Advise on .22 cal Bullseye under $800

[Nwflycaster]

Here's the scoop. I would like to do some target practice and maybe also some .22 cal bullseye shooting. I already own a Ruger Mark II government model but I want to step up a little bit into something that feels better in my hands, better balance, better trigger. What would you all rcommend for under say $800.

 

[mdauben]

IMO its going to be hard to do better than the Ruger MKII for that price. Have you looked into volquartsen accessories for your gun? They make target triggers and grips, amoung other things, that might help.

If you are dead set on a new gun, you might look at the S&W M41 or Sig/Hämmerli X-esse target guns. They both have street prices of around $1000, but with some dillegent shopping I think you could probably find a used one in your price range.

 

[tuj]

IZH-35m or Benelli MP-90/95. The MP-90 is better than the 95 as it has the adjustable trigger. The Benelli you can still get parts for and get new, the IZH is only available used, but tends to trade around 700. Spare parts are non-existent anymore from EAA.

I have two IZH-35M's and a Ruger MKIII, fwiw. I love the izzy to death, but I honestly can't recommend it as a pistol for someone because of the issues getting spare parts.

As for accuracy, what level shooter are you? If you are still shooting below 830 aggregate, a different gun won't help you over the Ruger. It takes a top level shooter to really benefit from the gun, and at that point, you are talking about multi-thousand dollar guns like the Pardini SP and the FWB AW-93. I am around a 820-ish shooter, and the izzy has an amazing 5-way adjustable trigger, and honestly I shoot just as well with my Ruger with the VQ trigger kit.

The Smith is a good gun, but honestly its not more accurate than the Ruger and the trigger, while better, is not adjustable.

I would go with the Benelli MP-90/S which is slightly above your price range, but has all the features of a high-end European target gun, including the multi-way adjustable trigger and ergonomic grips.

My izzy:



My Ruger:

 

[Mike OTDP]

I have to agree. For $800, you're better off upgrading the Ruger, unless you just don't like it (can't stand them myself).

 

[Steve C]

As others have indicated the Ruger is perfectly adequate for shooting Bullseye. Invest the money in a trigger job either from a gunsmith or self installed Volquartsen trigger kit. Add a scope mount and get yourself a red dot sight with 3 MOA or less dot. You can spend under a $100 or well over your $800 limit on this. The EOTech holographic sight for .22 is expensive but very nice. Get a set of grips, either a more hand filling type or custom grip that fits your hand. The type of grip shown below is a more specialized target grip while others are more conventional.

 

[Pete D.]

Upgrade the Ruger with a Volquartsen trigger kit (you can install it yourself) and a set of fitted target grips, as noted above.
I invested, also, in a Volquartsen upper; I shoot it better than the Ruger upper (Why? I dunno.)

 

[johnmcl]

You're halfway to a great BE gun already. As Pete recommended, get thee to a Volquartsen (VQ) upper. The VQ webpage has a great description of them. For convenience, I believe you can order them from Midway, although they have to go through your FFL.

So here's the plan for a superior BE gun.

1. Acquire and install the VQ upper.

2. Install the do it yourself VQ trigger parts for a really smooth trigger job.

3. Acquire and install a UltraDot Matchdot

4. Buy 500 rounds of CCI Standard Velocity ammo.

5. Find the Encylopedia of Bullseye web page for great training and shooting info

6. Have fun.

 

[Pilot]

The MP-90 is better than the 95 as it has the adjustable trigger.

That is not entirely true. While the MP90 has an externally adjustable trigger, the MP95E's trigger can be adjusted internally by removing the trigger group, and turning a few screws inside.

The biggest difference between the MP90 and MP95 is the grip. The MP90 comes with an adjustable grip, the MP95 does not but you can add one.

I have a Benelli MP95E, and I'd recommend one. However, I also have four Ruger MK II's in various states of modification. The Benelli is more accurate for me. Yes, marginally so, but that is what competition is all about. I am just more consistant with the Benelli.

You can buy the Benellis and other target .22's at Larry's Guns.

 

[jfrey]

Here is my suggestion. Get a Buck Mark URX. Polish the sear and do the Heggis spring flip yourself, costs you nothing extra. Get a Browning solid rib for around $25.00 and an Ultradot sight for $150.00. I have $500.00 in mine and it shoots every bit as good as a more expensive S&W 41. I know, I have shot both side by side many times. Mine has a very smooth 2 pound trigger. Spend the extra $300.00 on several bricks of Blazer ammo and a good steak dinner with your wife or girlfriend(which ever) and shoot the fool out of it. You won't be sorry.

 

[Nwflycaster]

I've looked over the Volquartsen site and it would take about $500 to really dress my MarkII up to how I would like. I have also found a Pardini SP Sport that I can pick up for just under a grand, but being new to this type of shooting I don't know if thats a good deal or not, its in very good shape. If I buy the Pardini I could keep the MarkII the way it is as a trainer for my boys to learn on and we could shoot together. Should I spend $500 and have one or $1000 and have two?
Money not being an issue what would you do. I know I wouldn't get the use to justify going out and purchasing any kind of the best upper crust pistols, so don't consider that in your opinions. A thousand bucks is my limit on this venture.

 

[LTR shooter]

I have a MKII with a Clark trigger job that I have shot in local bullseye leagues. I shoot it about as well as I do my Smith 41. Although the Smith has a good trigger right from the start , the Clark trigger on the MKII is nicer to me.

I also have Nill grips on the 41. Had a set of them on the MKII but they just did not have the right feel.

A good friend of mine shoots the Pardini and in 1999 he used it to win the 22 pistol championship at Camp Perry.