Project Appleseed

I did a test of different brands of Rimfire Ammo. My goal was to identify a brand/barrel combination that would hold the X ring at 50 yards in CMP Rimfire Sporter matches. For that reason, I did the test unsupported. All shots were taken using a loop sling, from the prone position. No shooting coat or special gear was worn.

I took 10 fouling shots, then 10 more fouling shots with the chronograph (Magneto Speed V3) and then 10 shots for record. I used the NRA small bore prone A23 target, scaled down to 25 yards for the test. Targets were printed using my SCATT system.

I found that it is definitely true, that all barrels are different and like different ammo.

Rifles:

All bolts were tuned by Andy Trivette, headspaced, edges radiused and firing pins spot welded for hop. All 3 rifles have a KIDD single stage trigger, the Volquartsen (THM bull barrel 16") CMP Rimfire Sporter rifle and my daughters rifle have triggers set to 3.1 Lbs. The KIDD (18" match) barreled rifle trigger was tuned to 1.4 Lbs.

Scopes on all 3 rifles, the Volquartsen barrel and Ruger barreled rifle have Leupold VX-1 Rimfires, shot at 5X, and the KIDD barreled rifle has a Nikon Prostaff Rimfire BDC 150, that was also shot at 5x.

My daughters CMP Sporter build is in a Blackhawk Axiom stock, it free floats the standard ruger sporter barrel.

The VQ and KIDD rifles are in Magpul X22 stocks, and the barrels are also free floated. (I removed with a dremel the plastic lip from barrel channel up front on both).

Action screws on all rifles were torqued to 12 in lbs.

Barrel V Block bolts were estimated to be torques at 12 in lbs as well.

Distance was 25 yards (my backyard limit).

Pictures attached of the data.

I estimate my hold to be ~1 MOA.

All groups were measured using OnTarget PC.

The standard Ruger barrel likes CCI SV the best.

The KIDD and Volquartsen like the Wolf Match ammo.

All 3 are capable of holding the X ring at 50 yards in CMP Rimfire Sporter matches.

I plan to use the KIDD rifle for fun 100/200 yard prone shoots and Appleseed. I managed a 247 on the 25M AQT a few months ago. My plan is a CLEAN 250 on that. The rifle is absolutely capable of that.

Figured I would share. There is immense value in testing different ammo, more expensive ammo does not always mean it is better.

For a 200 yard KD Rimfire event,  what my data shows me is I should choose an ammo that groups decent at 25 yards, with the lowest SD.

That, at 200 yards, will result in tighter groups. Tighter than the best grouping at 25 yards, with higher SD.

Thanks for the comparison!  From various other forums and discussions regarding preferred ammo for 10/22, it seemed like CCI SV was the gold standard, and it does appear so according to your data as well based off a standard ruger barrel.  However that is no longer the case with the other barrel manufacturers, something to keep in mind when we are asked by folks what the preferred ammo is for their particular setup.  While it is a difficult question to answer, there is always the standard group of brands that we've seen good performance in the various shoots and of course the small handful that are just dirty shooting, best relegated to single shots.

Agreed GTEngineer

What I realized (albeit too late), was that for my Kidd barrel and Shannon's Volquartsen the Lapua would have been a better choice at distance.  The ammo grouped very well, and also had a very low deviation in velocity.  Definitely not stuff I would buy in bulk though.  Way too expensive for Appleseed 25M AQT stuff.

I am considering attending one of the Mid Atlantic Precision Rimfire series events, and were I ever to do that, I would likely go with the Lapua for that.

What really amazed me was the accuracy of the stock pencil Ruger barrel.  I put some tape around that one and have it in the safe if my other daughter (Shannon's twin) ever develops an interest for marksmanship.

R/
Chris

Thank you for all the data.

Wolf Match was highly recommended in the story about the Rimfire KD on Accurate Shooters website.  For Appleseed I find CCI Blazer only a little less precise than Standard Velocity in my rifle.  I need to start doing more with my chronograph.

For Appleseed I pretty much have defaulted to CCI SV.  I can get sub MOA out to 100yds which is more than I need for an AQT or rimfire KD.  Here is an example grouping from my last shoot.  The shoot boss asked me to shoot off to the side to illustrate sight adjusrment.  Oh, the rifle is a 10/22 with a Bentz chambered factory barrel and the picture is of a 5 shot group.

Bob

Was the Wolf Match the new stuff that is rebranded Eley or the old stuff that was rebranded SK?

Quote from: Super Trooper on September 08, 2019, 02:18:19 PM
Was the Wolf Match the new stuff that is rebranded Eley or the old stuff that was rebranded SK?

For that particular test, it was the old Wolf Match.

I believe the new stuff is now SK.....I know it is different.  I have not tested that new stuff.

I did this test I estimate to be October of 2018.

R/
Chris

I am quickly becoming a big fan of CCI standard velocity ammo: consistent and accurate