Applied Ballistics Tests 50+ Types of .22 LR Rimfire Ammo
Photo shows Bryan Litz (on right) and tester Mitchell Fitzpatrick. Bryan said: “Only 2,445 rounds to go! We’re testing over 50 ammo types in five different twist barrels… science can be exhausting!”
Do you know the actual BC (Ballistic Coefficient) of your rimfire ammunition? Well Applied Ballisitics will soon have answers for you. Bryan Litz and his team of testers have been working on a Herculean project. They’ve been testing over fifty types of .22 LR ammo, using five different twist-rate barrels.
Bryan tells us: “We’re testing many types of .22 rimfire ammo for the next edition of the Ballistic Performance of Rifle Bullets book. We’re using a pair of Oehler chronographs to measure velocity at the muzzle (MV) and velocity at 100 yards.” With these numbers (average and SD) Bryan can calculate G1 BCs for all the 50+ types of rimfire ammo. What’s more, because every sample is shot through five different barrels (each with a different twist rate) Bryan can also determine how velocity is affected by twist rate.
The tests are primarily to determine velocities for BC calculations — this is not an accuracy test. Bryan explains: “Our tests are not really looking at accuracy, mainly because that’s so subjective to different rifles. Our testing is primarily focused on measuring the BC of rimfire rounds from different twist-rate barrels. The MVs and BCs from the different twist test barrels will be published in the upcoming second edition of Ballistic Performance of Rifle Bullets.
Will the rimfire data be added to the popular Ballistics Apps? That might happen in the future, says Bryan, but he’s not sure when: “We haven’t determined to add the .22 rimfire data to the ballistics Apps, but it’s a possibility.”
Bringing Science to the Rimfire World
Bryan’s goal with this project is to increase the rimfire knowledge base: “We hope to give the world of .22 LR rimfire a good dose of science. How is the BC of .22 rimfire ammo affected by barrel twist? Do subsonic rounds have more consistent BCs than supersonic or transonic rounds? What brands have the highest BCs? What brands have the most consistent MVs?”
Data from two Oehler chronographs is recorded in a computer. Ammo samples were tested in five (5) different barrels (of varying twist rates). Give credit to Dane Hobbs who supplied a test rifle, multiple barrels, and most of the ammo types for the test.
.22 LR at 300 Yards?
Bryan also conducted some longer range rimfire tests. His surprising findings might appear in the next volume of Modern Advancements in Long Range Shooting. Bryan notes: “While .22 rimfire isn’t typically considered ‘long range’, we were able to consistently hit a two-MOA steel target at 300 yards with the trajectory predicted by AB software and the measured BC of some standard .22 LR rimfire ammo. The info we’re generating may make it possible to push the range of target engagement for a round that’s not seen much advancement in many decades.”
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Tags: .22 LR, Applied Ballistics, ballistics, BC, Bryan Litz, Oehler Chronograph, Rimfire
This is really welcome news, and I can’t wait to see and then go confirm the results.
In case Litz is reading –
Please, please include more Barnes (LRX) and Cutting Edge (MTH) bullets in the next edition. I know I’m not the only one who would like to/needs to make apples to apples comparisons of the best lead-free hunting bullets. I would also request more TMKs, but I know he’s testing those already.
We’ve been shooting 300 yard F-Class style matches at 300 yards for years. Description of the match here:
http://reloading.jimdo.com/downloads-1/precision-long-range-22lr/
We use archery targets so that shooters can see the holes. We had the target manufacturer print us some custom targets without turning on the red and blue ink.
Aww man, THAT’s where all the rimfire ammo went.
It will be very interesting to have accurate BC data on the various 22lr projectiles. I’ve shot Mini Mags out to 450ish using inaccurate data and the Shooter app. We weren’t brazen enough to use a 2moa target though.
What was the average come-ups for 300yd. Rimfire. We have found that from 18 to 19 MOA from a 100yd zero is required to get to 200yds with match ammo.
What were the average come ups from 100yds to 300yds? We found that it takes approx. 18 to 20 MOA to get from 100 to 200yds. with match ammo.
This is fantastic news! I’ve been wanting to true up my BC guesstimate in my 22LR entry in AB Mobile, but I wasn’t sure how to do it. I can’t wait to get my hands on those numbers!
Bc for 22 LR ammo? Why would the manufacturers themselves not write the BC on the box of there ammo? Does is actually matter to know BC for 22LR? From 800 fps to 1640 FPS + . Drop chart seems to me like the only usable knowledge for the use of a 22 or is it?. Are the 22 LR bullet similar enough from round to round to be even able to measure BC? All kinds of questions we will get answers for.
Thanks to the researchers.
If you guys get tired of all that testing, I’d offer to volunteer my time to help out. You know, for science and all.
Perhaps he should just read this?
Aerodynamic Characteristics Of Caliber .22 LR Match Ammunition (BRL-MR-3877)(Nov 1990)
http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA229713
Plus, calculating BC using two short base-length commercial chronographs? That’s a bit crude. So, no industry standard quality chronograph systems (skyscreens and time measuring systems), no skyscreens set out in a ladder formation, no Doppler radar? Are you making corrections (geometric or otherwise) to the velocities for the position of skyscreens and rifle, the angle of the rifle barrel and the projectiles trajectory?
Editor: Neil, thanks for the citation. I do believe at least one of Bryan’s Oehler units is set up with extended length. Bryan does have a LabRadar Doppler radar unit, but I don’t think it was used for this test.
This is nothing more than an advertisement for his new book, all the links I clicked on went to a site selling his book.
Editor: Well… as the article explains, all this testing is being done to provide data for the upcoming second edition of Bryan’s book. That’s stated pretty clearly. It only seems logical to link to the current book.
I bought a Sheperd 22 scope twenty plus years ago. I routinely make 300 yard shots. Shooting a 200 yard match for 22LR I was accused of shooting center fire. My Winchester Power Points were still super sonic at 200-yards.
Ruger 77/22 all weather. Douglas Premium barrel. Sparks chamber (No jump)
I hope they test the FEDERAL AUTO MATCH. That’s always been, in my experience, the surprising budget .22LR ammo that performs way above it’s weight class, both in terms of reliability and accuracy.
You may reference some of Saaed’s extensive tunnel testing of rimfire ammo.
http://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/8711043/m/2091073902
http://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/8711043/m/9871088921
http://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/8711043/m/2481073691
Can I have the heaviest bullet possible loaded to 310ms (subsonic) in a std .22lr case please? COL will obviously be longer than std .22lr but that is no problem in the current multicaliber rifles. Just need a barrel with faster twist. This would be perfect with a suppressor and shooting in the wind. I had a lot of success with the old Lapua Scormax 46gr ammo.
Is this information now available?
thank you
Kenny