Rimfire ammo?

[1Merlin]

Seems to me there is an inverse relationship as the more $$$ the tighter the group... 8)

Works the same with my rifles too.... ;D

 

[Shynloco]

Guys,
It's nice to see various people finding rimfire ammunition that THEIR PARTICULAR RIFLES like as shown by their posted targets. And that's a good thing in the long run because 1) Makes them happy 2)Their search for rimfire ammo (especially today) is over. But it is also a well documented fact (by true Rimfire Experts, such as Steve Boelter, author of "The Rifleman's Guide to Rimfire Ammuntiion" and who builds custom Rimfire Rifles for use by say the US Olympic Team, tests new rifles and ammunition for Anschutz and last I heard is now the Armour & Gunsmith for a major metropolitan law enforcement agency). In his book, he addresses such issues as cleaning barrels when testing different ammunition, which is a long standing dispute between even serious competitors and even casual folks just having fun on a nice day at the range. But in my experiences in both reading and testing every make and manufacturer's ammo that is sold (no cheap stuff though), my final conclusions are that each PARTICULAR RIFLE will like a specific brand and even lot of rimfire ammo. And there is no such thing as a guarantee that just because a particular person owns a particular make or model of a Rimfire rifle and has found that "sweet" ammo, that it will work as well in another rifle of the same make and model.

Bottom line, once you find that "sweet" ammo, great! Todays challenge is finding more of it! As for cleaning, that is up to each person and their ability to "read" how their rifle reacts in terms of accuracy downrange. Just my thoughts.

 

[JG26_Irish]

Shynloco is 100% correct. The same ammo brand will vary lot to lot, and what works in one rifle is not necessarily going to be best in the same model of rifle. I think to be completely honest, it should be better when testing to clean the bbl after each ammo tested, and then fire several fouling shots before printing the next group. That simply put, takes out one more variable in a process that is filled with numerous variables. My earlier point was that for me, the benefit that are accrued from the cleaning are lost in the noise from all of my other current variables such as wind at the range, shaky bench, shooting from sand bags instead of a mechanical rest, and wobbly, flimsy tgt stands. As we get more and more precise and eliminate or minimize more of those other variables, the benefits from cleaning become more apparent.

Once I have found an ammo, most of my rifles will usually shoot accurately for at least 60-100 rds. After that, cleaning may restore some accuracy after once again firing a few foulers. Some rifles want as many as 20 shots before they beginning to settle down. Yesterday the Remington was still getting warmed up when I began shooting groups with the RWS and Eley Black ammo. Each group fired was better than the last for 25 shots. While the Eley Black did not do the best, it was one of the first groups fired. I later shot an ARA tgt with it and it performed great. At that point, I was wishing I had put my cleaning gear back in the car.

I have been fortunate in that my last two 22 tgt rifles have been happy with most of the ammo's I have tried in them. The Remington hates the Winchester Match Tgt ammo but that may just be a corporate rivalry, lol. I have a Winchester model 52 that likes the Eley Black but will shoot impressively well with $2.47/box Federal Std Vel - Walmart special ammo. That is a blessing as I hate to burn up the Eley when just plinking or squirrel hunting with that fine old rifle. The Remington seems to prefer the Edge and Tennex ammo, but I intend to do more detailed testing on another day. Plus I want to find some Lapua and Wolf ammo to test also. The good news is that it shoots well with most of them so far.

Irish

 

[Shynloco]

the benefit that are accrued from the cleaning are lost in the noise from all of my other current variables such as wind at the range, shaky bench, shooting from sand bags instead of a mechanical rest, and wobbly, flimsy tgt stands. As we get more and more precise and eliminate or minimize more of those other variables, the benefits from cleaning become more apparent.

Once I have found an ammo, most of my rifles will usually shoot accurately for at least 60-100 rds. After that, cleaning may restore some accuracy after once again firing a few foulers. Some rifles want as many as 20 shots before they beginning to settle down.

Irish

I have to compliment Irish for sharing some valuable and reliable information. I too have experienced many aspects of what he has said, especially with his cycle of cleaning and how many rounds it can take for some Rimfire Rifles to settle down before they start to once again perform even with proven and tested ammo. Some may even be surprised, that my Anschutz 64 MPR performs beautifully up to around 100 rds and then drops off slightly, even with a Harrel Tuner and a Leupold 35X Competition Scope atop her. I run a nylon brush up and down the barrel to clean out residue and then run one wet patch and two dry patches. I then shoot 20 rds of my Match Ammo (Federal Ultra Match Um22) before she comes back "in tune" and she's ready to go. Some may agree with thee practices, some might not. But I know my rifles and what they want. The point is simply, learn what makes your particular rifle work for you if you seek ultimate accuracy and want to win in competition.

BTW, a 64MPR is hardly the best Target Rimfire available and the 54 Action is the superior action made by Anschutz, no doubt. But learning and knowing your particular rifle (in every facet of shooting it) helps to get you closer or on an even keel with custom Halls, Turbos, 40x's, Anschutz etc to even make you competitive, if that's what you seek. ANd unless you try, you won't know what you and your rifle are truly capable of. And knowing your ammunition and rifle's behavior is a key to success. But don't make the mistake of expecting a $400 rifle to perform like a $1200 - $5000 rifle, which is completely unfair and unrealistic no matter the make, model or costs of your rifle. Excellence isn't cheap and it takes time to learn a rifle no matter who or what company built her.

My best to all!

 

[DOGCAPPER]

A good rimfire rifle using second tier ammo can be improved by adding a tuner. Several brands are available all work. You can compensate or find best accuracy in a lot or changes of lots...Best groups with various brands of ammo. While tuners will not make junk ammo shoot like primo target stuff it will make it shoot its best...Tuners are also known for their ability to compensate for changes in temp, humidity, barometric pressure that combine to produce altitude density..All good stuff for shooting 50 yds to 1500 yds. LT

 

[dickn52]

Try it all, then pray it likes the cheaper stuff.

 

[TrxR]

Here is a 6 shot group I shot yesterday at 50yds at about -12C. The rifle a 40x with center x ammo. It could have been a bit better if I didnt shoot out my aiming point. This group was shot with no corrections to the scope. Also hows the best way to measure a group ? Thake the widest part outside to outside then subtract .224?

Thanks

 

[Shynloco]

Nice group and that's a way to score it as well. Now as for shooting out the aim point, go buy some of those orange crosshair stickers and stick one just above the rings on the target and re-zero your scope for the strike point. Do that for say 6 targets and see how your rifle performs. That'll show you the consistency of the matching of you, your ammo and the rifle. One group is "pretty" but doesn't show the true story. Doing that (and better) six times in a row is something to hang your hat on. Good luck and happy shootin.

 

[1 mile]

Help....I moved to Wapiti Wy. does anybody know of any 50 yard matches close by me. Back in Va me shot inside a milk barn standing off a bench using bi-pod with rear bag and had a great time.


Thanks

 

[Fotheringill]

OP-

You are using Center X.
Try Midas +. It is the same brand and a step up.

How often to clean is very rifle specific.

Always clean between switch in ammo and see how many fouling shots needed for that rifle before it settles in. For example, my Anschutz 1913 needs a patch every 60-70 rounds. My CZ-452 Ultra Lux needs it about every 200 rounds.

With a nice tight chamber to start with, you can sort of tell when the chamber needs to be cleaned by the amount of pressure you need to apply to the rear of the casing when chambering. If the resistance starts to increase, you need to patch.

Run a wet patch and then follow up with a few dry ones. You don't want any wet lubricant or creme or whatever there when you pull the trigger.

 

[dickn52]

Wow, I gotta go buy a cleaning kit I guess. I always used the next 3 rds to clean out the last 3 rds method. (Actually I clean about every 200 rds or so with a couple of passes breech to muzzle) Some serious looking targets there, and I wouldn't change a thing with any of them. I'm off to a 50yd range now. Shoot with a couple of guys who swear by Wolf ammo and use Harrell's tuners. I love to hear them talk about "well 205 seems about right to me" stuff. Makes them feel good, so I don't ask. My HB 52D w/Unertl 20x seems to work fine without a tuner and I can keep up with their Anny's all day, so I'm buying more ammo with that money saved. Gotta go shoot a fly's buttocks.