Anyone have or shot a Ruger Single Six .22/.22 magnum?

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Wonderclam

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I took mine out for the first time to shoot and I noticed that the .22 magnum is much more inaccurate compared to the .22. Is this normal for this gun model?
 
Yes

The bullet diameter of the .22lr and the .22 mag are slightly different. the Single-Six's barrel is optimized for the larger slug
 
The .22 mag bullet is .224 and .22 LR bullet is .223, effecitively they are the same diameter. In fact, variances in production between .22 LR and MAG could make the difference between them more or even less. This, however, isn't the cause of substandard accuracy, as the bite of the rifling is still quite good on the .22 LR.

.22 LR are quite accurate in the AR-15 with the .22 conversion.

However, the weights and velocities and bullet lengths are different. Even when the rifling in the barrel is sized for .22 mag, I believe the rifling is optimized for .22LR as that is the caliber likely to be shot the most. 22 mag does not stabilize as well because of that.
 
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The difference in bore size is a minor concern but it can have an effect. Usually the .22Mag shoots a little better than .22LR though.

The statement about bullet weight and twist is untrue. 40gr is the standard weight for the .22Mag and for roundnose solids in the .22LR.
 
.22 Mag comes in 30, 40 and 50gr and .22 LR comes in 20 to 60gr. Rifling twist is certainly a factor. IF the gun in question had a rifling twist to optimally shoot 40gr projectiles and you grabbed a .22 mag cylinder and shot 50gr projectiles, accuracy would suffer. It would not be difficult to find out the twist on the gun and size your projectiles appropriately.

The new model Ruger Single Six is a 1 in 14 twist.
 
The twist will put you in the ballpark, but many of the little rimfires only vary by 5gr between brands. You best bet is really to buy a single box of several different weights and see which one your gun likes. .22's tend to be picky as to which brand or weight they shoot best with.
 
IF the gun in question had a rifling twist to optimally shoot 40gr projectiles and you grabbed a .22 mag cylinder and shot 50gr projectiles, accuracy would suffer.
Sorry sir but the range is much greater than that. You have to go all the way to the 60gr .22LR's to see a difference. The difference between your average 36gr .22LR and a 40gr .22Mag is nill. And we're talking about a Single Six, not an Anschutz.


What ammo will shoot the most accurate?
Every gun is a law unto itself, you'll have to shoot it and see. If there was any way to predict how a gun would shoot with a given load without actually shooting it, the ammo companies would go broke.
 
I guess I'm lucky; my single 6 shoots both quite well, although to different POI's. The only problems that I've encountered is with the subsonic ammo, it seems to pattern, but the cheap Winchester or remington bricks shoot 1" groups at 25yds all day.
 
Then shouldn't the mag be more accurate, not less? The OP says the mag is much more inaccurate.

you're correct, I had to go back an re-read the OP...I guess I just transferred my experience with the Single-Six without thinking...I'm more accosted to folks posting "much less accurate" when talking about a lack of accuracy

It has been my experience that the .22 Mag is usually more accurate, unless you happen upon the .22lr load/brand that your gun perfers
 
No, it would not be wise putting a scope on it for home defense.
Or a Laser either.

It is what it is.
A fun .22 convertable SA revolver for plinking, hunting small game, and easy holster carry for woods bumming.
Don't try to make it something it isn't.

It will serve nicely with factory sights for HD if that's the gun you have.

If you just gotta spend money, buy a good Surefire TAC flashlight so you can see & ID your target in a dark house.

rc
 
I have a scoped 9.5". It shoots well with both chambers, depending on the ammo.
Buy a few boxes of .22lr, am .22mag of differing mfrs. and weights. As stated above, they're picky as to what gets the best results.
 
The Single Six is my most favored gun but I must agree, they are not all accurate. I've had several and some have been good, some bad, and one so far has been awesome and that one is mine forever.

I'll give you some advice when it comes to .22's in general and see where it gets you. Try out as many different kinds of ammo as you can find in both LR and Magnum, odds are you'll find at least one in both rounds that will shoot well for you. .22's can be very ammo sensitive but the good news is that they usually really like one or more brand.
 
+1, 461.

I had read what the OP observed years back and was concerned when I bought my Single Six. I was relieved it shoots both 22LR and 22 Mag about equal. Except for the price tag on the ammo.

I think the 22 Mag situation is ammo/firearm compatibility as with the 22LR. My 22 Mag T/C Contender 10" will hold one inch 22 mag groups (Federal 40 and 50 grain) at 75 meters. About 1 1/2 inches at 100.
 
Usually the .22 LR ammo is copper washed as versus an actual jacketing. Lots of 22 magnum can be found that are actually thinly jacketed. As you can see from almost every post above,..different ammo produces differing degrees of accuracy in different guns. Buy what you can of differing types. Shoot the snot out of them,..but maybe note which brands give YOU the best accuracy with YOUR Single SIx,..then try to stick with the brands and types that work best for you.

As far as the Single Six convertable,...I personally think that it's one of the most fun and versatile handguns to own. A bit light for serious HD/SD,..but ,...If it's what I have in my hand,..those .22 magnums are a whole bunch better than stern words and sharp sticks. Minute of bunnies out to respectable ranges are very possible,..as they usually will shoot better than most folks are capable of holding. You simply cannot go wrong with one,..and they are a fine gun. Get a lot of practice with it,..and it will serve you well. As you can,..maybe think about stepping up to a .357 Blackhawk,..or something in double action for your HD/SD use, ....but a .357 Blackhawk was my go to handgun for a lot of years,..and I never doubted it''s abilities,..or mine with it.

Don't believe all you read and hear on the internet. There's lot's of very knowledgeable folks here on THR,..doubt any would steer you badly.

Shoot straight,..shoot often,..and enjoy that Single Six. It's meant to be a shooter.
 
How long is the barrel Wonderclam?

My personal experience with Ruger Single Six Convertibles, is that barrel's shorter that 6 1/2 or 7 1/2 inches don't seem to group .22 magnum as well.
 
The .22 convertibles I've owned, have always given the best results with CCI Maxi-Mags. No .22lr round, that I've tried, equals them. CCI Mini-Mags give the best .22 lr results in my Single Six. The Ruger Single Six is a class firearm.

I had a Heritage Rough Rider that was reasonably accurate with the .22 mag rounds. Nothing in .22lr was accurate. The revolver "patterened". Due to the .22 mag being reasonably accurate, I assume that there was something wrong with the .22lr cylinder?
 
I have CCI 22 mags. I'll try them out on Tuesday. They're not hollow point, th ey're either fmj or coated. What other brands should I try?
 
Mine shot great with .22 lr. When I shot magnums it barely patterned, with me or anyone else shooting it. I cleaned the bore really well with Remingtons Xp100 ? bore cleaner and it shot great with both.
I think the lead build up from the .22 lr was causing an issue.
 
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