What kind of deviation on .22 LR ammo??

[Brian Ski]

Shooting some old Wildcat ammo. #s were kind of all over. Always wondered about the old chrony. I just tried a few rounds and this is what I got. What is a norm for .22 LR? One thing I know, pretty much anything in the 11s would crack, 10s were pretty quiet. Wildcats were never quite premium ammo.

1056, 1130, 1149, 979, 1160, 1043, 1140, 1057, 1040, 1116, 1134, 1162.

Maybe tomorrow I will take out a box of newer stuff.

 

[johntheplinker]

That would be typical of that ammo. Even CCI standard velocity has terrible velocity variations, and its about the best rimfire ammo loaded in the US. Try some decent European made match grade ammo (not even the high grade stuff) and your SD will be under 30 fps.

 

[Brian Ski]

That was the next step, trying some match grade ammo.

I just got a 10" barrel and trying to figure out a length to keep High velocity ammo subsonic and this old stuff is just all over the place.

 

[Brian Ski]

Try some decent European made match grade ammo (not even the high grade stuff) and your SD will be under 30 fps.

I hate to ask, Any recommendations? I am north in state and not sure of any gun shops that stock a large variety. I might take a ride up to Midwest Gun. I did a quick search online besides domestic, I found Aguila. I always thought that was economy stuff.

 

[Creedmoor]

I hate to ask, Any recommendations? I am north in state and not sure of any gun shops that stock a large variety. I might take a ride up to Midwest Gun. I did a quick search online besides domestic, I found Aguila. I always thought that was economy stuff.

I tried the Aguila Match Pistol a few years ago, and we liked it. I bought a few cases of it then, glad I did.
It was about half of what it sells for today.

 

[Creedmoor]

That was the next step, trying some match grade ammo.

I just got a 10" barrel and trying to figure out a length to keep High velocity ammo subsonic and this old stuff is just all over the place.

Long time reloader here, I've really never worried about SD with any ammo that I load. What I care about is how well that load shoots downrange.
In essence if I'm shooting a 1/2 or better moa at 400 yds and my SD is 52 why would I waste the time to make any more changes.

 

[Leo]

Federal Gold Medal Ultra match is really good. Federal 900b match was excellent but I am pretty sure it is out of production. Eley 10X (tenex) has been an upper tier match ammo for decades. RWS R100 has had some pretty good comments from the silhouette shooters, but I never tried it personally.

40 years ago Winchester T-22 was pretty good but the last case I bought was as bad as Remington thunderbolts.

 

[Brian Ski]

Long time reloader here, I've really never worried about SD with any ammo that I load. What I care about is how well that load shoots downrange.
In essence if I'm shooting a 1/2 or better moa at 400 yds and my SD is 52 why would I waste the time to make any more changes.

Pretty much in the same boat. I have been reloading since the 80s. Not quite the right forum for my next question, but since you are a reloader, and kind of asking...
I am using High velocity 22 LR ammo, with an integrated suppressor and want to port it to stay subsonic. I am trying to get a baseline to see how much a drop in velocity I need to stay subsonic.

My biggest questions are, what diameter port (s) and how far back from the chamber?? Technically the barrel is 10" long (including the chamber). I am on the edge right now with the end of my Wildcat ammo. I think the larger stock is Federal bulk packs.

Yes standard velocity will work, but more expensive and wanting to use what I have. I pretty much always buy high velocity.

I probably should start by running through some Federals and see where I am at.

 

[Leo]

Long time reloader here, I've really never worried about SD with any ammo that I load. What I care about is how well that load shoots downrange.
In essence if I'm shooting a 1/2 or better moa at 400 yds and my SD is 52 why would I waste the time to make any more changes.

a lot depends on the velocity. while 52 may be acceptable if you start with 2900, 52 is pretty significant variation when you are starting with 1050 fps.

 

[Brian Ski]

BTW before I bring out the hand drill, I want to make sure I know where I am at. Hard to undrill a couple holes. (A bit of humor!!)

Porting info to reduce velocity is kind of rare info to find on the internet.

BTW I was getting sonic cracks going over 1120 or so. (Also depending on how accurate the chrony is.)

 

[Brian Ski]

a lot depends on the velocity. while 52 may be acceptable if you start with 2900, 52 is pretty significant variation when you are starting with 1050 fps.

With me 12 rounds and going from 979 to 1162??? I was mostly trying to find out where the variation was. The chrony or the ammo?

Thanks for all the ideas.

 

[Creedmoor]

Pretty much in the same boat. I have been reloading since the 80s. Not quite the right forum for my next question, but since you are a reloader, and kind of asking...
I am using High velocity 22 LR ammo, with an integrated suppressor and want to port it to stay subsonic. I am trying to get a baseline to see how much a drop in velocity I need to stay subsonic.

My biggest questions are, what diameter port (s) and how far back from the chamber?? Technically the barrel is 10" long (including the chamber). I am on the edge right now with the end of my Wildcat ammo. I think the larger stock is Federal bulk packs.

Yes standard velocity will work, but more expensive and wanting to use what I have. I pretty much always buy high velocity.

I probably should start by running through some Federals and see where I am at.

Well, we own a few cans.but none of us are suppressor guys. Let's see what Super Andy has to say.
@Aszerigan

 

[Leo]

Sorry Brian, it was commenting on the comment by Creedmore.

In your case I would bet on the Chrono being pretty close and the ammo having all the variables. in Post #7 I suggested ammo that would have very tight velocities. Of course accuracy comes at a price.

If you want my opinion on the suppressor business, first I have to state that I am not a suppressor user, but I do use CCI subsonic ammo when I want to be quiet. That said, I would never commit to drill holes in equipment to solve a problem with a consumable, like ammo. Holes are permanent, it is not like having an assortment of jets for a Holley double pumper. But that is just my thinking, not a rule for anyone else.

 

[Aszerigan]

Well, we own a few cans.but none of us are suppressor guys. Let's see what Super Andy has to say.
@Aszerigan

Huntertown Arms used to have three removable set screws in their Fusion 22 barrels. It was a 10" barrel with a 6" suppressor section on the end to make it 16". I believe the set screws were 0.08" give or take, and they were spaced about 6", 8" and 9" from the chamber (if I remember correctly). That bled enough gas to make even high velocity ammo subsonic.

I'm no gunsmith and wouldn't port a perfectly good barrel like this unless I knew a good machinist. Messing up the lands with a pass-through drilling is likely, and then your barrel is toast. If you do end up porting the barrel, get some set screws and thread the holes you drill so you can "un-port" it if you need to.

Plenty of places to get CCI standard velocity at $0.07 per round. That would be my suggestion.

 

[Brian Ski]

Sorry Brian, it was commenting on the comment by Creedmore.

In your case I would bet on the Chrono being pretty close and the ammo having all the variables. in Post #7 I suggested ammo that would have very tight velocities. Of course accuracy comes at a price.

If you want my opinion on the suppressor business, first I have to state that I am not a suppressor user, but I do use CCI subsonic ammo when I want to be quiet. That said, I would never commit to drill holes in equipment to solve a problem with a consumable, like ammo. Holes are permanent, it is not like having an assortment of jets for a Holley double pumper. But that is just my thinking, not a rule for anyone else.

I follow completely. I just came back from MGE in Mishawaka. They had almost nothing when it came to .22 LR. I think their whole stock could have been put in a shopping bag.

I follow on modifying the barrel and understand the risks involved. I have several integrated suppressors with ported barrels. Just looking at another idea.

 

[Brian Ski]

Huntertown Arms used to have three removable set screws in their Fusion 22 barrels. It was a 10" barrel with a 6" suppressor section on the end to make it 16". I believe the set screws were 0.08" give or take, and they were spaced about 6", 8" and 9" from the chamber (if I remember correctly). That bled enough gas to make even high velocity ammo subsonic.

I'm no gunsmith and wouldn't port a perfectly good barrel like this unless I knew a good machinist. Messing up the lands with a pass-through drilling is likely, and then your barrel is toast. If you do end up porting the barrel, get some set screws and thread the holes you drill so you can "un-port" it if you need to.

That is about what I was thinking. .080 is right between a #1 and #2 screw size. Looking for as much info as I can before any work done.

I do have several ported barrels already. I guess taking them apart and checking sizes would be an idea, but with different barrel lengths it varies.

My barrel is a similar length, but 9" from the chamber I think is a little close to the end. Unless they used multiple holes like you mentioned. It seems like I am close to the speed of sound right now. I just need to make more tests with different ammo. Thanks.

I guess I am always the one that has to try for himself.

 

[Aszerigan]

That is about what I was thinking. .080 is right between a #1 and #2 screw size. Looking for as much info as I can before any work done.

I do have several ported barrels already. I guess taking them apart and checking sizes would be an idea, but with different barrel lengths it varies.

My barrel is a similar length, but 9" from the chamber I think is a little close to the end. Unless they used multiple holes like you mentioned. It seems like I am close to the speed of sound right now. I just need to make more tests with different ammo. Thanks.

I guess I am always the one that has to try for himself.

I was thinking it was something close to 0.08". It may have been smaller, but I don't know set screw sizes. They were tiny but big enough to slow rounds down plenty.

 

[TJ Kackowski]

If you're looking for match grade .22LR, I'd be looking here ... https://www.brunoshooters.com/ or here ... https://www.killoughshootingsports.com/

Start with 50 rds. of all that you can find. After you've found what your firearm likes, buy all you can afford.

 

[johntheplinker]

I hate to ask, Any recommendations? I am north in state and not sure of any gun shops that stock a large variety. I might take a ride up to Midwest Gun. I did a quick search online besides domestic, I found Aguila. I always thought that was economy stuff.

A lot of that is going to be what your gun likes. Doesn't matter how consistent your ammo is if your gun doesn't like it. I'd suggest stating with some mid tier SK (rifle match, pistol match), Eley Club or Target, or RWS Rifle Match. Also the Wolf rimfire ammo is reboxed Eley, can't recall the exact versions. Quite frankly, even the lowest grades of European rimfire ammo are much more consistent and accurate in my rifles than even the best ammo made this side of the Atlantic. I've had some amazing performance from Eley Force and SK Standard+, which are bottom of the barrel from their respective manufacturers.

 

[armalitesheepdog]

Huntertown Arms used to have three removable set screws in their Fusion 22 barrels. It was a 10" barrel with a 6" suppressor section on the end to make it 16". I believe the set screws were 0.08" give or take, and they were spaced about 6", 8" and 9" from the chamber (if I remember correctly). That bled enough gas to make even high velocity ammo subsonic.

I'm no gunsmith and wouldn't port a perfectly good barrel like this unless I knew a good machinist. Messing up the lands with a pass-through drilling is likely, and then your barrel is toast. If you do end up porting the barrel, get some set screws and thread the holes you drill so you can "un-port" it if you need to.

Plenty of places to get CCI standard velocity at $0.07 per round. That would be my suggestion.

This all day long. I thought you were joking about porting a barrel with a hand drill…Don’t do it go online and you will find a ton of subsonic.22s