Checking Pistol for Accuracy?

Semi automatic and single shot handguns, revolvers and other pistols

Checking Pistol for Accuracy?

Post by Boo » 09 Sep 2018, 8:54 am

Walther PPQ .22 and I spray bullets everywhere and I suspect the culprit is me but want to be sure because one bullet hit the target sideways, left a bullet profile shaped hole. So I'm thinking that the gun should be clamped to the range bench to test it properly but I don't want to buy a specialist clamp (if they are available) just to use once. Any suggestions?
Boo
Private
Private
 
Posts: 88
Queensland

Re: Checking Pistol for Accuracy?

Post by No1Mk3 » 09 Sep 2018, 9:03 am

Ask around your club if anyone has a access to a Ransom Rest. If you prrchased the pistol new, ask the shop to have it test fired. Other, and easiest, method is to ask your club champion to fire the thing for you, this is how I found out my CZ 75 was a really good pistol, but I'm a crap shot! Cheers.
No1Mk3
Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
 
Posts: 2090
Victoria

Re: Checking Pistol for Accuracy?

Post by bladeracer » 09 Sep 2018, 9:15 am

Boo wrote:Walther PPQ .22 and I spray bullets everywhere and I suspect the culprit is me but want to be sure because one bullet hit the target sideways, left a bullet profile shaped hole. So I'm thinking that the gun should be clamped to the range bench to test it properly but I don't want to buy a specialist clamp (if they are available) just to use once. Any suggestions?


I would just shoot it rested over a bag.
Have a look at FortuneCokie45 on Youtube when he's shooting load development.
Or just get somebody else to see if he can shoot it any better than you can.
Practice Strict Gun Control - Precision Counts!
User avatar
bladeracer
Field Marshal
Field Marshal
 
Posts: 12655
Victoria

Re: Checking Pistol for Accuracy?

Post by Boo » 09 Sep 2018, 2:34 pm

Thanks for the advice blokes. Any opinions as to which would be best for a .22 pistol?
Boo
Private
Private
 
Posts: 88
Queensland

Re: Checking Pistol for Accuracy?

Post by LilTacker » 09 Sep 2018, 7:47 pm

As mentioned above, normally the best method is to use a "clamp-in" Ransom Rest, but that is really not possible in your case with a polymer frame.
Any rest will help to give you a fair idea, but as suggested just ask one of the best shot's in your club if they will have a go, most I have met are glad to help.
LilTacker
Recruit
Recruit
 
Posts: 8
Queensland

Re: Checking Pistol for Accuracy?

Post by cflake » 09 Sep 2018, 8:44 pm

I had a revolver start to 'tumble' bullets and they were hitting the target sideways - as well as hitting the target next to mine it was that inaccurate.

Turns out, I was using uncoated lead projectiles and the lead fouled the barrel so the rifling wasn't putting any spin on the bullet. Once I gave it a really good clean - it took over an hour to remove all the lead - it worked much better!
cflake
Recruit
Recruit
 
Posts: 38
Victoria

Re: Checking Pistol for Accuracy?

Post by No1_49er » 09 Sep 2018, 9:08 pm

cflake wrote:I had a revolver start to 'tumble' bullets and they were hitting the target sideways - as well as hitting the target next to mine it was that inaccurate.

Turns out, I was using uncoated lead projectiles and the lead fouled the barrel so the rifling wasn't putting any spin on the bullet. Once I gave it a really good clean - it took over an hour to remove all the lead - it worked much better!

Ummmm. I have a feeling that OP is referring specifically to a rimfire 22, in which case the ammo will be pre-lubed.
Proud member of "the powerful gun lobby" of Australia :)
No1_49er
Staff Sergeant
Staff Sergeant
 
Posts: 823
Queensland

Re: Checking Pistol for Accuracy?

Post by JSS » 09 Sep 2018, 10:25 pm

Boo wrote:Thanks for the advice blokes. Any opinions as to which would be best for a .22 pistol?


Ruger Mk IV Target is a great little pistol, after having a play with a mates one i'm thinking i need one in my safe, i like the SS threaded model myself. Check one out when you're there getting your rest.
User avatar
JSS
Corporal
Corporal
 
Posts: 295
Queensland

Re: Checking Pistol for Accuracy?

Post by Sarco » 09 Sep 2018, 11:03 pm

I have a Caldwell Pistollero pistol rest, if I remember rightly it was about $50 some years ago. It is nothing special but is OK to use and adjustable for elevation and also wrist/butt support allowing quite a stable hold with the base of the grip rested as well as the barrel.

Sarco
Sarco
Lance Corporal
Lance Corporal
 
Posts: 233
Victoria

Re: Checking Pistol for Accuracy?

Post by Boo » 10 Sep 2018, 8:59 am

JSS wrote:Ruger Mk IV Target is a great little pistol, after having a play with a mates one i'm thinking i need one in my safe, i like the SS threaded model myself.


Coincidence :D That's the replacement I'm thinking of, the Target looks like it has fatter and less angled grips that the usual Ruger. I have big hands and so like fat grips, any further info would be brilliant.
Boo
Private
Private
 
Posts: 88
Queensland

Re: Checking Pistol for Accuracy?

Post by JSS » 10 Sep 2018, 2:01 pm

I don't know a great deal more about it other than for me personally it feels good in hand and shoots really nice, i liked the trigger, the IV is a piece of cake to strip (unlike the earlier models). Until i played with it i had no interest in 22s, but now i want one.
Apparently the early mk IVs have had a recall which i think from memory was due to possible accidental discharge, but newer ones ( i think post july 2017) are all good.
User avatar
JSS
Corporal
Corporal
 
Posts: 295
Queensland

Re: Checking Pistol for Accuracy?

Post by spartan71 » 10 Sep 2018, 5:02 pm

I have one of those guns a PPQ M2 in 22LR. I replaced the sites as have others I know with the same gun. Where do you shoot?
spartan71
Recruit
Recruit
 
Posts: 35
Queensland

Re: Checking Pistol for Accuracy?

Post by vmaxaust » 14 Sep 2018, 6:15 am

Coincidence :D That's the replacement I'm thinking of, the Target looks like it has fatter and less angled grips that the usual Ruger. I have big hands and so like fat grips, any further info would be brilliant.[/quote]

I have a Ruger Hunter Mark 4. They are magnificent but need the Wilson Combat trigger kit (about $155.00). Takes a little patience to fit but most people can do it. Stock triggers are about 5-5 1/2lbs. With the trigger kit they are just over 3lbs and very, very accurate even with the Winchester 555 bulk ammo I use. The funny thing is I have a friend who has one of these and his ended up with the identical trigger kit having just under 2lbs pull. His was 4 1/2 lbs stock so there was a difference in mainspring tension I believe between two examples of the same gun.
vmaxaust
Lance Corporal
Lance Corporal
 
Posts: 116
Victoria

Re: Checking Pistol for Accuracy?

Post by Boo » 14 Sep 2018, 8:24 am

There are also kits from Volquartsen and Majestic Arms for the Mk IV, have not checked availability in AU but Brownells perhaps.
Boo
Private
Private
 
Posts: 88
Queensland

Re: Checking Pistol for Accuracy?

Post by ob1 » 14 Sep 2018, 9:43 am

Re the original question: Tumbling bullets should not be happening. If the ammo is too slow the bullet can tumble, or if the barrel is too large for the projectile it can tumble. Lead rubbing off in a barrel can cause the same issue, but that is less likely with a new gun. Try several brands of ammo and see if the problem persists. If it does, take the pistol back to the shop.

Rest the barrel against something wrapped in soft cloth and shoot at a target about 5 metres away. If you can get the hits all in one place, move the target back 5 metres and repeat. Don't start sighting at 25 or 50 metres, start much closer to see what you are doing. When things are working to your satisfaction and you are confident of what you are doing you can go out to longer distances.
ob1
Private
Private
 
Posts: 87
Western Australia

Re: Checking Pistol for Accuracy?

Post by vmaxaust » 14 Sep 2018, 1:45 pm

Boo wrote:There are also kits from Volquartsen and Majestic Arms for the Mk IV, have not checked availability in AU but Brownells perhaps.



Sorry, you are right,it was a Volquartsen trigger kit for the Mark 4. I confused this with a Wilson spring kit I used for a Ruger SP101.
The Volquartsen kit together with a Volquartsen bolt makes those guns wonderful. Never seen a misfire even with cheap ammo using the Volq bolt.
vmaxaust
Lance Corporal
Lance Corporal
 
Posts: 116
Victoria

Re: Checking Pistol for Accuracy?

Post by spartan71 » 18 Sep 2018, 4:43 pm

This is an interesting thread as I have both the Walther PPQ m2 22LR, which is sold in Australia by Frontier Arms. Their after market support is horrible or it would be if it existed. I've been waiting on a new front sight for the PPQ for almost 12 months AND the Ruger Mark IV Target in stainless. It is a good gun, although the quality has fallen with ruger in recent years. Mine has been back for a warranty claim already and there are issues with magazines, extractors and the like that are too common.

The Volquartsen trigger kit and competition bold are great additions - but your shouldn't have to spend an extra $650 on a gun to get it to run properly.
spartan71
Recruit
Recruit
 
Posts: 35
Queensland

Re: Checking Pistol for Accuracy?

Post by vmaxaust » 18 Sep 2018, 6:30 pm

The Volquartsen trigger kit and competition bold are great additions - but your shouldn't have to spend an extra $650 on a gun to get it to run properly.[/quote]

You are right. However, in terms of quality finish the Ruger Hunter was excellent. Frankly, I have two Ruger Ranch rifles in 223 and 300Blackout. They are not fancy in terms of fine finish but they are deadly accurate and cycle as well as a Tikka Super Varmint I have. The Ruger American 22lr that I have is also a great rifle but in that instance the magazine well (wooden stock) was all wrong and I had to modify magazines to get it to cycle smoothly.
My other two Rugers are a GP100 38/357 which out of the box is perfect. The SP101 Ruger 38/357 is wonderful but needed the Wilson mainspring kit to remedy the way too heavy stock trigger. Not really a big deal.

When I compare my Rugers overall they are still value for money. The Ruger Hunter with Volq parts shoots as well as my other 22 pistol, a Smith and Wesson model 41 Performance Centre version which cost double the price of the Ruger with the Volq parts included.

Not defending Ruger, the 22 rifle was junk in the way it fed. Once fixed it's great but you shouldn't have to fix, upgrade or buy improvement parts to make the weapon do what it's suppose to from the factory but we are individuals who have different tastes. I have a friend who has an SP101 with stock 6lb trigger and he shoots it as well as I can shoot my GP100 which is deadly accurate with the right ammo load.
vmaxaust
Lance Corporal
Lance Corporal
 
Posts: 116
Victoria

Re: Checking Pistol for Accuracy?

Post by Urastus » 30 Sep 2018, 11:32 am

Boo wrote:Walther PPQ .22 and I spray bullets everywhere and I suspect the culprit is me but want to be sure because one bullet hit the target sideways, left a bullet profile shaped hole. So I'm thinking that the gun should be clamped to the range bench to test it properly but I don't want to buy a specialist clamp (if they are available) just to use once. Any suggestions?


I only know from reading - but this is what happens, apparently, when the rifling is worn out. How much use has the pistol had? Or maybe slightly smaller dia bullets not grabbing the rifling? Apparently some people slug their barrels to find out exactly what the smallest diameter of the barrel is (in thous) and then try to find ammo 1 thou larger. One reason given is that this is why you have to try all sorts of ammo with your .22; you just need ammo with the right fit. Either way if it was me I'd give it a really good clean and have a look down the barrel.
Urastus
Lance Corporal
Lance Corporal
 
Posts: 140
Tasmania

Re: Checking Pistol for Accuracy?

Post by Boo » 06 Oct 2018, 8:15 am

Some very good advice here, thanks to the contributors, I have read it all and taken note.
Boo
Private
Private
 
Posts: 88
Queensland

Re: Checking Pistol for Accuracy?

Post by Boo » 14 Oct 2018, 8:06 am

All the talk about Rugers and it just so happens that I tried both a Target and a 22/45 at the range with surprising results. I always thought that the standard angle grip was best but it turns out that I shot better with the sharper angled Target even though it's a heavy lump so that is what will be bought once the Walther is sold. Not the Target model exactly but the lighter Standard model with a tapered barrel. Then add the full Majestic Arms kit including their new trigger plus adjustable sights and a titanium firing pin. Hopefully that will make for a keeper, changing guns with a one gun permit is a PITA.
Boo
Private
Private
 
Posts: 88
Queensland

Re: Checking Pistol for Accuracy?

Post by JSS » 14 Oct 2018, 3:18 pm

Glad you found something you like. Maybe go into your gunshop and see what they'll give you for your walther, if it's a number you can live with you can do a "like for like" on the spot. Which means you give them your 22 semi auto and walk out with a different 22 semi auto. No need for ptas, the shop can do the paperwork and it's an instant changeover.
Sometimes it's worth a bit of a hit to get what you want straightaway, just depends on how fair they'll be with the $ i guess.
User avatar
JSS
Corporal
Corporal
 
Posts: 295
Queensland

Re: Checking Pistol for Accuracy?

Post by Boo » 14 Oct 2018, 8:19 pm

Didn't know that JSS, thanks, will give it a go.
Boo
Private
Private
 
Posts: 88
Queensland

Re: Checking Pistol for Accuracy?

Post by Boo » 17 Oct 2018, 8:04 am

Decided that the standard Ruger with the 52mm tapered barrel would be best for me but it turns out that NIOA the importer has zero stock. Only in Australia LOL.
Boo
Private
Private
 
Posts: 88
Queensland

Re: Checking Pistol for Accuracy?

Post by JSS » 17 Oct 2018, 3:42 pm

Bugger!! oh well maybe while you wait put your walther on gunsales or ozguns and see if you can get a couple more bucks for it privately.
User avatar
JSS
Corporal
Corporal
 
Posts: 295
Queensland

Re: Checking Pistol for Accuracy?

Post by Boo » 19 Oct 2018, 11:59 am

Yay, contacted NIOA personally and they had one set aside for display but instead it's on it's way to Shooter's Delight at Underwood. Quite happy with the changeover deal they gave me. The thing that got me started with SD is that their website has all their prices, in stock or not..
Boo
Private
Private
 
Posts: 88
Queensland

Re: Checking Pistol for Accuracy?

Post by JSS » 19 Oct 2018, 4:50 pm

Sweet!! enjoy the new toy!! :drinks:
User avatar
JSS
Corporal
Corporal
 
Posts: 295
Queensland

Re: Checking Pistol for Accuracy?

Post by Boo » 19 Oct 2018, 5:48 pm

Thanks again JSS for your advice, taking associated expenses into account the changeover deal made $ sense too . Have already contacted Brownells AU re a full Majestic Arms kit and a Hogue grip so no more excuses LOL.
Boo
Private
Private
 
Posts: 88
Queensland

Re: Checking Pistol for Accuracy?

Post by JSS » 19 Oct 2018, 5:56 pm

No worries Boo, glad to be of some help.
I was talking to a mate today who has the mk4 hunter and he got the bolt & trigger done and said it just runs so much sweeter, so enjoy!! And don't worry there's always room for excuses :lol: :lol:
User avatar
JSS
Corporal
Corporal
 
Posts: 295
Queensland

Re: Checking Pistol for Accuracy?

Post by Boo » 20 Oct 2018, 8:17 am

For anyone doing a changeover deal be mindful that it has to be done as an actual physical exchange of guns and money if two visits are to be avoided, the risk is that your 'trade' may not be acceptable at the changeover if it has not been already OK'd. Obviously the safest way is to get your 'trade' accepted prior to the changeover but that involves two visits.
Boo
Private
Private
 
Posts: 88
Queensland


Back to top
 
Return to Pistols - Semi-automatic handguns and revolvers