We had the opportunity to shoot an interesting test recently on our range. We shot 54 lots of ammunition through a rather accurate rifle. Each lot was fired for just one 10 round group, so the data from each lot is pretty limited. The groups were measured at both 50M and 100M. I'm comparing group sizes using outside to outside measurements when I give the comparisons below.
At 50M, Midas was the most accurate. We shot 6 lots of this. It was 5% better than Tenex, and we tested 21 lots of Tenex. Next in line were Lapua Long Range (6 lots) then Center X (8 lots) These ranked pretty close to each other and not far behind Tenex. Tenex pistol was last place and about 20% behind these.
At 100M things were different. Tenex was best by 3.4% over Center X. Midas was about 10% behind Center X, and Long Range 3% behind that. Tenex Pistol was last by about 8% more.
We shot one lot of Lapua Pistol King and it perfromed well especially at 50M. I don't feel that one lot is enough data to include in the above results. We've sold Lapua Biathlon in the last few months and reports from shooters have been positive on that but it wasn't tested here.
Turning to another topic, we've really seen that firing pin springs are important. If you're groups are consistently taller than they are wide by 30% or more, drop a new spring in there. I'll be doing this yearly. It's certainly cheap in the scheme of things.
Cleaning still matters a lot as well. After watching our results, I've settled on a pretty traditional cleaning method. Wet patch (we use Shooter's Choice but really think most any solvent is fine), brush with a wet bronze brush about 6 strokes (a stroke is all the way back and forth) and then wet patch until clean. Good barrels will shoot well again after 5 rounds or less. While I do have success with centerfire rifles and abrasive bore cleaners, the rimfire guns don't seem to be the right place for them. I reserve the right to change my mind as I learn...
I'm beginning to gather evidence that chambers may matter less than we like to think. We certainly don't see evidence that having a gun "chambered for Eley" or "chambered for Lapua" holds any water at all. We've seen excellent results with very tight match chambers and also match chambers that are on the larger end (larger than Winchester 52D). As many of you know, there are many many "match" chambers compiled onto one info sheet by PTG. When I refer to "match", I'm thinking of most of the bolt gun chambers. I exclude anythign as large as the Bentz semi auto chambers in my mind. It seems when we get to the Bentz chambers things go backwards on accuracy, but our data here is limited.
It would be awesome if Shane could come give us the perspective from the Lapua test centers as well. Those guys also do excellent work and we have a great relationship with them.
I'll do my best to answer your questions.
