HV vs SV 22 ammo.

[rockrat]

Been trying out a bunch of different ammo in the new(to me) rifle. Almost all of the HV stuff will do about an inch @50 yds, but even some subsonic didn't do a whole lot better. Maybe the gun just didn't like the subsonic stuff I was feeding it.

About the HV ammo, is it that the bullet is going into the trans-sonic range and causing instability @50 yds?

Of course, there are exceptions to every rule, I had some 30 year old WW super-x round nose that shot lights out (pencil eraser size group) and some Winchester super velocity stuff (1425 fps) that had groups a third the size of the other HV stuff. Maybe it hadn't reached the trans-sonic range yet because of the higher MV??

Now that I have a rifle that really seems to put bullets in tiny groups, its frustrating to find out just what it likes. And what it likes so far is ammo that I have little amounts of. I had a Marlin 39a that would do dime size groups @50yds with whatever I loaded in the mag tube.

 

[dutch14]

HV ammo drifts more in the wind than sv and maybe a slight increase in recoil before the bullet leaves the barrel. Sounds like you found the same results I had with cheaper ammo and an out of the box hunting rifle. Reducing the trigger pull will do some, changing to an after market barrel is good for 1/8 inch. Practice is the best way to shrink group averages. Learn to hold the rifle and read the wind.

 

[rockrat]

Thanks

Its kind of interesting to pull the trigger and watch the bullet go downrange to hit our 100yd gongs. Can pretty well tell where its going to hit, before it gets there

 

[velocette]

HV .22s go trans sonic at about 80 yards & thus de-stabililze a bit.
If you are serious about finding the best ammo for your .22 rf a good method is to thoroughly clean your barrel, then fire at least 20 rds of the sample ammo before firing for groups, Do this for each different ammo you try. Do not expect good groups without seasoning the barrel with each ammo or not cleaning between. You might get good results not cleaning and seasoning but you might and possibly won't.

 

[PigButtons]

You don't say what the rifle is, so it's hard to tell if you are expecting something that is truly doable. 22LR ammo is notorious for it's lack of accuracy until you get into the higher end European stuff. That said, some guns will shoot almost anything but most are pickier than one might expect. Even with high end ammo the big boys only buy lot #'s that they know will shoot well in their gun.

My opinion on why the older American ammo was so much better than today's offerings is that the volume of ammo sold and manufactured has grown exponentially and in most cases they make more on volume than they used to on brand loyalty based on performance. Bean counters ruin most companies sooner or later.

You say that the rifle is "new to you", so I'm guessing that it's used. Therefore I can also assume that it is in dire need of a thorough cleaning. If you don't have a bore scope to check it out, you will never know if it's clean or not. I learned the hard way and since the bore scope became an integral part of my cleaning tool set my cleaning time has gone up significantly but so has the performance of every rifle that is now absolutely clean.

Welcome to the Rabbit Hole that is rimfire shooting.

 

[dutch14]

There are a lot of factors in accuracy. And I will agree with both of the above. However, practice makes perfect. Above all test and keep records.

 

[biggun2869]

I have a couple boxes of the super X (yellow box) and it did the same for me.

 

[butchlambert]

I have a couple boxes of the super X (yellow box) and it did the same for me.

I have 3 bricks of it.

 

[DGP4]

Not only does .22 ammo accuracy vary from brand to brand but also from lot to lot. So, even if you find your huckleberry for your specific rifle, it may not shoot as well when you buy a different lot of that same ammo. The one consistent rule I have found is use the best quality ammo you can afford. Anything below SK Standard Plus will be hugely inconsistent from lot to lot.

PS Forget HV ammo for accuracy. There is a reason ALL high end target ammo is standard velocity. HV ammo is strictly for hunting IMHO.

 

[skeeljc]

Quality target .22LR ammunition is now north of $8 a box. What you get for your money is extremely well controlled tolerances. A good place to start is with SK Standard Plus, SK Rifle Match and Eley Club.

 

[Rsadams]

It's all about ammo selection in .22... You just need to buy a few different boxes , clean the barrel , shoot a few fowlers and fire for effect.... Rinse and repeat.... Almost all like CCI standered velocity.... Worst case it takes you awhile to find what it likes , best case you get to shoot a bunch.... Poi will change with different ammo and I don't even change the scope setting until I find something that looks promising....