Single Six Hunter 50yd range report

[txpitdog]

This is a copy/paste of my write up over at Rimfire Central. Hope it is a worthwhile read for any Single Six fans.

I've been wanting to shoot my scoped Single Six Hunter at 50yds ever since I shot 0.448" group with it last year at 25yds. Today I was finally able to get to it and headed out into the 99 degree Houston heat after work. I stopped by Wallymart and picked up some ammo to go along with the box of CCI minimags I already had. I picked up a box of Winchester gray box 22mag, a super cheap box of Federal Lightning 22lr, and a box of Remington 22lr Target.

When I unpacked my revolver, it already had the mag cylinder in it... so we'll just get this over with now. Both Winchester gray box and Winchester dynapoint 22mag ammo are crap. For plinking and nothing more. Flyers everywhere, and "groups" which looked more like 410 shotgun patterns were in the 2.75-3.50" range.... with a 6x scope! Popping coke cans, maybe hunting rabbits, or dispatching rabid dogs and feral cats is all this ammo MIGHT be good for. Certainly not worth the money for shooting groups or bullseyes or hunting squirrels. I seem to remember getting groups in the 0.8" range with CCI maximags at 25yds, but I'll have to retest.

I didn't shoot but maybe 4 cylinders of mag before switching to the 22lr cylinder. First I shot the minimags and got a few groups in the 2.0-2.25" range. Then I switched to the Federal Lightning. These were serviceable at 50yds, and at only $1.47 per 50, quite a bargain. I didn't measure these, but they seemed pretty consistent across the entire cylinder. For the money, they are the best 50yd round I tested. Then I tried the Remington Target ammo, and bingo! Got what I was looking for. The ammo was not as consistent from chamber to chamber as the Federal Lightning, but it did produce the best groups. My best cylinder group was 1.58" and my best 3 consecutive shot group was 0.749". Even though these are round-nose bullets they are accurate enough for squirrel headshots at 50yds.

so, I have a few projects to work on going forward. First, work with the Remington Target ammo to get my 50yd groups as close to 1.0" as possible. Second, figure out exactly which chambers are the 3 that produced that tight 0.749" group and label them. Third, find find 22mag load that the gun will tolerate... I think CCI will prove usable. Fourth, treat myself to some Eley and see if the gun responds to it. Finally, put some meat in the freezer with it. I may also put the original hammer spring back in for greater hammer velocity and shorter delay time between the trigger pull and firing.

Here is my target. Sorry I couldn't get my phone to rotate the pic, but it does show the two really good groups.

Overall, I'm happy, but I was really expecting a better translation of my 25yd results to 50yds, especially with the Burris 2 - 6x scope. But, my 25yd groups were indoors with no wind, and at 50yds I don't have the picture clarity for precise aiming that I have at 25yds. I'm sure a decent pair of glasses would help my old eyes some too.

 

[Rumrunner]

txpitdog
I put up 6 targets and load up a clyinder full and shoot one shot at each target. Using the "s" on the cylinder as starting point each time so I know I am shooting the same target with the same cylinder makes it easy. Then you can see which cylinder shoots best and which ones shoot to same point of aim.

 

[txpitdog]

Great suggestion! Thank you, i will give that a try

 

[UmpquaCharlie]

If you don't know you cange change the focal length on the back of your scope...rotate it as you are looking through and you will be amazed at how clear the picture will get....not the power ring but the entire bell....I know longer get triple cross hairs in mine. <vbg>
Charlie

 

[stantheman86]

Nice gun, nice groups!

50 yards is a long shot for a .22 LR revolver, looks pretty good to me 8)

I had my own .22 LR adventure yesterday, I shot a big 20 lb. or so groundhog at about 50 yards with my 10/22........put 2 rounds of CCI Stinger in him and he still waddled into his hole under my barn.......I could hear the "blooop! blooop!" as those hot .22's slammed into his fat, but apparently it didn't penetrate.

This is one of numerous times this has happened, .22's won't even drop a big groundhog........I use these stories when I hear of someone who uses a .22 LR for defense, I'm like "Would you trust a round that won't even stop a 20 lb. animal, when shot out of a rifle? Would you trust the same round out of a pistol to stop a 200 lb. meth head?"

 

[kelbro]

Mixing 22 ammo can frequently produce 'spotty' results due tot he different lubes/waxes that they apply. Reverse the order that you shot them and you might see different results.

When trying to determine which flavor a rimfire likes, I always swab the bore out between brands. After I find its favorite, nothing but a boresnake with a little CLP on it goes down my 22 barrels until the accuracy starts to fall off.

 

[Cholo]

I shot a big 20 lb. or so groundhog at about 50 yards with my 10/22........put 2 rounds of CCI Stinger in him and he still waddled into his hole under my barn.......I could hear the "blooop! blooop!" as those hot .22's slammed into his fat, but apparently it didn't penetrate.

This is one of numerous times this has happened, .22's won't even drop a big groundhog...

I used to kill scores of groundhogs that weighed a measured 16#'s with Stingers out of a Rem. 581. It only took me a time or 2 to realize I had to shoot them in the head or neck or they'd get back down their holes and I considered it a wasted shot on an animal that deserved better. Your loads penetrated and all the energy was dumped into your GH. You simply didn't hit it right for the combo.

txpitdog, the single Burris scope I ever had the pleasure to look thru was a 2x on a Contender. I too agree you need to adjust the eyepiece to suit your eyes at the distance you'll be shooting. Nice groups BTW!

 

[txpitdog]

I didn't realize the scope lens was adjustable. I think the problem is more me needing glasses than a scope adjustment, but I will certainly give it a try.
I went back and looked at my target from last year where I tested various ammo at 25yds with the stock springs. Turns out the Win Dynapoints were decently acceptable. About 1" at 25yds give or take 0.1". I'll try some Fiocchi and Aguila to see if I can get the 22mag more in line.

Thanks!

 

[azleite]

Try some Hornady V-max in .22 Mag. Most accurate stuff I've ever shot-Dave

 

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

I would recommend you try CCI target (standard velocity) and Fed. Auto Match. The CCI's average 1.31" CTC at 50 yards in my Hunter. I've only shot one group with the Fed AM but it was 1.14" at 50 yards. I guess I need to spend some time with that stuff and see if it was a fluke. I'm using sandbags and a 4X Leupold on mine. My SSH doesn't do nearly that well with 22 Mags. BTW, I shoot 5 shot groups (not six). It is one of my favorite pieces! Enjoy!