.22LR Range Fun

[700 LTR 223]

Wow! King Cobra 22lr , I have never seen one yet! Hard to beat that Dan Wesson! Of my 3 DA 22lr revolvers , 617-1 4" , 617-5 6" and Taurus 96 the 6" 617 is the most accurate.

 

[doddg]

2nd big day with brand new Colt King Cobra Target 22, 6", 10 cylinder.
$970 base price & $1077 total ordering from Brownells.
Brought 4 different brands of ammo to test today.
Put over 640 rds through it last 2 days.

Started off with using CCI SV in DA & SA on the blue 3/4" squares and like yesterday, did fine.
Then, for the most part, I couldn't keep the rounds inside my 1.75" circles at 21'.
Even though each ammo brand could use a minor tweak, I didn't touch the rear sights today. Looking over everything, I intend to tweak the windage to the left a hair next range visit.
Shooting at 21' on 1.75" circles with hand on sandbag rest.
Intend to also put the barrel on a rest next visit, always helps.
Some of the flyers were 2" from center & I refuse to take responsibility of those & blame ammo.

Highest of the best row of 4 circles of each ammo brand:
95% Eley Action Plus 42 gr. HV, SLN (best of the day when adding in other rows)
95% Aguila Super Extra SV 1130 FPS, SLN
85% CCI SV 1070 FPS, SLN
80% CCI Blazer 38 gr. 1235 FPS, SLN
75% CCI AR Tactical (but, yesterday did a 100% row)

Encouraging beginning on the .75" squares in DA & SA.


Started off w/CCI SV 40 gr. 1070 FPS, SLN.
Rows 1, 2 & 4 were DA:
- 80%
- 85%
- 71%
Row 3 SA: 55%.
Stayed in DA for the rest of the day for obvious reasons.


Row 1 &2 Aguila Super Extra SV 1130 FPS, SLN:
- 90%
- 90%
Row 3 & 4 CCI Blazer 38 gr. 1235 FPS, SLN:
- 80%
- 75%


Eley Action Plus 42 gr. HV, SLN:
-80%
- 90%
- 95%
- 95%
Best of any ammo so far except yesterday I got a 100% using CCI AR Tactical.


4 brands shoot-out just for fun, using the best ammo from both days.
Row 1: The CCI AR Tactical that got 100% yesterday, only 75% today.
Row 2: Eley Action Plus didn't get as good as it did earlier today with just 85%.
Row 3: Aguila SE SV 80%.
Row 4: CCI SV 86%

 

[doddg]

3rd range visit with the new Colt King Cobra SS 22 6", 10 rd.
Been cleaned each range visit.
Total of 910 rds through using 9 ammo brands.

Big difference today: I put the barrel on a rest in addition to my hands.
I also shot at 3/4" squares, as suggested for a smaller focus, and it worked!!!
5 rds each 1.75" circles or 3/4" squares at 21'.
Groups tightened up accordingly.
Started getting multiple 100% per rows, as a "target" gun should, even with my old eyes and arthritis.
I was pleased.

The stock Hogue grips are minimalistic.
The Cobra went into the "keeper" class today, since many rows getting 100%.
Now, I'll want something beefier in the hand.
Not a must on a .22LR, but I enjoy luxuriating.

5 brands today, all used in previous visits.


Row 1 & 2 = 100% & 100%: Eley Action Plus, 42 gr, SLN on 1.75" circles.
Row 3 & 4 = 100% & 95%: Federal AutoMatch 40 gr, 1200 FPS, SLN.
Some groups on the 3/4" squares were good, even though I over adjusted too far right, then too far left.
The 6th 3/4" blue square using the Eley was a cloverleaf .


Row 1 & 2 = 90% & 85%: Aguila Super Extra SV 1130 FPS, SLN
Row 3 & 4 = 100% & 100%: CCI SV 1070 FPS, 40 gr, SLN
The CCI had cloverleafs on the 2nd & 3rd blue squares.


Row 1 & 2 = 100% & 100%: CCI Blazer 38 gr, 1235 FPS, SLN.
Forgot to do the 3/4" blue squares.

 

[DadSmith]

3rd range visit with the new Colt King Cobra SS 22 6", 10 rd.
Been cleaned each range visit.
Total of 910 rds through using 9 ammo brands.

Big difference today: I put the barrel on a rest in addition to my hands.
I also shot at 3/4" squares, as suggested for a smaller focus, and it worked!!!
5 rds each 1.75" circles or 3/4" squares at 21'.
Groups tightened up accordingly.
Started getting multiple 100% per rows, as a "target" gun should, even with my old eyes and arthritis.
I was pleased.

The stock Hogue grips are minimalistic.
The Cobra went into the "keeper" class today, since many rows getting 100%.
Now, I'll want something beefier in the hand.
Not a must on a .22LR, but I enjoy luxuriating.

5 brands today, all used in previous visits.
View attachment 345541

Row 1 & 2 = 100% & 100%: Eley Action Plus, 42 gr, SLN on 1.75" circles.
Row 3 & 4 = 100% & 95%: Federal AutoMatch 40 gr, 1200 FPS, SLN.
Some groups on the 3/4" squares were good, even though I over adjusted too far right, then too far left.
The 6th 3/4" blue square using the Eley was a cloverleaf .
View attachment 345542

Row 1 & 2 = 90% & 85%: Aguila Super Extra SV 1130 FPS, SLN
Row 3 & 4 = 100% & 100%: CCI SV 1070 FPS, 40 gr, SLN
The CCI had cloverleafs on the 2nd & 3rd blue squares.
View attachment 345544

Row 1 & 2 = 100% & 100%: CCI Blazer 38 gr, 1235 FPS, SLN.
Forgot to do the 3/4" blue squares.
View attachment 345545

Good information in all your posts.
I really appreciate your time and information you give.

 

[Squid556]

3rd range visit with the new Colt King Cobra SS 22 6", 10 rd.
Been cleaned each range visit.
Total of 910 rds through using 9 ammo brands.

Big difference today: I put the barrel on a rest in addition to my hands.
I also shot at 3/4" squares, as suggested for a smaller focus, and it worked!!!
5 rds each 1.75" circles or 3/4" squares at 21'.
Groups tightened up accordingly.
Started getting multiple 100% per rows, as a "target" gun should, even with my old eyes and arthritis.
I was pleased.

The stock Hogue grips are minimalistic.
The Cobra went into the "keeper" class today, since many rows getting 100%.
Now, I'll want something beefier in the hand.
Not a must on a .22LR, but I enjoy luxuriating.

5 brands today, all used in previous visits.
View attachment 345541

Row 1 & 2 = 100% & 100%: Eley Action Plus, 42 gr, SLN on 1.75" circles.
Row 3 & 4 = 100% & 95%: Federal AutoMatch 40 gr, 1200 FPS, SLN.
Some groups on the 3/4" squares were good, even though I over adjusted too far right, then too far left.
The 6th 3/4" blue square using the Eley was a cloverleaf .
View attachment 345542

Row 1 & 2 = 90% & 85%: Aguila Super Extra SV 1130 FPS, SLN
Row 3 & 4 = 100% & 100%: CCI SV 1070 FPS, 40 gr, SLN
The CCI had cloverleafs on the 2nd & 3rd blue squares.
View attachment 345544

Row 1 & 2 = 100% & 100%: CCI Blazer 38 gr, 1235 FPS, SLN.
Forgot to do the 3/4" blue squares.
View attachment 345545

You really highlighted something important here….. if a guy wants to get a good group, TARGET SIZE needs to match SIGHTING SYSTEM all relative to the DISTANCE.

I’ve tried explaining this to people and sometimes i think it’s forgotten and or misunderstood. Crazy how much tighter your groups got. Good shootin man.

 

[doddg]

2 things I forgot to mention.
In researching the Colt King Cobra 22, there was some discussion about the rounds being hard to eject from the cylinder sometimes.
I had to push the extractor against the bench on the brands listed below.

Also, early on there was some FTFire using DA.
Explanation was b/c of the shorter hammer throw.
I did not experience that.
Since I'd been alerted to it, the 2-3 times there was a FTF in 900 rds, there had been a good strike on the rim, & when I put it through again, it fired.
Once it didn't, but must have been a bad round.
No light strikes.

Records of hard to eject spent rds from cylinder with extractor.
1st range visit:
- Winchester Super X x1
- CCI Mini-Mags x2

2nd range visit:
- Aguila Super Extra SV x3
- CCI Blazer x1
- Eley Action Plus x4
- CCI AR Tactical x1

3rd range visit:
- Eley Action Plus x4
- CCI Blazer x4

No difficulty ejecting rds from cylinder:
- Federal AutoMatch
- Armscor
- CCI SV

 

[TJ Kackowski]

2 things I forgot to mention.
In researching the Colt King Cobra 22, there was some discussion about the rounds being hard to eject from the cylinder sometimes.
I had to push the extractor against the bench on the brands listed below.

Also, early on there was some FTFire using DA.
Explanation was b/c of the shorter hammer throw.
I did not experience that.
Since I'd been alerted to it, the 2-3 times there was a FTF in 900 rds, there had been a good strike on the rim, & when I put it through again, it fired.
Once it didn't, but must have been a bad round.
No light strikes.

Records of hard to eject spent rds from cylinder with extractor.
1st range visit:
- Winchester Super X x1
- CCI Mini-Mags x2

2nd range visit:
- Aguila Super Extra SV x3
- CCI Blazer x1
- Eley Action Plus x4
- CCI AR Tactical x1

3rd range visit:
- Eley Action Plus x4
- CCI Blazer x4

No difficulty ejecting rds from cylinder:
- Federal AutoMatch
- Armscor
- CCI SV

So, what's your theory about the hard to eject situation?

Anything above 1200 FPS causes the hard to eject situation?

How many cylinders of each ammo did you run before the hard to eject situation occurred?

Some of the rounds you tested are heavily coated with wax. Maybe residue from earlier rounds causing the hard to eject situation?

 

[Bosshoss]

.22 revolvers of all brands can have hard ejection. When a .22 revolver comes thru the shop I always ream the cylinder with a SAMMI spec reamer and that usually takes care of the problem unless the customer requests not to.
Some guns will run fine right from the factory and some will tighten up after a couple of cylinders full.
EVERY gun I have run the reamer in it has cut some metal.

 

[doddg]

Got out the Ruger Mark 4 & Browning Buckmark Pro Target with red dots.
The Browning had tighter and more consistent groups.
I really noticed trigger better.

Pics say it all.
Used CCI Blazer 38 grain, 1235 FPS, SLN.
30' on 1.75" circles or 3/4" on blue squares.

Was dialing in red dot on Buckmark for this Blazer ammo.
95% & 100% = 1.75" circles
Better results when rested hands & barrel.


More Buckmark
85% on 1st row b/c turned elevation the wrong way.
100% on 2nd & 3rd row circles.
100% & 93% = 3/4" blue squares.
Hands & barrel on rest.


Ruger Mark 4
80% = 1.75" circles
52% = 3/4" blue squares
Hands & barrel on rest.


More Ruger Mark 4.
90%, 85% & 95% on 1.75'' circles.
Didn't even bother with 3/4" blue circles since poor performance on other page.
Hands & barrel on rest.

 

[doddg]

So, what's your theory about the hard to eject situation?

Anything above 1200 FPS causes the hard to eject situation?

How many cylinders of each ammo did you run before the hard to eject situation occurred?

Some of the rounds you tested are heavily coated with wax. Maybe residue from earlier rounds causing the hard to eject situation?

Not the first time I've run across this ejection syndrome.
I just assumed some ammo cases swelled more than others after being fired.

I did try to keep some records of hard-to-eject.
1st Day:
1st 10 cylinders = I used CCI Mini-Mags (1235 FPS).
On the 5th & 8th cylinders (and another, I think), I had to push extractor against bench.
Note: cleaned at 170 rds (17 cylinders) b/c of flyers.
No issue: Federal AutoMatch HV 1200 FPS, Armscor HV & CCI AR Tactical.
Winchester Super X HV was hard to eject on it 1st cylinder (27th cylinder of the day).
34 cylinders shot 1st day.

2nd Day:
No issue: CCI SV
Aguila SE SV 1130 FPS had 3 cylinders hard to eject between 9-14 cylinders.
CCI Blazer 1235 FPS hard to eject between 15-16 cylinders.
Eley Action Plus hard to eject 3 times between 17-20 cylinders.
CCI AR Tactical hard to eject between 21-22 cylinders.
28 cylinders shot 2nd day.

3rd Day:
No issues: Federal AutoMatch, Aguila Super Extra SV, CCI SV,
Eley Action Plus x4 hard to eject in cylinders 1-7.
CCI Blazer 1235 FPS x4 hard to eject every cylinder (24-27 cylinder for the day).

 

[doddg]

Enjoyable time with a Browning Buckmark Pro Target with Sig MSR-Romeo red dot
&
Ruger Mark 4 w/wood grips & Bushnell red dot.

CCI Blazer 38 grain, 1235 FPS, SLN.
30' at 1.75" circles.
The Buckmark gets better groups.
The Mark 4 trigger I do not care for.
I "cheated" though, I rested the barrel and not just my hands on bags.
BB Pro Target: 100% & 100%. Cloverleafs x3.
Ruger Mark 4 w/wood grips: 100% & 90%.


BB Pro Target


RM4

 

[Squid556]

Enjoyable time with a Browning Buckmark Pro Target with Sig MSR-Romeo red dot
&
Ruger Mark 4 w/wood grips & Bushnell red dot.

CCI Blazer 38 grain, 1235 FPS, SLN.
30' at 1.75" circles.
The Buckmark gets better groups.
The Mark 4 trigger I do not care for.
BB Pro Target: 100% & 100%. Cloverleafs x3.
Ruger Mark 4 w/wood grips: 100% & 90%.
View attachment 348708

BB Pro Target
View attachment 348720

RM4
View attachment 348721

Your thoughts comparing the two red dots?

 

[doddg]

Your thoughts comparing the two red dots?

Same.

 

[TJ Kackowski]

Enjoyable time with a Browning Buckmark Pro Target with Sig MSR-Romeo red dot
&
Ruger Mark 4 w/wood grips & Bushnell red dot.

CCI Blazer 38 grain, 1235 FPS, SLN.
30' at 1.75" circles.
The Buckmark gets better groups.
The Mark 4 trigger I do not care for.
BB Pro Target: 100% & 100%. Cloverleafs x3.
Ruger Mark 4 w/wood grips: 100% & 90%.
View attachment 348708

BB Pro Target
View attachment 348720

RM4
View attachment 348721

Great shooting @doddg.

I've always said that the Browning Buck Mark is better out of the box than a Ruger Mark (pick your number).

However, there are more aftermarket parts for Rugers, so you can make it as good as a Buck Mark ... maybe even better if you have that kind of disposable income. But if you're going to go to all that trouble and expense, just start with a Volquartsen ... Black Mamba, Mamba, Classic, Scorpion ... pick your poison.

 

[doddg]

Great shooting @doddg.

I've always said that the Browning Buck Mark is better out of the box than a Ruger Mark (pick your number).

However, there are more aftermarket parts for Rugers, so you can make it as good as a Buck Mark ... maybe even better if you have that kind of disposable income. But if you're going to go to all that trouble and expense, just start with a Volquartsen ... Black Mamba, Mamba, Classic, Scorpion ... pick your poison.

Always appreciate your positive comments.

Totally agree with your Buckmark comment.
I have have had a couple of Ruger Mark 3s with varying degrees of upgrades.
One of them shooting as well as my best shooter.
I let it get away from me b/c I was reticent about the disassembly and reassembly of the
Mark 3.

I have looked & longed at your Volquartsen recommendations.
Don't know which one to pick?
I let a used one get buy me at $1000.
Funds were low at the time & I didn't know enough if it had all the enhancements that were available.
Plus, I didn't want to mess with the complained about reassembly after cleaning on the Mark 2 or 3 frames.

Plus, I need to start dialing back the hobby with medical expenses growing.
I've learned it's simpler to bring the distance closer.

 

[700 LTR 223]

Great shooting @doddg.

I've always said that the Browning Buck Mark is better out of the box than a Ruger Mark (pick your number).

However, there are more aftermarket parts for Rugers, so you can make it as good as a Buck Mark ... maybe even better if you have that kind of disposable income. But if you're going to go to all that trouble and expense, just start with a Volquartsen ... Black Mamba, Mamba, Classic, Scorpion ... pick your poison.

About the only upgrade I ever felt any of my MK II series pistols needed was trigger work. And mainly for one handed bullseye shooting. Bought my 5.5" MKII in 1994 and sent it to Clark and with the gun and trigger work had probably $325 in the gun. Even buying a used MKII today and upgrading the trigger would be no where near the expense of any Volquartsen pistols.

But before I had the work done fired this target with the out of the box MKII at 25 yards with one box of Remington target. Back in the days of 20/20 eyesight!

 

[doddg]

4th round with the Colt King Cobra .22LR, 6", 10 rd, SS.
I am enjoying it with no immediate plans to sell it.
This trip I used 4 ammo brands:
- 3 were common bulk ammo
- SK on the last row was a better grade.

Each row a different ammo @21' on 1.75" circles.
I was pleasantly surprised.

- 1st row: 90% = Remington 22 Thunderbolts, 40 grain, 1255 FPS, LRN
- 2nd row: 100% = Remington Golden Bullets, 36 grain, 1280 FPS
- 3rd row: 95% = Federal Value Pack, 36 grain, 1280 FPS
- 4th row: 100% = SK Standard Plus, LSN


Below is a practice sheet.
Didn't adjust the rear sights any.
If a particular brand shot a little high, I adjusted my POA.
21' at 3/4" blue squares.

I used the back of a used 1.75" red circles target to get an idea of how to adjust elevation for my POA.
Same order of ammo brands as the above pic.
- 1st row: 7/15 = Remington 22 Thunderbolts, 40 grain, 1255 FPS, LRN
- 2nd row: 11/15 = Remington Golden Bullets, 36 grain, 1280 FPS
- 3rd row: 7/15 = Federal Value Pack, 36 grain, 1280 FPS
- 4th row: 10/15 = SK Standard Plus

 

[Stengun]

Nice shooting