Learning at the Whidden Gunworks Test Range

[whiddengunworks]

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.

 

[BowChamp]

Only thing I ask Sir is keep sharing your information with us.

Thanks!!

 

[Ranger188]

John, 2 questions
1. What do you think is going on with the difference between Midas +, Tenex and Center X
at 50 (smallest to largest) and then Tenex, Center X and Midas + at 100m? Do you have a chronograph setup to get the ES?
2. Do you think that the Midas + is generally "more" accurate than Center X?
Same for the Tenex, do you think it's generally the most accurate in the Eley line?

 

[SteveOak]

Great work! A significant contribution to the community.

Will you be posting data?

 

[moondog]

Really appreciate the info!

 

[MUP]

Many thanks for taking the time to test and to post your results!

 

[jbell]

Great info, very interesting. I look forward to hearing more.

 

[Jeff Porter]

John - Am I reading correctly that you had a target at 50m and 100m and are measuring the same ten shots on both ?

 

[Dannybcc]

Great info on multiple topics.
Thanks for sharing.

 

[grauhanen]

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.

One ten-shot group for each lot seems like a small sample. Do you think doubling the accumulated data to two ten-shot groups for each lot tested would potentially change the results?

 

[dusterdave173]

Thank you Sir! Please keep it coming

 

[CharlieNC]

John the manufacturer grades a lot as top quality as Tenex or Midas+, yet when tested at your facility or by a shooer there are major performance differences. And many medium quality versions such as Match and CenterX shoot better than the top graded spec. This assumes a good lot is better for most rifles, while lesser lots are likewise poor across the board. So one must conclude that their grading procedure is ineffective as it boils down to the downstream tester to determine.

Or... the lots are of comparable quality and it boils down to a rifle "likes" it or not.

Which is it in your experience? Thxxx.

 

[VLNBYR]

How the ammo is graded at the factory is no different than how shooters grade it at home. Different rifles, different days, different results.

 

[CharlieNC]

How the ammo is graded at the factory is no different than how shooters grade it at home. Different rifles, different days, different results.

If there is no consistent answer then the factory is wasting time and money. I'm hoping Mr Whidden can shed some light on this exact aspect.

 

[dutch14]

John - Am I reading correctly that you had a target at 50m and 100m and are measuring the same ten shots on both ?

The targets are electronic fields similar to those used in Olympic competion. The 50 yd target has no effect on the bullets trajectory as it continues to the 100 yd target. Hope that helps.

 

[Topwater]

Thank , you, Sir for sharing. I really appreciate the information. Please continue to test and report.

 

[VLNBYR]

If there is no consistent answer then the factory is wasting time and money. I'm hoping Mr Whidden can shed some light on this exact aspect.

The factory does have a consistency of same rifles, same tunnel, same methodology, same analysis day in and day out. If we don't replicate their results it becomes our problem not theirs.

 

[Jeff Porter]

The targets are electronic fields similar to those used in Olympic competion. The 50 yd target has no effect on the bullets trajectory as it continues to the 100 yd target. Hope that helps.

Thanks. I understand acoustic / electronic targets, I was just confirming that both 50m and 100m were operational for the 10 shot string. The statement that Midas and Tenex swapped positions as best groups makes me curious if the Midas just fell apart while Tenex had the same moa groups size at 50 and 100. I certainly don’t see how Tenex cone of fire would reduce from 50 to 100m on the same ten shots. But if 50 was one 10 shot group and 100 was another 10 shot group then to overall consistency of the lot comes into question.

 

[CharlieNC]

The factory does have a consistency of same rifles, same tunnel, same methodology, same analysis day in and day out. If we don't replicate their results it becomes our problem not theirs.

That would only prove the grading process is worthless from a commercial prospective. I've read several posters say a good lot is a good lot and will shoot well in any rifle (relatively). Others have your perspective that lots are rifle specific. I don't know, but hopefully the extensive trials at a test center can help answer.

 

[grauhanen]

The statement that Midas and Tenex swapped positions as best groups makes me curious if the Midas just fell apart while Tenex had the same moa groups size at 50 and 100. I certainly don’t see how Tenex cone of fire would reduce from 50 to 100m on the same ten shots. B

Some lots may experience more group dispersion than others (i.e. have larger group sizes). Some may be very similar. Some may have rates of dispersion that are less.

In other words, a lot that does well at 50 meters may not do well at 100. Another lot may do well at 50 as well as at 100.

There are at least two basic reasons why rates of group dispersion for .22LR match ammo differ and they are unrelated to make of ammo.. One has to do with the bullets themselves. Soft lead bullets such as with .22LR cartridges are difficult to make with near-perfect centers of gravity. Center of gravity imperfection can't be measured before shooting. The more the center of gravity is imperfect, the greater the rate of group dispersion as distance increases.

The other also has to do with center of gravity imperfection imperfection caused by the obturation of the bullet as it passes through the leade and bore. This obturation may be unique to a barrel. In other words, some barrels may have little or no impact on Cg, others may change it. This helps explain why some barrels shoot the same ammo better at distance than other barrels.