Thread: 22lr vs pcp

Originally Posted by caberslash

Until the ammo quality turns to shit like how Winchester subs got buggered after Oz production stopped...

Did they sell the Australian stuff in Scotland as well?

Originally Posted by Steve123

Did they sell the Australian stuff in Scotland as well?

Still some circulating in the UK economy, most people don't shoot very much here and some idiots think lead bullets are bad...

Originally Posted by Ultimitsu

I address each point:

Quiet? With cans, they are about the same. But PCP don't always need a can to be sufficiently quiet.

Recoil? I agree with your analysis. But in practice all these things you mention all contribute the lack of recoil in PCPs: PCP guns are heavier (average 4~6KG) than average 22 hunting rifles (average 2.5-3.5 KG); most PCP shooter shoot sub-20 grain pellets vs 22LR subs are usually 40 grain; most PCP shoot at ~900 FPS compared to 950~1070 FPS of 22LR subs.

Cheaper to shoot? Low end 22LR subs or SV are about $900~1000 per 5000 vs low end 22 pellets are about $220 per 5000. High end 22LR (e.g. Eley match, not the highest end) are about $3000 per 5000 vs high end 22 pellets are ~$830 per 5000 (e.g. H&N .22 Precision 33gr).

22lr + can is significantly cheaper than a pcp though.

Recoil, there isn't really any in either, though lugging around a 4-6kg isn't attractive. My lightest 22 comes in under 1.7kg scoped and with a can.

My point on the pricing is a 22/scope/can is $440, 5000 rounds of ammo is $800. So $1240 all up. What is the same all up cost for a 22 PCP with scope, dive tank, and ammo? And is there anything that needs fixing at 5000 rounds (like seals.... honest question I've no idea on pcps).

Not everyone cares about costs.

I have a handful of both and use them for different jobs. PCP is MUCH more versatile and much easier to get better consistency from. The only variables are easy to control, you can easily sort pellets into batches of weight and head size and you set your hammer spring tension and reg to where you want it and that's all the variables taken care of but when it comes to rimfire you have inconsistencies you can't easily see or measure such as projectile weight, powder charge, seating depth, rim thickness, concentricity, primers etc.

PCP also offers on the fly tuning, I have one rifle that is setup with a DNT Zulus scope which has different profiles in it for different power settings, I can go from shooting birds inside buildings at 6fpe, to shooting rabbits at 80m with 30fpe by twisting a dial and choosing a different scope profile, literally within a few seconds.

Anyone that thinks their rimfire can is super quiet obviously hasn't heard a well tuned PCP either, they can be like dropping a playing card on the ground, followed by a quiet whistle as the pellet goes down range.

Rimfires still have their place for sure, I take one out with me every day, but PCP is still king for me.

Wee update, ended up with a 1022 competition, will test out tomorrow, got 3 differnt lots of ammo to try, winchester subs (auz made) cci subs and picked up a brick of tac 22. Looks like it should shoot ok with the chunky barrel haha

Originally Posted by c-dog

Wee update, ended up with a 1022 competition, will test out tomorrow, got 3 differnt lots of ammo to try, winchester subs (auz made) cci subs and picked up a brick of tac 22. Looks like it should shoot ok with the chunky barrel haha

Hopefully it shoots well, Be careful of the mag release when you're moving around, Actually the only other change I made to my comp was to put a flush mag release on it (I prefer pinching the mag to remove in the pitch dark).

Obviously not the same barrel, but mine loves CCI subsonic 40gr hp, zeroed with them on 1/12/22 and hasn't shifted since. Have RWS subs ready to roll when DoC stops giving me free ammo.

Picked up a supressor and had a play at 50m, tac22 was the best for accuracy but not super reliable, 3 fail to fire and a few cycling issues. Tried cci supressor and some auzzie winchester(these were the worst for accuracy but reliable) cci was second in line for accuracy, not much between the 45gr and 40gr. Group by no 2 is the supressor and group by no3 is the tac22 (9 shots from memory due to fail round) ill get another brick of maybe the eley subs to try and possibly some newer cci sv

I had a fx impact PCP and a CZ 455 varmint. The pcp will cost you money to buy and maintain.

I loved both but my 22LR was my go to every time. And it is accurate and hit hard.

Ps. I just run subsonic ammo and suppressed.

Originally Posted by c-dog

Picked up a supressor and had a play at 50m, tac22 was the best for accuracy but not super reliable, 3 fail to fire and a few cycling issues. Tried cci supressor and some auzzie winchester(these were the worst for accuracy but reliable) cci was second in line for accuracy, not much between the 45gr and 40gr. Group by no 2 is the supressor and group by no3 is the tac22 (9 shots from memory due to fail round) ill get another brick of maybe the eley subs to try and possibly some newer cci sv
Attachment 275920

Your Tac22 group is extremely good, not many 22s shoot as well as that. There are several things you can try to improve the reliability, Google is your friend (I'd suggest a few but I'm a bloody slow typist).

I've got a batch of S&B subs that will shoot about the same as your Tac22 . . . . But I never found another batch (of S&B) like it. Geco ammo is often good too.

The rules of really accurate 22 shooting By a packet of ammos you run across. Note the batch. Shoot it for test. If it shoots buy as much of that batch as you can find.

Originally Posted by Tentman

Your Tac22 group is extremely good, not many 22s shoot as well as that. There are several things you can try to improve the reliability, Google is your friend (I'd suggest a few but I'm a bloody slow typist).

I've got a batch of S&B subs that will shoot about the same as your Tac22 . . . . But I never found another batch (of S&B) like it. Geco ammo is often good too.

The rules of really accurate 22 shooting By a packet of ammos you run across. Note the batch. Shoot it for test. If it shoots buy as much of that batch as you can find.

I've done some more cleaning and found a bit of crud buildup near the ejector and firing pin, really need to give it a soak and blow out with compressor I think. And find some suitable lube, just used longlife as that's about the best I have on me.
I'll note down the batch and hopefully pickup some more.

Originally Posted by c-dog

I've done some more cleaning and found a bit of crud buildup near the ejector and firing pin, really need to give it a soak and blow out with compressor I think. And find some suitable lube, just used longlife as that's about the best I have on me.
I'll note down the batch and hopefully pickup some more.

Buy a set of plastic picks like these : https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007645942102.html , so you can dig out crud from the extractor recess, which sometimes gets build up and causes problems. And they're good for picking at all the other spots inside aswell and on the bolt.
I don't lube my comp anymore, 500-800 rounds in a night with any small amount of lube always made it clog up right quick. It cycled really nicely whilst cleaned/lubed and not many rounds through it though.


Your #3 group looks mint, wouldn't be missing any pests with that shooting.