The experts all say shoot a .22

[Scott Tschirhart]

And I’ve been doing that….a lot. Lynn Thompson is one of the best game shots with a revolver that I know.

Lynn used to recommend 10 rounds of .22 for every round of centerfire ammo you shoot and to shoot an understudy to your big gun.

I don’t quite match Lynn’s recommendations. But I’ve put 561 rounds through this in the past month and my revolver shooting has improved considerably.

[JimT]

When we lived on the J Bar T I shot every day. My range was around a hundred yards from the front door. Some days I fired 10 or 15 rounds. Other days 50. But I shot the Single Six nearly every day. I was much more consistent in those days. .......... and I was30-some years younger .....

[Scott Tschirhart]

When I was living near Waco I would shoot some .22 ammo every night when I got home. Usually 50 rounds.

I was pretty good in those days.

[Drawdown]

Absolutely a beneficial way to practice, handgun or rifle. Ive just never been handgun enthused, but I've known guys who squirrel hunted successfully with the various S&W 22 Revolvers. Ive had the old Taurus Mod?, 39 maybe but I forget been so long since I've held it out. Buts it's a clone to my Mod 19 S&W 357, both 6" Barreled, and it's plenty squirrel capable. I practiced with it a lot about 20 years ago, was ready. But come time hit woods, I'd grab one my 22 rifles!
But I used be on RimfireCentral probably daily back 2000-2013 or so. It was a great place back then, for everything really hunting n shooting. I'm sure that's how I found this site.
But lotta serious long range shooters, even competition back then, and i remember seeing an actual chart of the comparison of 22lr out to 200yds vs a 30-06 to near 500yds, and the ratio of trajectory, but especially beneficial toward a comparable wind drift in various angles and speeds! Great trigger time for guys out west who deal with wind constantly!
But military sure used 22's for training, at least thru WWll, not sure how much since?
But back then I shot 5,000 to 7500 rds a year and was working 6 days a week usually then. Especially loved iron sight shooting out to 225 yds. Sure made me better shot for squirrels!
But it's a beneficial way to practice towards any shooting!

[AJMD429]

.
It also saves bunches of money.

When I have patients ask about "getting a gun" (often after an assault or burglary), I'll tell them the first thing to get (usually a handgun of some sort), and then tell them the second thing may just be a similar handgun chambered in 22 LR. The money they will spend on centerfire ammo if they don't is going to be far more than the cost of the 22 LR handgun in the long run, PLUS they will have a 'backup' gun and they also have the 22 LR for any other family members new to guns to learn on.

Last spring, my son and I were practicing runs with our couple-dozen gongs, using our AR-15's and CCW guns (my Taurus 92 and his Glock 17), but we also found it just as fun to use our 10/22's and his Mk-2 and my Mk-3 Rugers. Of course for kicks we ALSO ran the course using our levergun/revolver combinations - his 1894 in 44 Mag and mine in 357 Mag, with same-chambered Ruger single action revolvers. All three sets of equipment were fun and useful (in revealing to both of us stuff about our slings and carrying and so on that weren't good to do in the 'real world' of action-shooting.

With my new 'Texas Star' target, although I got it primarily to practice with my CCW firearms, I find myself drifting back to the range when I need a break (it is 300 yards from my back door), and shooting it with my Single Six or H&R 999.

[Scott Tschirhart]

I was specifically working on follow through yesterday. Howard Hill used to teach that when you loose the arrow “with both arms do nothing!”

I have a tendency to get off the trigger too quickly when the hammer falls. So I’m training myself to keep the same pressure on the trigger through the recoil. Much easier to do with the .22 but it is important on the bigger guns.

[Pat C]

I try to shoot .22 rifles every Friday when I'm off but last month or so too hot or had other projects. Last Friday first time back . Both rifles shot were not my best or even close. Felt like I couldn't settle in and caught myself not squeezing trigger.

I generally only shoot offhand so you have to stay with it.

[samsi]

Where the .22 shines for me is practicing maintaining a consistent grip pressure. It wasn't an issue when I was younger but it shows up pretty often now, especially during the warmer months when fatigue sets in (and at a much lower round count). A centerfire load with a slow barrel time shows it off pretty well too - a 44 mag with a Magma 240 and 5.5 W231 in a 5.5 to 7.5" barrel will surprise you, but the rimfire does it a whole lot cheaper.

[Bill in Oregon]

I need to take the Super Wrangler out for a walk here soon. I finally shot a Winchester Model 75 that I bought about a year ago, and found that with the rear aperture as low as it would go, the globe front was much too short -- so much so that plinking at a gong on the 200-yard berm I still had to hold more than a foot low to hit it. No bueno.

[Drawdown]

I was specifically working on follow through yesterday. Howard Hill used to teach that when you loose the arrow “with both arms do nothing!”

I have a tendency to get off the trigger too quickly when the hammer falls. So I’m training myself to keep the same pressure on the trigger through the recoil. Much easier to do with the .22 but it is important on the bigger guns.

Scott, I've shot Bear Recurves all my life and in last 15 years longbow mostly. I have a custom Howard Hill LB made by Hill Archery. Follow thru is most important with any weapon, and the toughest aspect of any shot to maintain, at least for me!
But the best advice i ever received to achieve follow thru with either, but especially a firearm, was what Townsend Whelen stressed to army troops he trained, and all shooters in his books. And i learned it's easiest 'Thought process to get in my head, and it gets results with practice!" Call Your Shot!
He stressed this because it's easiest way to get a mental goal, that the muscles follow the order, so to speak!
Naturally everyone is on their sight picture just before the shot! Squeeze, but get a mental picture of where the sight was at the very moment of ignition! And it works with little constant practice to ma8ntain.
His students kept a handbook, recorded each shot, wind, etc all variables. But marked in their book on a target picture exactly where the sight was at moment of ignition! Then say after 20 shot group, check target for accuracy of the Called Shot as compared to actual POI!
I practiced it lot back when I shot long range with 22's.
It works, achieves good follow thru, even tho you may often be wrong, but it inspires you to keep after it, get better!
Best way to start this is sitting in your home, dry fire practice! Get comfortable, take your time each shot. You'll see plainly how much the weapon moves after the trigger is released, lock time, sights gotta move some! I never did it with a pistol, but I'm sure it'd work even more on dry fire practice with one, adjusting grip pressure, etc!

[Old No7]

I was specifically working on follow through yesterday...

+1 to that!!!

I modify the standard BRASS protocol to be "BRASS-F" -- Breathe… Relax… Aim… Stop… Squeeze… and include Follow-through. The addition of the F really helps, and I have to credit my twin who shoots a lot of flintlocks (while I shoot "flinch"locks! ) for driving home the importance of a good follow-through.

Old No7

[Paladin]

I have been known to even shoot off the porch to the 25-yard targets with the 22s.

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[AJMD429]

Best way to start this is sitting in your home, dry fire practice! Get comfortable, take your time each shot. You'll see plainly how much the weapon moves after the trigger is released, lock time, sights gotta move some! I never did it with a pistol, but I'm sure it'd work even more on dry fire practice with one, adjusting grip pressure, etc!

Dry-fire is definitely helpful, especially if you pay close attention to the details (just like live fire in that respect - just 'blasting' isn't much help, although that's mostly what we did as kids...)

The MantisX is not all that expensive and really helps by revealing minute movements just before and after trigger-pull (dry firing OR live fire).
Mine probably paid for itself in ammo-saved within the first few weeks I used it.
Plus it puts the info on your cellphone so you can track progress (even separated out for different firearms.


https://mantisx.com/products/mantis-x3

[JimT]

Went to the Range this morning with my old model Ruger Single Six ...

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I wanted to see how the Federal .22 Long Rifles compared to the Remington Golden Bullets ... so I shot targets at 25 yards using the Outers Pistol Perch... resting the barrel but not the grip ... using a two-hand hold.

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First Target of The Day

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I shot 6 groups with the Federals and then 6 groups with the Remingtons

Last Target of the Day

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The sights were getting a bit blurry by the last target. Man .. I MISS young eyes!

I spent the rest of the time shooting clay pigeons at 10 yards, pulling the gun up and shooting by just catching the front sight and poking it at the target. I practiced both one-handed and two handed ... ran 50 rounds or so that way. It was getting hot by then so I stopped for the day. Fun Stuff!

[marlinman93]

If you don't have a place to shoot every day, you can still buy snap caps and practice aiming and firing every day. It keeps the shooter practiced during times they can't shoot. I did this every day when I shot bullseye matches during off season, or between matches. Helps with muscle memory.

[JimT]

If you don't have a place to shoot every day, you can still buy snap caps and practice aiming and firing every day. It keeps the shooter practiced during times they can't shoot. I did this every day when I shot bullseye matches during off season, or between matches. Helps with muscle memory.

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[Drawdown]

If you don't have a place to shoot every day, you can still buy snap caps and practice aiming and firing every day. It keeps the shooter practiced during times they can't shoot. I did this every day when I shot bullseye matches during off season, or between matches. Helps with muscle memory.

Another big thumbs up to this. I did my above post a lot spring thru summer. Come squirrel season, often dry fire practice in the house, no more target practice till spring again! I'd use old hulls for caps, or a certain one those dry wall plastic anchors that fits 22 chamber just right. I forgot the exact size.

[Griff]

I had a Ruger Single Six once upon a time, it was the convertible model with the accompanying mag cylinder. I used on jacks when I'd visit the folks after they moved to the Colorado River (CA/AZ version). I let it go in a trade... to my regret. I've always meant to replace it with a Colt Frontier Scout.

[ikocher]

It's funny you say that. I just finished a piece I'm submitting to Handgun Hunting Afield and this is the last word of that

"In my copy of Elmer Keith's Sixguns, Chapter III starts on page 87. He says "Start with the .22 caliber hand gun. It's light report and absence of recoil and extreme accuracy will give you confidence and teach you the rudiments of the art in much less time than if you start with a heavy gun."
"

I agree with Mr. Keith's assessment as I have been a big rimfire fan since before I knew who he was.

[El Chivo]

that's about all I shoot anymore, I stocked up during the Hillary Clinton years and I can shoot in the woods next to my house. Most days I take one 5 round mag and that's it.

[Ysabel Kid]

I can shoot my .22's in my basement range at the target box I build years ago. I live in a neighborhood where the yards are only 1/2 an acre, so pretty closer (closer than I'd like, anyway). But the .22 is fine, especially if it is suppressed or I use Aquila Colibri or Super Colibri rounds. Y2K challenged me to a "card splitting challenge", where I am trying to split a playing card on it's thin edge with every gun I own. Well, this is great practice for trigger control. Once or twice a week, if I am not traveling, I shoot some rounds in the basement. Mrs. YK doesn't mind (unless I go above a .22 rimfire, and then I wait until she is running errands ).

I admit I need to put a aiming dot, a sticker, on the edge of the card. Even at 7 yards my eyes no longer can clearly see the edge of a playing card. It is a fun challenge!

[JimT]

I have an indoor .22 range in the shop for bad weather, using a bullet trap. I can get 25 yards indoors in our shop but I normally shoot between 30 and 40 feet. If I am testing a load shoot other stuff ... up to .45-70 ... I have done it but it's a bit of work making sure I can contain the bullet.

My .357 carry load firing in the shop.

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[AJMD429]

.
"...The sights were getting a bit blurry by the last target. Man .. I MISS young eyes!"

As good as you do with 'old eyes' you must've never missed with 'young eyes'...!

[JimT]

Oh .. I missed my share. My Dad and I were hunting Javelina. We split up and went around this hill, me on the left and he on the right. I got around to where we were gonna meet before he did and while I was sitting there waiting suddenly a small herd of Javelina ran right at me. I stood up and pulled my pistol and they took off down the wash the way I came. I shot at two of them maybe 30 - 40 yards and missed both.

A little later Dad came up the right hand side (the pigs ran down the left). He had pushed them toward me. He asked if I got one and I had to tell him I missed twice. It was getting late and we were deep in the canyons so we started home. It was a couple mile drive out to the road and on the way I spotted a big Antelope Jackrabbit setting on a hillside in the fading sunlight. I stopped, got out of the truck and using a two-hand hold shot the Jack. I heard the bullet go WHOP when it hit him.

Dad said, I don't believe it! and stepped off the distance to the Jack. Dad was 6'1" and he counted 212 paces to the Jack.

I figured out why I had missed the pigs. They were too close!

This is the Jackrabbit I shot. The pistol has a 7 1/2" barrel. You can see how big those Antelope Jacks are.

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[Drawdown]

Now that's for sure, Drawing down! What cartridge?

[Scott Tschirhart]

Jim points to something important. You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.

Shooting jackrabbits is great fun and there’s no shame in a close miss. It builds confidence.

[JimT]

Now that's for sure, Drawing down! What cartridge?

45 Colt ... 300 gr. cast #457191 ... 18.5 gr. 2400 ... 1100 fps

[Drawdown]

I guessed cartridge n bullet right! Most people say? Ah got lucky! But I know the truth, correct answer? Luck=where preparation & opportunity come together!

[JimT]

Yessir. You shoot enough once in awhile you make that "lucky" shot.