Need a process for testing 22lr ammo

[FoxtrotBravo]

I recently got a new CZ452 in 22lr. I also bought several 50 round boxes of ammo of different types and makes. I have read through several topics about testing different ammos until you find what your rifle likes. I have also read through a LOT of cleaning topics.

(Initially, I removed the stock and cleaned the barrel and action with Hoppes and CLP. Pulled a lot of patches through the barrel; never could get it to come out just white. Always had a brown tint to it no matter what I did. This rifle has not been fired by me, yet.)

Now, I don't seem to be able to combine all the topics into a <span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">process</span></span> that I can use. My concern is shooting a certain make/type of ammo and not influencing the next make/type accuracy-wise due to different ammo lubes, cleaning (or lack of), etc. So, what do I do as far as cleaning and enough shots to get an idea of the accuracy. I sure could use some kind of step by step process from some of you experienced rimfire shooters so that I can be confident in my results testing this ammo.

What I have...

<span style="text-decoration: underline">Ammo:</span>

- Several boxes of 50 rounds per box (I'm limited to 50 shots with these)
- Three bricks of different makes/types (probably much more than enough here)

<span style="text-decoration: underline">Cleaning:</span>

- Rem Oil
- Breakfree CLP
- Hoppes #9
- Rem Dri-Lube
- Cotton patches
- Home-made patch puller made from weed trimmer line
- .22 cal nylon brush (unused)
- Plastic .22 jag and plastic loop thing for cleaning rods
- One-piece metal cleaning rod

I would really appreciate some advice on how to approach this from the experienced .22 shooters!

<span style="font-weight: bold">Thanks in advance!!!</span>

 

[clodhopper]

Re: Need a process for testing 22lr ammo

Take your three bricks and shoot 450 of each. assuming 500 round bricks
Just to get the bore smoothed up a bit.
Then with a five bull's eye target and a box of 50 rounds shoot a group of ten into each bull's eye labeling the groups by sequence of shooting.
Do that with all your ammo on a seprate labled targets.
If the change from one brand of ammo to another makes a diffrence it should show up in the first group on each target.
If you discount the first group of each type of ammo,
Four ten round groups will give you a pretty good idea how your rifle likes each type of ammo.
Spare the cleaning rod and save the rifleing.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Need a process for testing 22lr ammo

I think it's possible to overthink a lot of things and this is one of them.

By defining a set of testing standards, you create a result which conforms <span style="font-style: italic">to that standard</span>. But thats not necessarily a result that's common with anything you're actually gonna do once you find that result.

I worship at the altar of the great god K.I.S.S.

Buy some boxes of ammo. Shoot 'em just the same as you'd shoot anything else. If you like one kind, buy more.

If there is such a thing as 'best', you could spend a bunch of time finding it, and maybe the rest of your life chasing 'better than best'.

Me, I'd rather find 'good enough'; and get on with the other things life holds in store for me.

Greg

 

[sinister]

Re: Need a process for testing 22lr ammo

USAMU standard for Olympic Smallbore .22 ammo is ten shots in 12mm at 100 meters (if I remember correctly).

 

[TOP PREDATOR]

Re: Need a process for testing 22lr ammo

FTB, you may find something here:
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2150269#Post2150269

right at the bottom of page 1 of the forum.

 

[VYD]

Re: Need a process for testing 22lr ammo

When I tested bunch of ammo here is what I did.
New rifle from the box.

I cleaned the bore initially.
Fired two shots to foul and warm up the bore.
Tested the same ammo next, 3-5 shots.

Cleaned the bore again, lightly.
Fired two shots with another brand of ammo to foul and warm up the bore.
Tested that ammo next, 3-5 shots.

And so on...

I never bothered to "smooth out" or "break in" the barrel of a subsonic firearm shooting soft lead bullets. It's a waste of time and ammo.

 

[JoeMartin]

Re: Need a process for testing 22lr ammo

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Greg Langelius *</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I think it's possible to overthink a lot of things and this is one of them.

By defining a set of testing standards, you create a result which conforms <span style="font-style: italic">to that standard</span>. But thats not necessarily a result that's common with anything you're actually gonna do once you find that result.

I worship at the altar of the great god K.I.S.S.

Buy some boxes of ammo. Shoot 'em just the same as you'd shoot anything else. If you like one kind, buy more.

If there is such a thing as 'best', you could spend a bunch of time finding it, and maybe the rest of your life chasing 'better than best'.

Me, I'd rather find 'good enough'; and get on with the other things life holds in store for me.

Greg </div></div>

+1

 

[FoxtrotBravo]

Re: Need a process for testing 22lr ammo

Thanks for all the replies! These combined with T.P.'s link give me an idea of how to proceed. I had been following that topic, but seemed to be missing something that maybe you guys filled in.

Thanks!

 

[jeffm]

Re: Need a process for testing 22lr ammo

Maybe I can save you some time and money. My CZ452 shoots very will with several of the hi end ammos like Federal Gold Match and Lapua. We are talking .3 as 50 for 5 shots. But for a fraction of the price, CCI standard velocity will shoot .5s at 50. You can get it at Dicks for $25 a brick.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Need a process for testing 22lr ammo

If your rifle likes FGMM, try CCI Std Vel Target (Blue Box). My rifles (totally stock Sav MKIIF and totally upgraded 10/22) can't tell the difference.

Greg

 

[clodhopper]

Re: Need a process for testing 22lr ammo

The fireing of many rounds will also smooth up your sear, position, and technique.
Groups fired at the first part of the accuracy test will not be at the beginning of your rifle familarity curve.
I agree with the simple idea of buy some ammo and seeing if you like it, but accuracy seems easyer when the bore is dirty.
A new rifle needs some fun shooting to make the owner happy.

 

[JoeMartin]

Re: Need a process for testing 22lr ammo

I know that before I give any ammo a test in a new rifle I'll shoot the cheap stuff for awhile just to get the rifle broke in. It could be anywhere from 300 to 500 rounds before the semi testing begins. I say semi, because I'm not going test a boat load of ammo, but I will take a decent look at 2 or 3 of the standard and subsonic ammo's on the marked.

 

[J_Roger]

Re: Need a process for testing 22lr ammo

I've tested like 7 or 8 different types of ammo that I can buy locally, and to be honest, I'm sick of testing, so I'm just going with sk standard plus... the best I've tested thus far. Like Greg said... I found good enough, and I 'm happy.

 

[FoxtrotBravo]

Re: Need a process for testing 22lr ammo

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Greg Langelius *</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I think it's possible to overthink a lot of things and this is one of them.</div></div>
Being an engineer type, overthinking is easy for me to get caught up in, but sometimes necessary. So, I plead guilty!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: clodhopper</div><div class="ubbcode-body">A new rifle needs some fun shooting to make the owner happy. </div></div>
Very true. Today, I finally took the new CZ out and ran 50 rounds through it sighting in the scope and just seeing what would happen at 50 yds. Fun indeed! I do like the rifle so far! FWIW, the ammo I chose, one of the bricks, Wichester Super-X Target, did not do too well. I picked it because I expected it to be the least accurate and did not want to waste the better stuff on getting used to the rifle.

Thanks for all the replies! A great group of folks here.