As I shoot my 22 caliber rifle more and more I am finding that it is nearly impossible to sight it in.
My experiences to date involve something around 800 to 1000 rounds.
I am not a marksman so it took me a while to notice that each brand of ammunition seems to shoot slightly different. When I say different, I don’t mean jams, misfires, or even the loud rounds versus the rounds that sound more like a small cap pistol, what I mean is they actually hit the target differently.
I have been to the range about 6 or 7 times with different people. I noticed that each time I shoot, it seems that the scope is off.
Today I noticed that the group itself moves on the target with different ammunition. I shot a 10 shot group of Winchester, non-plated bullets and they hit something over an inch low and about the same to the right. I then moved the scope hairs and got the group mostly in the bullseye. I then loaded up with Remington Golden Bullets and shot a group that was slightly high and a moderate amount to the left.
I still wasn’t convinced so I adjusted the scope and got the group basically on the bullseye. I then loaded the gun with more Winchester and it was the same as before with the group something close to a couple inches low and to the right.
My assumption is that with ammunition there is something that varies with the shape of the bullet that causes this. I haven’t checked the grain but I do know one is hollow point and one is round point.
Regardless if you sight your 22 in and shoot with friends in a friendly competition, make sure you use the same ammunition that you used when sighting in your rifle.
I do assume bullets with a slightly different number of grains, could change, but this was shooting at 30 yards so seems like a very short distance to have this much variation.
I guess lead or coated might actually travel that much differently but it doesn’t seem possible. Another option is that the gun is dirty, but if that was the case, it would seem that all bullets would still travel the same.
Any other ideas, or if you have found this to be true would be interesting so please let me know so I can make a final adjustment to my scope, or possibly find out what the best remedy is.
Presently at 30 yards I can see where the bullet hits, so I just compensate so that I generally have one which appears to be a very wild shot, then the other 9 seem to be on or very near the bullseye.
Kelly, I have been a hunter, target shooter and instructor for over 55 years so if it’s okay, I’ll give you a few tips I picked up in that time.
1. Make sure that your scope and mounts are installed correctly (Straight and tight. That includes the tightness of the scope fit inside the rings (no looseness) on anything.
2. You say that you change brands of ammunition when you shoot. Is this a hunting rifle or just for target shooting? If it is for hunting, High Velocity Hollow points are probably the only thing you should be working with. If it is used for just Target work, solid precision match ammunition should be your choice. Different manufacturers all make both HV and Match.
3. On a hunting Rifle, I would buy a box of each brand of High Velocity HPs and set up a target at about 75 yards. At first don’t worry about hitting the bull’s-eye. Just hold on the bull’s-eye and shoot a 5 shot group with one brand of ammunition. Measure with a scale for extreme spread and record it. Then do the same with the next brand on a clean target and then repeat this with another brand. Keeping a record is important. Repeat this process a few times. The brand that gives the smallest grouping should be the only brand you use at any time. Now adjust your scope, if necessary, to bring the group into the center of the bull’s-eye. Shoot a few more for confirmation. Plink away with the other ammunition and have fun but do not adjust the scope for them. Just use KY. Windage until they are gone.
4. The process for the target rifle is just the same but using the precision match ammunition.
Just remember HV-HP for one purpose and only solid match for target.
HV-HPs travel at about 1300 fps where match precision ammo only travels about 1100 fps.
I welcome your comments and information. I feel sure others that find the site will feel the same way.