where the first shot went, other than on paper. I will pay attention now that it is on target. I have read that they are prone to a first shot flyer. Also have read that they are fussy about the torque on the one action screw.

Bedding and a second action screw is a huge benefit for the 541S.

This is the first I've ever heard of the first shot flyer...not saying it doesn't exists, but I'm surprised I never heard of it. In all the time I spent in the Remington section at RFC I never heard of it. I had a decent 541-T myself for quite a few years and it never did that in any case I can recall. I did hear about the crappy 504s, though, and I had one of those too. Grrr.

I've had my 541-S since I bought it new in '78 or '79 (for about $240) and never had a problem with first shot flyers. If I had, there'd be a lot of squirrels that would have died of old age vs ending up in the skillet.

Smithrjd: I am pretty familiar with 541's having owned several and shot several more - I disagree with the one shot flyer contention.
I do though however wish to remind you all that when changing ammunition the barrel must be seasoned to the NEW ammunition before it settles down - as with most ALL quality 22 Rifles it takes form 8 to 15 rounds of the new ammunition to get it to settle down (be seasoned!) to and for the new ammunition.
None of the 541's (541 s's and 541 T's) I have woned shot leave a memory in my mind about first shot flyers - or significant "flyers" of any kind once seasoned.
My current 541 T really likes the Winchester 40 grain Power-Point hollowpoints - be sure and try these.
Best of luck and season your barrel when testing different ammunitions.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I gave each type of ammo 10 rounds, I could usually tell after 5 however if it was going to be good or bad. A dry barrel definitely has to have several down the pipe before it shoots consistently. I have not noticed a need to shoot different types of ammo more than 10 rounds each when switching between brands as long as the barrel has been shot some before. I will have to check that. Overall very happy with the rifle for what I paid for it. It's not quite up to my CZ 452 Silhouette yet, but the CZ is in a Manners stock and has a worked over trigger. The Remington does not have a free floated barrel, a dollar will not pass. The trigger is fine no need for anything there.. Might free float it and perhaps bed it to see if it will do better. I do have some Winchester Power Points, will try those. It will probably like them, as I only have four boxes left..

Ditto... Mine also does not demonstrate the first-shot-flyer issue.. I've primarily used Eley match ammo in it to date and, if I can hold it still enough, it'll basically put 'em into one hole..

I've definetly found 15++ shots to be necessary to really settle in a new ammo/lube..not always that many but sometimes

Certifiable: Is that it - the settling in period is because of different "lubrication" on the 22 slugs.
I hadn't thought of that - I just assumed it was laying a new layer of copper plating or bullet diameter differences for barrel coating.
Interesting and thanks.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Redneck: Do you have the 541-T or the 541-S?
Do you ever shoot hollow-point ammo in your Rifle?
TIA
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I am considering a free float, bedding, and an second action screw. I am wondering what the consensus is on doing all of that. These seem to be getting into the collector realm nowadays. I would assume any modifications would effect value. I have other 22LR's, so should I modify it or leave it as is, a 1/2" at 50 yards stock Remington 541S in very nice condition.