Rimfire Range Rendezvous

[Hatchdog]

Yesterday I took three rimfires to the range for some work. Two were unfired by me previously and the third got a scope change. All three were not boresighted so my first task was to get them on paper. Then the first two were somewhat zeroed and then shot with different ammo for preference. The third just got a sight in as it has already told me what ammo it prefers.

31 degrees, overcast with no sun but thankfully no wind either. It was cold! I don’t like shooting with gloves but they were worn yesterday. All shots at 50 yards from the bench.


I took this pic of the clubhouse for Sir Henry who shot here many years ago. The covered 100 yd range is on the right and the uncovered 200 is on the left. Not shown further on the right is the covered 25 yd handgun range. There is also a trap range with two traps and an indoor handgun range behind where I was standing when I took the pic.

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First up was my CZ 512 22 wmr with a 2-7x33 Nikon Tactical rimfire scope. The pic shows the five ammo types I tried in it. Best was the Remington 33 gr with a varmit tip bullet. A close second was the Federal Champion 40 gr FMJ but I like the bullet on the Remington for dispatching those dangerous ground squirrels. After the ammo test I adjusted the scope and shot five at the bottom right bullseye. They were a bit low so I clicked up the scope and shot five more. Pretty much shot the bullseye out. I’m liking this rifle.

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Next up was my newly acquired Ruger 10/22. This is a Talo exclusive with a 20” bull barrel. It’s scoped with with a Vortex Crossfire 2-7x32 rimfire scope. This rifle shot well enough that it deserves a scope upgrade. First pic shows the ammo I tried in it and just about everything grouped well. I selected the CCI Mini Mag HP as it’s a proven game getter. It’s going to be a hard decision between this Ruger and the CZ for shooting squirrels this spring. I was getting pretty cold by now and since a cease fire was called I didn’t adjust the scope to more of a dead on hold but will do so on another trip.

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Earlier I had shot my Marlin 39-A for a scope adjustment and got it dialed in close. I replaced the Weaver Classic 4x rimfire scope with this Nikon P-22 2-7x33. I had planned on shooting it again for some fine tuning but decided to wait for another day. The cold was getting to me so I packed up and went home. I had brought along two handguns, one to do load work up and the other for first shots but they too will wait.

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[fortyshooter]

Great looking range and that Ruger 10/22 getting the job done perfectly!

[Rifletom]

Hatch, that is some good shooting! Rimfire shooting is sooo much fun. Pretty sure the base on the 39-A is a Weaver #90, what are the rings? I'm probably going to scope my 39-A with a 1-2x20mm or 1-4x 20mm as my eyesight isn't what it used to be. Thanks. Rimfire fun!

[Sir Henry]

If I remember right they close the clubhouse to shoot over it at 600 yards. It’s been a few decades.

Great shooting. I’m surprised the CZ didn’t do better. The Ruger really liked the CCI ammo. Good choice for the 39 scope.

[graywolf]

Looks like any of them will get the job done. Know you had fun, even in the cold.

[Ernie]

Excellent range report and good shooting. All nice looking rifles. My original Golden was stolen and I have never forgiven the Thief. need to get a 39A out for some targets. Thanks for the post.

[Hatchdog]

Tom, the rings are the Burris Zee ring. Steel rings designed for Weaver style mounts. Many years ago Sportsman’s Warehouse had a close out sale on them for $5 so I bought several sets for Weaver mounts and some more for the grooved receiver on rimfires. Running low sadly…

Sir Henry, the 600 yard range uses the target stands on the 200 range. Yes, we shoot over the parking lot next to the clubhouse so for any 600 yard events the clubhouse, 100 and handgun ranges are closed. Due to this 600 yard events are not scheduled frequently. There are five F Class matches and once a month 600 yard practices in season that close the facility. When closed the indoor handgun range is opened for folks to use.

The CZ is a semi-auto wmr and I expect the bolt action version of it would shoot better. I’ll give it another run with better weather conditions and hopefully do better.

[North Country Gal]

Actually, those CZ 22 mag groups aren't too bad. I used to shoot a 512 in 22 LR and was able to get groups in the half inch at 50 yard range. The biggest challenge of the 512 versus the CZ bolt gun was the 512 trigger. Nowhere near as good as the CZ bolt guns, but with a lot of patience, I was able to get some good groups. After all, the 512 uses the same barrels as the 455 CZ bolt guns.

[Hatchdog]

Actually, those CZ 22 mag groups aren't too bad. I used to shoot a 512 in 22 LR and was able to get groups in the half inch at 50 yard range. The biggest challenge of the 512 versus the CZ bolt gun was the 512 trigger. Nowhere near as good as the CZ bolt guns, but with a lot of patience, I was able to get some good groups. After all, the 512 uses the same barrels as the 455 CZ bolt guns.

Agree NCG, with the right ammo it really did shoot pretty well for the conditions I was experiencing. I am disappointed that the Armscor did so poorly and I got 10 boxes of it with the rifle. (In a trade) I think shooting those Remington 33 grain varmint tips will be just the ticket for me and my intended use for it. The final 10 shots into the bottom right bullseye were five shots, then a two click adjustment up and then five more shots. Not a bad 10 shot group with an adjustment included. Thankfully our local BiMart has a good supply of the Remingtons and I’ll be stopping in for a couple more boxes.

[North Country Gal]

The Remingtons do great in my 22 mag rifle, too. I try to keep a good supply on hand.

Winchester/Miroku 1885 Low Wall Hunter 22 mag. This is actually, one of the most accurate 22 mags I have ever owned.