.22lr long range bullet stabilization discussion
- Thread starter JifeLacket
- Start date
This instability of a projectile just before it goes subsonic is a well known phenomenon, and displays itself in varying degrees regardless of whether you are shooting a rimfire or a centerfire. Occasionally, there will be a load that seems to defy this destabilization effect, but it is rather rare. I shoot a lot of rimfire, and almost all hi velocity 22 rimfire ammo shows this effect to a fair degree. The 17HMR also shows it, but out considerably farther, due to the sleeker bullet design and much higher initial velocity. When we shoot 1000 yards, we are always concerned, [with smaller capacity cases, thus lower initial velocity] about keeping the bullet considerably supersonic until it has reached its destination, because of the detrimental effect of this destabilization phenomenon. FWIW, this is why "Quality" match grade 22LR ammo is always subsonic from the get-go. My present lot of Eley Match EPS is 1059 fps avg muzzle velocity. Regards, Eagleye.
Having shot a lot of rimfire at distances beyond 100yds I am certain that rimfire bullets are not becoming unstable as they pass through the sonic range. They may well experience some turbulence but they certainly do not start to wobble or tumble.
And you would be correct. All match rimfire ammo is subsonic and it has been for decades.
+1
I haven't seen convincing evidence that .22 pills experience anything past mild dynamic instability when transitioning to subsonic. Not to say other bullets like the 168 gr family in 30 cal aren't affected, but it just seems that .22's are balanced in a way that they behave better. Check out mysticplayer's writeup on shooting the .223 at a mile for further.
I haven't seen convincing evidence that .22 pills experience anything past mild dynamic instability when transitioning to subsonic. Not to say other bullets like the 168 gr family in 30 cal aren't affected, but it just seems that .22's are balanced in a way that they behave better. Check out mysticplayer's writeup on shooting the .223 at a mile for further.
I agree with the sub sonic ammo being good stuff. I had a friend buy a box of sub sonic ammo just to see how quiet it was. We did not notice much in the difference of sound but we did notice it was insane accurate! It was not match ammo either it was some crappy remington ammo from what i remember.
gentlemen, I think some claims about groups opening up at 100 maybe due to the fact that rimfire scopes, most of them anyway, have parallax adjusted for much shorter distances. There maybe noticable bullet destabilization effect, there must be, but not as huge as having 4 times bigger group sizes. From my experience scopes often overlooked, people sort of tend to think that crosshair is the truth in its final instance which it is not.
on the other hand - why bother shooting that far, it is only 22 any way. Wind will blow it off its track, trajectory will quickly become an issue, killing power drops by yards etc - why bother, really.
on the other hand - why bother shooting that far, it is only 22 any way. Wind will blow it off its track, trajectory will quickly become an issue, killing power drops by yards etc - why bother, really.
Also, there is no reason for the bullet to become unstable and tumble, as it is short, still well stabilized by its rotation. The challenge at 100 yards is often, as mentioned, parallax but also increased effects of wind at that distance, as well as a good or constant vertical hold and other factors.
Because it's fun.
That is for target shooting and non hunting reasons.
Hunting grouse I like to keep the shots inside of 100 yards, but that's just me.
Also consider that back between the wars the range used for .22 rimfire in competitions was often 100 yards.
Scroll down this page to see a sample target.
http://www.rifleman.org.uk/Vickers_Martini_rifles.htm
Also I have read and been told that shooting a .22 rimfire rifle 200 yards was equal in skill as shooting a .303 Enfield 1000 yards.
Because it's fun.
Also I have read and been told that shooting a .22 rimfire rifle 200 yards was equal in skill as shooting a .303 Enfield 1000 yards.
Nothing wrong with a 22 rimfire at 100 OR 200 yards. If it was really unable to work out at 200, how would 5-shot groups like these occur? All shot at 200 yards with a 40X Remington and a 36X Leupold. Eagleye.
The trajectory of a .22LR at 300 yards is very close to the trajectory of a 308 Win. at 1000 yards (drop and wind). And the groups are similar in size. It is excellent practice for long range shooting.
Because it is a challenge and very rewarding when you make a hit. If we never stretched ourselves, we'd be a very sad species wouldn't we.
.22 rimfire kills gophers at 200 yds just fine. I've seen it lots of times. Think of the relative size of a .22 bullet to a gopher. It'd be like you taking a 105mm to the chest. Even at low velocity it is gonna do the job.
