long range .22 ammo velocity

[Benjerman08]

I know it is a given that close range .22 competition shooters are mostly using sub sonic high end .22 rimfire ammo. I am interested in shooting 100 and beyond to practice when my centerfire is down for barrel changes. My question is: Do most still use sub sonic ammo for long range rimfire or does the faster ammo work better for distance? Thanks.

 

[Ohio Varmint Shooter]

Sub sonic will drop quite a bit at the 100 and further distances. I don't know how accurate you want things to be...but I would definitely go with high velocity.

 

[sdneil]

PM SENT

 

[delmartin]

What ever 22 ammo is most accurate in your rifle at 50 yards will also be the most accurate at any other long range. Velocity is not going to have anything to do with it. High velocity will give you more killing power but for paper punching this makes no difference. Most high velocity rimfire ammo just makes more noise.
For all rimfire ammo you will need to test it and sight you rifle for that ammo. I was shooting today at 140 yards with one of my rimfire rifles. Four different brands of ammo each shot in a slightly different POI. The lower velocity stuff had to have a few more minutes of elevation on the scope. You have to make sure you have enough adjustment to do this.
Have fun shooting long range with 22's. It is good practice and helps to learn how to read the wind.

 

[Cort]

What ever 22 ammo is most accurate in your rifle at 50 yards will also be the most accurate at any other long range.

That statement is not true. Lapua has a test facility in Arizona with sensors at 50 yards and 100 yards (maybe meters but ...). One can test his/her firearm simultaneously at 50 and 100 with immediate feedback on the performance. What works best at 50 is not always the best choice at 100 and vice versa. Read German Salazar's report of his tour of the Lapua site on the Rifleman's Blog (http://riflemansjournal.blogspot.com/2012/05/lapua-rimfire-service-center-mesa.html).

Super-sonic vs. sub-sonic in .22 LR has the same problem that occurs with center fire accuracy. The transition from super-sonic to sub-sonic occurs with some instability. Consequently, you want your round to stay super-sonic all the way to the target or you want your round to stay sub-sonic all the way to the target.

Cort

 

[jlc204]

Also, super-sonic ammo suffers more wind deflection than subsonic ammo when shooting at long ranges. This didn't make sense to me until I read the following article:

http://team40x.com/articles/long-range-wind.html

 

[mgx1138]

I routinely shoot a dedicated 22 LR service rifle upper for highpower practice at 100 yards with my subsonic ammo. The Wolf Match Extra that I shoot produces the best groups (for mid-priced ammo) at 50 yards, 100 yards and sometimes at 200 yards too! Shooting prone at 100 yards on the 100 yard reduced prone target is great practice for shooting 600. When it's windy it can be very challenging at 100 and beyond. Enjoy!

 

[Benjerman08]

Ok thanks for the info.

 

[delmartin]

Cort,
You just contradicted your own statement saying I'm not correct.
When shooting long range 22 you are always going to have the problem of going sub-sonic at some point. So I believe even at long range it is better to start with sub-sonic ammo. But it is going to drop more.
Any ammo no matter the velocity, if it shoots well at 50 yds it will shoot well at long range. Of course you can always find an exception. That is why you have got to test them.
You said: " What works best at 50 is not always the best choice at 100 and vice versa." and you are right! Not always but I'll still say most of the time it will.
Try doing less reading and more shooting. You learn best that way.

 

[Bob3700]

The only thing I would add is that ammo that shoots well at 50 yds may not reproduce those small groups at 100 yds. The closer the range the less variations in velocity (SD) make.

Once you get to 100 yds or beyond, the high quality RF Target ammo will shine. The reason being that the quality control is higher. Velocity variations that do not show up at 50 yds will definitely show up at 100 yds.

Most often times competitors will shoot less expensive ammo at 50 yds( that shoots well at that distance) and then get out the "High priced spread" for 100.

Bob

 

[watercam]

In participating in 200 yd. Mini Palmas over the years I have seen more Wolf Match, SK, RWS R50 (I tried R100 but in my rifle it ended up being supersonic near the muzzle and then going trans sonic - the R50 was more accurate past 100 yds.), and Eley on the line. Lapua would be in the mix a bit more if it was more affordable I suspect.
The match loads definitely make it to 200 with no problems as long as you have a barrel long enough to get them up to their published speeds. 16" is the theoretical minimum but for me, 20" is min.. My match rifle has an old Winchester target barrel that gives me about 50 fps more velocity than posted. Must be polished from all the lead match bullets down the tube since 1956...

 

[delmartin]

Watercam,
So are you saying your best ammo at 50 yd is also your best ammo at longer range?