Comparison of Four .22LR Rifles and 28 Varieties of Ammunition
Author: Ken Bell 31 July 2020
Abstract
The objective of this project is to examine the variability of .22 LR loads shot from four different .22 LR rifles, three bolt rifles and one semi-auto rifle. There are a total of 9 brands with 6 brands having multiple loadings and 3 brands with only a single loading included. The bullet weights were either 36 grain or 40 grain. The brand labelled their loadings as standard velocity, high velocity or match.
The four rifles used were brand new Browning T-bolt left hand, Savage Mark II heavy barrel, Lithgow LA 101, and a more well used Ruger 10/22 heavy barrel. Brands of ammunition included: BBM, CCI, Eley, Federal, Lapua, RWS, Remington, SK, and Winchester. Nominally over 2250 rounds were fired to complete testing.
Executive Summary
Bullet diameters ranged from as low as 0.222” for Federal Premium Target 40 grain lead round nose to 0.225” for CCI AR Tactical 40 grain lead, Eley Remington Target 40 grain lead and SK Biathlon Sport 40 grain lead. Many bullets exhibited less than 0.005” in variance, most around 0.224” diameter.
The lowest Standard Deviation and Extreme Spread recorded in all four rifles was the SK Rifle Match 40 grain lead ammunition. Standard Deviation and Extreme Spread varied from 4.3/12 in the Lithgow LA 101, to 9.8/33 in the Ruger. The average velocity across the four rifles was 1024 fps, with a spread of just 27 fps for the four average velocities. However, only the Savage Mark II translated that into the best group size, measuring 0.286” H x 0.684” V, shot at 50 meters. Generally, the lowest SD or ES did not always translate into the smallest group size, as odd as that may seem.
All the groups were 10 shot groups shot at 91 yards, unless otherwise stated. All recorded velocities were from 10 shot strings, unless otherwise noted. All chronograph readings were done with a Magneto Speed V3.
Browning T-bolt
Best chronograph readings:
• Winchester Small Game Target and Plinking ran 1242 fps average, 7.6 SD, with an ES of 21
• Winchester Wildcat 22 ran 1156 fps average, 7.3 SD, 23 ES
• SK Rifle Match went 1035 fps average, 8.4 SD, 27 ES
Best accuracy was:
• Eley Remington Match, which shot a 91 yard group measuring 0.635” H x 0.6205” V
• SK Long Range Match ammunition, shooting a 91 yard group that measured 0.755” H x 0.5045” V, with velocity readings of an average of 1061 fps, SD of 12.0 and an ES of 33
Neither of the Winchester loads shot very accurately, averaging group sizes of 2.4” at 91 yards
Lithgow LA 101
Best chronograph readings:
• RWS R50 - showing an average velocity of 1066 fps, SD of 4.2 and ES of 14
• SK Rifle Match, with an average of 1022 fps, 4.3 SD and an ES of 12
• Eley Remington Match with an average of 1063 fps, SD of 5.0, and an ES of 16
Best accuracy:
• Eley Remington Match, with a group size of 0.8375” H x 0.861” V
RWS R50 group size was not that great, at 1.6505” H x 1.3175” V
Savage Mark II
Best chronograph readings:
• Lapua Center-X shot an average of 1027 fps, an SD of 5 and an ES of 14
• SK Rifle Match shot an average of 1008 fps, with an SD of 6.3 and ES of 19
• Lapua Polar Biathlon shot an average of 1039 fps, with an SD of 6.5 and an ES of 21
Best accuracy:
• SK Rifle Match shot a 50 yard group size of just 0.286” H x 0.684” V
Ruger 10/22 Heavy Barrel
Best chronograph readings:
• SK Long Range Match shot an average velocity of 1065, SD of 5.2 and an ES of 16
• Federal Premium Match shot an average of 1057 fps, SD of 9.0 and ES of 31
• Eley Tenex shot an average of 1070, SD of 9.2 and ES of 31
Best accuracy:
• SK Long Range Match – group size was 0.903” H x 1.469” V
All groups were shot using the factory laminate stock, with the stock screw torqued to 10 inch/lbs. Adjusting the torque settings is critical on the Ruger 10/22, and dramatically changes accuracy. It is important to adjust the torque setting for each rifle to minimize group sizes.
The smallest groups shot at 50 yards were shot using SK Rifle Match, shot through the Savage Mark II. The group size measured 0.286” H x 0.684” V. Velocity averaged 1008 fps.
The smallest groups shot at 91 yards were shot using the Eley Remington Match (black box), shot from the Browning T-bolt. The group measured 0.635” H x 0.6205” V. Velocity measured 1094. This should be the best ammunition for Long Range Rifle .22 matches, based on this limited test.
Notes
Accompanying this article is a spread sheet showing all the information gathered from firing the four rifles and ammunition. Bullet diameters, chronograph results, and accuracy tests are all included, as are some tests showing the results of changing the stock screw torque settings on the Ruger 10/22.
As expected, the ammunition with the smallest diameter bullets showed very little accuracy. Eley Remington Match 40 grain lead, with a bullet diameter measuring between 0.223 – 0.2235” yielded the best overall accuracy of 0.6350" H x 0.6205" V, shot at 91 yards from the Browning T-bolt. Another very good showing was the SK Long Range Match 40gr Lead, which shot into a group size of 0.755" H x 0.5045" V, at 91 yards, also shot from the Browning T-bolt. This ammunition also performed well when shot through the Ruger 10/22, shooting 0.903" H x 1.469" V at 91 yards. The bullet diameter is 0.2245 - 0.2255”.
Conclusion
This is admittedly a limited test. It does, however, demonstrate the variability of shooting multiple .22 LR loads from four different rifles.
Possibly I could have shot better groups if I had shot more groups with all ammunitions. Preferably shooting at least 5 strings would yield different results. The best groups shot from each rifle showed varying average velocities, which was interesting. All but one showed low SD and ES numbers, below 8 and 20 respectively. For factory ammunition, I think these are outstanding numbers.
For my own rifles, I will continue to test with Eley Remington Match, SK Long Range Match, and SK Rifle Match.
The worst group of performers was the four Winchester ammunitions. I will not continue shooting these rounds, other than for plinking or fouling after cleaning.
This test, I believe, highlights the importance of testing different ammunition through your rifle to obtain optimal results. Once you establish the best ammunition for your rifle, it will give you confidence when shooting for competition or hunting. Happy shooting!
Ken Bell © 2020
P.S. - I am unable to attach the spreadsheet here. If you wish to get a copy of the spreadsheet, please email me directly and I will forward it to you.
Author: Ken Bell 31 July 2020
Abstract
The objective of this project is to examine the variability of .22 LR loads shot from four different .22 LR rifles, three bolt rifles and one semi-auto rifle. There are a total of 9 brands with 6 brands having multiple loadings and 3 brands with only a single loading included. The bullet weights were either 36 grain or 40 grain. The brand labelled their loadings as standard velocity, high velocity or match.
The four rifles used were brand new Browning T-bolt left hand, Savage Mark II heavy barrel, Lithgow LA 101, and a more well used Ruger 10/22 heavy barrel. Brands of ammunition included: BBM, CCI, Eley, Federal, Lapua, RWS, Remington, SK, and Winchester. Nominally over 2250 rounds were fired to complete testing.
Executive Summary
Bullet diameters ranged from as low as 0.222” for Federal Premium Target 40 grain lead round nose to 0.225” for CCI AR Tactical 40 grain lead, Eley Remington Target 40 grain lead and SK Biathlon Sport 40 grain lead. Many bullets exhibited less than 0.005” in variance, most around 0.224” diameter.
The lowest Standard Deviation and Extreme Spread recorded in all four rifles was the SK Rifle Match 40 grain lead ammunition. Standard Deviation and Extreme Spread varied from 4.3/12 in the Lithgow LA 101, to 9.8/33 in the Ruger. The average velocity across the four rifles was 1024 fps, with a spread of just 27 fps for the four average velocities. However, only the Savage Mark II translated that into the best group size, measuring 0.286” H x 0.684” V, shot at 50 meters. Generally, the lowest SD or ES did not always translate into the smallest group size, as odd as that may seem.
All the groups were 10 shot groups shot at 91 yards, unless otherwise stated. All recorded velocities were from 10 shot strings, unless otherwise noted. All chronograph readings were done with a Magneto Speed V3.
Browning T-bolt
Best chronograph readings:
• Winchester Small Game Target and Plinking ran 1242 fps average, 7.6 SD, with an ES of 21
• Winchester Wildcat 22 ran 1156 fps average, 7.3 SD, 23 ES
• SK Rifle Match went 1035 fps average, 8.4 SD, 27 ES
Best accuracy was:
• Eley Remington Match, which shot a 91 yard group measuring 0.635” H x 0.6205” V
• SK Long Range Match ammunition, shooting a 91 yard group that measured 0.755” H x 0.5045” V, with velocity readings of an average of 1061 fps, SD of 12.0 and an ES of 33
Neither of the Winchester loads shot very accurately, averaging group sizes of 2.4” at 91 yards
Lithgow LA 101
Best chronograph readings:
• RWS R50 - showing an average velocity of 1066 fps, SD of 4.2 and ES of 14
• SK Rifle Match, with an average of 1022 fps, 4.3 SD and an ES of 12
• Eley Remington Match with an average of 1063 fps, SD of 5.0, and an ES of 16
Best accuracy:
• Eley Remington Match, with a group size of 0.8375” H x 0.861” V
RWS R50 group size was not that great, at 1.6505” H x 1.3175” V
Savage Mark II
Best chronograph readings:
• Lapua Center-X shot an average of 1027 fps, an SD of 5 and an ES of 14
• SK Rifle Match shot an average of 1008 fps, with an SD of 6.3 and ES of 19
• Lapua Polar Biathlon shot an average of 1039 fps, with an SD of 6.5 and an ES of 21
Best accuracy:
• SK Rifle Match shot a 50 yard group size of just 0.286” H x 0.684” V
Ruger 10/22 Heavy Barrel
Best chronograph readings:
• SK Long Range Match shot an average velocity of 1065, SD of 5.2 and an ES of 16
• Federal Premium Match shot an average of 1057 fps, SD of 9.0 and ES of 31
• Eley Tenex shot an average of 1070, SD of 9.2 and ES of 31
Best accuracy:
• SK Long Range Match – group size was 0.903” H x 1.469” V
All groups were shot using the factory laminate stock, with the stock screw torqued to 10 inch/lbs. Adjusting the torque settings is critical on the Ruger 10/22, and dramatically changes accuracy. It is important to adjust the torque setting for each rifle to minimize group sizes.
The smallest groups shot at 50 yards were shot using SK Rifle Match, shot through the Savage Mark II. The group size measured 0.286” H x 0.684” V. Velocity averaged 1008 fps.
The smallest groups shot at 91 yards were shot using the Eley Remington Match (black box), shot from the Browning T-bolt. The group measured 0.635” H x 0.6205” V. Velocity measured 1094. This should be the best ammunition for Long Range Rifle .22 matches, based on this limited test.
Notes
Accompanying this article is a spread sheet showing all the information gathered from firing the four rifles and ammunition. Bullet diameters, chronograph results, and accuracy tests are all included, as are some tests showing the results of changing the stock screw torque settings on the Ruger 10/22.
As expected, the ammunition with the smallest diameter bullets showed very little accuracy. Eley Remington Match 40 grain lead, with a bullet diameter measuring between 0.223 – 0.2235” yielded the best overall accuracy of 0.6350" H x 0.6205" V, shot at 91 yards from the Browning T-bolt. Another very good showing was the SK Long Range Match 40gr Lead, which shot into a group size of 0.755" H x 0.5045" V, at 91 yards, also shot from the Browning T-bolt. This ammunition also performed well when shot through the Ruger 10/22, shooting 0.903" H x 1.469" V at 91 yards. The bullet diameter is 0.2245 - 0.2255”.
Conclusion
This is admittedly a limited test. It does, however, demonstrate the variability of shooting multiple .22 LR loads from four different rifles.
Possibly I could have shot better groups if I had shot more groups with all ammunitions. Preferably shooting at least 5 strings would yield different results. The best groups shot from each rifle showed varying average velocities, which was interesting. All but one showed low SD and ES numbers, below 8 and 20 respectively. For factory ammunition, I think these are outstanding numbers.
For my own rifles, I will continue to test with Eley Remington Match, SK Long Range Match, and SK Rifle Match.
The worst group of performers was the four Winchester ammunitions. I will not continue shooting these rounds, other than for plinking or fouling after cleaning.
This test, I believe, highlights the importance of testing different ammunition through your rifle to obtain optimal results. Once you establish the best ammunition for your rifle, it will give you confidence when shooting for competition or hunting. Happy shooting!
Ken Bell © 2020
P.S. - I am unable to attach the spreadsheet here. If you wish to get a copy of the spreadsheet, please email me directly and I will forward it to you.
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