.22LR test- results UPDATED 7-12-09

[Silicon Wolverine]

its harder now that im not a mod and cant go back to edit the original post.  i have to add everything in new posts.

SW

[Silicon Wolverine]

7-12-09

tested five kinds of ammo today.  shooting procedures are in OP, conditions are as follows:
85 deg outside temp
wind light and varible <5MPH

shooting notes
as per my usualt procedure i started with a "calibration test" with federal gold medal match to baseline my numbers.  the high heat compared to the other tests created a 50-60 FPS increase in FPS numbers, therefore all FPS numbers will be at a -50 FPS correction and will be noted as such.  no change in accuracy was noted.

CCI SHORT

29 Gr  copper plated LRN
average group size 1.56"

velocity
factory spec 1105 FPS
average 10 rd string 1124 (-50 FPS correction)
low 1110 high 1151 (-50 FPS correction)

notes
Sweet smokey smell when firing.  lots of unburned powder in the barrel.
cost 4.95/100



CCI CB

29 grn LRN
average group size 2.05"

velocity
factory spec 710 FPS
average 10rd string 730 FPS (-50 FPS correction)
low 710 high 749 (-50 FPS correction)

notes
virtually silent in shooting.  the hammer falling made more noise than the shot.  minimal residue for a low velocity round like this.
cost 8.99/100



WINCHESTER POWER POINT

40 grn plated HP with luballoy coating
average group size 1.15"

velocity
factory spec 1280 FPS
average 10 rd string 1275 FPS (-50 FPS correction)
low 1269 high 1280 (-50 FPS correction)

notes
very tight velocity window helps make for excellent accuracy on this round.  clean shooting, smooth ejection.  noted that bullet tips were uneven and HP cavities were not identical from bullet to bullet.
cost 1.99/50



CENTURION RIMFIRE

40 gr LRN
average group size 1.95"

velocity
factory spec 1250 FPS
average 10 rd string 1224 (-50 FPS correction)
low 1186 high 1278 (-50 FPS correction)

notes
very inconsistent from round to round.  Shot consistenly at least 6" off point of aim.  large velocity window.  VERY stinky and smoky.  left lots of debris in the bore including a fibrous material that disintigrated when i touched it.
cost 2.35/50



WINCHESTER "333" BULK PACK

36 gr Plated lead HP
average group size 1.85"

velocity
factory spec 1280 FPS
average 10 rd string 1203 FPS (-50 FPS correction)
low 1178 hihg 1265 (-50 FPS correction)

notes
this ammo had a dark, thin coating on teh bullet that almost feels like a moly coat.  the HP cavities were also very uneven from bullet to bullet.
cost 11.95/333



SW

[shadow]

it a ok gun i use remington thunderbolts. i shoot boxes and cans for targets.

[Jihad Joe]

SW.. you should try Aguila Super Maximum 30-gr. Solid 1750fps....when u get a chance

i use these bullets alot there my favorite over stinger ...

they also have a 60gr subsonic bullet { my gun hates them }

[Silicon Wolverine]

the big thing here is money, or more precisely, my lack of it.  i put regular reloading supplies higher on the priority list than new ammo for this test.  being as things are uber expensive they've eaten up all my budget.

SW

[edub]

the big thing here is money, or more precisely, my lack of it.  i put regular reloading supplies higher on the priority list than new ammo for this test.  being as things are uber expensive they've eaten up all my budget.

SW

Those prices are about double and sometimes triple what us "Sconnies" pay around here for .22 ammo. This was an awesome and very informative test, SW. Thanks!

[geronimo]

great job nicely done !

[Iceman]

Do you plan on testing the Wolf .22lr match ammo? I've heard its one of the best out there for accuracy.

[Silicon Wolverine]

Do you plan on testing the Wolf .22lr match ammo? I've heard its one of the best out there for accuracy.

i havent found any in stock of late in any of my regular haunts.  if you have some you would like to donate to the test it would be appreciated and credit would be given.

SW

[Iceman]

Do you plan on testing the Wolf .22lr match ammo? I've heard its one of the best out there for accuracy.

i havent found any in stock of late in any of my regular haunts.  if you have some you would like to donate to the test it would be appreciated and credit would be given.

SW

I dont have any but the Cabelas here usually has some in stock. Never bought it because it's pricier for .22.

[Silicon Wolverine]

none of the big box stores around mer carry any wolf save 7.62x39mm or maybe some 54R.  never any rimfire.

SW

[Jag]

Hey, SW, I just read some of the updates on the .22 caliber rimfire tests.  Awesome post/sticky for everyone to enjoy!  Thanks a bunch!

Now, all I have to do is finish my touch up work on my latest project and post some preliminary findings in the gun board...

 

Later!!!

Jag 

[Iceman]

CCI BLAZER

40 gr LRN
average group size 2.55

velocity
factory spec -i wasnt able to find any spec on the product box or on CCIs website-
average 10/rd string 970
low 755 high 1106

notes
all i can say about this stuff is DONT WASTE YOUR MONEY!  it shoots extremely inconsitent veolcities and groups.  half of the first group i shot were off the paper and i had to start over with a totally different aimpoint from any other ammo.  It is VERY dirty and left a thick black ring of gunk around the muzzle.  the only thing this stuff is good for is a bullet hose like my Ruger 10/42 conversion or a full auto rimfire conversion.  there was also a strange smell after firing that vaugly reminded me of cattle urine or some cleaners ive been around.  at this time i cannot reccomend buying this ammo at all and it currently resides in dead last for quality.
cost 1.99/50

Further notes- i called CCI customer service on this.  they told me that since this lot was made, there had been change in the powder used.  apprently one lot of powder had problems of some sort.  i asked if there was any safety issues and the lady said no but accuracy and function was very poor with this particular lot of ammo.  when the weather warms im going to buy a new batch and retry to verify results.

An update on the CCI Blazer. My buddy bought a box of 500 recently and I think they are a very good .22lr round. We had very consistant groups out of our Sig Mosquitos and not one feed failure which is common with new mosquito's. Sig recommends mini mags but the Blazer functions perfectly and is alot less expensive. He paid $20 for 500 rounds. Thought you'd be interested since you said they had made a change in their powder but hadn't had a chance to test it again.

[Silicon Wolverine]

i would but i havent seen blazer 22 around here for almost a year.  the only thing we cna get is federal or winchester right now.

SW

[befsman]

Great thread SW, thanks a lot.  My personal favorite as far as value (price vs performance) is the federal bulk pack from a 10/22.  Thunderbolts were terrible and 333's were only so so.  As far as testing currently, what would you say as your favorite of the ammo tested as far as value goes?