True effective target range of .22 lr

sks · April 2, 2011, 08:46 AM

What is the true effective range for target shooting with a "tricked out" .22 rifle? 50, 75, 100, 150, beyond? Not the occassional lucky shot but for those who target shoot with your .22s what ranges do you shoot at?

Also what platform do you use; weapon, special trigger, optics, bipod, etc.

Thanks!

csmsss · April 2, 2011, 09:01 AM

I'd say for most folks, 50 yards is probably a realistic max range. For those dedicated to the cartridge, that can probably be pushed out to about 200 yards or so.

thesheepdog · April 2, 2011, 09:02 AM

100 yards is as far as I'll shoot one.

mrgoodwrench76 · April 2, 2011, 09:04 AM

I wouldn't consider mine 'tricked out' (Savage Mark II w/ accutrigger) but I consistantly hit at 200 - 250 yards when the wind cooperates. I am currently using a Mueller 4.5 - 14 x 40. I would say at 200 yards with eley target ammo I get minute-of-clay pigeon.

4runnerman · April 2, 2011, 09:21 AM

Intresting question.I shoot mine at 100 yards and have never considered farther.After reading some of these posts i might just have too. I have 2 10/22. Accurate little things.

stu925 · April 2, 2011, 09:42 AM

I consider my 70's era 10/22 a 50 yard gun, however I can consistently put all my shots in a 6" target at 100 yards with it. I don't consider a 6" group effective for the rifle's intended use (small game) but it's fun to shoot that distance for a challenge. Bone stock 10/22 with an old leupold VX-II 1-4x.

Stu

sc928porsche · April 2, 2011, 10:09 AM

100 yds is a decent distance to fire 22lr.

Recoiljunky · April 2, 2011, 10:31 AM

It all depends on the rifle and ammo combanation my winchester 61 can group at 6 inches at 200 but my remy 121 wouldn't hut the broad side of a barn at 50

overkill0084 · April 2, 2011, 10:35 AM

Used to shoot 100 meters fairly regularly with my Kimber 82 and with a S&W K-22 as well. NRA Smallbore Rifle Silhouette & Smallbore Hunter's Pistol Silhouette. Beyond 100m, your liable run into more issues. But on a good day, 150yds could be within reason given the right equipment & circumstances. Beyond that, I would imagine that luck becomes a larger factor.

chadstrickland · April 2, 2011, 10:42 AM

I would say that 250 yards is close to being the maximum effective range..maybe 300...but at those ranges it is all about the shooter and his or hers experience level...and I know that a shooter is only as good as the rifle he uses and is also the other way around

emcon5 · April 2, 2011, 11:25 AM

Back when CMP first sold the Mossberg target rifles, one of my local highpower clubs put on a 200 yard match for them.

The old hands at the club said a 22LR at 200 yards was very similar to a 308 at 1000 yards

hooligan1 · April 2, 2011, 11:46 AM

When I shot on the "match-rifle" team in the Guard, we shot smallbore NRA targets at 50 feet. But I gleaned alot of squirrels at 75 or so yds.

MrWesson · April 2, 2011, 11:53 AM

100-125yds for rifle
50yds for pistol

LSU12ga · April 2, 2011, 12:00 PM

I can get a 5/6'' group at 100 yards with my older 22. Today I broke a few clays at ~200 yards, but it took about 6 shots to get my bearings.

Old Grump · April 2, 2011, 12:04 PM

I shoot for serious at 100, for fun at 200 with a 22 LR rifle or pistol.

Recoiljunky · April 2, 2011, 12:05 PM

"The old hands at the club said a 22LR at 200 yards was very similar to a 308 at 1000 yards"

the targets alot bigger at 200 thoe
*

Evan Thomas · April 2, 2011, 12:37 PM

I'm not sure what a "tricked-out" .22 rifle looks like... but with my CZ452, stock except for a bit of trigger work and a decent, not great, fixed 4x scope, 50 yards is easy, 100 yards is more of a challenge, but entirely possible. I have a notion, this year, about trying some longer distances. Can't do that in the gravel pit, so I'll have to do some scouting...

Rifleman1776 · April 2, 2011, 12:42 PM

I could consistently keep dime sized groups with an old Montgomery Ward target rifle and garage sale scope using bulk ammo at 100 yards. From a rest, of course. 22s are shot at metallic silhouette matches a lot. 100 yards is not extreme for them.

Scorch · April 2, 2011, 12:45 PM

Most 22LR rifles that are capable of sub-MOA accuracy will be capable of hits out to 250 yds with standard velocity ammo (high-velocity ammo has issues at about 160-170 yds with trans-sonic trbulence that make hits much more difficult beyond that range). The shooters may not be capable of hitting at that range, but that is another issue entirely.

L_Killkenny · April 2, 2011, 01:07 PM

Here is a couple links that can answer the question better than I can:

http://www.steelchickens.com/

http://www.6mmbr.com/rimfiretactical.html

LK

emcon5 · April 2, 2011, 01:43 PM

Quote:

the targets alot bigger at 200 thoe
*

Not necessarily. The aiming black size on competition targets is generally a constant size measured in MOA, they just scale the ring sizes based on the range.

Long range targets are pretty big.

I am pretty sure they used the MR-52 targets, which are the 200 yard reduced version of the MR-1 600 yard slow fire target.

AZAK · April 2, 2011, 02:31 PM

My Ruger 10/22 still has at least one original factory part on it, I think that it would count as "tricked out"; I think... And I pretty much shoot it every week. That being said...

With a drop reticle, I regularly shoot accurately free standing from 40 yards out to 125 - 150 yards. Sitting on a bi-pod hitting the bottom of empty shotgun hulls are pretty easy pickings at these same distances. Generally I don't shoot out much past these distances on a regular basis, occasionally will push out for fun but not as a regular with a .22lr; I have "better platforms" when I start really reaching out.

I think that the bullet drop is what most folks need to "wrap their heads around" when trying to reach out a bit. That and having a really good trigger; it only takes just a tiny movement off to be really off at distance. And of course "right practice" repeated, really tends to help.

sks · April 2, 2011, 04:51 PM

Wow! Thanks to everyone for the many replies. Didn't expect so many so quickly.

My .22 rifle plinking is with a Targetmaster from the 1950s and 50 yds is dead on for hitting shotgun shells or pieces of clay pegions. I've tried out to 100 yds but had limited success with the open sights. Don't want to put a scope on that one though as I appreciate the "old gun" just the way it is.

Shot it yesterday with several friends and they were amazed at the accuracy and quietness. With .22 shorts the bullet hitting the taget was louder than the shot itself.

My Marlin 25N is pretty fair out to 100 yds. I can routinely put them in a 5x5" square at that distance but not the nice clover leaf clusters I've seen others post here. Again, this gun is not tricked out at all and has a cheap Tasco sitting on top.

My wife has a Browning Buckmark rifle with the little green and orange optic sights that is pretty sweet out to 50 yds just as is. Haven't pushed it beyond that so I can't say. The barrel is short but I suppose with good optics it would be good out to 100 yds.

Was looking at the 10/22 VLEH and putting a scope on that. That would be fun.

Again, thanks for all of the replies and input.

gearhounds · April 2, 2011, 04:58 PM

"Here is a couple links that can answer the question better than I can:"

Odd. You seem to say .22 lr is ok here for accurate longer range shooting, but in the closed survival gun thread, you bashed my choice and abilities because it was different that yours? Sounds pretty mall ninja on your end.

"You are over estimating your ability to shoot in a stressful situation, you are over estimating your ability to hunt, you are over estimating the amount of available critters remaining alive and your are over estimating the power of the .22."

Maybe you're overestimating your ability instead; it's ok. Here in Eastern WV, there are plenty of deer, small game, and the cover to be easily within 25-50 yards of an easy shot.

To stay on topic, I'll add that when I still had my Marlin Model 60, I could easily put groups in Skoal cans set on their sides with open sights. I have no problem believing a tricked out .22 is capable of much more.

Laserlips · April 2, 2011, 05:11 PM

Well,

I'm 68 years old.. My hands are shaky, my vision declining..

So..

There is NO distance for this old fart beyond 50 yards..

And, I prefer 15 and 25 yards if I have any desire and expectation of actually shooting reasonably small groups..

I feel sure a couple of my rifles (Marlin 39A & Winchester 63 for sure) are "capable" of accuracy beyond 50 yards, just not with me pulling the trigger..

But, it is satisfying to still enjoy the pleasures of rimfire plinking, while I can still see good enough, AND afford to do so.

Guess that's why I have 7 rimfire rifles.

Here's my favorite..

jesse

April 2, 2011, 08:46 AM	#1
sks Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2000 Location: Williamsburg, MO Posts: 944	True effective target range of .22 lr What is the true effective range for target shooting with a "tricked out" .22 rifle? 50, 75, 100, 150, beyond? Not the occassional lucky shot but for those who target shoot with your .22s what ranges do you shoot at? Also what platform do you use; weapon, special trigger, optics, bipod, etc. Thanks! __________________ Guns don't kill people; bullets kill people!

April 2, 2011, 09:02 AM	#3
thesheepdog Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2010 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 1,996	100 yards is as far as I'll shoot one. __________________ Krav Maga/Judo Qualified Rifleman/Marksmanship Instructor/Lic. Medic "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit" Romans 8:1

April 2, 2011, 09:04 AM	#4
mrgoodwrench76 Senior Member Join Date: March 4, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 487	I wouldn't consider mine 'tricked out' (Savage Mark II w/ accutrigger) but I consistantly hit at 200 - 250 yards when the wind cooperates. I am currently using a Mueller 4.5 - 14 x 40. I would say at 200 yards with eley target ammo I get minute-of-clay pigeon. __________________ God Bless America!!

April 2, 2011, 09:21 AM	#5
4runnerman Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,577	Intresting question.I shoot mine at 100 yards and have never considered farther.After reading some of these posts i might just have too. I have 2 10/22. Accurate little things. __________________ NRA Certified RSO NwCP- Performance Isn't Optional

April 2, 2011, 10:09 AM	#7
sc928porsche Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2008 Location: now living in alabama Posts: 2,433	100 yds is a decent distance to fire 22lr. __________________ No such thing as a stupid question. What is stupid is not asking it.

April 2, 2011, 09:01 AM	#2
csmsss Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Orange, TX Posts: 3,078	I'd say for most folks, 50 yards is probably a realistic max range. For those dedicated to the cartridge, that can probably be pushed out to about 200 yards or so.

April 2, 2011, 09:42 AM	#6
stu925 Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2010 Location: New York Posts: 953	I consider my 70's era 10/22 a 50 yard gun, however I can consistently put all my shots in a 6" target at 100 yards with it. I don't consider a 6" group effective for the rifle's intended use (small game) but it's fun to shoot that distance for a challenge. Bone stock 10/22 with an old leupold VX-II 1-4x. Stu

April 2, 2011, 10:31 AM	#8
Recoiljunky Senior Member Join Date: January 11, 2011 Location: Jupiter, florida Posts: 233	It all depends on the rifle and ammo combanation my winchester 61 can group at 6 inches at 200 but my remy 121 wouldn't hut the broad side of a barn at 50

April 2, 2011, 10:35 AM	#9
overkill0084 Senior Member Join Date: August 7, 2010 Location: Northern, UT Posts: 1,162	Used to shoot 100 meters fairly regularly with my Kimber 82 and with a S&W K-22 as well. NRA Smallbore Rifle Silhouette & Smallbore Hunter's Pistol Silhouette. Beyond 100m, your liable run into more issues. But on a good day, 150yds could be within reason given the right equipment & circumstances. Beyond that, I would imagine that luck becomes a larger factor. __________________ Cheers, Greg “At the core of liberalism is the spoiled child – miserable, as all spoiled children are, unsatisfied, demanding, ill-disciplined, despotic and useless. Liberalism is a philosophy of sniveling brats.” — P.J. O’Rourke

April 2, 2011, 10:42 AM	#10
chadstrickland Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2011 Location: alabama Posts: 537	I would say that 250 yards is close to being the maximum effective range..maybe 300...but at those ranges it is all about the shooter and his or hers experience level...and I know that a shooter is only as good as the rifle he uses and is also the other way around __________________ Two weapons that was designed by the same man still in use by the us military 100 years later...1911 and m2...is there anything that comes close.....lol annd maybe perhaps a sig sauer p226 tac ops edition..

April 2, 2011, 11:25 AM	#11
emcon5 Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 1999 Location: High Desert NV Posts: 2,850	Back when CMP first sold the Mossberg target rifles, one of my local highpower clubs put on a 200 yard match for them. The old hands at the club said a 22LR at 200 yards was very similar to a 308 at 1000 yards

April 2, 2011, 11:46 AM	#12
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,585	When I shot on the "match-rifle" team in the Guard, we shot smallbore NRA targets at 50 feet. But I gleaned alot of squirrels at 75 or so yds. __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

April 2, 2011, 11:53 AM	#13
MrWesson Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2010 Posts: 357	100-125yds for rifle 50yds for pistol

April 2, 2011, 12:00 PM	#14
LSU12ga Senior Member Join Date: April 13, 2006 Posts: 407	I can get a 5/6'' group at 100 yards with my older 22. Today I broke a few clays at ~200 yards, but it took about 6 shots to get my bearings.

April 2, 2011, 12:04 PM	#15
Old Grump Member in memoriam Join Date: April 9, 2009 Location: Blue River Wisconsin, in Posts: 3,144	I shoot for serious at 100, for fun at 200 with a 22 LR rifle or pistol. __________________ Good intentions will always be pleaded for any assumption of power. The Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern will, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters. --Daniel Webster--

April 2, 2011, 12:05 PM	#16
Recoiljunky Senior Member Join Date: January 11, 2011 Location: Jupiter, florida Posts: 233	"The old hands at the club said a 22LR at 200 yards was very similar to a 308 at 1000 yards" the targets alot bigger at 200 thoe *

April 2, 2011, 12:37 PM	#17
Evan Thomas Senior Member Join Date: July 7, 2008 Location: Upper midwest Posts: 5,631	I'm not sure what a "tricked-out" .22 rifle looks like... but with my CZ452, stock except for a bit of trigger work and a decent, not great, fixed 4x scope, 50 yards is easy, 100 yards is more of a challenge, but entirely possible. I have a notion, this year, about trying some longer distances. Can't do that in the gravel pit, so I'll have to do some scouting... __________________ Never let anything mechanical know you're in a hurry.

April 2, 2011, 12:42 PM	#18
Rifleman1776 Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,309	I could consistently keep dime sized groups with an old Montgomery Ward target rifle and garage sale scope using bulk ammo at 100 yards. From a rest, of course. 22s are shot at metallic silhouette matches a lot. 100 yards is not extreme for them.

April 2, 2011, 12:45 PM	#19
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Most 22LR rifles that are capable of sub-MOA accuracy will be capable of hits out to 250 yds with standard velocity ammo (high-velocity ammo has issues at about 160-170 yds with trans-sonic trbulence that make hits much more difficult beyond that range). The shooters may not be capable of hitting at that range, but that is another issue entirely. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

April 2, 2011, 01:07 PM	#20
L_Killkenny Senior Member Join Date: February 2, 2007 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,676	Here is a couple links that can answer the question better than I can: http://www.steelchickens.com/ http://www.6mmbr.com/rimfiretactical.html LK

April 2, 2011, 02:31 PM	#22
AZAK Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2008 Location: the object towards which the action of the sea is directed Posts: 2,123	My Ruger 10/22 still has at least one original factory part on it, I think that it would count as "tricked out"; I think... And I pretty much shoot it every week. That being said... With a drop reticle, I regularly shoot accurately free standing from 40 yards out to 125 - 150 yards. Sitting on a bi-pod hitting the bottom of empty shotgun hulls are pretty easy pickings at these same distances. Generally I don't shoot out much past these distances on a regular basis, occasionally will push out for fun but not as a regular with a .22lr; I have "better platforms" when I start really reaching out. I think that the bullet drop is what most folks need to "wrap their heads around" when trying to reach out a bit. That and having a really good trigger; it only takes just a tiny movement off to be really off at distance. And of course "right practice" repeated, really tends to help.

April 2, 2011, 04:51 PM	#23
sks Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2000 Location: Williamsburg, MO Posts: 944	Wow! Thanks to everyone for the many replies. Didn't expect so many so quickly. My .22 rifle plinking is with a Targetmaster from the 1950s and 50 yds is dead on for hitting shotgun shells or pieces of clay pegions. I've tried out to 100 yds but had limited success with the open sights. Don't want to put a scope on that one though as I appreciate the "old gun" just the way it is. Shot it yesterday with several friends and they were amazed at the accuracy and quietness. With .22 shorts the bullet hitting the taget was louder than the shot itself. My Marlin 25N is pretty fair out to 100 yds. I can routinely put them in a 5x5" square at that distance but not the nice clover leaf clusters I've seen others post here. Again, this gun is not tricked out at all and has a cheap Tasco sitting on top. My wife has a Browning Buckmark rifle with the little green and orange optic sights that is pretty sweet out to 50 yds just as is. Haven't pushed it beyond that so I can't say. The barrel is short but I suppose with good optics it would be good out to 100 yds. Was looking at the 10/22 VLEH and putting a scope on that. That would be fun. Again, thanks for all of the replies and input. __________________ Guns don't kill people; bullets kill people!

April 2, 2011, 04:58 PM	#24
gearhounds Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2011 Location: M'burg WV Posts: 332	"Here is a couple links that can answer the question better than I can:" Odd. You seem to say .22 lr is ok here for accurate longer range shooting, but in the closed survival gun thread, you bashed my choice and abilities because it was different that yours? Sounds pretty mall ninja on your end. "You are over estimating your ability to shoot in a stressful situation, you are over estimating your ability to hunt, you are over estimating the amount of available critters remaining alive and your are over estimating the power of the .22." Maybe you're overestimating your ability instead; it's ok. Here in Eastern WV, there are plenty of deer, small game, and the cover to be easily within 25-50 yards of an easy shot. To stay on topic, I'll add that when I still had my Marlin Model 60, I could easily put groups in Skoal cans set on their sides with open sights. I have no problem believing a tricked out .22 is capable of much more. __________________ Busting thugs since 1992

April 2, 2011, 05:11 PM	#25
Laserlips Senior Member Join Date: December 13, 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 627	Well, I'm 68 years old.. My hands are shaky, my vision declining.. So.. There is NO distance for this old fart beyond 50 yards.. And, I prefer 15 and 25 yards if I have any desire and expectation of actually shooting reasonably small groups.. I feel sure a couple of my rifles (Marlin 39A & Winchester 63 for sure) are "capable" of accuracy beyond 50 yards, just not with me pulling the trigger.. But, it is satisfying to still enjoy the pleasures of rimfire plinking, while I can still see good enough, AND afford to do so. Guess that's why I have 7 rimfire rifles. Here's my favorite.. jesse __________________ "Laus Deo"