Kimber 82. Ammo question

[SUB VET II]

At the range a couple days ago shooting Fed.Gold MedalTarget. Excellent groups at 50 yds. w/occasional round 1/4 to a 1/2 inch out. Switched to Standard Plus and the first 5 or 6 rounds were 1 to 2 inches off the target. Fired a few more and rifle started shooting 1/2 to 5/8 inch groups or better :icon_scratch:on a regular basis. In the dark recess of what memory I have left I think I remember reading that sometimes when switching ammo. it takes a few rounds for the rifle to settle down. Is my memory correct or was the ammo. at fault. Thanks in advance for input.

[Marblesharpe]

in fact a serious bench rest shooter will clean the bore between different brands , Its the different bullet lubes reacting with each other

[Parashooter]

Figure on about 10 rounds to "re-condition" the bore when changing ammo. Sometimes it's less, others more. I find it helps to clean the barrel lightly between types.

[n64atlas]

I've found that if the previous lube was from a better quality brand, the next brand shoots good then starts to fall off. Going to a better brand and it takes a bit to settle in. I've had to shoot as many as 40rds with a clean bore. Now when I see results in the shooting rags where they test various ammo. It no longer has much meaning unless they clean and re-season the bore.

[MK111]

I've found that if the previous lube was from a better quality brand, the next brand shoots good then starts to fall off. Going to a better brand and it takes a bit to settle in. I've had to shoot as many as 40rds with a clean bore. Now when I see results in the shooting rags where they test various ammo. It no longer has much meaning unless they clean and re-season the bore.


100% correct. Never thought of the better and not so good lubes reacting that way but it makes sense. I have always cleaned the bore between differant ammo types. So many shooters just change ammo and can't figure out why the rifle is shootin worse groups or a differant point of impact.

[slamfire]

My Kimber likes SK standard plus.

Last small bore match was in Dec, very cold and very windy. My ammo shot well.

[bd1]

Welcome to the joys, frustrations & realities of precision rimfire. Test as many brands & lots (lot #'s are important) of .22 LR until you settle on the few that consistently group tightest from your rifle at the distances you'll be shooting, then buy as much of that ammo as you can get. Performance may (probably will) differ, too, between ammo that shoots best indoors or light breeze versus bucking wind. Your gun won't necessarily insist on the highest $ ammo for best results, but good ammo will outshoot cheap ammo every time as you get better behind the trigger. Have fun.

[n64atlas]

Buy a chronograph and see what speed ammo your rifle likes. You will see most people shoot Eley ammo. One of the reasons is the code on the higher end Eley that lets you know the speed AND the machine it was made on. This is of great help when your best lot of ammo is gone. You have a starting point to look for another great shooting lot. By using a Chronograph, you can measure ammo that dosen't list it's speed. This will cut down on trial and error of ammo testing.