Federal Ultra Match

[doclu60]

So are you saying that I should buy/test different lots?

Yep, only way to get the best out of a rimfire. It's not a center fire you can reload for and duplicate results. It's totally dependent on lot selection. When the good lot is gone, you have to find another. There are other things involved in getting the most out of a rifle depending on what it is shot for, but if your barrel likes a certain lot, the other things are only technical issues as to what you are doing. ie: benchrest, NRL/PRS, silo, squirrel/small varmint, etc.

 

[doclu60]

This wasn't about brand selection for accuracy. This (or what I was talking about) was about information regarding where Federal got their UM cartridges, that it is apparent that Federal had a deal with RWS to rebrand their R50 line for Federal. Beside the UM boxes saying that it was imported from Germany, other "evidence" supported this conclusion (being the virtually the same published MV's and well as the chrono MV's that I recorded); as well as some people's reports that this was the case. But . . . if someone IS a "brand" shooter and wanted to get essentially the same ammo, they can look to the R50 as a UM twin and even lot test it if they're so inclined (as I like to do ).

So I agree that to get the best accuracy and consistency, lot testing for one's particular barrel IS the best way to go. For some people though, that just isn't practical or expedient.

You are correct. The fact UM22 was rebranded RWS R50 has been known in the benchrest community for many years.

I was not specifically pointing out your post as saying you 'brand' shoot, but several that posted on this thread, and others on other threads I have read here have.

My point, which comes from a little experience, is that brand shooting means nothing when evaluating the performance in any given rimfire barrel, unless the barrel is specifically chambered for that brand ammo. Even if said barrel is chambered to one brand, lot numbers of same said brand is going to shoot different in the same barrel. As you say, you do this testing, and my post would not be pertinent to your experience. For others, that post 'this brand or that brand' it could be very pertinent if they are truly looking for enhanced accuracy.

I don't claim to know everything, but in the game I play I have already tested over 50 lots from 2 MFG's and 3 different types between the 2 MFG's since the first of the year. Tomorrow I test more. Point being, depending on what you'er looking for as far as down range performance, testing is the only way to find what your barrel shoots best in rimfire. Brands do not play a role normally in that goal if you are shooting quality ammo. Quality ammo being Eley, Lapua, and RWS in their higher levels (read cost).

 

[Rob01]

I am not brand set. I use Eley, Lapua and the UM that I have left. Never had a lot of Center X or Eley Match or Edge that didn't shoot well in my Vudoo. Brought it to the Lapua test center and the lots all shot good although some better than others obviously.

 

[SDWhirlwind]

Yep, only way to get the best out of a rimfire. It's not a center fire you can reload for and duplicate results. It's totally dependent on lot selection. When the good lot is gone, you have to find another. There are other things involved in getting the most out of a rifle depending on what it is shot for, but if your barrel likes a certain lot, the other things are only technical issues as to what you are doing. ie: benchrest, NRL/PRS, silo, squirrel/small varmint, etc.

Just wanted to be sure I had it right after your 15 times mentioning "lot" and not "brand". I am pretty new to this shooting stuff! I know there are still 'idiots' out there and perhaps I am one?

 

[Straightshooter1]

Yep, only way to get the best out of a rimfire. It's not a center fire you can reload for and duplicate results. It's totally dependent on lot selection. When the good lot is gone, you have to find another.

Actually, it's not only true for for rimfire but also center fire, just to a little lesser extent I would say
. For reloaders, working with the same lot of brass, powder and bullets is the best way for getting duplicate or best results. Otherwise, there can be significant differences in either of those three things from one lot to another to really throw off the results therefore having to test and change the recipe.

 

[johara1]

I just happened across a thread at Rimfirecentral.com that explained what I've been wondering about concerning Federal discontinuing this Ultra Match line. Until now, I didn't realize that Federal was importing it from Germany and apparently it was a relabled production for Federal by RWS. At Rimfirecentral.com a poster pointed out that Ultra Match is essentially the very same as RWS R50. So, I went to my database and looked at the numbers for the Ultra Match and RWS R50 that I've fired and sure enough, all the numbers were in line with each other. So, since I can't get any more Ultra Match, I plan on using RWS R50 in it's place as it has performed as well in my gun as Ultra Match has.

I thought the same thing, but R50 doesn't shoot as good as the Fed. Ultra match in my Annie...... jim

 

[CTK]

I do not know much about 22lr ammo. Is it true that the lower cost ammo from Eley and Lapua is just less uniform runs of the flagship ammo? Ex: Center-X is lesser quality Midas+, Eley Team and Match are lesser quality 10x? I had a rifle that sprayed the Midas+ that I purchased and loved Center-x. Is this the same stuff just different lot #s?

 

[Straightshooter1]

I had a rifle that sprayed the Midas+ that I purchased and loved Center-x. Is this the same stuff just different lot #s?

Yes, it's "the same stuff". Production is run through a grading process by lot and packaged according to their test results. One may find a lot of Center-X that performs better than a particular lot of Midas+. Though you've found some Center-X's that perform well in your gun, it really wouldn't be a surprise of get some later that spayed just as the Midas+ did for you. It still all comes down to a particular lot that shoots best through your particular barrel/gun. This is simply what rimfire shooters are relegated to.