Lapua X-Act

[grauhanen]

I shot my first box of Lapua ammo exactly four years ago today, on September 23, 2020. The box was gifted to me by an ammo dealer earlier that year. I don't think it was a reward for being a "good customer". Perhaps it was meant as "bait" to get me to buy more. In any case by that date in 2020 my stocks of other ammos were running low so I decided to take it with me to the range and try it out.

I shot five shot groups at 57 yards, my range's version of 50. The first 25 rounds had a couple of decent groups but was otherwise unremarkable, with a five group average just under 0.400". The second five groups, however, made me forget the first. It was one of the best targets I had ever shot, with a five group average near 0.210", and just missing out of the 1/4" club of the "My 22 shoots 1/2" groups at 50 yards" challenge thread.



I was enthused and quickly ordered three bricks of the same lot of this pricey ammo. That was probably a mistake. But I had taken the bait. Forgetting the unimpressive first 25 rounds of X-Act, I thought I had found an ammo that would shoot. Unfortunately, subsequent efforts with the ammo was disappointing.

A year or so later I got a chronograph. At that time I tested no more than a box or two of any ammo over the chrony. I assumed that the data for a box of 50 was reasonably valid for the lot from which it came. I've learned since then that the chrony data from one box didn't tell a complete story.

 

[grauhanen]

This season I wanted to test all the Lapua X-Act I could get my hands on. I bought ammo from three different lots of X-Act, which were not the same as the first. I had tested a few boxes of the first lot of X-Act with two rifles. The recently acquired three lots were tested with three rifles.

Below is the chrony data accumulated for four lots of Lapua X-Act. It should be noted that the chrony results for the 1411 have slower MVs than the other rifles. Although the barrel is the same length as that of the 1913, the 1411 has a slow bore. I haven't included the temperature differences between days and boxes, but suffice it to say that warmer temps typically result in slightly faster MVs.

What's potentially important are the SD and ES figures. Ideally with good match ammo SDs are usually in the 5 to low 7's range, with ES figures in the 20's or very low 30's. Of course, chrony numbers don't determine or dictate how an ammo will shoot.

 

[deadman]

Interesting.

 

[grauhanen]

Interesting.

It is for a number of reasons. None of the four lots can be described as having consistently good chrony numbers. (More on shooting performance later.)

One reason that springs to mind is the question of how these lots of Lapua could be labelled as X-Act, the top tier Lapua match ammo.

With wide ES and high SD values, why didn't factory testing identify at least some of these lots as being something other than good, top tier ammo? It makes me wonder about how match ammo is graded.

Another interesting thing is about the ammo we get in Canada. I'm thinking that on average Lapua X-Act is very good ammo. Why are the lots of X-Act that are available to Canadian shooters such poor examples? What are the odds that the four lots available in this country are all not especially good?

 

[OkayShooter]

Rimfire ammo is still massed produced and is like rolling dice. It is totally random. You're not gonna get 100% across the board.

 

[m1008]

It is for a number of reasons. None of the four lots can be described as having consistently good chrony numbers. (More on shooting performance later.)

One reason that springs to mind is the question of how these lots of Lapua could be labelled as X-Act, the top tier Lapua match ammo.

With wide ES and high SD values, why didn't factory testing identify at least some of these lots as being something other than good, top tier ammo? It makes me wonder about how match ammo is graded.

Another interesting thing is about the ammo we get in Canada. I'm thinking that on average Lapua X-Act is very good ammo. Why are the lots of X-Act that are available to Canadian shooters such poor examples? What are the odds that the four lots available in this country are all not especially good?

Maybe because of the lapua testing centres in the USA.

 

[adamg]

I think it is highly likely that the ammo is well "binned" or "sorted" by the VIPs well before it makes it to Canada. In other words, as someone put it, "they aren't sending their best."

It's likely then binned one or two more times once it enters Canada before I can get my hands on it.

 

[grauhanen]

Maybe because of the lapua testing centres in the USA.

While we don't know what quantities of X-Act is produced, we do know is that it's produced in much smaller quantities than Midas +, which in turn is made in much smaller quantities of Center X. At the testing centers, Center X and Midas are available more often than X-Act. Most test facility users typically don't buy X-Act.

I think it is highly likely that the ammo is well "binned" or "sorted" by the VIPs well before it makes it to Canada. In other words, as someone put it, "they aren't sending their best."

I agree with the idea that much of the best lots of X-Act and even Midas don't ever come to Canada. It's possible that the manufacturer "recommends" certain lots to certain parties upon whom Lapua relies for demonstrating product excellence, top level national ISSF teams, for example.

Canada is a very small market when it comes to .22LR match ammo and doesn't draw broad attention in the international shooting community. There's little for an ammo manufacturer to gain by sending their best lots to small markets when they have average and below average lots to sell.

 

[Longstud]

I think it is highly likely that the ammo is well "binned" or "sorted" by the VIPs well before it makes it to Canada. In other words, as someone put it, "they aren't sending their best."

It's likely then binned one or two more times once it enters Canada before I can get my hands on it.

Exactly and thats why it takes time before it becomes available. So lot testing can take place and sort out whats worthy and whats so so. It has nothing too do with random or rolling dice. All comercial ammo is massed produced and certain lots just shoot better than others but the chance of finding one that proves more accurate on average increases with higher quality varieties. Ive never seen anyone win a BR match shooting ammo thats not top tier. The olympics are pretty much Eley and Lapua that win all the medals. But as stated we arent even a bump on the road in the rimfire market. Glenn, I will be very interested in your accuracy update on the number 293 and 413 in your 1907. I noticed both are @ 1080fps plus or minus a couple feet. I have noticed in more than one of my rimfires that that MV node produces extremely consistently small groups. Especially out of my newer Vudoo.

 

[grauhanen]

I will be very interested in your accuracy update on the number 293 and 413 in your 1907. I noticed both are @ 1080fps plus or minus a couple feet.

Below are the 1907 results from August 13, 2024. It should be noted that some groups were affected by wind.

In each lot, however, other groups had outliers or flyers not due to wind, which is to say errant shots went either high or low. Except to say they occur with these lots, those kind of shots are otherwise unpredictable.

Generally speaking the results with the X-Act lots are more inconsistent than those with the Midas lots tested this season.

The three lots of X-Act are shown below, beginning with lot number ending 904.



Below are the 1907 results with X-Act lot ending 413.



Finally, below are the 1907 results with X-Act lot ending 293. Wind aside, this lot may have the best results of the day.

 

[Buck1950]

It's unfortunate that we have to rely on 'friends overseas' to get even 'fair quality' ammunition. Luckily for me, I don't compete or I'd likely need meds. I'm able to get by with moderately priced SK flavours and still occasionally get under MOA at 50 and 100 yds.

 

[Longstud]

It is rather frustrating that at the price it is, more consistency isnt the norm. I tend to buy just two boxes and if its acceptable for my intended use I procure as much of that lot as possible. I have not had great results with Exact. I have had a couple very good lots of RWS R50 but it can be difficult to obtain and have for the last while switched too Eley variants. Did get a great lot of Lapua Extra Long range but only two bricks which didnt last long. The search continues. Thanks for sharing your detailed and documented findings.

 

[Buck1950]

Recently I tested some SK-RM of 'Winter-2024' import. Over 40 rounds I had an ES of 27, BUT some 5-shot groups with ES of 7 to 15. Not very consistent. I didn't record SD that day. With this Lot I got a couple sub-MOA groups at 50 & 100. And I have another Lot to test, hoping to get lower ES with that.

 

[250-25X]

It makes me wonder about how match ammo is graded.

Glenn, one thing for sure, Eley, Lapua and RWS don't grade their ammo by testing the velocity of a given batch. The only thing that matters is group size. And personally, I do the same: when it comes to batch selection for my rifles, I never check the velocity. My only criteria is the size of the groups. I don't really care about SD or ES of a given lot if it averages under 14mm for 4 X10-shot groups.

 

[rar]

something that I found out is the higher bc bullets are in the Lapua eley sk ammo. I'm sure that makes a difference.

 

[Longstud]

Glenn, one thing for sure, Eley, Lapua and RWS don't grade their ammo by testing the velocity of a given batch. The only thing that matters is group size. And personally, I do the same: when it comes to batch selection for my rifles, I never check the velocity. My only criteria is the size of the groups. I don't really care about SD or ES of a given lot if it averages under 14mm for 4 X10-shot groups.

For the discipline you’re doing that’s understandable. Just a set distance and if they go where your steering them , all is good. Other styles of matches makes the MV deviation a challenge. The vertical dispersion becomes a concern at 200,300 or more yards. It seems increasingly difficult securing good lots and maybe because how many are shooting rimfire in the past few years??

 

[grauhanen]

Glenn, one thing for sure, Eley, Lapua and RWS don't grade their ammo by testing the velocity of a given batch. The only thing that matters is group size. And personally, I do the same: when it comes to batch selection for my rifles, I never check the velocity. My only criteria is the size of the groups. I don't really care about SD or ES of a given lot if it averages under 14mm for 4 X10-shot groups.

I'm showing the chronograph figures because they are one set of data that is what it is and isn't influenced by shooter ability or wind conditions.

I'm not suggesting, nor do I believe, that grading can or should be done with a chronograph. Chronograph results don't dictate how an ammo shoots. That's why these instruments aren't used for grading.

There are other important factors that help determine how an ammo shoots. Consistent MV and low SD play a role in this regard but aren't paramount.

The X-Act performance on target is inconsistent and poor. Group sizes with some lots vary by as much as two times.

The bottom line here, literally and figuratively, is that the X-Act lots available are not especially consistent, either on target or over the chronograph.

 

[elef]

oh boy...here we go...I am using a 1913 in a bedded 1907 stock topped with a Vortex Golden Eagle. At a laser measured 50 yards, I am shooting inside. My weather conditions are usually great ! lol My choice of ammo in this country is not so great. I will try again to buy Lapua Super Long Range and hope whatever mystery lot I get shoots better than the last lot I got. I did try the Lapua X-Act and my Anschutz did not care for it. I put all my X-Act through a rimfire thickness gauge and was surprised at the many thousandths difference between rim thickness of ammo that cost me $40/box with tax. My gun likes R-50 but R-50 is hard to come by. I had older lots of R-50 that would allow me to shoot fairly high scores on USBR targets. Don't remember the x count but I know I have a couple of 244 scores. ( I still have all the targets ) Today I do not have ammo that can beat that. I think I still have the ability to shoot better if I had better ammo. We will call that last statement "pure speculation" lol. I was hoping Lapua would make more consistant ammo, but I agree with grauhanen, the ammo that we have available to us is consistantly inconsistant.
tomorrow, I try again. Cheers !

 

[horseman2]

Two bricks of X-Act were donated to a BR50 match. It was divided in to five prizes.
Of the five users at the next match, many scored poorer than ever recorded and one shooter went back to his CenterX after the first target.

The new Garmin Chronograph calculates High, low and average velocities plus the SD.
A review generally requires eliminating the first shot out of a clean cold bore as the velocity is always high.

Testing of RWS R100 showed an average Velocity of 1104 and an SD of 3.7 from the 1710.
The 1712 showed an average of 1140 and an SD of 5.4.
The 40XB showed readings of 1141 to 1145, 16 to 21 fps and SD's 4.8 - 5.4.

While 1" groups at 100 yards were forming, fone flyer could ruin the group but without a significant velocity change.

Eley MATCH with published velocities of 1058, 1059 and 1061 produced average velocities of 1101, 1102 and 1103 respectively with SD's running from 4.1 to 10.6.

 

[250-25X]

The X-Act performance on target is inconsistent and poor. Group sizes with some lots vary by as much as two times.

The bottom line here, literally and figuratively, is that the X-Act lots available are not especially consistent, either on target or over the chronograph.

It's absolutely essential to clarify your sentence: ''The X-Act performance on target is inconsistent and poor.....in your rifle''. Maybe these lots you tested could shoot incredibly well in my rifle, no matter what their SD is.

As far as I'm concerned, I trust the grading procedures of the manufacturers. But I do know that it's always possible to find a lot of Team that will group better than Tenex or a lot of Center-X that will outshoot X-Act.

Every time a target shooter tells me he doesn't need to test Tenex (or X-Act, or R50...) in his rifle because he's sure it's ammunition that will necessarily group well, I show him these Tenex test results. It's usually an eye-opener for them...