Pardini 22 Group Testing

I spent some time yesterday doing group testing of a dozen different types of 22LR ammo.  The tests were conducted at 50yds using a Pardini HP with 22 conversion unit mounted in a Ransom Rest using Andrew Berryhill's custom inserts for the Ransom Rest.  I thought it might be best to show pictures with an X-ring/10-ring overlay rather than measurements.  Bear in mind that with the exception of Eley Tenex, only a single group was fired with each ammo type.  Fouling shots were fired with each ammo brand prior to the record shots.

Things to note:  Some of the cheaper ammo did very well.  Occasional fliers with the low end stuff show that for the HM shooters in important matches, the extra $ spent on 50yd ammo may well pick up a point or two.  Surprisingly, on this day with this gun both Eley Target and Eley Club grouped better than Eley Tenex, and Lapua Pistol King beat them all.

Regards,
Don

Hmm... I would have expected groups closer to 1" with a Pardini off a Ransom Rest. Most of those appear to be 2" - 3". I recently sandbagged my GSP at 50 yards with just a red dot and CCI SV, all 10 shot groups, my best group was about 2" but had several at 2.5". I probably would get 1" groups from a RR. 

I wonder if you would get improved results by re-crowning the barrel?

Largest group was 2.32" (SK).  Smallest was 1.19 (Lapua).  Eley Club was 1.92 but dropping one flier reduced it to 1.06.  The Tenex groups were well distributed at about 1.75.

Greetings Don,

Many thanks for your efforts!!!

The overlays do present a more readable analysis.

Cheers,

Dave

i think the euro does do better with slower fps stuff.

Thanks Dr Don very interesting results..... I feel vindicated because I use Eley Club!

Dr. Don,

I see you are from Cedar Park Texas.  Do you shoot any matches in Texas?  Just wondering, since I don't believe we've met.

Dr. Don,

 Nice reporting.  Thanks for your time and efforts.

 I had teams mates that use to laugh at me for shooting 711b and the Federal red box that Champions Choice use to sell 25 years ago.  Larry Carter also use to shoot the Federal red box.

Kevin

Lightfoot,

AUSTIN Rifle Club is my home club and has a monthly 2700.  I’m not available on Sundays, so I only show up when they have something on a Saturday, which they did in March. They also plan a Saturday match for June.  See you there?

Thanks for the info Don!

Hi Don,

Excellent work. Had a couple of queries:

Any experience in testing with Winchester Wildcat or Super X?

I don't know if you own a Marvel Unit1 but would be curious about comparing it with something like the Pardini.

Thanks much and mahalo

Rob Kay
Honolulu, HI

No Winchester data, but I did some testing with a Marvel unit 1 several years ago. I’ll have to see if I can dig it out of my files when I get home. Traveling right now.

Thanks Don, fwiw I write a column called on Target for a blog called Guns & Tech. http://www.gunsandtech.com/category/on-target/ Shortly will be looking at a Marvel Unit 1 (aluminum slide) and will test it with a few types of ammo. This is hardly a scientific endeavor but at least it will give readers an idea of what the upper can do at 50.  I've done a number of articles on Bullseye type topics and some stuff on reloading for Bullseye guns.

Thanks Dr Don,
Your results generally agree with my testing using a decent pistol rest. I shoot Aquila SV for everything (practice and matches) except for slow fire in NRA sanctioned matches (use Pistol King for latter). I have also found that "pistol match," i.e., CCI, SK, Tenex (except for Pistol King) to be substandard or about same as nonspecialized SV. I too have found Eley Target to be a decent ammo and as good as higher priced fodder in my Pardini. Ciao, dipnet

Unless I were a High Master worried about X count at the long line, I'd consider any of these brands good to go! Nice pistol!