.22 cal accuracy

[dog gone it]

I would like to hear your experiences as to what the most accurate .22 cal revolver might be. Please feel free to mention the top two or three in the accuracy department. I might want to scope it later.
The down side is I only have around 450.00 maybe close to 500.00 to spend.
Ive been on the semi-auto forum asking about accuracy etc...but I only have one hand to use and Im having second thoughts on the break down and reassembly of the semi-autos with one hand.
So I would like to ask about getting the most accuracy I can get for around 500.00
Thanks

 

[Plastikosmd]

I was gonna say freedom arms 252 is on my list but not in the price point u need. With that in mind
Frankly I have done well with the ruger single 6, rugged and reliable an I have shot well with mine. I had the 22 mag cylinder too but in my gun I couldn't do as well

 

[ColtPythonElite]

9.5" Ruger Single Six

 

[dog gone it]

Well that sounds good so far.
Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[ClemY]

My K-22 is the most accurate .22 revo I have. My 617s aren't far behind. Surprisingly my SP-101 is about as accurate and close to your price point.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I have a Colt Officers Model Target (with the old Colt sights -- rear adjustable for windage, front for elevation.) That revolver shoots right along with my 1938 Colt Woodsman, and both will hold a 7/8" group at 25 yards with any ammo I feed them.

 

[PapaG]

My two most accurate over the years have been a 6 1/2" Super Single Six and an all stainless (cylinder too) S&W 617.
I have a Taurus Tracker in 17 HMR that is phenomenally accurate out to 100 yards (1 1/2") equipped with a 2-7X scope but that is not what you asked. (Just wanted to tell about it).
I think the Ruger was $250 and the Smith $440 (a few years back).
A Mark I and a Mark II are showing promise but not there yet.

 

[MutinousDoug]

The S&W model 17 is the better gun but out of your price range. I used to successfully shoot silhouette with a 9.5" Ruger Single Six. After the trigger is addressed and in spite of their mediocre adjustable sights, they are capable of fine accuracy in any barrel length.

 

[oneounceload]

My K-22 is the most accurate .22 revo I have

Agreed but out of his price range. I found one at a flea market for about $600, no box or papers and no turn line either, but that was a lucky find

 

[BCRider]

I've got both a nice older 3 screw Single Six as well as a S&W Model 17. Both are better than me so both shoot the same size group based on how well I'm doing on any given day. I've also got a couple of semi autos that produce the same size groups when I've shot the semis and revolvers back to back.

So all in all I don't think it's as much about getting THE most accurate gun but rather one that is accurate enough that it is the shooter that becomes the limiting factor.

However some of the factors of the gun CAN make a difference. How clear the sights are to the shooter's vision likely counts for as much as the accuracy of the barrel. How well the gun fits into the shooter's hand and the effect this has on the repeatability of the grip by the shooter likely has a similar effect.

You mentioned that you're limited to one hand. Is the other not useable at all or can you at least use it for stabilizing and somewhat handling the gun while you do the detail work with the other? Either way I think you're going the right way in looking at revolvers since I can't see operating a semi that easily and within the usual pointing safety rules with one hand. At least not without some sort of holding jig to let you operate the bits and pieces single handed. Mind you a revolver would likely benefit from some sort of cradle or shaped bed to support it solidly while loading and unloading the cylinder.

All the best with finding a solution that works for you.

 

[CajunBass]

If I wanted the most accuracy I could get for around $500.00, I'd get a Ruger semi-auto. Which "Mark" doesn't matter. Or a 22/45 if you like that grip better. Those things are hard to beat for the money.

As for having only one hand to clean it, no problem. Just flush it with Gunscrubber, put a few drops of oil on it here and there, and call it good. I don't see it being any more difficult than a revolver.

But to answer your question, the Most accurate 22 revolver I've ever shot, it would be a Smith & Wesson K-22/Model 17. Probably out of your stated price range though.

A Harrington & Richardson 999 top break might work. If not a Ruger Single-Action should.

 

[dog gone it]

Some really great stuff. Thanks for all the great advice. I really appreciate it.

 

[Buck13]

Even if you can't afford it right now, getting something that can easily take a red-dot sight in the future would probably help if you are just on a quest for personal bests in group size. Iron sights don't make life any easier, and you can save up for a red dot later.

 

[MCgunner]

My old Rossi 511 Sportsman (a kit gun similar to the Smith 63 in size) shoots 2" at 25 yards with Federal, will cut that to an amazing 1" 5 shot group with Federal Automatch. But, it's out of production. Would have to find a used one. For low priced guns, I highly recommend it if you can find one.

If I wanted the most accuracy I could get for around $500.00, I'd get a Ruger semi-auto. Which "Mark" doesn't matter. Or a 22/45 if you like that grip better. Those things are hard to beat for the money.

there is great truth in this.

 

[Zeke/PA]

My older Smith .22/.32 Kit Gun is very accurate even with the shorter barrel.
My Ruger Single Six is no slouch either.

 

[chicharrones]

...but I only have one hand to use and Im having second thoughts on the break down and reassembly of the semi-autos with one hand.
So I would like to ask about getting the most accuracy I can get for around 500.00
Thanks

I can't give you an honest assessment on what type of revolver would be easier for one handed cleaning or servicing. I would think that a swing out cylinder revolver would be easier than a single action revolver. That's just a guess considering with the SA you would want to remove the cylinder for cleaning and the issue of lining up the cylinder with the loading gate for while loading and then using the ejector to empty the gun.

As much as I like my Ruger Single Six, if I could only use one hand I'd probably be inclined to get the Ruger SP101 if I was wanting to stay with a Ruger. I'm sure accuracy between the two would be comparable.

Yet, to keep the price within your range, you might have to look at a used revolver. My older H&R 999 Sportsman might make a good one handed revolver with it's break open action. Even with its heavy trigger it is surprisingly accurate.

 

[rswartsell]

Colt vintage Officers Models for the barrel, Smith and Wesson K-22's for the action.

It is really up to the shooter which will be decisive in producing better results. They are close enough that it is a "push" until you find what suits you as an individual most.

This is BTW pretty old school. I don't have ANY experience with new production that superseded these. That does not guarantee it has not been done. I tend to doubt it though.

 

[dog gone it]

I thank each and all of you for all the great help and advice. I have just decided to try my crippled self with the Ruger Mark III Target. I dont plan on taking it completely apart for cleaning. Ive heard and read a many of people who say they shoot their Ruger Mark continuously without any maintenance and without any repercussions from doing so. I know there are several aspects I will have challenges with when compared to a revolver but Im willing to learn that. This will be my first semi-auto ever in my life and Im 50.
Even though I may have made a joke, I dont take the recent loss of my right hand and arm lightly. Its quite the physical and mental challenge. I hope to take the positive attitude I have now and continue with the new challenges of learning my new pistol.
Thanks again.

 

[rswartsell]

Sir,

You will be well served by your Ruger, as another "veteran" shooter (57), I find that I cannot outshoot my Mk III. You sir, are also an inspiration to the rest of us old goats to realize there are no excuses!

Good on you sir and thanks!

 

[BCRider]

Well good for you for moving on with a positive attitude. As you can well imagine there's going to be a lot of learning to do even commonplace things over again. But it's great that you're not willing to give up the shooting hobby/sport.

While the Rugers are tolerant of quite a lot of buildup I would not want to leave it for more than around 1500 rounds. It's going to get to where the trigger and everything else will feel pretty darn gritty by that time. Such is the life of any direct blowback semi auto. Rimfire revolvers are actually far "cleaner" in this regard.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

If you don't over lube them, they don't get gritty feeling.... I lube the bolt with Hornady One Shot case lube, which dries. They fouling will brush off instead of clinging in oil.

 

[Buck13]

I thank each and all of you for all the great help and advice. I have just decided to try my crippled self with the Ruger Mark III Target. I dont plan on taking it completely apart for cleaning. Ive heard and read a many of people who say they shoot their Ruger Mark continuously without any maintenance and without any repercussions from doing so. I know there are several aspects

That sounds like a solid plan, with one caveat: the bolt stop on a Ruger Mk isn't intended to be used as a bolt release. You are supposed to "slingshot" the slide to chamber the first round. See the manual here:
http://www.ruger.com/service/productHistory.html

I did not realize that, and using it as a bolt release (thumbing the bolt stop down without touching the slide, so it releases the slide to battery) did eventually mangle the bolt stop enough that it didn't reliably engage the slide on an empty magazine. I am not the first owner of the gun, so there is no telling how much of this abuse it took before the failure occurred, but I think it will happen eventually. I was able to "repair" that with a small file without removing it from the gun and replacing it. I'm no longer failing to follow the manual.

So, in the absence of two hands to run the gun, if you wanted not to misuse the bolt stop, you would need to either figure out a way to pull the slide back while the gun was laying on the bench in front of you or ??? (which sounds dubious) or while holding the gun normally, hook one of the ears on the back of the slide on the edge of your range partition, if available, or maybe on the top of your belt, and push the gun forward against it. These latter methods should be easy and safe IF you are careful (have the safety ON, keep your finger OFF the trigger, be aware that the muzzle doesn't sweep ANYONE during the operation), but unless you shoot alone, that would probably attract the attention of the RSO.