Some 22 LR Trajectory Charts

[lash]

In preparation for our first local long range precision .22 LR match this month, I found that many of the first time shooters had/have no idea what their dope is or should be. After looking for easy ways to provide them information, especially those that do not have ballistic apps or are new enough that JBM looks like a stock ticker, I then searched for published drop information for existing .22 LR loads. It turns out that they are surprisingly sparse if they can be found at all. So I spent some (probably way too much) time putting these five charts together for the shooters of this upcoming match. Then I thought that it might be useful for some of you here too. I know that there are at least some of you that know all this and have no need, but I'm betting that there are more that are like I was just a little while ago that have mostly no idea where to start.

So, take a look at this pdf I made of a simple chart that includes 6 common lower cost, low velocity loads sometimes used for these matches. Know that:

• I only provided these in 10 yard increments instead of the 5 yard increments that I prefer because it's a lot of data entry typing and I'm no fan
• Info is for CCI Standard Velocity, Aguila Match Rifle, Eley Club, Federal Match, Fiocchi Match and Lapua Club. All 40g lead round nose
• Info is simply outputs from my ballistic application using my inputs and includes only drops data in inches, mrads and MOA. No wind holds
• Accuracy of the charts seems to be spot on for my rifle at my location (near sea level). Your results may vary a bit, but these are a good starting point at the very least.
• These are based on a 50 yard zero.

I may consider making some more of these charts for your consumption IF: you find them useful, I am provided with some specific load requests, I have the ability to pull the data from my ballistic app and if I feel like it.

Let me know what you think.
Thanks

ETA: there are some more updated charts and other good info scattered throughout the rest of this thread. One day I may get around to consolidating it into this first post. Of course then I would ruin all of the fun you’ll have reading through this thread. So there’s that…

 

[SLG]

Which federal match load is that? Do most .22 competitors in NRL type stuff use a 50 yard zero?

 

[Skok3y]

This is pretty nice. I am curious to see how it compares to actual. Thanks for taking the time to help the group. I was looking for some of these when getting started, and I didn’t find this detail. The one I started with was in 25yd increments, but got the job done.

 

[Skok3y]

I think the last thread I saw on that question of zero was mostly 50yd replies.

Which federal match load is that? Do most .22 competitors in NRL type stuff use a 50 yard zero?

 

[lash]

I think the last thread I saw on that question of zero was mostly 50yd replies.

That's what I remember also. I do know that some will use a 25 yd zero, but since we will actually be shooting out to 325 yards, 15-17 mils up is quite a bit for your average scope on a zero moa mount/rail. As it is, I have to hold the last three mils on my HDMR, using a Savage MK II with 0 MOA rail and the CCI Standard. It requires 17 mils at 325 and I can get just a tad over 14 mils dialing. The rest is hold.

 

[lash]

Which federal match load is that? Do most .22 competitors in NRL type stuff use a 50 yard zero?

Federal Gold Medal Ultra Match, Gold Medal Match, or Gold Medal Target. They are all 40g bullets moving at 1080 fps. I cannot tell you if they are the exact same projectile, but these numbers should work to get you started on verifying exactly how they work in your rifle.

My goal in creating this chart was to give people some idea what to expect at the longer distances. Otherwise we might have people just guessing and possibly overshooting even tall berms or way undershooting and ricocheting. In the name of safety, I do not wish for that to happen.

 

[lash]

It has occurred to me that I should do another chart using some more common high velocity rounds, for those that show up using that type of ammo. Anyone here have any favorites they would like to see on the next chart of HV loads? Just remember that the HV loads may or may not have issues with transitioning cleanly. I personally do not have the experience to say one way or the other, but I have read many who do seem to have that experience say that it can be an issue.

 

[45cal4life]

Thumbs up here!!! The CCI SV basically mirrors my drop chart

 

[woogie_man]

This is an awesome idea!

Really gives the new guys an actual chance of competing, instead of just hopelessly tossing lead down range.

Make sure to put the program you are using on the charts as well. This may get more people interested in setting things up for their individual rifles.

 

[ZG47A]

It has occurred to me that I should do another chart using some more common high velocity rounds, for those that show up using that type of ammo. Anyone here have any favorites they would like to see on the next chart of HV loads? Just remember that the HV loads may or may not have issues with transitioning cleanly. I personally do not have the experience to say one way or the other, but I have read many who do seem to have that experience say that it can be an issue.

As a general rule (during the fourteen years that I ran a club range complex) I found that, with a decent sidewind: any shots past 30 metres, using supersonic or so-called 'hypersonic' .22 long rifle ammunition should be for plinking only. You will not achieve a good score and shooting at quarry is a definite no-no. That being said, some people need to try something out, in order to accept the truth. It might be worth creating some drop charts for the faster ammo, but only out to 50 yards unless people want to use four foot by four foot targets. Thank you for your efforts.

 

[lash]

Thank you guys for the input and feedback. In all honesty, I mostly just ran the numbers through my basic Ballistic application on my I phone. Then it was a tedious process of entering them in a spreadsheet for ease of publishing.

I'm using just plain old Ballistic. Most of these are straight out of the library that comes with it. I did tweak the CCI SV just a tad to match my results, but I'm talking 0.1 mil difference on a few distances. That could easily be explained as rounding errors.

 

[lash]

As a general rule (during the fourteen years that I ran a club range complex) I found that, with a decent sidewind: any shots past 30 metres, using supersonic or so-called 'hypersonic' .22 long rifle ammunition should be for plinking only. You will not achieve a good score and shooting at quarry is a definite no-no. That being said, some people need to try something out, in order to accept the truth. It might be worth creating some drop charts for the faster ammo, but only out to 50 yards unless people want to use four foot by four foot targets. Thank you for your efforts.

I hear you and agree, but here's an interesting anecdote that makes me want to give it a try. Here's the thing. If I throw this out there (with a written caveat that these loads may not transition well) and get feedback that the numbers are not working out, I'll follow up with anyone that has data to report back. At the least, it will be interesting. At best, I might be able to provide some real world information for you guys. We'll see.

Edit: lol, okay so I forgot the anecdote. No big loss, but the gist of it is that a fellow shooter and decent PRS competitor went out and bought a Savage MK II with tacticool stock and bought a bunch of different types of SV ammo and some other stuff. He said that his results at 100 with all of the SV ammo types were terrible and he found a great HV load that gets good groups at 100 and gets out to 325 with much lower drops. I know how he shoots and don't doubt his results. So, I'll plow blindly ahead on the name of throwing information out there and see what sticks. ?

 

[straightshooter1]

It has occurred to me that I should do another chart using some more common high velocity rounds, for those that show up using that type of ammo. Anyone here have any favorites they would like to see on the next chart of HV loads? Just remember that the HV loads may or may not have issues with transitioning cleanly. I personally do not have the experience to say one way or the other, but I have read many who do seem to have that experience say that it can be an issue.

Not HV's, but how about: Lapua Super-X , Federal Ultra Match and Wolf Match Target (maybe same as Fiocchi Match) ?

I assume Eley Match EST's are the same as Elye's Club given the same MV's???

For HV's, CCI Mini-Mags and Federal AutoMatch are popular . . . then Federal Hunter Match

BTW: You've got a typ-o spelling for "CCI Green Tab" , where it should be "Green Tag".

 

[lash]

Not HV's, but how about: Lapua Super-X , Federal Ultra Match and Wolf Match Target (maybe same as Fiocchi Match) ?

I assume Eley Match EST's are the same as Elye's Club given the same MV's???

For HV's, CCI Mini-Mags and Federal AutoMatch are popular . . . then Federal Hunter Match

BTW: You've got a typ-o spelling for "CCI Green Tab" , where it should be "Green Tag".

I'll look into these. Good suggestions. Federal Ultra Match is covered under the Federal Match in the chart, I believe. I have no personal data to back that up though, merely the fact that they share a lead round nose going the same MV. If the actual projectile is different, then all bets are off.

Give me a few days and I'll see about adding some loads.

 

[Subwrx300]

Would be great to make this a sticky with more info on precision rimfire ballistics and maybe add info on "matching" ranges for 308/6.5 etc. I have heard that @Lowlight has some good info on 22lr trainers and equivalent ranges but can't seem to locate.

Great post @lash !

 

[straightshooter1]

I'll look into these. Good suggestions. Federal Ultra Match is covered under the Federal Match in the chart, I believe. I have no personal data to back that up though, merely the fact that they share a lead round nose going the same MV. If the actual projectile is different, then all bets are off.

Give me a few days and I'll see about adding some loads.

Your chart is showing Federal Match with an MV of 1140 fps and the Federal Ultra Match is 1070 fps, so . . ..??? The bullet is the same configuration ( I think) but I think the Ultra Match has more lube . . . (again, not exactly sure about that).

 

[Tiger_Shilone]

Question, why do the Fiocchi match and Lapua club (last 2 on your chart) have identical weight and speed but different drops? Both are 40gr and 1050FPS.

P.S. Thank you for the chart work, that stuff takes time.

 

[straightshooter1]

Question, why do the Fiocchi match and Lapua club (last 2 on your chart) have identical weight and speed but different drops? Both are 40gr and 1050FPS.

Looking forward to his answer. But let me guess... that it's the difference in bullet design where there's a difference is BC (Ballistic Coefficient).

 

[lash]

Question, why do the Fiocchi match and Lapua club (last 2 on your chart) have identical weight and speed but different drops? Both are 40gr and 1050FPS.

P.S. Thank you for the chart work, that stuff takes time.

Looking forward to his answer. But let me guess... that it's the difference in bullet design where there's a difference is BC (Ballistic Coefficient).

Exactly that. The Fiocchi Match has a BC of 0.140 and the Lapua Club has a BC of 0.114. Maybe I should try to put in the BC numbers in the sheet when I have them. It would help to avoid confusion.

 

[Rob01]

Also if you need it the BC for the Federal Ultra Match UM22 is not what is listed on their site at like .092. The actual is .138.

The Fed Match velocity is pretty high in the chart. Ultra Match is an average of 1100fps in my 18" Vudoo.

 

[FromMyColdDeadHand]

I see as much variation at 200 among the subsonics here as when I shoot the same gun/ammo/target from 40degree morning to 80 degree noon- not uncommon here in CO. Temp of the ammo/barrel/air. I think this is a great service, since I think that knowing that 200 yards is somewhere between 7-8 mils is really helpful to get people close before they tune it up.

 

[lash]

Your chart is showing Federal Match with an MV of 1140 fps and the Federal Ultra Match is 1070 fps, so . . ..??? The bullet is the same configuration ( I think) but I think the Ultra Match has more lube . . . (again, not exactly sure about that).

Okay, so there's even more confusion to this. Here's what I'm finding through research, since I haven't yet shot the Federal of either flavor:

• The 1140 MV came directly from the Ballistic app library. Both the Match and the Ultra Match show as having the 1140 fps velocity.
• @Straightshooter, you mention 1070 fps, but the federal premium site lists both of these at 1080 fps
• @Rob posted just above that he is getting 1100 from an 18" barrel, so I suppose it is possible that 1140 could be real.

I guess that gathering some data points like Rob's will give us all a better idea what to expect from that ammo.

 

[lash]

I have a pretty busy weekend ahead, but will try to find the time to at least clean up and re-post the first chart, including BCs for each. If I'm lucky, I'll do 5/6 HV loads. Next up will be some more SV loads, so anyone that has a favorite or one they are interested in and not already done, let me know here. I'll see what I can do.

 

[lash]

Also if you need it the BC for the Federal Ultra Match UM22 is not what is listed on their site at like .092. The actual is .138.

The Fed Match velocity is pretty high in the chart. Ultra Match is an average of 1100fps in my 18" Vudoo.

Thanks Rob. I showed the BC as 0.139, so 0.138 is pretty close. I'll take any information and input that people want to throw my way.

 

[SLG]

I shoot the Federal GMM pretty much exclusively, and can chrono it out of a 21" tube, as well as a 16" tube, if that would help. I have two varieties of it, and will have to see what's what.

 

[Diver160651]

• @Rob posted just above that he is getting 1100 from an 18" barrel, so I suppose it is possible that 1140 could be real.

I am not sure about the MV on the boxes working like they do in centerfire. My 18" is faster than my 22", but I don't know if the "subsonics" are slowing in the longer barrel or the longer barrel is just slow. Off topic, I should have a, 18" vudoo next week

I am sure someone here knows what way to cheat the velocities on the box per their barrel length, but they seem rather easy to drop confirm at 100 yards anyway.

 

[Nik H]

This is great information @lash.

I do a very similar thing using Coldbore but for different ammunition. I got my BC information from Litz or Steve Boelter's book. I find it gets you close but there definitely is some fine tuning required.

At one point I ran across a document that provided .22LR velocities for a huge amount of brands of ammo. I don't recall where I got it but it has been very helpful to me. I attach it here for anyone to use.

 

[Diver160651]

@lash @Rob01

What BC profiles are you using and how much are they off at those 300y distances.. Our local NRL matches are only out to 100 so G1 seems ok as does just field dope -- The wind however, is driving the CEP booth up and down MUCH greater than I would expect or my G1 predicts. Seems the calculators are ok with no wind, but have you tried or do you have anything that uses a (GL edited) RA4 coefficient? I'd be interested to see if there is a larger vertical difference predicted in 8-15 mph wind..

G1 – also known as Ingalls, G1 projectiles are flatbase bullets with 2 caliber nose ogive and are the most common type of bullet.
G2 – bullets in the G2 range are Aberdeen J projectiles
G5 – G5 bullets are short 7.5 degree boat-tails, with 6.19 caliber long tangent ogive
G6 – G6 are flatbase bullets with a 6 cailber secant ogive
G7 – Bullets with the G7 BC are long 7.5 degree boat-tails, with 10 caliber tangent ogive, and are very popular with manufacturers for extremely low-drag bullets.
G8 – G8s are flatbase with a 10 caliber secant ogive
GL – GL projectiles are blunt lead nose

Edited:
I have "Chairgun" app for my PCP.
I don't know why I never thought of it until after I posted, but the profiles and solver in similar projectiles.
I use GA drag curve on my 25cal pellets with good results.. (but I don't really use it in high wind)
It has RA4 listed as Blunt Banded .22 Long Rifle Drag Curve.

I'll have to try what it suggests using the RA4 VRS the G1 in my rifle apps to see if it works the wind better.

2nd Edit:
I just opened Chairgun, it does not look like it adds elevation of the POI for a 90 or subtracts from a 270 wind.. the G1 and RA4 are with in 1 click at 100 of windless drop.

 

[lash]

I shoot the Federal GMM pretty much exclusively, and can chrono it out of a 21" tube, as well as a 16" tube, if that would help. I have two varieties of it, and will have to see what's what.

That would be helpful for us all to better understand these MV numbers. Also, if you would, record and relate the DA in case that really does make a difference in MV.

 

[lash]

This is great information @lash.

I do a very similar thing using Coldbore but for different ammunition. I got my BC information from Litz or Steve Boelter's book. I find it gets you close but there definitely is some fine tuning required.

At one point I ran across a document that provided .22LR velocities for a huge amount of brands of ammo. I don't recall where I got it but it has been very helpful to me. I attach it here for anyone to use.

Thanks Nik. I've saved that and will use it for anything else that I need.

 

[lash]

@Diver160651, I have just been using the G1 BCs. I truly have only verified the numbers for the CCI SV and they are very, very close for me. My drop at 325 yards was spot on. This was at 35' ASL, 75 F, 7 mph right to left crosswind at about 90 degrees. Drops at 100 yds and 220 yds were also just about on.

 

[Diver160651]

@Diver160651, I have just been using the G1 BCs. I truly have only verified the numbers for the CCI SV and they are very, very close for me. My drop at 325 yards was spot on. This was at 35' ASL, 75 F, 7 mph right to left crosswind at about 90 degrees. Drops at 100 yds and 220 yds were also just about on.

Thanks -- G1 it is.. Thanks for confirming.

Using AB?

Still need to figure out what to use for the vertical offset in high wind. Were I saw it the clearest, is on the paper stages for points. I was expecting to see only LR dispersion (maybe a little ^ v, but in the high wind last match, everyone had a huge vertical spread clearly printed on the mass paper target. I don't have years of active 22LR, much less many matches on them, so I am all ears on this one.

 

[Rob01]

I used the G1 BC of .139 that JBM had in it for the federal Ultra Match UM22 and it was right on to 300 yards at my last match with it. Have used G1 for others too and shot them to 400 and it was on. About 21 mils to get there.

 

[lash]

Diver, I was using Ballistic for iOS, which uses the JBM engine and library.

And I cannot help you with your high wind vertical offset, since I'm probably newer at this than you are. I'm just lucky to have 300 meters (328 yards) to practice with.

 

[straightshooter1]

Ultra Match is an average of 1100fps in my 18" Vudoo.

Ultra Match out of my Ruger Precision RF with 18" barrel, I'm getting pretty close to that 1100 fps too. I'm averaging 1096 fps using a Magnetospeed V3 chrono.

 

[straightshooter1]

About 3 years ago I started a project for accumulating 22 LR data to see various speeds on various length barrels and to see how various available LR rounds performed. So, to date I've accumulated almost 550 lines of data on my spreadsheet (see pic) and I've decided to share it for the first time if anyone has any interest. To fit it on a PDF file that's manageable, I've not includes some of the details (e.g. individual shots). While I've been done with my little project for some time now, I continue to add data whenever I get hold of some LR ammo I've not ever used before.

 

[lash]

@straightshooter1 , That is a great amount of data! Enough so that some filtering and sorting could provide some real insight on a couple of questions. Questions such as lot and shot to shot variation in a load, temperature sensitivity and possibly other tidbits of useful information.

 

[Nik H]

About 3 years ago I started a project for accumulating 22 LR data to see various speeds on various length barrels and to see how various available LR rounds performed. So, to date I've accumulated almost 550 lines of data on my spreadsheet (see pic) and I've decided to share it for the first time if anyone has any interest. To fit it on a PDF file that's manageable, I've not includes some of the details (e.g. individual shots). While I've been done with my little project for some time now, I continue to add data whenever I get hold of some LR ammo I've not ever used before.

View attachment 6893654

This is why I love this place

 

[straightshooter1]

@straightshooter1 , That is a great amount of data! Enough so that some filtering and sorting could provide some real insight on a couple of questions. Questions such as lot and shot to shot variation in a load, temperature sensitivity and possibly other tidbits of useful information.

About 40% of that data I've gleaned from YouTube shooters a couple years ago and why there are entries with shots less than 10 or "??" for not knowing how many shots were fired. Didn't track lots specifically, though for some of it you can indeed see shot variation in some of the loads. I do kinda wish I had recorded temperatures (though, being in warm area of AZ, the extreme here is the triple digit temps in the summer (but not out there shooting when it's REALLY HOT) and nothing much below 80°F otherwise).

 

[Rob01]

Thanks -- G1 it is.. Thanks for confirming.

Using AB?

Still need to figure out what to use for the vertical offset in high wind. Were I saw it the clearest, is on the paper stages for points. I was expecting to see only LR dispersion (maybe a little ^ v, but in the high wind last match, everyone had a huge vertical spread clearly printed on the mass paper target. I don't have years of active 22LR, much less many matches on them, so I am all ears on this one.

It doesn't take much to move that tiny bullet. Wind isn't just left and right. Depending on the terrain and direction you can get wind pushing the bullet up and down as well as right and left. Same as with a larger centerfire but more exagerated. If you can see what the wind is doing you can try and compensate but if it's gusting then it's almost impossible to guess with the little .22.

 

[Tiger_Shilone]

Exactly that. The Fiocchi Match has a BC of 0.140 and the Lapua Club has a BC of 0.114. Maybe I should try to put in the BC numbers in the sheet when I have them. It would help to avoid confusion.

Thank you Lash, that was the thought but wanted it verified.

The chart is great, the info provided is a very useful place to start, especially for beginners. I did the same style of chart a few years ago for my set-ups but could never get them to quite match real world drops. Yours is a lot better detailed than what I had. Using a chronometer and finding out how bad .22 speed spreads are, I am amazed that I hit as many targets as I do. What's advertised on the box of ammo for speed rarely matches what your gun puts it out as. Further proving that dope for YOUR gun is critical.

I shoot ARA benchrest as a data gathering exercise for my PRS style matches. I know I'm not winning the ARA match, but the DOPE gathered during that match is invaluable to me for shooting other styles. I consider it a winning tune-up for the big day.

 

[Tiger_Shilone]

I chrono every shot at a benchrest match. I'm getting better at record keeping but am still behind the curve on getting the info out in a useful manner.

What I have seen in the benchrest world is just how much extreme spread screws you over, a nice group or run of bullseyes gets ruined by the flyer 40 FPS faster or slower. 22 ammo just sucks for consistency, even the expensive stuff isnt immune to this.

Flags, wind anemometer, drop chart, chrono, patience:

 

[lash]

Nice setup Tiger! Along those lines, I wonder if the new Lapua .22 LR loads will truly provide the consistency that they are claiming. If so, they should sell plenty of it.

 

[Dirtracer151]

I shoot ARA benchrest as a data gathering exercise for my PRS style matches. I know I'm not winning the ARA match, but the DOPE gathered during that match is invaluable to me for shooting other styles. I consider it a winning tune-up for the big day.

Doesnt ARA only shoot at 50yds?
I've always been interested in trying to learn the art of ARA but theres nowhere near me that does it.

 

[straightshooter1]

Nice setup Tiger! Along those lines, I wonder if the new Lapua .22 LR loads will truly provide the consistency that they are claiming. If so, they should sell plenty of it.

The Lapua .22LR's are looking really good to me in my preliminary testing so far. Two 10 round sets of Center-X with SD's of 7.5 and 6.3 with ES's of 21 and 19 fps respectively is pretty darn good. Also tried 10 rounds of Polar Biathlon that didn't fare so well (maybe they don't like warmer temps in the high 70's ???) with an SD of 16.9 and ES of 47. Just pick up some more Center-X's to see if they'll maintain those numbers. Accuracy on the Center-X's was very good too and interestingly I got a little better accuracy with Federal's Ultra Match that had SD's of 12.8 and 12.0 with ES's of 47 and 39. These number's all came from my newly acquired Ruger Precision RF. I'll do some more testing soon and will also see how my 10/22 does with them.

 

[lash]

There's this new Lapua Biathalon Xtreme, I saw mention here:

https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/new-lapua-biathlon-temp-insensitive-22-ammo.6880510/

http://www.lapua.com/en/headlines/391/Lapua-Biathlon-Xtreme---the-new-must-have-for-season-2018-2019

 

[SLG]

I was only able to chrono out of my 21" CZ 452 barrel today. Ultra Match was a very strange 1016fps average over my Magneto Speed. I'm going to try to get numbers from my 16" 455 tomorrow. The 18" is a Ruger Precision Rimfire, and I could not mount the magneto in any satisfactory way.

I should add that I was shooting ammo from a few years ago, and the accuracy was not amazing. I opened a brand new case later in the day and shot .35 to .41" groups at 50 with it, which was a fair bit better than my older stuff. I was not able to chrono the new stuff, so I'll also try to get that tomorrow.

 

[Rob01]

Did the old lot come in red plastic carriers in the box?

 

[SLG]

Did the old lot come in red plastic carriers in the box?

Unfortunately, all the older ammo is in a big bucket, as we lost the boxes to water damage about 3 years ago. I don't recall how it was packaged. It actually shoots pretty well, considering the bullet lube is all over all the cases and everything. .5 to .6" groups at 50 yards. The new stuff is just doing better.

 

[SLG]

Rob01, I meant to ask, why?