Last weekend I was able to make a brief trip to the range after fitting a Nikon 4X to my new Versa-Pack .22LR barrel. I fitted a Monte Carlo stock to the frame, removed the open sights, and shot the rifle on the bags with every type of rimfire ammo I have on hand. As expected, Rem Thunderbolts gave the poorest groups, with the most fliers. CCI Mini Mag HPs gave hunting-quality accuracy at 25 and 50 yards, and my old reliable favorite, Federal bulk "550" HPs did best, giving creditable groups in the 1.5" range at 50 yards. The real surprise was CCI CB Longs -- the groups could be covered with a nickle at 25 yards!
The rifle functioned flawlessly, and the trigger is better than any other low-dollar .22 I have shot. I now have an idea of its potential accuracy. It will wear an old Pardner straight-comb stock and forend, though, since I never thought of it as a scoped rifle, and the straight stock is more appropriate with a smoothbore barrel. I am intrigued by the various handloading possibilities for the little .410 cartridge, and willl pursue making good shot shells as well as various slug and round-ball loads I have read about. The .22 barrel will get a good set of Williams open sights.
