Author Topic: 10" .22 LR Match - Range Report (Read 671 times)

Ranger413 · « **on:** June 10, 2004, 09:41:05 AM »

Went to the range today with my Contender. I only have one barrel for it at present (I know . . . what's wrong with me) a 10" .22 Match w/ open sights.

I had two brands of ammo on hand. Wolf Match and PMC Moderator (sub-sonic). I started off with the PMC because I intended on using this as a squirrel round. Low report and suspected that it would have enough killing power at close range. I shot several five shot groups at 25 yards and was hovering just above the 1" mark.

I then shot some of the match stuff. It faired about the same, 1" 5-shot groups at 25 yards. I was expecting a little better with the match ammo as I had heard it was good stuff. I then went back to the PMC ammo and shot a nice 3/4" group.

I'm not sure if I can do any better with open sights. This will be plenty accurate for me and my squirrel hunting needs. Just for fun I set two 12 ga. shells on the backstop along with a clover flower on the stem. Only took one shot each for the shotgun shells. 3 rounds were needed to pick off the clover flower. Again, enough accuracy for tree rats I believe.

I intended to use this gun with the open sights to keep the weight down. However, I'm already trying to accessorize with a red dot. I think I'll probably end up with another Ultra Dot 30 as I've had one in the past and really liked it. But, I'm also trying to save some $ so maybe I'll look at something a little less expensive. Gonna have to pick up a weaver mount and go form there.

I'll post some more results when I try the other brands of ammo I have.

Ranger413

B_Koes · « **Reply #1 on:** June 10, 2004, 11:22:05 AM »

Ranger - Without a scope you will never be able to do justice for the type of accuracy that the Contender is capable of. I use a rifle scope mounted on my rimfire barrels and I find that most of them will shoot close to 1" groups @ 100 yards...some better and some not. You could get the type of accuracy that you are talking about from any number of handguns that would be easier to carry in the field. I tested my Ruger 6 7/8" slabside competition model @ 25 yards and found several brands of ammo that will shoot under .5" for 10 shots. If I were going to carry a pistol around and keep my shots under 50 yards, I think that I'd rather use the auto than my Contender. However if you want to head shoot one of those squirrels out around 75 yards, then put a scope on that Contender and fire away. Not trying to burst your bubble, but I think that you would find more usefullness than you think by mounting a good scope on that pistol. Heck, I'm not sure I could shoot under 1" with open sights so it sounds like you did real good!

Possum · « **Reply #2 on:** June 10, 2004, 04:53:44 PM »

I've got a suggestion. I have a regular 10" octagon 22 barrel and decided to put a scope on it just for plinking around. I tried the red dots and then found out at 50yds the dot covered up about everything I shot at. Went and bought an El Cheapo (I 'm talking about $38.00) NCSTAR pistol scope in 2x-7x and mounted it. Started with a turkey target at 4o yds and shot a quarter size group(around 1") in the turkey's head. At 100yds I can break those orange clays you buy at wal mart. I set it for dead-on at 40 yds and use the lower post recticle at 100yds. Seems to work well.

It is not a fancy scope. In fact the recticles have a wave in one of them. But, it serves the purpose on the .22 and the recoil is so low I doubt I ever have a problem. Call me a cheapy, but with a Burris at 250+, I will save that for my 30.06 and .35 Rem and go with the cheapy for playing around. I was shooting Dynapoints the last time I was at the range.

SD Handgunner · « **Reply #3 on:** June 10, 2004, 06:15:21 PM »

Ranger you have already received some excellent advise. Just to echo B_Koes there is no way you can utilize the accuracy potential of that Contender Barrel with Open Sights. I too have a Ruger MKII ( a 5 1/2" SS version) that will also hold it's perferred ammo into 1/2" 5 shot groups at 25 yards with a Red Dot Optical Sight.

My SS Super 14 Match Grade .22 LR Contender Barrel is a totally different story. Shooting the ammo it preferrs (CCI Standard Velocity) with the aid of a 3x12x32mm Burris LER Handgun Scope @ 12x from the bench, this ammo is averaging .016" center to center 5 shot groups at 25 yards. The only Hollow Points I have tested in this barrel so far (Winchester BULK X-Pert Hollow Points) average .223" center to center for 5 shot groups at 25 yards from the bench.

Yes the accuracy you are getting with your Contender with Open Sights is far better than I could shoot with Open Sights. If you are pleased with the results you are getting, that's great. The point is I think that Contender is capable of much better with a scope.

Good luck, and most of all enjoy your Contender.

SD Handgunner

Ranger413 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 11, 2004, 06:04:32 PM »

The reason that I'm leaning toward the red dot sight instead of a scope is due to size/weight. Like I said before I'd like to keep weight to a minimum. Also, I really don't want the scope hanging over the hammer so that I have to get a hammer extension. I know that I'd probably be able to do better accuracy wise with a scope but I'm thinking the red dot is what I really need - for my purposes.

I know that red dots have been talked about a lot around here but here goes again. I'm looking for a cheaper red dot than the Ultra Dot that would do well on a 22 barrel. I'm not sure what is out there as I've only had experience with the Ultra Dot variety. Anything under about $75 that is worth a darn. I have a source for the Ultra Dot for about $115 so I may just go that route because its not all that expensive.

Ranger413

Ranger413 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 14, 2004, 06:58:05 AM »

I decided to go with a Bushnell Trophy red dot. Ordered that and a weaver base for the 22 barrel last night. I'll post a pic and some more range results when it arrives.

Ranger413

Ranger413 · « **Reply #6 on:** June 14, 2004, 05:11:19 PM »

cknight98,

I believe that red dot has a 5MOA dot. How does it work for you for 25 to 50 yard shots? For me this is a squirrel rig and I'm thinking it will be perfect. Most shots will be under 25 yards around here.

Ranger413

Ranger413 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 15, 2004, 02:31:36 AM »

I too thought about the interchangeable reticles. However, I heard someone say somewhere that the point of impact changed when they switched reticles. I decided that I didn't need the other reticles or the possibility of a change in impact.

Ranger413