Recently bought a blemished Kidd barrel off of eBay. I’m shooting your basic of the mill Winchester ammo. I can’t get this thing to hold a group less than an inch at 50 yards. I have quite a bit of shooting experience with larger calibers but not a ton with precision 22lr. Could the ammo be causing this thing to shoot like crap? Hopefully it’s not the barrel as I’ve heard Kidd doesn’t put out a bad product even if it is blemished.
- Thread starter Prison Mike
- Start date
Try a better grade of ammo. Even CCI Standard I'd consider at the lower end of acceptable.
Any suggestions? I’m open to trying better ammo.
CCI Standard or Green Tag, mid range Eley (Club, Target, Contact, Semi-auto Benchrest/Outlaw), Norma Tac and Match, SK Standard+ and above, any Lapua offering if willing to spend that much.
Also double check your assembly that the V block is properly tightened and the action screw isn't too loose or tight.
Also double check your assembly that the V block is properly tightened and the action screw isn't too loose or tight.
You need to get some better ammo, Winchester is plinking ammo at best. CCI Standard Velocity would be a good place to start, if nothing else it should show you that the barrel has potential.
Going to put in an order now and see where that gets me. Thank you.
Eley, SK and Lapua Ammo tend to have some of the better results. My CZ457 and B14R both shoot these well. The CZ does not like TAC-22 but the B14R has good results with it and every so often have a flier. Not an issue when just getting trigger time. As stated above, CCI and similar ammo on the cheaper end tend to not shoot so good. Other's results may vary.
Assuming you installed the barrel in a stock Ruger receiver? Did it go in loose or really tight? V-block screws only need to be torqued to about 10 - 15 in/lb. If the barrel went in loosely, you can have barrel droop. Take down screw torque not too tight? Is the barrel free floated? Stock trigger? Ammo will definitely be an issue. A lot of variables can be attributed to large groups. KIDD blemished barrels are cosmetic issues not functional issues.
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A good barrel will help but it won't completely cover the fact that good ammo costs money.
Your title is misleading/lie . Why the hell are you using "KIDD" in the title ? You are using shitty ammo , you may be be a shitty shot . Until you can prove it's the barrel you are talking bullshit .
The barrel went in very tight. KIDD trigger and KIDD bolt. Torqued to spec.
Fixed. Thank you for your service
An inch at fifty is about the best you can expect out of any rifle regardless of barrel quality or build when using what amounts to the worst quality ammo available in America ( tied with Remington in that regard)
it very likely has nothing t do with the barrel, and everything to do with the ammo.
as mentioned in inexpensive domestic ammo CCI standard wil likely do better, but to reach maximal potential something from Europe is the answer
it very likely has nothing t do with the barrel, and everything to do with the ammo.
as mentioned in inexpensive domestic ammo CCI standard wil likely do better, but to reach maximal potential something from Europe is the answer
CCi Standard Velocity, Wolf Match Target, SK Standard Plus, Eley Target are some of the cheaper better grade ammunition you might want to try. Of course there are some more expensive and better ammunition as well. The cheaper ones sometimes perform very well. Depends what your expectations are.
You never stated your end game past something better at 50 yards. I may have close to the same parts gun, plus a ruger race rifle(target).
CCI SV works well for me for both, but my expectations are not high, and utilize the rifles for what they are. I won't pay for better ammo, but on non windy days, both rifles shoot well to 250 yards.
CCI SV works well for me for both, but my expectations are not high, and utilize the rifles for what they are. I won't pay for better ammo, but on non windy days, both rifles shoot well to 250 yards.
Most likely it is not the barrel and just the crappy ammo. I have a KIDD 20inch Bull Barrel that shoots well, but it is very ammo dependent. You also didn't give any other details about the setup which could potentially help. Which Kidd Barrel Profile did you get and what length? Also, Receiver, Bolt, Stock, Trigger, etc would all be contributing factors. Optic, Bipod, etc could also be factors.
Here have been my experiences so far with different ammo groups. It also has changed a bit since changing from a stock to a chassis and messing with the action screw torque (had it set way to high because of some bad info floating around the internet when I first got it).
Either way, try some decent ammo like CCI SV, Norma Tac-22, or similar first then try moving up from there. If it won't shoot a decent group with a decent ammo or a good group with Match grade I would worry there might be something in the barrel. At that point you'd need to bore scope it to see what might be going on in there.
Also, make sure you're doing 10-20 rounds of sighters before shooting your groups. I made this mistake originally and it made a big difference the consistency of my groups.
Here have been my experiences so far with different ammo groups. It also has changed a bit since changing from a stock to a chassis and messing with the action screw torque (had it set way to high because of some bad info floating around the internet when I first got it).
| Ammo Brand | Ammo Series | Lot # | Test Date | 50 Yard Average (in) | Best Group |
| ELEY | Team | 1023-03044 | 08/19/23 | 0.458 | 0.300 |
| Norma | Match-22 | 11/19/23 | 0.518 | 0.440 | |
| ELEY | Tenex | 1023-04076 | 08/19/23 | 0.527 | 0.350 |
| SK | Standard Plus | 22523 | 09/23/23 | 0.528 | 0.425 |
| Fiocchi | Range Dynamics | 08/19/23 | 0.558 | 0.370 | |
| SK | Standard Plus | 11534 | 08/19/23 | 0.570 | 0.400 |
| SK | Rifle Match | 12342 | 09/23/23 | 0.592 | 0.376 |
| SK | Semi-Auto Rifle | 11113 | 08/19/23 | 0.625 | 0.390 |
| CCI | Green Tag | 08/19/23 | 0.628 | 0.460 | |
| ELEY | Match | 1022-06156 | 08/19/23 | 0.645 | 0.400 |
| SK | HV Match | 11772 | 08/19/23 | 0.648 | 0.480 |
| ELEY | SA BR | 1223-06035 | 08/19/23 | 0.650 | 0.400 |
| Fiocchi | Range Dynamics | 09/23/23 | 0.742 | 0.669 | |
| CCI | Green Tag | 09/23/23 | 0.751 | 0.431 | |
| Norma | TAC-22 | 09/23/23 | 0.762 | 0.588 | |
| CCI | Standard Velocity | 08/19/23 | 0.784 | 0.518 | |
| ELEY | SS HP | 3523-30059 | 08/19/23 | 0.788 | 0.400 |
| ELEY | Club | 3122-30140 | 08/19/23 | 0.831 | 0.742 |
| Norma | TAC-22 Subsonic | 09/23/23 | 0.841 | 0.526 | |
| CCI | MiniMag | 08/19/23 | 0.851 | 0.592 | |
| ELEY | Target | 3123-30069 | 08/19/23 | 0.878 | 0.823 |
| Federal | Auto Match | 08/19/23 | 0.978 | 0.579 | |
| Federal | Champion | 08/19/23 | 1.060 | 0.982 |
Either way, try some decent ammo like CCI SV, Norma Tac-22, or similar first then try moving up from there. If it won't shoot a decent group with a decent ammo or a good group with Match grade I would worry there might be something in the barrel. At that point you'd need to bore scope it to see what might be going on in there.
Also, make sure you're doing 10-20 rounds of sighters before shooting your groups. I made this mistake originally and it made a big difference the consistency of my groups.
Hmmmm, delicate?
Ok guys go easy I am a new member lol. I have a similar issue with my build and I'm looking for input. I have a Kidd 18" threaded, bull barrel, not fluted that fit tight in a factory receiver. It has the BX trigger, its in a Magpul stock, and it's topped with a Diamondback 4-16x44. I am, IMO a decent shot and have especially shot a lot of 22LR stuff but it has all been in a factory Ruger American and this 10/22 before I succumbed to modifying it. After carefully installing the barrel and having a little fun I set down to do some real work and have so far tried Winchester 36gr, Aguilla 40gr, CCI mini mag 40gr, CCI mini mag36 gr, CCI standard velocity 40 gr, Federal Automatch 40gr and I also tried that CCI copper-22 21 gr for fun. Each ammo was shot from a rock solid prone at 50 yards and no wind. I shot each one approximately 5 groups of 4 shots and struggled to keep it under an inch. my best grouping was basically a tie between the Federal, the CCI Standard velocity and the CCI Mini mag 40 gr. Federal shot a 5/8" and the CCI shot a 3/8" but only once and the next group might be 1" or slightly more. I am aware that switching ammo effects accuracy and it was indeed visible in the first two groups after switching ammo. I am wondering what to do next. Should I try top notch ammo like Ely or Lapua or something? Besides the fact that Ely has such a wide variety of selections and I'd have no idea which one to try first, I hesitate to try expensive ammo because it seems like some others are getting far better accuracy out of similar rifles with the more basic ammos. I have a friend who has a some random semi auto 22 that I can't remember right now and all he did was put a heavy barrel in it and is getting groups that almost touch at 50 yrd with the same federal ammo I used. So guys what should I do...
The ammo you have tried is pretty poor.
I would try SK Rifle Match and Wolf Match Extra before going to the high dollar Eley or Lapua.
The SK and Wolf can hold their own with all but the highest grades of Eley and Lapua. If the rifle don't shoot well with SK or Wolf, then it is either your fundamentals or the rifle.
I would try SK Rifle Match and Wolf Match Extra before going to the high dollar Eley or Lapua.
The SK and Wolf can hold their own with all but the highest grades of Eley and Lapua. If the rifle don't shoot well with SK or Wolf, then it is either your fundamentals or the rifle.
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I have referred quite a few folks to Eley semi auto benchrest precision. Ordering from Killoughs, you can pick your lots. Out of my Kidd, I shot 40 rounds across my chrono that had an ES of only 23 with an SD of 5.5. Another lot through my RimX had an ES of 16.6 with an SD of 4.0. It is $11/$12 per box depending on how much you buy.
My 10/22 is a full Kidd build in an aluminum chassis. I would be sure to torque the action screw no more than 15 in-lb. I also clean mine every 300-400 rounds.
My 10/22 is a full Kidd build in an aluminum chassis. I would be sure to torque the action screw no more than 15 in-lb. I also clean mine every 300-400 rounds.
I would also do a box test/ tracking test on the scope. The diamondback is pretty much an economy scope, and while it might be OK, often inexpensive optics are the Achilles heel of getting a rifle to shoot well. A common mistake a lot of Americans make is pouring 2 grand into a rifle, and not giving equal attention to the optic. Often a basic rifle can shoot really well when parked with a good quality optic. The unfortunate reality is pretty much anything usable for precision efforts short of a thousand bucks will be made in china. My strike eagle ( several steps up from a diamondback) is still Chinese but works pretty well.
I still agree decent ammo is a first step, but make sure the optic isn’t holding you back.
a general rule of thumb is a higher mag scope ( let’s say 5-25) set on 16 power will be sharper and clearer than a 4-16 set on 16. More magnification is helpful in a lot of ways ( being able to see your groups develop without having to come off the gun and use a spotting scope) and will also allow you to see more technique errors ( shakes trigger jerks etc)
also when testing for groups when switching brands/ types of ammo, it is advisable to essentially waste 20 or so rounds to allow the bore to get conditioned to the bullet lube.
cleaning between ammo types is another option, but cumbersome in a 10/22 type action.
I still agree decent ammo is a first step, but make sure the optic isn’t holding you back.
a general rule of thumb is a higher mag scope ( let’s say 5-25) set on 16 power will be sharper and clearer than a 4-16 set on 16. More magnification is helpful in a lot of ways ( being able to see your groups develop without having to come off the gun and use a spotting scope) and will also allow you to see more technique errors ( shakes trigger jerks etc)
also when testing for groups when switching brands/ types of ammo, it is advisable to essentially waste 20 or so rounds to allow the bore to get conditioned to the bullet lube.
cleaning between ammo types is another option, but cumbersome in a 10/22 type action.
As the OP, I switched to better quality ammo and it completely fixed my issue.
I’ve got a Vudoo with a Kahles on it and would be hard pressed to shoot great groups with any of that ammo. Try SK Standard Plus - it’s the cheapest of the “good” ammo and what I plink with.
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