Zeroing .22WMR - Your thoughts?

[Frenchieboy]

I picked up the .22WMR yesterday (An old(ish) CZ 452) along with a new Sak Moderator and a load of CCI Maxi-Mag HP ammunition in 40 Grain which I will eventually be using for both rabbits and foxes (Within reasonable ranges of out to 100 yards maximum). I got the rifle from Simpsons of Shepshed and I have to say that they were very welcoming and extremely helpful - Top marks to their staff for that. They fitted the scope (My trusty little Simmons Pro-Hunter 3-10X44) and set it up on a scope calibrator for me while I waited. All I did when I got home was scoured the barrel out with 009 so I knew that that I was starting with a clean barrel and it would quite likely take a fair few rounds to copper the barrel up a little - A small price that I was prepared to pay!

This morning the snow had stopped and it was quite warm and pleasant out but a little foggy so I decided to try to get through the 3 inches or so of snow that was lying on the back roads to one of the farms near to me to try to zero the rifle. Fortunately I timed it perfectly and got to the drive way of the farm just as the farmer was clearing it with a snow plough on the front of his tractor.

To cut a long story short the first ten shots were taken at just 25 yards to start fouling the barrel and to make sure that I was "on the paper"! After a few "tweeks" I managed to get all of the next 5 shots in the bull so I put a new target out at 100 yards. The next 5 shots showed that it was about an inch and a half right and about the same high so a few adjustments were needed and then another group of 5 on a fresh target to check. I did a few more fine adjustments and tried again.

The target shown is what I ended up with (I taped the 2 pence piece to it to help show it in perspective and sacle) - The 5 shots that are outlined were taken first (The lowest one of them I pulled - My fault and not the rifle's) I then tuned in another adjustment of 2 clicks right and 2 clicks down for the other 5 shots which I was quite happy with - Each of them would most likely have represented a descent head shot on a rabbit at 100 yards). Needles to say that I am quite happy with the rifle/scope set up but I need to try a few different types of ammunition to find what the ammunition rifle likes best.

All shots were taken off the bipod resting on the bonnet of my car, I ought to add that the grouping did tighten up nicely as the zeroing session went on so I might yet get a better group out of the rifle! I had also intended to shoot out to 150 yards but the fog started coming in again making safe visibility a problem so I knocked it on the head!

Any thoughts or sensible comments!

Edited February 5, 2012 by Frenchieboy

[Hornet 6]

Looks like a good start to things, I have to say my CZ wmr hated anything CCI.

Best accuracy was with 33 grain Remi accu-tips, and a very close second was Federal 30speer hollow points, which is what I settled on.

They certainly do a job on Mr Fox, but make sure rabbits are a headshot if you want to eat them, also liked Federal 50 grain hollow points, but not sure if they are still about.

They hit hard but minimal damage to meat, knocks Mr Fox over to past 125 yards.

 

Neil.

[Frenchieboy]

Looks like a good start to things, I have to say my CZ wmr hated anything CCI.

Best accuracy was with 33 grain Remi accu-tips, and a very close second was Federal 30speer hollow points, which is what I settled on.

They certainly do a job on Mr Fox, but make sure rabbits are a headshot if you want to eat them, also liked Federal 50 grain hollow points, but not sure if they are still about.

They hit hard but minimal damage to meat, knocks Mr Fox over to past 125 yards.

 

Neil.

Thanks for that Niel. The CCIs were all that they had in the shop yesterday which is why I said that I really do need to try different types of ammo to find what the gun likes best. I have to say that the grouping and accuracy isn't too bad with this ammo, certainly acceptable by my standards.

Out of interest which ammo do you find most effective for foxes mate - Type and weight please so that I can buy and try some.

 

Maybe I ought to add that i do like to take head shots on rabbit as I do like to eat them with minimal meat damage!

Edited February 5, 2012 by Frenchieboy

[BangBangNik]

Nice write up Pete. Hope you are enjoying your new toy. Is this rifle to replace your hmr or just another for the collection?

 

I also read you have got your section 1 shotgun aswell, well done. When are you planning on upgrading the shotgun?

 

Hope you are all well and hopefully speak soon.

Edited February 5, 2012 by BangBangNik

[Frenchieboy]

Nice write up Pete. Hope you are enjoying your new toy. Is this rifle to replace your hmr or just another for the collection?

 

I also read you have got your section 1 shotgun aswell, well done. When are you planning on upgrading the shotgun?

 

Hope you are all well and hopefully speak soon.

Hi Nik, Yes the .22WMR is replacing the 17HMR! I went for that because it can act as a "dual purpose" rifle for rabbits and foxes. I expect to be getting the Section 1 Shotgun within the next couple of weeks and I will then get rid of the Mossberg.

Edited February 6, 2012 by Frenchieboy

[rapid rich]

Frenchie I'd say you're onto a winner there with the wmr, very impressive groups for your first try at finding the right ammo for your rifle.Should you never try anything else you're certainly on the money there.

I've shot wmr for about 16 years now and love it.

Try the 30gr hornady v max or 33gr remington too.

Also try the winchester 40gr if you can find them, probably the cheapest out of them all, but don't let that put you off

 

 

Rich

[Pointer]

Looks like a decent barrel on the CZ......nice one. It's satisfying to read that you will not be trying to push the envelope on range.....well done.

[Frenchieboy]

Looks like a decent barrel on the CZ......nice one. It's satisfying to read that you will not be trying to push the envelope on range.....well done.

I fully realise that my rimfires have their limitations and I like to think that I have (And show) respect my quarry. If I were going to shoot foxes where I expect "difficult" or "rangey" shots I would take my .243 which I know will do the more "rangey" foxes justice. The main idea behind the .22WMR is for the "opportunistic" foxes that I might come across while out after rabbits, for me it is not meant to be a "dedicated" foxing rifle so thanks for your comments!

[Dekers]

My last WMR loved the 40g Maxi Mag V, my latest doesn't like it as much.

 

The Ballistic tips are worth a try, I can get slightly tighter patterns and they fly a little flatter, and at 30-33g they still hit hard, good rounds, and better on the bunnies than the heavier HP stuff I'd suggest!

 

Things look like they are getting off to a good start, I can't deny I do like the WMR, as I always say, it gives me a feeling of confidence when I'm out with it!

 

ATB!

[Dave-G]

Don't get too excited about it because it looks like it makes you a bit dyslexic.

 

You are fortunate to be able to use WMR for fox up there. I wanted the caliber to add to my Sako Quad LR and HMR but it wasn't going to get passed by Leic's force so thats why I got a 17REM.

[Frenchieboy]

My last WMR loved the 40g Maxi Mag V, my latest doesn't like it as much.

 

The Ballistic tips are worth a try, I can get slightly tighter patterns and they fly a little flatter, and at 30-33g they still hit hard, good rounds, and better on the bunnies than the heavier HP stuff I'd suggest!

 

Things look like they are getting off to a good start, I can't deny I do like the WMR, as I always say, it gives me a feeling of confidence when I'm out with it!

 

ATB!

I understand what you are saying about the 30g being better for bunnies but (In your opinion) how are they for foxes please as I am going out later today (When the fog has cleared a bit) to pick up some Hornady 30g and some Federal 40g ammunition to try with this rifle?

Edited February 6, 2012 by Frenchieboy

[Dekers]

I understand what you are saying about the 30g being better for bunnies but (In your opinion) how are they for foxes please as I am going out later today (When the fog has cleared a bit) to pick up some Hornady 30g and some Federal 40g ammunition to try with this rifle?

 

 

It's a shot distance, to placement, to energy, to destruction thing really, pretty much like any ammo.

 

For close fox I would stick to the ballistic tips, and at 30g or more, they carry good energy and will stop a fox with shot placement almost anywhere, the 40g HP stuff can over penetrate without expanding much in the body, but the head works well of course. For longer shots, within the WMR capabilities, then the 40g works well, it expands better at distance and delivers its energy better.

 

To be honest I am leaning towards the ballistic tips for most use in the WMR, for the simple reason it is a Pest Control calibre for me, I get more than enough rabbits, and fox I don't eat, so I use the WMR for destruction. The WMR carries reasonable energy and the ballistic tips make for quite effective stopping, so long as you don't intend the quarry for the table, so for pest control it gives you more options on the shot, rather than having to wait for just the right spot!

 

The 40g HP stuff is good for the Canada Geese, the ammo tends to penetrate quite well through the feathers, so you can shoot them from the back or sides out to a good distance. I shoot Canadas 100% for pest control, probably at least 95% on the ground with rifles, one site in particular I can pick them off from cover at 100 yards exactly, .17 HMR and head shots, plenty for the table that way, for general pest control the WMR is more versatile on the Canada! So many on the ground round here you can always find a target for the 30g stuff!

 

You will obviously need to try a few and see how you get on, but the 30g stuff is pretty useful for me, just ordered another 500 Hornady WMR 30g V-MAX, the Remington 33g is very good in mine to but nobody round here carries it!

 

My experiences!

Edited February 6, 2012 by Dekers

[rapid rich]

I understand what you are saying about the 30g being better for bunnies but (In your opinion) how are they for foxes please as I am going out later today (When the fog has cleared a bit) to pick up some Hornady 30g and some Federal 40g ammunition to try with this rifle?

 

Keep us posted with your results Frenchieboy, watching with interest

 

Rich

[kent]

Don't get too excited about it because it looks like it makes you a bit dyslexic.

 

You are fortunate to be able to use WMR for fox up there. I wanted the caliber to add to my Sako Quad LR and HMR but it wasn't going to get passed by Leic's force so thats why I got a 17REM.

 

Frenchie is the first i have come across in Lancs with a RF conditioned for fox, dealers here will tell you not to even ask and its been that way for years. We have a new bloke in place at licencing however so watch this space! I mean i know keepers and poltry farmers who have been told no in the past even though they already had the FAC and the experiance

[Frenchieboy]

Frenchie is the first i have come across in Lancs with a RF conditioned for fox, dealers here will tell you not to even ask and its been that way for years. We have a new bloke in place at licencing however so watch this space! I mean i know keepers and poltry farmers who have been told no in the past even though they already had the FAC and the experiance

Maybe Lancs are starting to see sense rather than just trying to dictate what suits them. Much of it in my case was done through talking sensibly and logically to one of the office staff (Who used to be my FEO) and explaning the problem as I saw it. It was then just a matter of going through the muzzle velocities and energy that a 30-40g bullet could supply AT SENSIBLE RANGES rather than pushing things beyond reasonable extremes and the decision was made!

I think the important thing to do with any FEO or Firearms Office is not only to show good reason but also to show them that you are responsible and have a good and sensible aproach to shooting live quarry and have researched your chosen calibre(s)! Some may disagree with me on this but I believe that it is often a case of not so much what you say but how you say it!

Edited February 6, 2012 by Frenchieboy

[david hunter]

have you given up the fags frenchi?

[Frenchieboy]

have you given up the fags frenchi?

Yes mate! I haven't touched one for over a fortnight now and I'm real chuffed with myself!

[david hunter]

proud of you.keep it up.

[BangBangNik]

Yes mate! I haven't touched one for over a fortnight now and I'm real chuffed with myself!

 

Well done mate.

[Hornet 6]

 

Out of interest which ammo do you find most effective for foxes mate - Type and weight please so that I can buy and try some.

 

Maybe I ought to add that i do like to take head shots on rabbit as I do like to eat them with minimal meat damage!

 

Mainly I used the little Remi speer hollow points, but the best of Mr Fox was the Federal 50 grain jobbies, not so easy to get round here though.

Good on rabbits as well, but you need to make sure it's a head shot.

 

Neil.

[Stratts]

What shot placement would you use on fox with the 50gr feds mate as I got given over 300 of them when I bought my WMR? I thought them a bit loopy so got some 33gr Btips to try which I like but defo gonna use the feds up b4 buying anything else

 

I love the CZ 452 WMR Frenchie cracking rifle & every bit as deadly as my mates HMR & much cheaper

[Stratts]

Also Dekers interetsing to read about you shooting canada's with the WMR I never knew you could do that. My new perm has loads of em round a lake and they are hitting the wheat summit rotten so I'll suggest taking a few out. I've never had goose are they good eating?

[Salop Matt]

How much cheaper is WMR ammo over HMR ammo ? HMR is about £14 - £15 per box of 50 round here !

 

Also what distances are you zeroing at and what are groups like at 50yards, 75yards and 100yards ?

[Hornet 6]

What shot placement would you use on fox with the 50gr feds

 

Boiler room works ok, as it does for any wmr round at sensible range.

 

Neil.

[Frenchieboy]

How much cheaper is WMR ammo over HMR ammo ? HMR is about £14 - £15 per box of 50 round here !

 

Also what distances are you zeroing at and what are groups like at 50yards, 75yards and 100yards ?

 

I paid £10.50 per box of Hornady 17HMR 17g Red Tips and £11.45 per box of Hornady .22WMR 30g V-Max the other day in the North West Gun Centre - Halliwell Road, Bolton, so only about 2 pence per shot difference around here!