Rimfires vs. Airguns

[jps2486]

I always try to shoot all of my air rifles somewhat regularly just to be sure they are working ok. My Crown MK2 has been sitting for quite some time and all the air leaked out. It's about 6 years old and I suspect the O rings in the reg are dried out and brittle. I aired it up and it held air overnight, so off to the range. This gun is in .22 cal with a 380mm barrel. I was shooting AEA 18.3 gr pellets and was pretty happy with the one hole groups at 50 yards.

Then, another shooter showed up next to me with his RimX rifle with a Shilen bull barrel and MDT chassis and a bunch of different match ammo. He was shooting at 50 yards too. I swung my scope over to his target and while his groups were ok, they weren't as good as mine. We were both shooting off of bipods. It was a very calm day and we both shared a lot of our experiences. This was one of the most enjoyable days I've spent at our range. Nice weather, nice friends.

 

[woogie_man]

Did you let him shoot your rifle? Typically when you tell people you are shooting a "bb gun" they will scoff......that is until you either show them groups or hit their gongs. Have seen more jaws hit the ground when people realize what we are shooting and how well they shoot.

 

[steve123]

JPS, glad you had a great time.

You mentioned a 'very calm day' which makes a big difference at 50Y windage wise when comparing a 22rf having a .15 G1 BC vs 18gr pellets having a .033 G1 BC. I know you know all this already but many might not understand that. In other words had it been windy it would likely have been the opposite because I've found overcoming higher BC in the wind is often super hard in my scores comparing my 22's, my slug centric pcp's, and my pellet guns.

Precision wise some 22rf's are super precise and some not so much as well as taking into account the ammo's used. Same with airguns. But I would be super disappointed with a RimX that didn't shoot well! I'd also be stoked with a Crown that shoots so tight.

Next is marksmanship skill and it looks like you've got that down well too.

A story. At a Ultimate Field Target match I go to a couple of 22rf shooters have shown up, yes 22rf standard velocity is allowed. These guys we hadn't met before. I can see it on their face, that persona which exudes the attitude, 'man I'm going to slaughter those poor air gunners today' and have fun doing it. I was squaded with both of them, one each on separate occasions, one shooting a Vudoo, and another a Bergara. And granted I was shooting my slug guns at the time but these guys scored much lower, actually a ways behind the our best pellet shooters. I think it came down to not quite having their dope down and having mid pack rifle skills. One showed up once more and never came back and the other never came back. I almost don't blame them because it's a ego killer for sure being out scored by pellets out to 100Y.

If we had gotten a top level 22rf shooter/s though they'd probably won the match. Just one of those things.

I shot pellets in this match a few years ago and it was hard going due to wind. I was happy to get a 65% hit ratio back then but with my 22rf's and my slugs rifles I've gotten a 47/48 with my Anschutz 1827F 22rf and a 46/48 with the Vulcan 3 slug gun. Much of the reason I score well with that 25 cal slug gun is the .245 G1 BC of the Altaros 60 grainers - BC, BC, BC...... They've since changed the match so my chance to try for a perfect score in the previous COF is gone forever but I'm happy I at least got the course records for both divisions on that COF. Also super happy I get to participate in such a fun match, the newer COF's too.

 

[jps2486]

JPS, glad you had a great time.

You mentioned a 'very calm day' which makes a big difference at 50Y windage wise when comparing a 22rf having a .15 G1 BC vs 18gr pellets having a .033 G1 BC. I know you know all this already but many might not understand that. In other words had it been windy it would likely have been the opposite because I've found overcoming higher BC in the wind is often super hard in my scores comparing my 22's, my slug centric pcp's, and my pellet guns.

Precision wise some 22rf's are super precise and some not so much as well as taking into account the ammo's used. Same with airguns. But I would be super disappointed with a RimX that didn't shoot well! I'd also be stoked with a Crown that shoots so tight.

Next is marksmanship skill and it looks like you've got that down well too.

A story. At a Ultimate Field Target match I go to a couple of 22rf shooters have shown up, yes 22rf standard velocity is allowed. These guys we hadn't met before. I can see it on their face, that persona which exudes the attitude, 'man I'm going to slaughter those poor air gunners today' and have fun doing it. I was squaded with both of them, one each on separate occasions, one shooting a Vudoo, and another a Bergara. And granted I was shooting my slug guns at the time but these guys scored much lower, actually a ways behind the our best pellet shooters. I think it came down to not quite having their dope down and having mid pack rifle skills. One showed up once more and never came back and the other never came back. I almost don't blame them because it's a ego killer for sure being out scored by pellets out to 100Y.

If we had gotten a top level 22rf shooter/s though they'd probably won the match. Just one of those things.

I shot pellets in this match a few years ago and it was hard going due to wind. I was happy to get a 65% hit ratio back then but with my 22rf's and my slugs rifles I've gotten a 47/48 with my Anschutz 1827F 22rf and a 46/48 with the Vulcan 3 slug gun. Much of the reason I score well with that 25 cal slug gun is the .245 G1 BC of the Altaros 60 grainers - BC, BC, BC...... They've since changed the match so my chance to try for a perfect score in the previous COF is gone forever but I'm happy I at least got the course records for both divisions on that COF. Also super happy I get to participate in such a fun match, the newer COF's too.

I like to shoot with and against other like minded shooters who strive to get the best performance from their equipment and themselves. Competing against top shooters gives me a goal-to be as good as they are or better. Otherwise, it would be boring. Yes, I understand the mechanics of BC. I just have to know how my projectiles react and compensate accordingly. Over the years, I've owned 7 different Anschutz rifles and a Vudoo, which shot better than the Annies. Getting consistent and repeatable accuracy from them was more of a challenge than from air rifles. Then you have the ammo variable and trying to find the best lot number. Frankly, that doesn't interest me anymore. I sold the Vudoo and most of the Annies and don't really miss them. All that said, in the long run, it's still the indian and not the arrow. I've competed at the top level of NRA bullseye pistol for many years. One of my fellow competitors was a top shooter and won many awards at Camp Perry. At our local range, many always wanted to shoot better and spent lots of money on better pistols in hopes of beating him. He would always pick up someone elses cheap Ruger and beat all of us.

 

[Fig]

That ain’t shit. My Daisy 499B, one pump, Red Ryder, spring action, muzzle loader, no rifling, will shoot one hole groups with an actual BB at 20’.