Rimfire gauge

[maver]

Hi all...

Does anyone on GBO use a .22 rimfire gauge to measure their ammo for more accuracy.

I have just started doing this with a stoneypoint rimfire gauge and verniew digital calipers.  I hope what I am doing is right I set up the kit insert a round into the gauge close it over and take a reading from zero. then I open calipers and make a 180 twist on the round and remeasure.  In most cases I get a differnet rim measurement.  I have done some batching and shooting from my CZ results aint to bad but I still get some fliers.  

Am I doing this correctly or am I way off.

any advice would be appreciated....

Maver....:-)

[longgun]

I played with one of these about 10 years ago.   After spending a lot of time with measuring ammo in the same lot number,  I found that the case heads were not flat and if you oriented the hull in the holder you would get a different measurement.    I decided that measuring the rimfire thickness means nothing unless you orient them into your chamber the same way that you measured them.   This was too mind boggling for me to keep with and decided it was not worth the effort.   Is easier to just spend a little more and buy better ammo,  IMO.   Don

[maver]

dear longgun

you describe exactly the thought i have on the rimfire gauge, i didnt know how unever the rims where until i got the calipers and gauge out.  

However the bullets I am measuring are lapua signum and they aint so cheap to buy here.

but alas I will stay on the quest to find that batch of rounds that will give me a tack driver.

[bob259]

dear longgun

you describe exactly the thought i have on the rimfire gauge, i didnt know how unever the rims where until i got the calipers and gauge out.  

However the bullets I am measuring are lapua signum and they aint so cheap to buy here.

but alas I will stay on the quest to find that batch of rounds that will give me a tack driver.

Best way to get that 'tack driver' is to get several lots (50 - 100 rounds each) of different kinds of ammo and shoot them through your gun.  (I'll bet it likes Eley EPS, most do :-( )  I tried the rim thickness gauge, and bought a good one, but its to time consuming for the results, as you are finding out.  The best thing I found was taking the time and trying different kinds of ammo to find what you rifle likes best and then buy as much of that lot number as you can.  I use SK weekly but the groups I get with Eley EPS would make you cry... wish I could afford to shoot it all the time.   Depending on the rifle some folks are getting good results with cheaper ammo, but you have to take the time and try them all to see what your rifle likes best at the longer distances.

[GeoNLR]

Here is the math I went through last year to make the move to Eley

Air rifle for 90% of practice

Good pelets = $0.43 per 50

Let's say you were shooting 5 times per week in practice and shooting $2.50 a box ammo = $10.35 per week savings

Now, say you shoot 1 match per week - take the $10.35 saved and divide by 2 (2 boxes per match- 1 practice and 1-match) = you can "afford" $5.00 plus a box ammo right now with out spending a penney more.

Now take the above example and base it off of $4.00 per box ammo and you will see the ROI (return on investment) for your air rifle set up. Air rifle will pay for itself if you do much shooting and will make you a better shooter.

FWIW - Each year at Winnsboro the Eley folks generally have a "special" for right around that $4 a box mark. Last year it was the "Club" w/ the eps bullet, this year it was the mis-marked EPS for $425 per case.

Just my opinion...

[K2]

Hi George

Don't tell anyone that the fast way to get really good is to practice good shooting technique and the least expensive way to practice live fire is with an air gun.  If this secret gets out just think how much tougher the competition will get ;~)

One BIG cost factor you forgot to keep secret is the cost of getting to and from the practice range.  Most folks can practice with an air gun at home, but very few can practice with a rimfire or centerfire at home.  At $0.35 per mile and climbing if you have to drive even 5 miles the air gun pays for its own ammo just in gas savings alone.  

Anyway lets keep this our little secret and don't let anyone else know what all the top shooters have known and kept secret for years!!

Here is the math I went through last year to make the move to Eley

Air rifle for 90% of practice

Good pelets = $0.43 per 50

Let's say you were shooting 5 times per week in practice and shooting $2.50 a box ammo = $10.35 per week savings

Now, say you shoot 1 match per week - take the $10.35 saved and divide by 2 (2 boxes per match- 1 practice and 1-match) = you can "afford" $5.00 plus a box ammo right now with out spending a penney more.

Now take the above example and base it off of $4.00 per box ammo and you will see the ROI (return on investment) for your air rifle set up. Air rifle will pay for itself if you do much shooting and will make you a better shooter.

FWIW - Each year at Winnsboro the Eley fold generally have a "special" for right around that $4 a box mark. Last year it was the "Club" w/ the eps bullet, this year it was the mis-marked EPS for $425 per case.

Just my opinion...

[GeoNLR]

I was in a hurry, but you are right. I live about 30 miles or so from my range. TIME is a huge factor for me. Below is the math on that

Load up for range 5 mins
drive to range      30 mins
Get to range and set up targets = 15 mins
Get gear out of truck = 5 mins
practice = 45 mins
run into other shooter that likes to talk (like me) =30 mins
gear back in truck = 5 mins
pick up targets = 15 mins
trip back home = 30 mins
unload gear and targets 5 mins

Right at 2-3 hours to drive and go shoot 1 "practice" match.

VS.

Grab air rifle and vest, walk down to basement = 5 mins
practice = 45 mins
walk back up-stairs and put gear away = 5 mins
Examine results on paper while reflecting on round 10 mins

Right around 1 hour...

[Jerry G]

The only way to get good groups is to buy good ammo.  You can agervate the hell out of the driver if you guage ammo while driving to a match.  Same goes for the motel room when it is time to go to bed.  

If you buy $2.00 a box ammo and get half the stuff to work good,you just spent $4.00 a box and wasted lots of time.