Range Trip 4-11-2025 RPR-22LR 50-yards and 100-yards

 

I’ve been in the hunt for awhile for a 22LR round that can do solid work at 100 yards and not cost an arm and a leg.  I believe I’ve found one that will due . . . the Ely Semi-Automatic Benchrest Precision round that I purchased from Luckgunner.  They came in at $13 per box so I bought a couple 500-round bricks to tide me over for a bit.

 

On 4/11 I did an extended range trip.  The first part was 50-rounds at 50-Yards.  To restate my goals – 2MOA group average, all rounds within their respective 2-inch targets.  For this round my hit rate was 100% and my average group size was 1.89MOA.  Pleased with this performance but I’ve matched or exceeded it with my favorite round for the 22LR rifles – the Eley Club.  However, the Club does not hold up at 100-yards so I was curious how the Eley Semi-Automatic Benchrest Precision would hold up. 

 

I used Target #1 on Sheet #1 as my zero target.  My adjustment was essentially dialing in for a 4.5-inch drop.  Once that was done, my elevation held solid for the whole 100-rounds I sent down range.  You can look at the individual target sheets and the scored sheets as well.  My Average Group Size for Sheet #1 was 1.58-MOA, Sheet #1 was 1.56-MOA, Sheet #3 was 1.63-MOA and Sheet #4 was 1.91-MOA.  The last sheet was probably pushing things a bit – I had a Hit Rate of 100% on the first 3 sheets but dropped 3 on the third sheet for and overall hit rate of 92/95 or 97%.

 

The way I view this is that I can now work on the fundamentals with the RPR in 22LR for around $26 for 100-rounds rather that $100 for 100-rounds for the .308 rifles.  I like that.  I admit it doesn’t give training for recoil mitigation . . . but if I loose concentration anywhere, it’s on the fundamentals.  And, it’s just a bit more fun to shoot at 100-yards rather than 50-yards.

 

So, there ya go . . . is was a fun day at the range.

Range Trip – 4-9-2025 Ruger Precision 308 100Yards

 I’ve had the Ruger Precision in 308 for a number of years but, honestly, it’s aways been a bit of a disappointment to me.  Obviously, for really stretching its legs, you need very good ammunition.  I had tried PMC 147gr X-TAC and Hornady 168gr Match.    For 50 rounds of the PMC XTAC 147gr Ball the average group size was 1.91 MOA.  For 50 rounds of  Hornady Match 168gr the average group size was 1.73 MOA.  Add to that the cost of Match grade ammo . . . well, obviously my range time with the rifle plummeted.  I know . . . I know . . . RELOAD your fool.  Well, two things – honestly the cost wasn’t that much lower . . . and reloading just isn’t my thing.  I enjoy the process of shooting and the concept of marksmanship . . . I just can’t get into the reloading process.  I’ve tried . . . just can’t do it.

 

I picked up a Remington 700 308 5r stainless, Milspec from a friend of mine.  Man . . . what a rifle.  It’s a “civilian version” of the Marine’s M24 sniper system.  (I’ll post a link to my Range Trip report of this rifle in the comments.)  So, my interest in 308 was reborn – but with the same considerations as before – cost of ammunition and my dislike for reloading – I went in search of “affordable” yet precise 308 ammunition.  My desires were answered by American Marksman and their Bullets 1st .308 WIN 168 gr Sierra MatchKing HPBT - 400 ct cartridge.  A BUCK a round . . . yep, a buck a round.  I ordered a 400 round case and hit the range with my new Remington 700.  The results were exceptional – at least to me.  My first group was .71MOA and my average group size for 50 rounds was 1.22 MOA.

 

Which led to my curiosity on just how this ammunition would work for my RPR in 308.  For a scope I have a Vortex Viper 6x24 in Milrad.  Yesterday I got my answers on the range.   I use a custom target sheet with 5ea 3-inch targets on the sheet along with a full Dope grid at the tip.  I expect to have 90% of my rounds impact within the given 3-inch targets and I expect my average group size to be 2.0MOA or less.  I was not disappointed.  First on Target Sheet #1,  Target #1 my Cold Bore Shot was at 1 o’clock and within the black of the target’s center.  Gotta say, I was pleased with this.  The last time I touched this rifle was on 10/23/23 – it’s been cased since then.  You can look at the targets.  My average group size on Target Sheet #1 was 1.44MOA and I had 11 Xs.  On Target Sheet #2 my average group size was 1.19MOA with 16Xs.  Averaged together for 50 rounds my average group size was 1.37 MOA.  This result was from ammunition priced at $1.00 per round.  It says a lot about the manufacturing process of American Marksman, and I suspect their use of Sierra MatchKing HPBT 168 gr bullet has a lot to do with it as well.

 

I do have a range that I can visit a few miles from my home that reaches out to 800 yards, I suspect visits with both the Remington and the Ruger will be in the offing this shooting season.  I’ll post the results when I polish off that trip.