Struggling to find centerfire primers? We’ve got another way to shoot small groups – .22 LR tuners!

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How a Tuner Works

I’ve used three types of tuners. The first are plain O-rings from the hardware store. I’ve also used Limbsaver’s and Erik Cortina’s EC Barrel Tuner. 

All tuners work the same way — by changing the harmonics of a barrel. 

O-Rings

Start out with the O-rings on the end of the barrel in one spot.

Shoot a group and move the O-rings a specified distance, whatever you choose. Shoot another set of groups and see how the group changes. Repeat this process, recording both tuner location and group size. The upside to this technique is cost, it’s almost free! The downside is that the O-rings can move around (especially while handling the rifle) and there’s not a finite “scale” to quantify your “setting”.

Limbsaver

Follow the same procedure as with the O-rings.

Start with the tuner on the end of the barrel and move it small increments (quarter inch, etc.) at a time. Shoot groups until you find where it performs best. The Limsaver has pretty much the same downsides as the O-rings, but costs more.

EC Barrel Tuner 

This tuner is precisely machined with very fine threads. You will need a rifle with a threaded barrel.

Shoot a baseline group. Remove the thread protector, then thread on an EC Tuner sleeve and put the weight over top. Shoot a group then rotate the weight out. Tick marks help you to return to a repeatable position.

This tuner works by changing thread position and the location of weight on the front of the barrel. Watch how groups grow and shrink with different positions of the tuner. 

Test Setup 

Many people shoot rimfire at 50 yards or 50 meters. With the rise of long-distance rimfire shooting, I decided to perform the test at 100 yards. Shooting .22 LR at distance is not easy. The longer dwell time in the barrel requires you to be even more careful and precise. Any movement you make with a centerfire is exaggerated with a rimfire. 

I used SK Rifle Match ammunition in an Anschutz 1710 Competition HB off a rest. This rifle has an XLR Element 4.0 chassis with a match 54 bolt action repeater, blued receiver and a match chamber with a 20” heavy stainless threaded barrel. It also has a precision 5119 two-stage trigger adjustable from 4 to 7.5 ounces and comes with two 10-round mags. 

From Anschutz:

1710 Competition HB

• Caliber: .22lr
• System: Match 54 bolt action repeater, 5119 two-stage trigger, blued receiver with stainless steel barrel.
• Weight: 8 lbs, 13 oz.
• Receiver: Scope mount attachment with 11mm rail and drilled and tapped
• Barrel Length: 20″ SS heavy barrel, no iron sight provision
• Chamber: Optimized Match Chamber
• Crown: Recessed Target Crown
• Muzzle Diameter: 0.90″
• Trigger: New 5119 Two Stage Trigger
• Trigger Weight: Adjusted to 6.35 oz. (180g)
• Trigger Weight Range: 4 to 7.5 oz. (110 to 215g)
• Magazine Capacity: 10
• Magazine Release: Extended
• Stock Style: XLR Element Chassis

Chassis Features:

• Machined from solid 6061 T-6 billet aluminum
• MLOK™ attachment points down both sides of forearm
• Tactical-Lite Buttstock with LimbSaver recoil pad
• RRS (Really Right Stuff) Spec 1.5″ Dovetail (Arca-Swiss) forearm
• “Anschutz 10 5/8” Rail at 6 o’clock position of forend
• Multi-point radial cut inlet eliminates the need for traditional V-Block or Glass Bedding
• Adjustable LOP: 12″ to 15″
• Adjustable Butt-Plate Height 1.575″
• Adjustable Cheek Piece Height & 10 degree cant
• Built in bubble level – New on the 4.0 version
• User interchangeable pistol grip
• Weight of chassis with action screws 3 lbs 7.5oz

From SK-Ammunition:

SK Rifle Match is a rimfire competition round which delivers excellent accuracy. It is a high-performance rimfire match cartridge especially developed for rifle shooting in all 50 m / yd disciplines. The SK Rifle Match is characterized by high reliability and optimal hit performance. Whether the objective is intensive training or a competition, the SK Rifle Match delivers the perfect result. An ambitious shooter can reach any goal with this premium ammunition, manufactured with greatest care and using our top level technologies.

For rimfire rifle shooters who seriously develop themselves, the SK Rifle Match is the .22 lr ammo to try.

From ShootSmallGroups.com, Home of the EC Barrel Tuner: 

• We have two styles available.  The original EC Tuner and the Tapered EC Tuner.
• The original EC Tuner is 1.250″ diameter straight and is 2″ long.  It’s perfect for 1.250″ competition barrels.
• Tapered EC Tuner:  Tuner tapers from 1″ to 1.250″ and is more suitable for smaller barrels such as those used in F-T/R and PRS/NRL rifles.  Minimum muzzle diameter is 0.850″ due to threads being .850-24″
• This tuner can also be used in rimfire or competition rifles by using our thread adapters that come in 1/2-28, 5/8-24, 3/4-24, and M18x1.  View adapters here:
• This tuner can be fitted behind any muzzle device such as suppressor or brake.

The Test and Tune at 100yds with EC Barrel Tuner

After we plowed some snow out of the way, I shot a baseline group with the thread protector on. I then removed the thread protector, threaded the EC barrel tuner all the way to the muzzle, and began shooting groups.

Rather than turn the tuner in small increments as advised, I wanted to see what would happen if I turned the tuner a full revolution at a time. I shot five shots, turned  a revolution, then repeated the process. I should have followed the directions — I didn’t quite get the results I had hoped for. 

The next day, I reran the test, but followed the directions.

I fired three shots, then moved the tuner two tick marks, fired three shots, then moved two tick marks — firing on a different target each time. I had several pieces of paper up with six round targets each. Firing them in order allowed me to see what happened as I moved the tuner. I watched with anticipation as the groups got smaller and smaller, then widened back up again.

I kept going and eventually shot a three-shot .164″ group before three shots landed in almost the same hole.

The next thing to do to verify the pattern is write down the setting, then move two more tick marks to see what happens. I spun the tuner and the group opened back up. 

Backing up to 50 Yards

At 100 yards, things tend to open up a bit due to how 22LR bullet fly, and environmental effects. So we decided to shoot some groups at 50 yards with the same optimal setting that worked at 100 yards.

Here you can see the 50 yard follow-up groups (successive groups after settle-in on rest). The left target was shot using SK Match (Travis shooting), and the right target was shot using Lapua Center-X (Gavin shooting). As you can see, some great results!

Results/Conclusion

Tuners do work and produce very measurable results, as long as you follow the directions! There is a definite pattern of larger groups, smaller groups, then larger – almost like some kind of roller coaster ride. Tuners are a great way to get greater accuracy out of your .22 rimfire and are worth some experimentation! 

Get the Gear

The Anschutz 1710 HB has an MSRP of  $3,195 and comes with an XLR Element Chassis (MSRP $375, without buttstock).

Find SK Match at Creedmoor Sports for $9.95 per 50-round box as of April 2022.  The EC Barrel Tuner can be found directly from shootsmallgroups.com with two styles, the original and tapered, ranging from $150 to $170. 

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Thanks,
Travis Fox