Seasoning the bore...

[clmayfield]

I usually shoot Eley ammo, but I was testing some RWS ammo, which means that I need to clean out the bore and re-season with RWS lube. Is this some sort of rimfire superstition? There are a lot of rimfire superstitions out there... this is not one of them. My results today are very illustrative, so I thought I'd share.

I don't know why this is showing up as a negative, but you can see it fine. This is how I shoot these targets: 1) upper left, 2) middle, 3) upper right, 4) lower left, 5) lower right.

The first shot was very high and left. I decided not to rezero and see what happens. The next shot was in the low left. Finally, the groups started shrinking. See how the final group was the smallest? I thought that was a freak group...

Now check out the next 5X5 I shot...

That final group turned out to be typical of what I can expect from this lot of ammo. Whenever I clean the bore with solvent, it usually takes about 3 - 10 shots to get the accuracy back if I am not switching brands. When switching brands, it appears to take 20 - 25 shots to get accuracy back. No wonder I don't like to switch back and forth between brands! BUT my rimfire dealer turned me on to this RWS and I have to admit, it shoots as well or better than any ammo I have tested... so I might be making a switch. That is pure rimfire blasphemy for me!

 

[Oodin]

Re: Seasoning the bore...

I was thinking of doing a similar test when I get my new .22.

Have you done the same thing with the clean bore?

 

[clmayfield]

Re: Seasoning the bore...

I cleaned the bore of the Eley lube before seasoning, so yes, I started with a clean bore. In a new gun, you will just have to see how long it takes for the groups to tighten up. It shouldn't be more than a box of ammo...

 

[donws2]

Re: Seasoning the bore...

Some 22 rifles will settle in with less ammo and some take a whole box. I had one gun that would shoot lights out after a box or more and I've had a few that were in the X ring after 5 or 10 warm up shots. Your example is usually what I see when I test different ammo. Another thing to consider is outside temperature. Most of my rifles take more ammo to settle down when it's cold. I believe that I need to shoot more ammo to warm the barrel up as well as lay down lube. It's just a belief as I have no proof to show other than it's just my observations.

Donald

 

[clmayfield]

Re: Seasoning the bore...

Separating fact from fiction is tough with rimfire. I do statistical analysis when I test lots, and I have to say that sometimes when a lot shoots well, it might have more to do with the conditions at that time I was shooting as well as how I was performing while I am testing.

This visual is nice because it shows pretty clearly what is going on. My cold bore shots are about .1-.2 mils high and about .1 mil right. Clearly, the random impacts after cleaning the bore were not due to cold bore shots. What is interesting to watch is the degree to which the shots settle in. I haven't switched brands in a long time and I forgot how dramatic reseasoning can be.

 

[J_Roger]

Re: Seasoning the bore...

Thanks for the report Carter, I def will have to check that ammo out.

 

[wksinatl]

Re: Seasoning the bore...

Good post , Carter.

thanks,
Keith

 

[TOP PREDATOR]

Re: Seasoning the bore...

nice post, definately made into my favorite ammo posts collection.

knowing how you shoot, i know (and can testify) that those "open" groups were not shooter caused.

i'm just surprised the 5th group isn't a one holer, you must of shot it at 200 yards