Ammo testing
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Because every rifle chamber and barrel configuration is unique, testing ammo for one's rifle should be done with that rifle. For example, this is why Lapua has rimfire shooters are asked to send or bring their rifle to a Lapua testing center to test various lots of ammo in the rifle to find which lot works best for that particular rifle. Then that shooter, especially one who busy competing, buys a large quantity of that lot to be shot in that rifle.
Yes. Lapua will typically removes the rifle's stock, if it hasn't already been removed, and mounts the rifle's action with barrel into a jig, which is then firmly clamped down where it can't move (not even for a recoil). I suppose one could do something similar with a railgun chassis where you take your rifles action with barrel mounted and mount it into a railgun chassis. The main thing one would then have to deal with would be the environmentals.
But in your OP, you suggested the railgun would be using a seperate action and barrel to test the ammo and then use your other rifle with the ammo that gave you the best results in the railgun. . .??? That's jut not a way that's likely to work well.
Accutally - I was thinking that I could turn on the lathe a sleve that the rail gun barrel clamp would hold The barrel in place. This would eliminate the human element. it also would let me time the barrel too.
And the Lapua testing does have a target its justturned into electronic data That the computer works on.
And the Lapua testing does have a target its justturned into electronic data That the computer works on.
The test center results are produced by an system of electronic sensors that generate paperless target results. When testing there is a point at which the rifles being tested are aimed. It's not left to chance that a barreled action in a fixture or a rifle tested with its stock will be shooting in the place where the sensors do their work.
The test fixture is a clamping system which immobilizes the barreled action or rifle. These have been in use by testing facilities to eliminate the human factor for many decades going as far back as the 1920s and 1930s when there were no electronic sensors that generated target information.
The test fixture is a clamping system which immobilizes the barreled action or rifle. These have been in use by testing facilities to eliminate the human factor for many decades going as far back as the 1920s and 1930s when there were no electronic sensors that generated target information.
Hi-NV Shooter
Gold $$ Contributor
I have tested twice at Lapua's Mesa tunnel. first time the jig fixture didn't work well for my Anschutz and my Falcon custom had to be clamped by the barrel, at that time the vise on the table was made to recoil, it has the ability to be locked or to recoil this was 2016. in 2019 I was told they found out better results were with the vise locked down. it didn't matter to me since I built and used a platform so I could use my Pappas 1-piece rest to test. I got the best results testing that way. all 3 of my rifles did sub 12mm groups with the best at 11mm and even a factory 1413 Anschutz did 11.86mm.
I plan to go sometime this year and test using my own made jigs, I am after pure ammo performance meaning I am confident that all my rifle's barrel shoot really good so any lot that can produce good numbers will shoot even better when the rifle is back together and shot off a rest. I am confident in this because the prior two times I tested when I shot the lots that I bought at my home range I got better results and this is outside not in a tunnel. my Falcon was able to produce a 20-shot group that measured 9.222mm with the same lot that did 11.68mm for 10-shots at Mesa.
just remember that you are testing ammo performance and nothing else, base you decision with that in mind.
Lee
Attachments
If you want to waist ammo , go for it . Once you insrall your stock , scope and whatever else, your harmonics will change .
SGW Gunsmith
"Accipere non casus-Virga Bis"
I made a test fixture several years ago to test ammunition in bolt action .22 rifles. The front of the action is held steady in the aluminum blocks clamped on the front of the receiver, and a barrel pressure adjusting screw can be used to dampen any harmonics that cause the barrel to vibrate:
A Marlin barreled round action is installed in the picture and as normal, the Marlin produced some very nice groups with the .22 rimfire ammunition it liked best.
SGW Gunsmith
"Accipere non casus-Virga Bis"
Well, maybe so, but the good folks at Remington already thought about those possibilities many years ago with several of their .22 target rifles:
They called these "adjustable dampening pads", and they work very well to do what they were designed for. In fact they work so well, that I've installed some, mostly in the sporter type skinny barrels that I, and my customer, collaborated on.
So, is it a waste of ammunition? Nah, I just love experimenting with my all-time favorite caliber for the last 50+ years.
Some even think it's a waste to to epoxy bed the action on a .22 rifle, but once it's done properly, the smiles prove otherwise.
Glad you like them , in the last 50 yrs Remington seemed to drop them . In fact most benchrest guys I know did better not having them touch because the wood stock they’re in expands and contracts with humidity. Now if theyre in a glass stock it may wotk .
I bought a pallet of those stocks , still have a dozen or two , and yes , you can get your group smaller and moved in the direction you want with those but the next day , you usually need to start over . Wood , looks good but you dont see it much on the benchrest winners list of components.
I bought a pallet of those stocks , still have a dozen or two , and yes , you can get your group smaller and moved in the direction you want with those but the next day , you usually need to start over . Wood , looks good but you dont see it much on the benchrest winners list of components.
Not sure what you are saying.... Are u saying all ammo testing is crap ? all test centers?
Test in your rifle only ? Which ?
You cant expect your great ammo in your rail gun set up to be the same or even good in a complete rifle assembled as your going to use it . All kinds of tuners work but theres no formula to get one that’s shooting in a jig to a stock . In other words you cant add x number to the tensioner or tuner that was working in the rest to be transfered directly to a stocked rifle .
So only testing in the stock is acceptable?
Mulligan
Silver $$ Contributor
Yes, I use my rail all the time to test my loads.
Did you have specific questions?
CW
Itll work either way , all Im saying is that theres no formulas for changing from a rail to a stock . What works in one will most likely not be the best in the other .
Do you clamp the rimfire action in the barrel block ? and have you had good results in finding ammo that works the same in the stock ?
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