I've been using my 10-22 to dispatch squirrels at 50 yards and missed a few shots when I don't think I should have (suspect fliers). I have upgraded the 10-22 with a bull barrel, trigger, laminated thumb-hole stock, and a 4-16x Hawke scope. So, I always wanted to free-fload the barrel bed the action and these misses motivated me to move ahead on the project.

I decided to get a recoil lug from Little Crow Gunworks and bedded it as they suggested in their how-to video. I did have to put a lot of effort to get the barrel to free-float as the stock was milled the exact same diameter as the barrel (.92"). After completing the bedding, I headed straight back out to the squirrel infestation. I didn't have time to get to go to the range and recheck zero but did take a target board with me and set it off to the side of the area I was hunting. It didn't take long for the first squirrel to come out. 3 shots and all's I did was make him dance and do a couple of back flips before he ran off. Could the POI changed that much. I took a shot at the target board but now hole near the bulleyes. I walked out there and found the impact was over 4" low at 50 yards - Wow, that was some stock to barrel interaction (didn't miss any squirrels after sight adjustment).

Anyway, I got out to the range this morning and shot some "after" groups to compare to the "before". Though the number of shots per grouping was different, I do think this is an improvement (1" orange dots). I decided to use the 40gr Federal Target Grade Bulk ammo (325 per box) that I got at Walmart before the ammo disappeared a couple of years ago. It did just as good if not slightly better at 100 yards and I have 20x more than the Blazer. I may even try some shots out to 100 yards now.

Oh, the lower left groups (brown paper) were the final sighters (5-shot then 10-shot) before I headed home.

looks great...try box of winchester powerpoint in 42grn either the sub or supersonic..... graet stuff. look out you pesky squirrels

Looking good Slim. Have a sniff around and get some LR 40 gr RN rounds. I have found that the .22 rim fire seems to be well suited to that round...may have even been built with that round in mind.

Another option is a subsonic loading. At the ranges you will shoot squirrels that hit almost as hard as the LR round and are more accurate to boot.

Thanks for the recommendations. If I wanted to achieve better groups, I am going to need to get some match ammo from Ely, RWS, etc. However, I probably have enough 22LR ammo to last until I stop pulling the trigger so I am trying to do the best with what I have. 10-shot groups within an inch at 50 yards with bulk ammo is respectable and the best shooting 22 I have. In fact, it is good enough that I may need to retire a couple of 22s to make more room in the gun safe.

fair enough Mate.....thats good enough for the humble rimfire anyday.

That sort of accuracy is what I call "minute of rabbit"...it's a head shot which calculates into no spoiled meat.

That is some really good shooting. Looks like you have it dialed in. I like a story with a happy ending. All the best...
Gil

thanks, Gil!

Vince wrote:

That sort of accuracy is what I call "minute of rabbit"...

I need minute of squirrel. I think I have that at 50 yards but I have some squirrel rodents that will be at 100 yards. I may need to use my 5.56 24" bull barrel. It shoots 1/2 moa at 100 yards with 40gr Vmax. Might not be much to pick-up when I connect with one.

Slim wrote:

...Might not be much to pick-up when I connect with one.

...and you say that like it's a bad thing mate.

For .22 target ammo a bit more fairly priced try these.

Wolf Match Target
SK Standard Rifle
CCI Standard Velocity
Norma Match

These all go about $60 a brick but out of my Kimber 82 smallbore rifle and the AR 22 upper and a couple of target .22 pistols they are way better than the bucket o bullets can shoot.

The Wolf Match worked for me! I'll take the blame for the flyers.

You guys have me curious. Even though I don't need any 22 ammo, I will buy some of this match ammo just to see the rifle's potential.

Dawgdad wrote:

For .22 target ammo a bit more fairly priced try these. Wolf Match Target SK Standard Rifle CCI Standard Velocity Norma Match These all go about $60 a brick but out of my Kimber 82 smallbore rifle and the AR 22 upper and a couple of target .22 pistols they are way better than the bucket o bullets can shoot.

Bingo. for long pokes with the 22LR ya need Match ammo. All there is to it.

My M&P 15-22 has a match chamber/bore on it. With bulk ammo (AKA: Box 'o flyers) it's 25 maybe 50y ammo at best. I can get 3-shot groups @ 100y under 2" but that's about it and that's the exception. Feed it some Match ammo and on a calm day it's MOA.