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What's the most efficient path to long range shooting with rimfire?

I'd like to hang some steel out to 500 yds on my place and hopefully hear some sounds.

I'm not Vudoo ready yet but please help with rifle, optics, etc recommendations.

Thanks in advance to all.

BBQ

Very hard to do in my estimation, ANY 22LR is going to have a hard time hitting at 500 yards. The bullet drop and more importantly the wind will be an issue. I have trouble at 100yards with wind drift. The rifle is capable, factory guaranty is .75 for 5 10 shot strings at 100 yards averaged.

The path is properly traveled one step at a time.

Accurate rifle
Quality ammo
Parallax adjustable scope, pick your reticle and power
100
200
300
400
500

I can only add 2 things to Digital Dan's list

1. Ammo TESTING. Only your rifle can tell you what it likes. Equipment and ammo are plenty important, but flushing out the ammo your gun likes is a big advantage.

2. Practice! Only you can learn for yourself how to get and manage a proper weld, natural hold, read the wind, manage your trigger (and know it intimately), etc. Maybe you can pick up how to shoot between your heartbeats, and some other skills.

Of course there are more, smaller tips (and plenty that I don't know about I'm sure) but that will get you started.

ps - maybe you can set up some really big pieces of cardboard at first, just so you can see your POI at unfamiliar ranges. Spray it white, that kind of thing...

In my opinion the cheapest route would be ...
Used anschutz 54 in good shape can be found for 1k these days with not too much trouble

25 MOA rail from DIP products

Burris signature rings with inserts

SWFA 10x

Ammo will be A big factor but that’s where you can experiment quite a bit at shorter ranges. What your rifle likes best may surprise you.

My 10-22T does pretty well out to 200 with a 4x Leupold (And heavy duplex reticle, believe it or not.). Beyond that things go to pot quickly. I’ve never gotten serious about it - just screwing around on the range. But it can be done. CCI Velocitors. Have a video of my son going 10/10 on the 3” steel at 100 yards when he was 9 years old

It should be kept in mind at what range the particular 22lr ammo you do use goes subsonic. So the if the most expensive, best stuff you use goes sub at the longer range you plan to shoot, it will all be for naught.

Most standard velocity target stuff, is low velocity, so if you shoot usable groups at the longer ranges your in the ball park. Realizing, of course that extreme spread in velocity, will be the big enemy. (on the controllable end, off course wind is the big one)
CCI Standard Velocity is a good starting point.

Also rimfires are very sensitive to temp change affecting the primer mix, which adds an additional unknown to the mix. Keeping your loaded mags, and rounds in a padded ammo bag all at the same temp. helps uniformity.

Currently using a Ruger precision rimfire with a Diamondback 4-16 FFP on clays to 350 yds. Currently in excess of 5000 rds. its still going strong.

also a Ruger American rimfire with a Diamondback 4-12. outstanding turrets.

Neither of these scopes have parallax adjustment which isn't missed as the cone of fire is 4moa at 300 yds., the guns have cheek risers which center the eye with the optical axis of the scope.
Ringing steel and bottles is an accuracy event not a precision event.

Also have a Kimber SVT, and various Savages.

Since the ballistic drop and wind drift is similar to a 308 178 gr at 1000 yds. (in ratios)

Now is the time to get familiar with drop tables. (pull downs)

JBM Ballistic program is free and they have most 22lr in their pull down choices. give it a try.

Awesome, thank you.

This, plus what others said.

Downside of a traditional Anschutz for long range is the lack of an adjustable comb on most models.

The new Bergara .22 might be worth a look.

Paul

I'm of the thought that while effective at closer range than most, CCI SV is not the best ammo for high precision. Every style of European match ammo I've shot in 4 RF rifles shames it...badly. HV ammo is a non-starter for long range.

Long range 22 shooting is not a precision event, or cold bore first shot kill. statistically the advantage over at least the +1000000 some odd rounds that I've shot out of 20 or so different guns over a period of 50 years does not warrant the price difference.

The BC of most 22 rounds is somewhat lower than a freight car, and wind is the big determination. (and thats not saying anything about "nose" damage occurring during packaging) I shoot in open country western plains, not a gun ranges with berms etc. Winds change frequently in speed and direction. Any advantage given by match ammo is taken away by a bad wind call.

Biggest advantage of shooting 22 is mechanical and educational, correct gun placement, (shoot prone mostly) correct grip, correct bolt movement (not "loosing" target) etc.

Anschutz is nice, and Vudoo nice no doubt.

but if Im going to that cost level, I go to a GAP .223, or similar

I respectfully disagree with your assessment on ammo. Same gun, same range, and my other RF shooters perform the same with each style of ammo. One thing in common with the foreign ammo tends to be low velocity spreads. That is a very significant factor at distance. The Wolf/SK Standard typically runs in the mid teens to low 20's for 10 shots. CCI SV runs a bit more, typically in the 50's.





Agree that wind is the big issue in this game.

Not disagreeing with you on accuracy, as far as precision and shooting groups go.

Just saying that a 4moa cone of fire at 300 yards is all you need, shooting 22s a very wide spectrum hobby, folks starting into long range 22 are confused by the some of the things used in precision events that aren't necessary for them to have fun and learn some long range tools.

some folks into long range 22 tend to carry things over from 50 and 100 yd bullseye that aren't necessary. If you they want to use expensive guns and ammo, great their choice.

but you can have all the expensive toys/ammo and if you aren't using good technique. you'll never know the difference.

how much difference extreme spread in velocity is seen depends on time of flight, and target size. If I just released a shot and know that my technique was good, but the shot was low or high, I know it was the velocity spread.

my 1000 yd handholds in bigger calibers run around 10 to 20 fps in spread, any thing more shows up pretty fast. 50 fps in 22 at 300 isn't a big deal with a 4moa cone of fire.

The difference matters even less if the event is run against time.

Thanks for all the help gentlemen. I've learned a lot already and haven't even bought a gun!

I'm leaning towards a RPR with a Vortex DB of some sort. Trying to hit a value price point on everything so as to stay married.

Open to any critiques or suggestions on weaponry.

Thanks again to all,

BBQ

What’s your budget?

Under a $1K for sure.

SWFA currently has some Sample List sale 3-15 for $519 that will do everything you need and then some.

The RPR is a VERY poor "choice" and the vortex schittier yet. The 3-15x's don't have enough erector travel. Hint.

Think 10x MQ Fixed Fhuqker and it's 40+ Mil's of erector and at least 70 MOA of inclination. I wouldn't fhuqking linger. Hint.



A S/S RAR in a Boyd's,thrashes the RPR in all facets. Hint.



Lose the lever and re-spring. Hint.






Etoh is fhuqking CLUELESS.

Hint......................

Stick is just being kind today

The lever change out is an excellent way to go if your inclined ss well as the Boyds stock

Stick doesnt like holdover combined with turret twisting
Preferring moa rails and erector travel

I bet he has other combinations that work well if you ask him nice

Good post thanks.

I picked up a Martini MK-II International last summer and put a 25X Weaver on it with the Burris insert rings. Looking forward to doing some long-rang shooting with it for fun in the off season.

Long Range rimfire is predicated upon mechanics and deepest erector wins by default. Hint.

The MQ Reticle is only 10 Mils deep,whether Fixed [bleep],3-9x,3-15x or 5-20x. NOTHING can hang with a 6x and 10x Fixed Fhuqker there,due their unequalled erector travel. Hint.






Everything below a 50yd zero on the erector...is 100% fhuqking USELESS. Hint.

75 MoMo 1913's are THE place to be. Hint.




Nod your head,like you "understand". Hint.

To reach the 700yd+ line from a 50yd zero,takes a FF's bottomed out erector and all of the windshield.Hint.

Just sayin'.

Thank me later.

Hint.................

No doubt about it

But the distance mentioned was only around 300 yds

Forgot

Thanks

Stick, Etoh,
Thanks for all the info. Please go slow with me (I'm being serious) as this is all new to me. Schiitt, I've already saved a lot of $'s tonight!
BBQ

Looks like a lot of Fun/

OP if you look Sticks first post, the 10x SWFA he shows and uses a lot is a very good choice.

an important thing to notice is that it has no parallax adjustment and is still used effectively to longer distances

As plainly cited prior...Etoh is fhuqking CLUELESS. Hint. Congratulations?!?

One of the numerous mechanical advantages inherent the Fixed Fhuqker lineage,is that they adjust parallax down to(and typically inside of) 10 Meters. Hint.

I've seen me scribe parallax to zero range,as an unequalled witness mark...though I only have 80 of 'em or so. Hint.





I do REALLY enjoy Window Lickers trying to 'talk" rifles and give "particulars" on wares they've never even seen,let alone "used". Hint.

Bless your heart for trying though!

Hint.

LAUGHING!................

Oh I see your using the SWFAs with the rear parallax (focus) rather than their earlier non models. Certainly makes them cheaper to make as compared side focus. Your relatively new to the shooting sports so you probably never saw those. Certainly got me beat on number count though.

OP

Should get you started. Everything here from intro to compulsory repetitive narcissism. Laughlin

Another good source is Rimfire Central on the web

Etoh,

What were the "odds" that besides being a CLUELESS Fhuqk,that you also "just happen" to be a Lying Piece Of Fhuqking Schit to boot? Hint. Congratulations?!?

There has never been a Fixed Fhuqker less parallax adjustment...but feel free to continue talking out your ass,because you are doing GREAT. Hint.

Bless your heart for trying though.

Hint.

LAUGHING!.................

Beats me

Sick opps i mean stick

A little late to the party...

Keep in mind that with most SV ammo it will take 37 to 39 MOA of scope adjustment to go from a 100-yard zero to 300-yards (as far as we are currently shooting). According to Strelok Pro (Android or iOS) an additional 50 MOA of adjustment will be needed to get you to 500-yards w/o trying to use the scope's reticule to judge hold over.

I have been shooting with a group of guys every Thursday at targets from 75-yards out to 300-yards for the past two years. All but one uses a ballistic program called Strelok Pro which allows for multiple BC's as the bullet slows in the subsonic range the BC will increase. By using three or four different BC's the predicted/calculated sight correction becomes somewhat more accurate.

As already mentioned, extreme spread (ES) is your enemy but the wind is just as much if not even more significant. The ES for CCI SV runs around 50 fps where SK Long Range is around 22 fps. It does make a difference once past about 150 yards or so.

Good Luck.

Thought about this a fair bit have the following suggestions:

Assumptions
-young with good eyes, muscle tone and reflexes
-3 cases of Remington Thunderbolt ammo on hand and no idea what to do with them
-spectacular determination

Get an old Ruger Mk 1, factory original. Might work.

What happened to the tunerfied Anschutz? Get any gains with the tuner? Not sure I can go back to shooting sans suppressor but really want to screw with a harrell's since they're local. Need to switch out the 6's for 10's on the T1X's too.

The 700yd line in most of my barrels,is 44.1 Mils of ele correction from a 50yd zero in Today's atmosphere. Hint.

The 300yd line is but 11.3 Mils. Turnbolts all. Hint.

I've not seen the Charley Tuneh in a coupla lustrum.(grin)



A Tuner's Swan Song is much sweeter music,upon longer spouts. It's all but moot on a rigid 18-incher. Never liked 'em,but have dabbled 'em for many moons. Pass a 16.5" to 18" spout and hold the Fluff. Often when you go longer,schit slows down anyhow and rest assured...I've chopped more than a fhuqking few,keeping notes along the way. Hint.

With Utility Camp Run Fodder in my typical atmosphere,the transonic slip ala turnbolt is right at 50yds,so a guy doesn't need a quiver full of fhuqking BC's to factor come-ups. Self Shuckers are quite a bit closer to the muzzle,with like Fodder/Atmosphere and typically in the 15yd realm. HINT.

This schit never ain't not fhuqking HILARIOUS!

Bless their hearts for trying though.

Hint.

Laughing!..................

OP, I've been shooting a couple match 54's at distance for over three decades. Anschutz Fortner also. I prioritize my setup as ammo and optic being most important, and lastly the rifle.

Match grade subsonic ammo is crucial because you want it to go out the barrel UNDER the sound barrier so they do not fall through it on the way downrange which plays hell with bullet stability. Even more importantly, and counterintuitively to many guys, but well documented, is subsonic 22 ammo bucks the wind better than the fast stuff. Wind calls in this game are often tougher than vertical trajectory challenges. If temperature extremes are an issue then the answer is biathlon ammo.

Next, the optic is a huge factor and love or hate Stick, he is exactly right about the scope issues. Thirty years of this has given me time to try many scopes and I've yet to see the scope that will equal the fixed 10 SS at this game. And I've bolted a lot of scopes on my Annies. You would be amazed at how many Leupold, Vortex, Zeiss, Nikon, and other scopes have been exposed as defective by my Anschutz's and match ammo.

Finally the rifle will suffice if it has a decent trigger and can put together a good group. Does not have to be very expensive. I'd be willing to compromise on the rifle more than the scope or ammo. Good luck.

Thank you so much, very understandible.
BBQ

Not seeing or hearing about a high end 10/22 in this scenario. Is there a place for one?

Best post so far to help the OP. ^^^


Kentucky Windage

I think there is a place for one, but not at the price point the OP was trying to achieve. Kidd, Volquartsen, Tactical Solutions, and others make accurate 22 autos that are 10/22 inspired, but not at the price point you get with some accurate bolt guns, notably the CZ rifles. I had the chance to play with a Kidd rifle a couple years back and it's accuracy was admirable but it wouldn't quite equal any of my Anschutz or CZ guns.

I've customized 10/22's to get top accuracy, but could never achieve it under the cost of a stock CZ that probably would have had equal or better accuracy. Just my experience, others may vary.

Agreed, If ya start looking at accuracy per dollar, my CZ 452V would win hands down. One of those or the newer 455 & 457 will likely be the ones to beat at a certain price level.


Just kinda wanting a Kidd & fishing for excuses.

I had a purty good "hunch",that I wasn't guessing. Hint. Laughing!

I've got piles of 10/22's,but Skookum turnbolts RULE the long range roost and it ain't even close. Hint.

I've of course suffered CZ's too and they are pieces of fhuqking schit. Nothing redeeming in any of 'em,anywhere and their mags are a fhuqking joke. Pass the S/S RAR and hold the Fluff. Hint.

Nobody regrets awarding themself a KILLER 22LR Boltgun. There's not a better platform to learn upon and the copious trigger time,more than offsets the price. Cut to the chase and slick up a used 54 and really have sumptin' that'll run. I'm right at 1K turnkey scoped,with the last 54 I bought and it's a fhuqking HAMMER. Got lucky and it was already wearing one of the extended 1913 75MOA rails,I had Bob run for me. Hint.



Sniff around a bit for a Used 54 and if your not careful,it'll appreciate while you are flogging on it. The only caveat I'd add,is to simply make sure the front receiver ring is grooved too. That's the path to extended 1913 Splendor. I'd rather be on the top looking down,than the bottom looking up. Hint.

Thank me later.

Hint...............

Shoot Tracers.

About 30 years ago one of the types of shooting matches our local range would hold was a 22 RF match shot at 100 and 200 yrds. I was shooting a Mossberg144LS with a Tasco 3x9 scope.

At 100 yrds no problem I just held 10 in above the center of the target. At 200 my records show I had to dial up 72 clicks in order to hit the target. Those 200 yrd targets were about the size of trash can covers.

I never really took this long range shooting with a .22 RF seriously but we sure had a lot of fun. Good luck at 500 yrds but I think that distance would be a little out of my league with a 22. I would have to agree with gunzo on the CZ-452V. I have been shooting one for the last 15 years and it is a top of the line rifle.

You gals REALLY "get after it". Hint. Congratulations?!?



Pass the good stuff and hold the Fluff. Hint.



CZ's straight fhuqking suck,due simply to their mechanics. Hint.



Bless your hearts for trying though.

Hint.

LAUGHING!...................

OK, I can't knock a 54 Annie, but I'd buy a lotto ticket if I found one a lot less than a Voodoo. I've got a 64 that's 1/2 MOA at a hunnert, but my CZ pushes that number with working mans ammo. I'm not shooting formal matches anymore & have no desire to buy $19 a box 22's or go chasing lots. But... I will keep my eye out for an affordable 54, I like 'em.

On to the RAR you mentioned??????? I've got a predator in one of those. It's set up for bipod type shooting & I lucked a safe trigger that's 1.2 lb. Feeding & ejection is great. Your stock change to a Boyd has got me curious. The plastic not stiff enough in the front end? Or.... What? I'm listening...hint.

Gunzo you can find solid 54’s for a grand without too much trouble and fairly easily for 11-1200. That’s not very close to vudoo territory

MDT makes the LSS chassis for the American...

A range buddy had his new CZ457 with the factory AT-One stock today. Looks pretty substantial, the stock better in person than in pics. About $600, I think, so a custom barrel could be added later and still keep the price down.

The action looks beefier than my 455, but it was home, so a side-by-side wasn't possible. Whole new trigger. Wouldn't mind one, as long as I didn't have to carry it too far.

A 40x leupold would be better.