Red Ryder Accuracy Expectations?

[Boyandhisdogs]

I impulse bought a Red Ryder today at Wally World, first time shooting one since i was a kid and... its bad.

10 yards, prone in the grass, and its hitting all over a paper plate. We are talking 10+ inch groups. I don't remember the one I had being anything amazing, but it was way better than this!

Are they all like this now or should I take it back?

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[GumbusChungus]

Not sure how they were manufactured in previous years but I know now that the barrel is completely smoothbore. The barrel might also be gummed up with a protective oil coating from the factory, or it may just need a break in period.

 

[Andy54Hawken]

Well...being a smooth bore...it might not truly be a "rifle"...or as accurate as you would like.
Also some BB guns are picky 'bout what BB's they like.
Andy

 

[thorborg]

A Childs expectations are considerably lower than an adults. Were it not so, it would be an extremely frustrating child hood.
Oh, to be a child again!

 

[Koda]

Are they all like this now or should I take it back?

I dont own one, but I did watch Ron Spomers review on one once.

Queued up to the discussion on accuracy.... sounds like they are all inaccurate... but you can learn where it drifts.

View: https://youtu.be/iCMdy1DjJyU?si=ip8xOArGvev7D91h&t=316

 

[Alexx1401]

I impulse bought a Red Ryder today at Wally World, first time shooting one since i was a kid and... its bad.

10 yards, prone in the grass, and its hitting all over a paper plate. We are talking 10+ inch groups. I don't remember the one I had being anything amazing, but it was way better than this!

Are they all like this now or should I take it back?

The trigger on them is VERY bad for one. Another being smooth bore, and BB's not being made to achieve great accuracy. Only way to really tell would be use a very solid rest, to make sure to remove as much "user error" as possible. Still should not expect something like you would expect from a decent.22 but, should not be the kind of groups you are seeing now.
What did you buy it for? If its just to have some VERY cheap fun? Clean it good and run some practice with it. "Should" get better. If you want an air gun that will get accuracy like you would expect from a .22? Time to got with a Pellet rifle. Even many of the "low end" models will give very good results that you can still safely play with at home.

 

[GrayGoose]

 

[doninoregon]

I have an old Red Ryder that I shoot at a 2'x2' metal plate at 33 yards. Proud to say I can hit it more often than not.

 

[Boyandhisdogs]

The trigger on them is VERY bad for one. Another being smooth bore, and BB's not being made to achieve great accuracy. Only way to really tell would be use a very solid rest, to make sure to remove as much "user error" as possible. Still should not expect something like you would expect from a decent.22 but, should not be the kind of groups you are seeing now.
What did you buy it for? If its just to have some VERY cheap fun? Clean it good and run some practice with it. "Should" get better. If you want an air gun that will get accuracy like you would expect from a .22? Time to got with a Pellet rifle. Even many of the "low end" models will give very good results that you can still safely play with at home.

I'm just looking for a casual plinker. I used to shoot 10m air rifle and pistol back in the day in 4H and have always enjoyed shooting pellet guns. I have had some nice, very accurate pellet guns over the years but they are big and loud and not as much fun to shoot at cans from a camp chair as something like a red ryder is.

I don't expect one ragged hole on paper but the gun needs to be capable of hitting a soda can... and this one isn't.

 

[Alexx1401]

I'm just looking for a casual plinker. I used to shoot 10m air rifle and pistol back in the day in 4H and have always enjoyed shooting pellet guns. I have had some nice, very accurate pellet guns over the years but they are big and loud and not as much fun to shoot at cans from a camp chair as something like a red ryder is.

I don't expect one ragged hole on paper but the gun needs to be capable of hitting a soda can... and this one isn't.

If used in a solid rest and you can't get "hit a soda can" accuracy at close range like that I would try another one. There would have to be something wrong. Now days they have SEVERAL small caliber (.22) air rifles that will fill the "fun factor" if this does not do it. You can even legally use a suppressor with air rifles and not have to jump through the NFA hoops if you want less noise.

 

[Koda]

I'm just looking for a casual plinker.

I grew up with a Crossman 10 pump bb gun and got a lot of mileage out of that and was soda can accurate. Be sure to get one with a rifled barrel but you can fill the reservoir with 100s of bbs and plink all day.

 

[Boyandhisdogs]

Well I thought I would run back to the store and exchange it but they said they don't take BB guns back.

If I has known that I would have bought it somewhere else. I guess I'm stuck with it now, maybe it will break in and be better, or maybe it will like different BBs.

 

[2Wheels4Ever]

My 7yo has a Red Ryder, and accuracy is not an issue. I can consistently hit pop cans at 15y and ring a 12in gong at 35y. It's more than accurate enough for my little guy. My main issue is that it doesn't always load a bb when the lever is cocked.

 

[toonerfrank]

I'm just looking for a casual plinker. I used to shoot 10m air rifle and pistol back in the day in 4H and have always enjoyed shooting pellet guns. I have had some nice, very accurate pellet guns over the years but they are big and loud and not as much fun to shoot at cans from a camp chair as something like a red ryder is.

I don't expect one ragged hole on paper but the gun needs to be capable of hitting a soda can... and this one isn't.

Can't beat the Daisy 499B for BBs...

Daisy Model 499B Champion Competition Air Rifle - Daisy

The Daisy 499B Champion is most-accurate 5-meter competition BB gun in the world. This spring air rifle is used by shooting education programs

www.daisy.com

although i prefer pellets, less ricochet and waaay more consistently accurate, sticking with Daisy, the 753 Avanti rocks to 25Y benchrest and very quite.

Daisy Avanti Match Grade Air Rifle Model 753S Elite - Daisy

The Daisy 753S Elite is a competition air rifle designed for intermediate competitive shooters. It is a .177 pump pneumatic air rifle.

www.daisy.com

No co2 etc needed, just grab the gun, the ammo and go.

 

[Spitpatch]

As noted just above, smoothbore BB competition is done at 5m. (15 feet +). Do a search for an official NRA 5m target, and you will see what is expected of a target-grade smoothbore BB gun.

A Red Ryder should easily keep all BB's inside the black. My Marlin Cowboy (a special run equivalent to a Red Ryder) does pop cans no sweat at 50 feet.

My 7yo has a Red Ryder, and accuracy is not an issue. I can consistently hit pop cans at 15y and ring a 12in gong at 35y. It's more than accurate enough for my little guy. My main issue is that it doesn't always load a bb when the lever is cocked.

Daisy "authorities" learn early (age 5) that unless the barrel hopper is pretty full of ammo, ya need ta tip 'er up 'n' down (sorta sounds like Big Sister's Hula Hoop with the "shoop-shoop" feature).

This allows the little internal scoop that feeds a BB into battery to catch one or more of them buggers for launch.

Best training device on the planet. Guys who think they can shoot should pick one up more often.

 

[Catbox]

I have one that I plink with in the yard when the dog are out doing their business.
I have steel targets from 8 inches down to 1 inch hanging about 35 feet away from where I stand.
I know the way it throws them downrange and have adjusted my aim as well as practicing a steady trigger pull.

I can hit all of the targets after a couple of warmup shots to get the barrel warm...

Then since I support the bees, I have turned and started shooting at the dandelions in the yard.
When I was doing it all the time, I could pop the heads right off of them up to 25 feet away.

Just take it out and shoot it to learn its weirdness.
You should have plenty of fun with it.

 

[ilikegunspdx]

I impulse bought a Red Ryder today at Wally World, first time shooting one since i was a kid and... its bad.

10 yards, prone in the grass, and its hitting all over a paper plate. We are talking 10+ inch groups. I don't remember the one I had being anything amazing, but it was way better than this!

Are they all like this now or should I take it back?

Take it back and buy a full auto grease gun, mp40, or Tommy gun would be my advice. More fun.

 

[toonerfrank]

Take it back and buy a full auto grease gun, mp40, or Tommy gun would be my advice. More fun.

such types of airguns are fun for sure, but eats up the ammo.

(and co2/gas i try to avoid as it seems inconsistent unless regulated.)

 

[Aught Six]

Have never owned one, or shot one. I do know a friend that has his Dad's from the 60s.
Wall hangers now.
Me, My ole man gave me a Benjamin Silver Streak 20 cal.
Still have one today. Cats fear me.

 

[Boyandhisdogs]

I put about 100-200 rounds through it over the past few days and its gotten much better! Just needed to break in I guess. I have not tested it on paper again but I'm hitting cans pretty reliably now.

It was really oily when I first pulled it out of the box, maybe that's what the problem was.