.22RF v Centrefire accuracy

[1066]

I spent a very pleasant Saturday on Short Siberia banging away from the 100yd benches. I was using a 6mm centrefire and also a .22 rimfire and what struck me was how poor the accuracy of the .22 rimfire was in comparison. Using my Russian CM2 .22 target rifle (with a scope) and passable ammunition the 5 shot groups are about 1-1.5 inches and that seems to be about as good as I can get it.

Shooting a centrefire I would be really disappointed with 5 shot groups that size, even .5 inch seems a bit woolly so with all the millions of rounds and about a hundred years of development shouldn’t we expect better accuracy from the humble .22RF (unless your bunnybasher can do ¼ groups at 80yds as most seem to do:))

[Blackstuff]

:roll: :lol: :lol:

If i was getting 1MOA with a .22lr i'd be clicking my heels all the way home!

[tackb]

you need to get a sako finnfire !

[Sim G]

In essence, this illustrates perfectly how spoilt we have become in terms of rifle accuracy. There certainly are rifle and ammo combinations in the humble rimfire that will give sub one inch groups at 100yds.

But, lets talk about the one you experienced with your rifle and ammo combo. 1 to 1.5" at 100 yds. 30 years ago that would have been regarded as excellent results for a match rifle, in a centerfire calibre! 2 inches at 100yds was the benchmark for a hunting rifle and a military rifle, 3 to four inches!

Oh, is your CM2 a Russian or USSR date of manufacture? If a former Soviet, with passable ammo, then you really do have an outstanding rifle!

[saddler]

In essence, this illustrates perfectly how spoilt we have become in terms of rifle accuracy. There certainly are rifle and ammo combinations in the humble rimfire that will give sub one inch groups at 100yds.

But, lets talk about the one you experienced with your rifle and ammo combo. 1 to 1.5" at 100 yds. 30 years ago that would have been regarded as excellent results for a match rifle, in a centerfire calibre! 2 inches at 100yds was the benchmark for a hunting rifle and a military rifle, 3 to four inches!

Oh, is your CM2 a Russian or USSR date of manufacture? If a former Soviet, with passable ammo, then you really do have an outstanding rifle!

....AND

Nobody has mentioned the ammunition!

Were the .22 rounds the most expensive target shooting (i.e. Inernational competition/Olympic level) or standard club issue cheap as chips?
Were the 6mm rounds factory, or handloads?

Try the same experiment with some of the .22 rounds that cost about the same as factory centre-fire ammo & see what the differences are

[Sim G]

In the OP, it was stated "passable ammo". I took that as club level/bulk buy stuff.....

But being as pedantic as you are, you no doubt want the make, model and batch number..... wtfwtf :55: :55: bigteeth

[1066]

In essence, this illustrates perfectly how spoilt we have become in terms of rifle accuracy. There certainly are rifle and ammo combinations in the humble rimfire that will give sub one inch groups at 100yds.

But, lets talk about the one you experienced with your rifle and ammo combo. 1 to 1.5" at 100 yds. 30 years ago that would have been regarded as excellent results for a match rifle, in a centerfire calibre! 2 inches at 100yds was the benchmark for a hunting rifle and a military rifle, 3 to four inches!

Oh, is your CM2 a Russian or USSR date of manufacture? If a former Soviet, with passable ammo, then you really do have an outstanding rifle!

....AND

Nobody has mentioned the ammunition!

Were the .22 rounds the most expensive target shooting (i.e. Inernational competition/Olympic level) or standard club issue cheap as chips?
Were the 6mm rounds factory, or handloads?

Try the same experiment with some of the .22 rounds that cost about the same as factory centre-fire ammo & see what the differences are

The 6mmbr were hand loads (But not a load I had done any development with) 70gn FB Berger, as much Varget as I could get in the case without compression 32.9gn and just touching the lands. 5 x 5 shot groups, largest .47 moa, average .37 moa.

.22's were Eley match, although maybe 5 years old and some lapua match. The CM2 I bought second hand in around 1980.