Precision Long Range.22LR Intro What is it and why would anyone want to do it? Long range.22lr shooting means shooting the tiny rimfire round at distances that most think are not possible (300 yards or more). The mere mention of attempting this raises eye browns with just about anyone who has never attempted it. But, when one starts to examine the concept in more detail, it isn t as farfetched as it sounds. The little.22 actually simulates larger cartridges very well at much smaller distances. Here is a comparison of drop and windage with a common 308 Winchester load:.22lr 40 gr. Match Ammunition @1085 fps. 308 Win. 175 gr. Federal Match @2600 fps. Distance (Yards) Drop (MOA) Wind - 10mph (MOA) Distance (Yards) Drop (MOA) Wind - 10mph (MOA) 50 0.00 0.00 100 0.00 0.0 100-6.75 1.75 300-5.00 1.50 150-15.25 3.50 600-16.50 4.50 200-24.75 5.00 750-24.25 6.25 275-40.50 7.50 1000-41.00 10.00 300-46.00 8.00 1050-45.25 10.75 Table 1:.22LR long range analogy Group size is also similar at each analogous range. These similarities make the little.22lr an excellent training tool for long range shooting. Shooting the.22lr at these distances impresses upon the shooter the importance of things like consistency in ammo velocity, accounting for wind speed and wind direction, and the effect temperature and pressure changes have on bullet trajectory. These are important concepts that the shooter isn t exposed to when practicing only at short distances and that many shooters new to long range shooting struggle with. This document outlines a style of long range rimfire match that can be carried out on conventional civilian ranges. The match is intended to be run similar to an F-Class match. V2.0 Page 1 of 8
Targets Precision Long Range.22LR matches will use standard FITA (Fédération Internationale de Tir à l'arc) FT series archery targets for 100-300 yard/meter matches. Scaled down FITA FT 3x40W pattern targets will be used for 50 and 75 yards/meters. These do not need to be in color. Archery targets have been chosen over conventional firearm targets to increase bullet hole visibility. This was decided based on the notion that most matches will occur on standard civilian ranges that do not have manned/marked targets. They are also considerably easier to obtain than long range firearm targets for most people. However, if a match is held on a range where target marking is available, standard F-Class targets may be used in lieu of archery targets if it is more convenient. In this case, the 5 ring should not be counted. See Table 3 for equivalent targets. Figure 1: Single FITA FT-40W(or V) Target Precision Distance 100 yards/meters 75 yards/meters 50 yards/meters Rimfire FIFA FT 3x40W Scaled 1/2 to 10 cm Scaled 1/4 to 5 cm Ring Ring cm inch cm inch cm inch X Inner 10 2 0.8 1 0.4 0.5 0.2 10 10 4 1.6 2 0.8 1 0.4 9 9 8 3.1 4 1.6 2 0.8 8 8 12 4.7 6 2.4 3 1.2 7 7 16 6.3 8 3.1 4 1.6 6 6 20 7.9 10 3.9 5 2.0 Table 2: 50-100 yard/meter Target Dimentions and Scoring V2.0 Page 2 of 8
Precision Distance Figure 2: FITA FT-40, FT-60, FT-80 and FT-122 Target 300+ Yards/Meters 250 Yards/Meters 200 Yards/Meters Rimfire FITA TA-122 FT-80 FT-60 FT-40 150 Yards/Meters Ring Ring cm inch cm inch cm inch cm inch X Inner 10 6.1 2.4 4 1.6 3 1.2 2 0.8 10 12.2 4.8 8 3.1 6 2.4 4 1.6 10 9 24.4 9.6 16 6.3 12 4.7 8 3.1 9 8 36.6 14.4 24 9.4 18 7.1 12 4.7 7 48.8 19.2 32 12.6 24 9.4 16 6.3 8 6 61 24.0 40 15.7 30 11.8 20 7.9 5 73.2 28.8 48 18.9 36 14.2 24 9.4 7 4 58.4 23.0 56 22.0 42 16.5 28 11.0 3 97.6 38.4 64 25.2 48 18.9 32 12.6 6 2 109.8 43.2 72 28.3 54 21.3 36 14.2 1 122 48.0 80 31.5 60 23.6 40 15.7 Equivalent F-Class LR-FC Target 800+ yards Table 3: 150-300 yard/meter Target Dimentions and Scoring Target Price Quantity FT 3x40W $ 0.55 3 per page FT-40 $ 0.55 ea. FT-60 $ 1.25 ea. FT-80 $ 2.25 ea. TA-122 $ 5.50 ea. Table 4: Approximate Target Prices MR-1FC 600 yards MR-65FC 500 yards MR-63 300 yards V2.0 Page 3 of 8
Course of Fire Position: Prone; Number of Shots: 2 sighters and 20 on score; Scoring: X, 10, 9, 8, 7 and 6; Type of Fire: Deliberate; Rate of Fire: Shots may be fired at any rate during the overall time limit; Time Limit: 20 minutes; and HPS: 200.20X. X s count for 10 points and are used for breaking ties. A typical match will include courses of fire at 100, 200 and 300 yards or meters (range dependant). 100 Yards/Meters Target: FITA FR 3x40W 200 Yards/Meters Target: FITA FT-60 or MR-65FC (ignore 5 ring) 300 Yards/Meters Target: FITA FT-122 or LRFC *Specific targets used and distances should be published in the match results Other distances are provided to allow for matches at range locations that do not have the facilities to accommodate the standard distances. The chosen distances will be at the discretion of the match director. Typically, matches should be limited to three different distances fired per day. This is only a suggestion. V2.0 Page 4 of 8
Match Procedures 1. Each match will be fired single string; 2. The competitors will take his position on the firing point in line with his assigned target; 3. No more ammunition that what is required for sighters and scoring will be allowed on the firing line. 4. When ordered by the RO, the competitor has 20 minutes to fire his 2 sighting shots and his shots for score. 5. The 50 and 75 yard/meter target sheet has 5 individual targets on it. The top target is used for sighters and the bottom 4 are to receive 5 shots each for a total of 20 scoring shots. If more than 5 shots are found on any scoring target, only the 5 LOWEST scoring hits will be counted for score; 6. The 100 yard/meter target sheet has 3 individual targets on it. The top one is used for sighters and the bottom 2 are to receive 10 shots each for a total of 20 scoring shots. If more than 10 shots are found on either target, only the 10 LOWEST scoring hits will be counted for score; 7. For distances beyond 100 yards/meters, sighters will be fired on the scoring target and only the 20 HIGHEST scoring hits will be counted for score; 8. Once the relay is finished or the 20 minutes have elapsed, all rifles must be cleared. 9. Targets will be retrieved and new targets will be put in place for the next relay, as required. Notes for the RO/FPO: 1. Each competitor has appropriate targets 2. Targets are identified with a number unique to each competitor and clearly visible from the firing line when viewed with 8x optics; 3. Everyone on the firing line has hearing protection; 4. Ensure rifles are unload and cleared; 5. Ensure brass has been picked up; 6. Ensure each target is being scored by at least two persons (A.22 CALIBER SIZED SCORING TEMPLATE IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED); 7. A new target sheet has been put up for the next relay. Suggested Fire Orders for the RO: 1. "Relays X move onto the firing point"; 2. "This Match to be fired a X yards/meters with 2 sighting shots and 20 for score; 3. You will have 30 minute to fire your 2 sighters and 20 scoring shots ; 4. LOAD - READY"; 5. Commence the match - commence the match"; and 6. (Start the stopwatch); 7. At the 10, 20 and 28 min. marks, announce the time left in the relay 8. At the 30 min. mark announce: CEASE FIRING, the match has ended V2.0 Page 5 of 8
Classes Firearms will be grouped into four classes. All firearms must be chambered in.22lr Factory Semi-Auto Any unmodified semi-automatic rifle produced by a mainstream manufacturer. Trigger jobs are the only acceptable performance enhancing modification. Factory class firearms must contain all original components. Custom Semi-Auto Any semi-automatic rifle that has been upgraded in any way (except a trigger job). Rifles built by manufacturers who started out making custom parts, but now make copies of the rifle they originally made those custom parts for, will also be classed as custom. Examples would include, but are not limited to, complete 10/22 style rifles made by Volquarsten, Magnum Research, Kidd, etc... Factory Bolt Action Any unmodified bolt action, or manually cycling rifle produced by a mainstream manufacturer. Trigger jobs are the only acceptable performance enhancing modification. Factory class firearms must contain all original components. Custom Bolt Action Any bolt action, or manually cycling rifle that has been upgraded in any way (except a trigger job). Highend factory target rifle intended for Olympic level competition or build by niche manufacturers will be considered Custom Class. Examples would include, but are not limited to, high end target rifles made by Anschutz, Bleiker, etc... *Rifle classification is at the discretion of the match director. Allowable Equipment 1. Any type of sight is allowed. 2. Any legal length of barrel is allowed. 3. Muzzle breaks and/or compensators are allowed. 4. Sling and/or bipod allowed. 5. Adjustable front rests are allowed. 6. Rear bag are allowed. 7. Rail guns, tables and/or mechanically adjustable rear supports are not allowed. The rifle must be shouldered when fired. 8. Any number or type of objects may be placed beneath the bipod or rear support, to compensate for variations in height or slope of the firing point. V2.0 Page 6 of 8
Suggested Equipment Match grade ammunition You don t have to buy the most expensive ammunition out there to get good results. When evaluating long range.22lr ammo, one has to take velocity deviation into account, the same that is done for long range centerfire. A load that shoots well at 50 yards/meters, will exhibit vertical stringing at 100, 200 and 300 yards/meters if the velocity is all over the place. If you don t have access to a chronograph, it is strongly recommended that you do your ammunition testing at 200 yards/meters. Testing in the coldest weather you will shoot in is also important as a lot of rimfire ammunition suffers from ignition problems in cold weather. Sights with target-style adjustments Due to the drops involved at longer distances, holdovers are not recommended. Although this can certainly be done, results will not be competitive against those who have sights with target-style adjustments. Scopes with target turrets are ideal. At least 60 MOA of elevation travel is recommended in order to reach 300 Meters from a 25-50 Meter zero, under all conditions. 50 MOA is sufficient for 300 Yards from a 25-50 Yard zero. Note that this is only the amount of travel required relative to the zero, not the total amount of travel that needs to be available in the sight. Some of the sight s elevation travel usually remains unused below the zero. Therefore, sights generally require a larger amount of total travel than what is required to reach the desired distance from the zero. Canted scope base If an optical sight is used, the elevations needed for 300 yards/meters with the.22lr are similar to elevation needed for long range with a centerfire. Many scopes will require a canted scope base (20 to 50+ MOA) in order to reach 300 yards/meters from a 25-50 yard/meter zero. There are several companies making canted bases for rimfire rifles: Rimfire Technologies (https://www.rimfiretechnologies.com) Diversified Innovative Products (http://www.diproductsinc.com/) M. Werks (http://www.mwerksllc.com) makes custom canted scope bases primarily for Anschutz rifles, but is willing to customize. Custom MOA can be ordered for an additional $10. Evolution Gun Works (http://egw-guns.com) makes scope bases for many popular rifles. They will re-machine some of their bases to a custom MOA for an additional $20. I have ordered a 60 MOA base for my 10/22 from them. It is best to call these companies and speak to them about their customization and shipping options. V2.0 Page 7 of 8
Burris Signature Zee rings are available. These rings have inserts that allow the scope to be canted in the rings themselves. The 30mm rings allow for up to 20 MOA of additional can, while the 1 rings allow for up to 30 MOA of additional cant. Spotting scope Unless you re using high quality optics with high magnification, a spotting will be very useful for determining where you are hitting. Custom Ballistics Charts JBM ballistics is one of the most comprehensive and most accurate ballistics calculators out there. It has many.22lr bullet models and it s completely FREE to use. If you chronograph your chosen ammunition to get its precise velocity in your rifle, JBM will generate accurate ballistic charts for you in whatever units you like. Be sure to enter an accurate scope height. Website: http://www.jbmballistics.com/ballistics/calculators/calculators.shtml The proper drag model for.22lr bullets is the RA4 model (built into the JBM.22LR bullet models). While the G1 model can be used (0.120-0.150), it will not be as accurate. V2.0 Page 8 of 8