A couple of months ago I won a Ruger 10/22 at the NRA banquet. Put a Nikon 4x rimfire scope on it, and took it to the range for the first time today while checking out the 7mag and 6mm for deer season.

Well the Ruger was bore sighted. Barely. However after assuring a pattern after the new clean barrel (ran a clean patch through it prior to range) I started adjustments. After adjustments I noticed something I have never seen before in a rifle barrel. Starting out relatively "cool" the first shot, followed by a wait and then the second shot were slightly out of pattern. Shots 3-10, fired at a rate of approximately 1 shot every two seconds patterened MUCH tighter with a few shots in the last 8 cutting the same hole(s). This happened on two consecutive full mags.

I am used to the first couple of shots fired through a clean/oiled bore being a little off, then dialing in, but shooting with a hot bore repeatedly can tend to make the shots move some. However have never seen a rifle that got tighter with a timing of shots like that.

Anyone here with a 10/22 see the same thing?

Taquatche,

You emoticon is exactly what I looked like at the range today.

WTF?

My Remington 597 tightens up after a few rounds through a clean barrel. I guess it likes it dirty!

Fresh coat of lead in the rifling, perhaps?

I'd go with the lead in the rifling, and the dirty bore. All my other rifles like a slightly diry bore. 7MM Mag prefers it, and that is why it gets cleaned every other year. Thank goodness powders in the premium lines allow that.

However, why does this 10/22 like the "hot" fire scneario? Never witnessed anything like it. Ever.

I was shooting CCI Stingers. However, cannot make the correlation for the tighter "hot" groupings.

Again, does the OB have more, or a better explanation as to why a gun likes a hot barrel?

Try taking the stock off and make sure the barrel block is tight. It is at the bottom of the barrel and two Allen head bolts that go into the receiver.

A lot of 22lr like a hot bore. Especially if you are shooting lead bullets that aren't lubed.

Wolf match ammo has a bad rep of doing it.

22lr barrels are cheap and as they warm up try get slicker.

Ok, not a professional and just a guess. Look into free floating your 10/22 barrel. You can buy a cheap kit from Brownells and axcomish the task with some sand paper and a dremil. Super easy, fairly cheap, and may help your situation.

I am willing to be you would get a much more consistent group, even with the factory barrel. Also, don't be afraid to try a few different brands of ammo. Ammo is also really important with consistent groupings.

Good luck!!!

Most firearms like a little fouling of the barrel as it is, which is why going the extra mile to clean your bore is usually a waste of time and effort.

Concerning tightening up after the barrel gets hot, it could be that particular barrel just shoots better that way due to the way stress is either created or relieved with heat, or it could be that there is something causing a bind on the barrel when it is cold. As it heats up, that bind is minimized, which allows for more repeatable shots.

I would check to make sure the barrel is seated and torqued right, then check the stock and make sure there isn't any part of it touching the barrel.

A lot people will 'season' their barrels with a few practice shots to bring the barrel up to the temperature they want.

I don't have an answer for you, but I think it will fun to look for the answer-

-try different ammo. Stingers are a bit different than standard ammo (lighter bullet, fast). Actually, I'm surprised it grouped well for you at all. They group poorly for me, relatively speaking. Try some of the Federal 510 or 710. Try a box or 2 of the Wolf Match (40 gr, lubricated, 1050 fps). See if there is any change.

-change the timing. Try a few warm up shots to bring your barrel to a nice temp, then shoot groups with a consistant time period between shots. The idea is too try to keep the barrel temp constant (not increasing, not decreasing).

Try the opposite- shoot a few mags as quickly (and safely) as you can. 10 shots at one target, change mags, 10 shots at a new target, change mags, etc.

Rinse and repeat.

Learning the minute details of what your particular rifle likes and doesn't like is one of the joys of gun ownership. And you will always have a new reason to go to the range.