Thread: 22 RF Ammunition Testing

Gidday Guys.

This will be (hopefully) an ongoing thread on some tests/experiments I want to conduct using a different test methodology to most of what we see on the interweb/youtube etc etc

The rifles I'll be using are all in current production, all are off the shelf, all have hammer forged 20" barrels, and are standard hunting models. All have tuned triggers and tuned action screw torques but are in standard stocks - you can just go buy anything I'm using. I've been shooting all three for some weeks with various ammo's to get a feel for their potential.

This afternoon here we had good light and at the time I started no wind. For these tests I shoot pretty quick, just as fast as I can work the bolt and build a sight picture. I'm shooting from a bench at 52 yards. I wanted to establish a baseline using the cheapest (a selected batch of S&B Subsonic hollow point) and most expensive ammo's (Eley Team)I have.

Here are this afternoons results:



I shot the Lithgow LA101first, then the T1x, CZ457 last, and there were a few puffs of wind coming in as I was shooting the CZ. Procedure was to fire a 5 shot warmup group with the cheap S&B ammo then a 10 shot group with the Team.

To be continued!

What I have learnt from shooting benchrest 22 at 50m outside with good flags is that it is the most humbling thing you can do ever with a firearm, wind is everything & when there is NO wind there is wind

Unless your indoors your going to waste time and ammo. Indoor range for .22 testing is almost a given in my opinion


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Wind unfortunately is a major issue where I live, and not all have access to long indoor ranges. Most indoor ranges here are the tradional 25 yard ranges and are one night a week smallbore club type events. Like fullbore and F Class wind is just part of the deal/challenge. Of course total absence of wind lets to test ammo and gear, wind tests the shooter.

I have been, over the last few years, trying to concentrate on 100 yd rf groups and the odd shoot at a fullbore 300 yd target (more of a fun thing). I would like to shoot serious 200yds but do not have access locally to a suitable range.

I can probably count on one hand the number of times I have successfully shot at 100 yds over that period mentioned. Many times I have set up my targets in ideal conditions and then 30 minutes later given it away due to the wind having risen. Can not see the point of wasting expensive ammo. At this stage I wish to test ammo/rifle, not the shooter's ability to read wind. I am shooting for groups, not scores.

I also use wind flags to try and dope the wind. Using flags for 22rf is another learning curve even though I am an old fullbore shooter so flags are not alien to me.

Learnings - a rf rifle that shoots well at 50 yds may not do the same at 100 yds, likewise the ammo.
I have done lots of chronographing, very long strings. Virtually all elevation issues are down to velocity changes.

Just bought a tuner so now keen to try that. Another challenge.

Today's results. Methodology established I think, mainly for economy 5 warmer/sighters/barrel conditioners with each ammo into the right hand group, then 10 into the left hand diamond. It was still when I went out but quite puffy by the time I got to shoot the 3rd rifle (the order is LA101, T1X, then the CZ457, and I shoot the bottom row first. I'll start chronying next time (bit pressed for time today.

The Norma Tac 22



The CCI Sv

TAC 22 is made by SK I think? It shoots well for me in my 1710, m78 and mod2.
Cci always worse similar to your results.

SK on the whole is where it’s at for me unless I go higher grades in Eley


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Pretty sure TAC 22 is made by RWS for Norma, but yeah there's no dust on RWS as a manufacturer. I like their HP subs.

Originally Posted by threefootsix

Pretty sure TAC 22 is made by RWS for Norma, but yeah there's no dust on RWS as a manufacturer. I like their HP subs.

Yes TAC22 is made by RWS & is proving to be very accurate in bench rest rifles, equal to or better than Eley Black

Which given its cheap price & more importantly availability is extremely impressive

I have supplied quite a bit of it so far in various lots & have had no complaints

So I saw a neat picture of a test approach over on RFC, from a relatively new poster, who I think has a scientific approach to testing . .. . Shoot a 3 shot group, then a 5 then a 10 then a 25, and THEN you'll really know something about the ammo you have.

Being like "Scrat" I had to immediately try it . . . Varied slightly to suit my 3 rifle/ multiple ammo's programme - each rifle "drew" an ammo based on its previous performance with it, they all shoot the Tac-22 best so that was awarded by lottery. Bear in mind all three of my test rifles shoot pretty good and make "my rifle likes" sorts of arguments largely invalid. Conditions here were perfect, and I mean perfect! I shot Norma Tac22 (bottom row, through the LA101) CCI SV throught the T1X and the Eley Club through the CZ457.

And what do the results show . . . That anything less than 10 shot groups don't tell you much (in terms of ultimate accuracy) for 22 ammo



I recorded velocities for all shots ( well I thought I did but lost the T1X/Cci string I shot first so had to repeat it, hence to double up of the groups, must remember to rezero the windage turret haha) and will post up the stats for each ammo later.