Accuracy testing methods… Paper Don’t Lie

[obx22]

One of my buddy’s oft repeated statements when I mention testing new stuff at distance.
However, what IS best? I’m not aware of any 500 yd testing tunnels, and don’t have an “in” to test at a blimp hanger or empty warehouse. Even if I did, what method gives the most reliable results?
Must the barreled action be locked down in a vise? Must it be allowed to free recoil with some form of return to battery arrangement?
And what of the bore itself? How many rounds must it have seen since cleaning or new before the results are noteworthy?
Oooh, even more controversial, how many rounds must be fired to establish a “good” data? Careful… That question is sticky…
What about the atmospherics and chosen lubes and their quantities/viscosity in the action? Will a given barreled action perform equally well in the frozen tundra as in the Sahara?

All the above bla bla goes to asking for quantifiable proof for certain combinations of barrel parameters to perform the best at long range precision.

Does bore volume have any impact in how a barrel performs?
Don’t bypass that question, really think about it for a second. Yes pistols can be quite accurate, but I’ve never seen one hang with a rifle length barrel at distance.
So ok, you have several barrels of identical length and wall thickness to the top of the lands, the only variable being the number of lands… Any documented proof that one is better?
So many different lands and grooves to choose from, both in dimensions (or none at all in the case of polygonal styles)…
I’d think some types would “hold” a certain consistency after being “seasoned” versus others fouling quite fast? Or no?
Are those rifling styles and dimensions going to be compatible with ANY chamber reamer, or will some be a disaster or “meh”, while others provide long term accuracy?
At this point we haven’t even cracked into the Pandora’s Box of twist rates…..
Time for another mug of coffee

 

[obx22]

Mmm, ahhh… Nothing better than that morning cup to kick start the grey matter. So… Where were we?
It’s not easy to make long and consistently performing barrels, so’s the thought occurred- why not just make a quantity of handgun barrels for testing, choose the best, and implement those parameters into a rifle length bore…
But.
According to folks more experienced than I, certain twist rates and bore lengths don’t play well together…
How the heck are we to break through the current performance norms???
Surely with the widespread availability of very high speed cameras and computer modeling/analysis, such technology could help?

 

[ironpony52]

Before we attempt to prove, verify, the mechanicals of a firearm we need to perfect the ammo which seems to be the wild card here. The combination of bullet, shape and weight, powder, type and quantity, primer, case, overall length seems to greatly influence the accuracy of said firearm.

 

[bobby1028]

We can get very frustrated, or waste alot of time and money chasing the holy grail of 22lr consistency. I don't know that I've yet to see tangible results from anyone that could definitively pick a barrel length, twist, or chamber that clearly offers an advantage. Same goes for ammo. Brand, speed, ES/SD, take it all with a grain of salt. Just tested new to me lot of SKRM and Lapua long range. Chrono numbers were impressive with the SK...ES/SD average 10/4...better than the avg with the Lapua. Both printed good 50yd 10 shot groups. At 225yds on 6in plates the Lapua went 18 for 20, the 2 misses were close, I gave em to wind gusts. The SK went 3 for 20, and the misses were high/low, some as much as a full Mil ! Doesn't jive with the chrono results and 50yd groups eh ! At the end of the day I trust the results on paper more than any other factors. Find a good lot that agrees with your barrel and shoot it. If your barrel is good and ignition is consistent I don't know what else you can chase anymore.

 

[Emerson0311]

22LR ammo often even looks inconsistent to the naked eye. That being said, I’ve seen some pretty amazing groups from some barrels and actions. With so many variables it’s hard to pin it down.

 

[Emerson0311]

We can get very frustrated, or waste alot of time and money chasing the holy grail of 22lr consistency. I don't know that I've yet to see tangible results from anyone that could definitively pick a barrel length, twist, or chamber that clearly offers an advantage. Same goes for ammo. Brand, speed, ES/SD, take it all with a grain of salt. Just tested new to me lot of SKRM and Lapua long range. Chrono numbers were impressive with the SK...ES/SD average 10/4...better than the avg with the Lapua. Both printed good 50yd 10 shot groups. At 225yds on 6in plates the Lapua went 18 for 20, the 2 misses were close, I gave em to wind gusts. The SK went 3 for 20, and the misses were high/low, some as much as a full Mil ! Doesn't jive with the chrono results and 50yd groups eh ! At the end of the day I trust the results on paper more than any other factors. Find a good lot that agrees with your barrel and shoot it. If your barrel is good and ignition is consistent I don't know what else you can chase anymore.

I have had exactly the same experience with SK. I’ve got several bricks sitting unused because of that.

 

[grauhanen]

Everything with .22LR has a "best up to" distance. For some rifles/ammos it's not very far beyond the muzzle. For others it varies.

As distance increases, the less reliable and repeatable the results can be. Random acts of accuracy can occur at any distance.

 

[Dead Eye Dick]

Testing can be fun. It is very important but…

In my 65 years of shooting, my thoughts on accuracy reach one area. All the testing in the world, under the most perfect conditions even testing twist rates and numbers (and types) of lands and grooves, powders/primers used all mean nothing. its all nice to know, a great hobby to determine such things (if one can afford it at today’s pricing).

The only true accuracy that matters, is the barreled action, mounted correctly in the chosen stock or chassis, with the chosen scope, fitted to the user as accurately as possible for optimum shooting And Being Shot in the Position and Method the rifle will be Used At. A perfect rifle is only as good as the user and the way he is using it.

In other words, using one bag in a prop at the window of a deer stand, or shooting mod prone using a bipod and a rear bag, or lying prone. Of course there is a myriad of positions used in PRS situations, but these are the quickest examples I could think of and I have used.

Using these three examples in my personal shooting.

1. Using a bag in the window of a deer stand. My .25-06 may well be capable of putting rounds into a paper plate at six hundred yards. For me, at my age, 250 yards is my limit. So, my .25-06 is a 250 yard rifle in my hands.
2. Shooting mod prone with one of my 6GT’s. Have hit targets at 1200 yards, and have multiple hits at 1000+ yards in competition. Still not consistent enough. However, 880 yards is my practical accuracy limit
3. Prone is painful. (At my age, my body doesn't do prone anymore) I have hit targets at 800 yards in competition this year. But it’s a sometime thing. I can shoot prone safely but accuracy to hit PRS targets depends on the day.

So this is the accuracy I can guarantee and in reality, the best my rifles can shoot.

So, is it important that rifles (and bolt action handguns) shoot exceptionally accurately? Yes! Don’t let me stop or discourage you in your work, but remember, it’s still the nut behind the trigger that will normally determine the hit or the miss. As Frank says, the bullet does not lie.

Don’t ask me about my experiences with the Vudoo. (But yes, compared to everything else, in my unsteady old hands, it is a wonder.)