First NRL22 Tips, 10/22

[Colorado S14]

Gents,
Just signed up for my first NRL22 match, first firearms match period actually, and was hoping to get some tips from the group to ensure that I maximize fun and learning.

• I will be using a highly modified 10/22 I have, I am going to replace the cheap Caldwell Harris rip-off with a real Harris with tilt, should I snag something like a Gamechanger as well?
• Regarding magazines, what is the best one to use 10-rd rotary or the 25-rd banana mag? Thinking the big one may get in the way.
• How much ammo should I expect to use?
• What else?

 

[RandomWAguy]

If you dont have a bag you may want to wait so that you can try some before you buy, usually everyone is very friendly and will let you try as long as you ask.

The matches Ive gone to usually have only 10 rounds a course some may require a mag change so didnt matter if you had a 15 or a 25.

I dont think Ive ever shot more than 150 rounds even with warm up but Id take 200 just to be sure. Most clubs have bonus stages and those are completely up to the match director as far as number of shots.

Honestly the caldwell would probably work fine for the actual nrl portion, its always the bonus stages were the nicer gear seems to be more welcome.

Take some water to stay hydrated snack bar or two as dont have lots of time between courses usually. The first couples matches as you will be learning a lot! Dont be afraid to ask questions about gear, rifles and the wind.

The most important thing is to have fun, thats what these matches are all about!

 

[billmeek]

For the official stages of the course of fire, you'll need 50 round plus whatever you need for sighting in your rifle. If you plan on shooting add-on stages, the local match director can give you a round count you'll need for that month.

I'd show up with what I have and the other people at the match will likely let you try out their bags to see what you like before buying a $90 bag.

I stick with 10-round rotary mags. Being flush can be helpful when on the barricades. They are usually more reliable than the 25 round mags. I would suggest keeping a spare 10-round mag handy when you are on the line shooting in case you do have an issue.

 

[Rudy Gonsior]

As much of a snob I am for quality gear, the Caldwell will probably last for at least hand full of matches...but for real, try to get a used Harris if nothing else. The Gamechanger is a fairly safe buy, its pretty popular for a reason, a lot of folks find it easy to work with but if you're on the fence I'd wait and see if you can try one. For mags I'd probably stick with the factory 10 rounders for reliability sake, plus the 25rd will probably get in the way at some point.

 

[hlee]

If this is your first match, don't buy anything. Hell, get 3 or 4 deep before buying stuff. Don't be afraid to ask to borrow what you think you might need. Guys in your squad will probably be "throwing" bags at you if you don't have one. Try the GC, try the fortune cookie. Try the mini versions of each. Try the tactical udder, the warhorse, the pump pillow, the cuddle bag, the rice filled sock. Before you know it, you're going to have a footlocker full of support bags. They might as well be bags you like...

As to the bipod, run what you have. If it's not up to snuff I'd be floored if someone on your squad didn't literally force you to try theirs. Honestly, practical 22lr matches are pretty low key. The Caldwell hasn't hampered my scores in the least...

 

[OLD308]

If you don't load the Bipod like a gorilla, the knock off will work.
Gamechanger is a safe bet. FYI the bag is not what separates the winner from the others. More than likely what ever bag you buy will be replaced with another, then another, ...
10 round mags just seem to produce better groups for me. The flush fit allows for more surface contact on some obstacles.
100 rounds has always covered me.
It's all about positional shooting.
Practices practice practice.
Regardless of what Youtube shows and everyone post, the 1/4" hundred yard shot on the KYL is seldom hit.
Have fun, shoot safe and sign up again!

 

[Quarter Horse]

I posted a similar thread you will find below. Something else you will need is a sling for unsupported positions.

 

[Colorado S14]

Thanks for the help, however, you guys are a bunch of assholes.

Here I was hoping that you would tell me to go buy a bunch of shit, I then could’ve told my wife that a bunch of experts on the Internet told me that I needed these things ,and thus, I had to spend the money. As it is, looks like I’ll be heading to the range with $17 worth of ammo in my pocket and hopes and dreams in my head.

 

[JaoeyP]

I'm with the other guys. Run what you got, ask your squad members what they're running and see if they'll let you borrow it for a stage or two.

Also, don't take crappy ammo. You don't have to buy the most expensive stuff, but something along the lines of SK Plus, Eley Target, or RWS Target would be good.

Also, as previously mentioned, get some dope for your rifle. NRL publishes their course of fire. POI changes a lot from 25 to 100 yards on a 22.

Finally, have fun. I have shot three NRL22 matches and am seriously addicted. I am terrible at it, but I'm learning a lot and having a ton of fun.

Good luck, have fun, and be safe.

 

[Diver160651]

I am so F’ng confused.

Ok, let’s take a step back. Go to the NRL22 website and download the COF. I have yet to see one having us shoot past 100 yards, shoot a 1/4” target at 100 or require serious dope and 60 to 100 are easy to remember.

A 25y zero with most match ammo just happens to be a 50 yard zero within most people CEP.

While I shoot a higher $$ Vudoo at the NRL22 matches, I might score better with a lighter semi. Remember this is a positional match with no recoil.

But the idea at least for me and many others who jumped onto this fun standardized match, is training for centerfire. For that, I want the same trigger, chassis or stock and near the same weight.

 

[billmeek]

While the official courses of fire only go out to 100 yards, some ranges have additional stages that go further. For example the NRL SE Regional Match being held April 13th will have 12 stages with ranges from 25 yards up to 370 yards:

https://www.snipershide.com/shootin...-shooting-complex-on-april-13th-2019.6928990/

 

[BlastersAreCool]

If you say so...

Go buy a Kestrel AB5700 Elite.

But seriously have you thought about what you're going to do for wind? Formula? Data card with full value holds per each target? Hold left edge and send it, then "chase the spotter" for the rest of the stage?

Here's a non-gear related suggestion. .22 Rimfire ammo is pretty much a "1 mph gun" . This means that it takes a 1 mph wind to blow a bullet .1mrad at 100, .2mrad at 200, .3mrad at 300, etc. It's a little rule of thumb that uses the coincidence of wind deflection with range. Just have to figure how strong a wind lines the deflection up with the range. A simpler way to put it is the below chart and example.

50yds .05 mrad
100yds .1 mrad
150yds .15 mrad
200yds .2 mrad
250yds .25 mrad
300yds .3 mrad
350yds .35 mrad
400yds .4 mrad

This means when I'm at the match and the wind is blowing 8 mph at 200yds my wind hold becomes 1.6 mrad (1 mph at 200 is .2 x 8mph = 1.6)

A Kestrel works well as an anylitical tool to figure stuff like this out although you don't need to buy a ballistic engine. JBM ballistics is a great online ballistic calculator. A Kestrel just makes for a nice, convenient turn-key tool.

BTW, are you shooting the Boulder match? Or the rescheduled BLGC match or Hosers match in Pueblo? I'm signed up for Hoser's matches. He's a great dude and runs fun matches.

this^. Reubenski hits on a system based on Todd Hodnett's quick wind formula that I personally use and love. Don't worry, you WILL BE buying gear more than likely lol. I would be amazed if you DIDNT fall in love with the sport like we all likely believe you will. Good luck and have fun!

 

[MDrimfirerookie]

Hold left edge and send it,

i heard on the internets that this this is the only thing you ever need to do for wind calls. no matter how the wind is blowing... ?

 

[Diver160651]

While the official courses of fire only go out to 100 yards, some ranges have additional stages that go further. For example the NRL SE Regional Match being held April 13th will have 12 stages with ranges from 25 yards up to 370 yards:

https://www.snipershide.com/shootin...-shooting-complex-on-april-13th-2019.6928990/

I get the side matches.. but that's really what he was asking.. I was trying to clarify that in some ways his 10/22 if tuned up, is an advantage in the *NRL22* format because of the lighter weight and manual of arms. He doen't need to run out and buy a bunch of crazy stuff.. that is the entire beauty of the format.

Then again, most of us go out and buy the crazy shit anyway.

 

[billmeek]

Then again, most of us go out and buy the crazy shit anyway.

Include me in that "most" group. I have better gear than I'll ever justify with my limited shooting skills.

 

[Colorado S14]

Thanks for all the insight.

Neither Practiscore or the NRL site have the course of fire up yet, maybe it hits later?
https://nrl22.org/clubs/ben-lomond-gun-club/

I have my gun zeroed at 50, I have chronoed most std. vel. ammo at around 1050 out of this gun. I have yet to true my gun to a calculator, what are most guys finding a good starting point for BC? I see .125-.145 is commonly listed. I have an Athlon Argos BTR in mil and just had the rail on my gun custom milled to about 30 MOA (Tactical Innovation Elite 22 reciever), so I in theory should be able to dial this thing out to about 300 or so.

 

[RandomWAguy]

I know when I had my argos btr on a rpr, I had to hold about 2 mils for the 300. I use the strelok pro app on my phone and it lets you pick from a list of what ammo you are using.

 

[billmeek]

Neither Practiscore or the NRL site have the course of fire up yet, maybe it hits later?

You'll find it on the NRL Downloads page when its ready to be posted.

Downloads

Empower the Sport

nrl22.org

I have yet to true my gun to a calculator, what are most guys finding a good starting point for BC? I see .125-.145 is commonly listed.

CCI SV 0.124 is my calculated BC.
Agulia SV 0.114 is my calculated BC.

https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/ballistic-coefficient-calculating.6924581/#post-7499279

 

[Rudy Gonsior]

Yeah 0.125-0.135 is usually a good ball park but you are going to want to confirm and true your data, individual rifles even shooting the same ammo will produce different B.C.s. For center-fire rifles it's usually not too big a deal until you get into ELR but with rim-fire rifles you're jumping strait into those issues. Same goes for SDs and ESs, you'll see the effects much sooner. When I first started shooting .22LR for precision I was looking at groups at 50y. CCI SV and Green Tag look good Wolf MT was great but pushed to 100y and the vertical gets nasty. I then decided to work backwards starting with Laupa Center-X and Eley Tenex to see what worked best for my rifle. I ended up settling with Eley Edge for my rifle. It was easy to source locally at $12 a box, SDs 9-12FPS, just about holds 1 MOA at 100y and is pretty dangerous for clays standing still on the 300y berm, I've even managed 4 out of 10 on a full size IPSC at 620y. My 10/22 is honestly one of favorite rifles, its a great reminder of importance of fundamentals and super rewarding to ring steel with.

 

[Diver160651]

I know when I had my argos btr on a rpr, I had to hold about 2 mils for the 300. I use the strelok pro app on my phone and it lets you pick from a list of what ammo you are using.

2 mill for 300?

Wow that’s not much. Most of us are 1.9 to 2.1 mils for 100 yards. With a 25/50 yard zero. (unless you're saying dial all your elevation and still needed an extra 2mils of holdover.)

Colorado S14
This is what they tend to look like, UNLESS they are not really following the schedule.

 

[jinxx4ever]

where's this being held?

 

[RandomWAguy]

2 mill for 300?

Wow that’s not much. Most of us are 1.9 to 2.1 mils for 100 yards. With a 25/50 yard zero. (unless you're saying dial all your elevation and still needed an extra 2mils of holdover.)

Colorado S14
This is what they tend to look like, UNLESS they are not really following the schedule.

That is my fault for not clarifying but yes dial out all of my elevation with a 50y zero and then holding 2mils, sorry for any confusion.

 

[JaoeyP]

That is my fault for not clarifying but yes dial out all of my elevation with a 50y zero and then holding 2mils, sorry for any confusion.

I was gonna say "I'm switching to Ruger!!!!" It's taken me 15-16 mils total elevation correction to get to 300, depending on the rifle and ammo...

 

[JaoeyP]

Is running matches without running a bolt looked down upon?

If you mean are semi autos looked down on, absolutely not. 10/22 is one of the most prolific guns in the United States. Bring one if you got one. There is a preference for detachable box mags instead of tube mags; some stages have you start with mag out.

 

[RandomWAguy]

Is running matches without running a bolt looked down upon?

I sold my rpr for a kidd this winter, should be easier since not having to run the bolt and possibly disrupt sight picture from shot to shot.

 

[Diver160651]

I sold my rpr for a kidd this winter, should be easier since not having to run the bolt and possibly disrupt sight picture from shot to shot.

I run a heavy gun and bolt, because the main value "I" see and the reason the NRL22 is so popular, is as practice. Theses club matches tend to be small and friendly, I get grief for my Vudoo, but have won them as well on $250 rifle stock Savage, Ruger RPR etc... Remember that these matches work like the bigger matches, shoot the position, bolt back, move position..build position, acquire target, bolt forward, repeat.. The semi-autos don't have the same manual of arms.

Yes, if I got a Volquartsen 10/22, or a Kidd 10/20, etc, I might score 460ish vrs 420ish or whatever, because the offhand with a light rifle is easier and I might have even more time to build positions... But again, what is the point, to get better or to buy an extra point or two?

I have seen a lot of shooters that were on super sweet CZs, switch to the 10/22 to try to get those couple of extra hits, but again.. what for? These matches are friendly and with a small pool of shooters. I really struggled at a centerfire match Sat mashing my trigger and missing meatball stuff, drove 100 miles to a same night NRL22 match... It helped me get my head straight for Sunday's centerfire and fixed my rushed shots and trigger press.. well, at least until i get jacked up again..

So if you are trying to get better on your bolt gun.. maybe rethink what you are doing..

 

[billmeek]

In NRL22, when moving or transitioning between barricades, bolt action rifles must have the bolt open and the chamber empty. The only exception to the rule is, at the discretion of the match director, semi-autos which require before movement/transition the safety be activated and the shooter to say "SAFE" loud enough to where the range officer can hear it with ear protection.

 

[RandomWAguy]

There is also a group of us that dont do this as practice and dont shoot nrl or prs matches. I choose to sell the rpr due to how inconsistent it shot, not trying to game anything. I chose a semi due to wanting a kidd for the last couple years and finally being able to buy it plain and simple.

 

[Diver160651]

There is also a group of us that dont do this as practice and dont shoot nrl or prs matches. I choose to sell the rpr due to how inconsistent it shot, not trying to game anything. I chose a semi due to wanting a kidd for the last couple years and finally being able to buy it plain and simple.

I totally agree if something can’t shoot consistently, ie make a raged-ish hole at 25 yards maybe it needs to go.

 

[Hoser]

Gents,
Just signed up for my first NRL22 match, first firearms match period actually, and was hoping to get some tips from the group to ensure that I maximize fun and learning.

• I will be using a highly modified 10/22 I have, I am going to replace the cheap Caldwell Harris rip-off with a real Harris with tilt, should I snag something like a Gamechanger as well?
• Regarding magazines, what is the best one to use 10-rd rotary or the 25-rd banana mag? Thinking the big one may get in the way.
• How much ammo should I expect to use?
• What else?

Did you sign up for the Ramah or Pueblo match?

Good call ditching the Caldwell bipod. You can grab a bag, but Pueblo has plenty of loaner bags including a Tactical Udder that Fred from Bison Tactical has lent us.

I much prefer the 10s, but its up to you.

The Pueblo matches require about 80 rounds.

Come ready to have fun, but it isn't easy.

 

[Colorado S14]

Hoser, I am signed up for the 4/20 match out at BLGC in Ramah. Happy to be out of Denver on 420....

 

[Hoser]

Hoser, I am signed up for the 4/20 match out at BLGC in Ramah. Happy to be out of Denver on 420....

Good call. Have fun out there.

Between BLGC, Greenmill, Boulder and Pueblo, most every weekend will have some sort of rimfire match.

 

[Hoser]

Hoser, please don't cancel the Saturday match. Looks like snow in the forecast. Last three weeks of matches have been cancelled!

We have not canceled any in Pueblo. I have already run 4 matches this month.

Rain was in the forecast for this past Sunday. Not a single raindrop showed up and temps were in the low 60s.

 

[billmeek]

April Course of Fire is posted for download:

https://nrl22.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/NRL22_APRIL19_COF.pdf