Short Barrels v/s Long Barrels (Accuracy)

[in2anity]

One step at a time Lad. Get your Ruger. Shoot your Ruger. A lot. Perhaps shoot some comp with your Ruger. Perhaps 200m fly - that’s a hoot. Then take it from there. One step at a time. You might be ready to step up to centerfire at that point - perhaps a 223 or a 222. Then go shoot your Ruger some more

[rc42]

Take a look at olympic grade 22LR target rifles from Grunig, Bleiker, Waltlher, Feinwerkbau, Anschutz etc, barrels are generally the same dimensions, heavy bull types and about 26" in length with additional sight extension tubes on the end. This is where the best accuracy can be found although for most people a 16" barrel will be just as good as it won't be the limiting factor. (look in a mirror to find that)

If you want to take part in competitive 50m shooting then guns (well mostly the stocks) also differ between prone (including 3 position) and benchrest so know what you want to do, also many target ranges only allow single load rifles so no magazines (this is actually an ISSF rule for prone/3 position)

Second hand might be a good option, check out places like Target Rifle South Australia, they usually have old club guns for sale which a still very servicable and accurate.

[WookyMysta]

Why are you not using your Ruger to do this shooting? Why would you buy a second rimfire to do this?

What sort of accuracy are you getting from this rifle? Why would you want to try and hit targets at 500 metres with a rimfire? Are you able to hit targets currently at 200 metres?

I don't think anybody needs a reason to want more than one of anything.

Hitting targets at long ranges is just as much fun with a .22LR as a centrefire, just at half the distances, and probably teaches you more.