Tack driving 22???

P

Prof Young

New member
Shooters:
I own a 10/22, a Remington Nylon rifle (22), and an old Henry bolt action. All are fine guns for shooting squirrels but after about 40 yards the group just doesn't stay very tight. If I want to spend $500 or less to buy a 22 that will nail a squirrel at 60-100 yards, what should I get? Or can I get that for $500 or less??? Should I be looking at a 22 mag?
Thanks for the suggestions.

Live well, be safe?
RTY
 
Are you using a scope? I like the .22 Mag, but the .17HMR is another option. I suspect you will destroy a little more meat with both if you are filling the game pot.
 
The only accurate gun I can recommend is the Savage with an AccuTrigger. I've heard the Marlin variations also shoot well, but I have no first-hand experience with them. Both brands can be had for under $300 NIB.

In .22lr, .22Mag, & .17HMR, you should do well with the Savage.

Maybe for $500 or a little higher, a used Winchester Model 52 (reproduction, made by Browning) or a Remington 541-T. I have a 52 that I use for rimfire silhouette shooting. It likes most types of standard velocity .22lr ammo. A couple of friends have the 541-T and like them.
 
I highly recommend a .17. They are fairly inexpensive and are extremely accurate. The only downfall is the ammo is not as cheap as .22.
 
Are you sure? That 10/22 should be able to shoot metallic silouettes out to 100 yards accurately. And I know my Nylon 66 does minute-of-squirrel out at 100 yards also. But if you insist it's the rifle, look for a Marlin bolt action, or even a Ruger 77/22.

Check your barrel for floating or binding, check your scope or sight mounts for tightness.
 
My recommendations (in order of best to least)-
Ruger 77/22, Remington 541T (used), Remington 581 (used), CZ 452, Browning T-Bolt, Savage 93.

Or just buy an aftermarket barrel/stock kit for your Ruger 10/22 and turn it into a 150 yds squirrel destroyer. Be sure to add a scope and a trigger kit. You should be able to do all that for under $300, and you will have a rifle that will take a back seat to no one.
 
My 10/22 and Henry lever action are both very accurate rifles. They arent target guns by any stretch but they acheive quarter size groups at 50yrds with greentag ammo and a rest. Thats more than good enough for me.
 
Try a new barrel and a decent scope on that 10/22. Cheaper than a new rifle.

Also, try a few different types of ammo. Wolf Gold Match .22lr (40gr LRN Solid) always gave me good groups (sub 2" at 100yds) with my 10/22, Buckmark Target Rifle, and Marlin bolt-action.
 
I use a 17mhr in a marlin heavy barrel bolt action I found in a pawn shop put a sweet 17 bsa scope that little rifle is bad news for tree rats,groundhogs,ol'possums,& coons.The set up was 205.00$ and 150yds aint no trouble.good luck
 
Try different ammo. Wolf MT makes one-hole groups at 50 yards with my rifle.
If your goal is to nail squirrels in the head at exactly 100 yards and only at 100 yards, a quality bolt action .22 with a good scope and match ammo will do the job.
If you want to shoot squirrels at any range between 20 and 100 yards, you need something with a flatter trajectory than a .22. A super accurate .22 that shoots a tight one-hole group 3 inches above a squirrel's head because you were only 50 yards away is no better than an inaccurate gun.
 
All i can suggest is something in a savage rifle.

my savage 17hmr i use for culling foxes on our property and it effectively takes them down out to 150 yards.

i can also group just under an inch at 100 yards with that rifle.
 
Thanks.

Thanks for all the suggestions and ideas. I've been shooting bulk ammo. Maybe I'll start with that and try a better grade of ammo. I am shooting off a sand bag rest and with a scope.

Live well, be safe.
RTY
 
There are a lot of good shooting 22 rifles out there.One of my 22 rifles is a Ruger 10/22 T that shoots just about any brand of 22 ammo very well,I have had very good accuracy from the bulk federal 550 pack.

Here's a 10 shot group @ 25 yards from the 10/22 with federal bulk ammo.
I pulled 2 of the bottom shots,I was shooting off a old rickety picnic table(felt like a row boat lol) with a 4"x6" post on top of the table with my jacket for a rest.

80242d58-1.jpg
 
+1 for ammo!

I can attest to ammo having a HUGE effect on accuracy. I've got a cheapie Savage MkII from wal mart that will group around 3" at 50 yds on Federal bulk pack (pencil bbl., iron sights), same gun with Remington (ely) match grade will put 5 shots inside a nickel.
 
CZ452 and good ammo (Lapua, Wolf, Aguila, etc.). The only upgrade I made to this rifle was a Rifle Basix trigger. Set to break at about 2 lbs, I was getting excellent grouping at 50 yds.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top