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Posted: 4/22/2008 5:27:25 PM EDT
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I've been interested in testing my various 22 lr combination to determine potential accuracy of various types of AR style of uppers and conversion kits. Sunday 04-20-08 and today 04-22-08 I shot 4 various 22 lr AR's at 50 and 100 yards. I have to admit this is by no means a scientific test just what I can typically shoot on a given day with my equipment. All shooting was done off a bench using a bipod and sandbags. Sunday it was overcast 60 degree's with light wind. Today it was partially overcast 70 degree's light wind with a 43 % humidity. Test rifles were a 16 inch bull barrel DPMS on a Double Star lower with RRA NM LPK kit and 6 position stock with a 2.5 X 10 Tasco Scope, a 16 inch KKF free floater upper on RRA NM Lower with 6 position stock with a Famous Maker 2.5 X 10 Mil Dot AO scope, and a 16 inch midlength 1 in 9 inch twist RRA arms upper on a RRA lower with six position stock with standard trigger. I used a Colt conversion kit compared to a Ciener kit in the Midlength 1 in 9 inch twist upper using the F/M 2.5 X 10 AO Scope. It should also be noted the KKF barrel uses a unique barrel extension on a 1 in 16 inch twist barrel allowing an unmodified barrel conversion kit to be utilized. The Ciener kit is the most accurate in the KKF and was shot only with the Ciener kit installed. All ammo shot was out of the same brick from that particular brand and all groups were five shot groups measured center to center with calipers between the two most distant bullet holes. On the 100 yard groups I measured the groups both from top to bottom and across the widest point center center. Hopefully this information will be useful for those considering whether to buy an in barrel conversion kit (ie Colt, Ciener, M-261 or Olympic RFA) or a dedicated upper with a 1 in 16 or 1 in 15 inch twist barrel. The KKF and DPMS barrels have free floated hand guards and the RRA 16 inch 1 in 9 inch twist barrel and has standard A-2 mid length hand guard. This is what a lot of people would typically have if they just bought a kit for their 5.56 carbine. Now the results 50 yards KKF Aguila SE 40 grain 1. .802 2. 1.431 3. 1.077 4. .869 5. .807 6. .845 Average .9718 50 yards CCI MINI Mags 1.558, 1.085 50 yards Eley Silohetex 1.035 50 yards RWS Target Rifle 1.647 100 Yards Aguila 40 grain SE 1. 2.007 X 1.680 2. 2.206 X 1.023 3. 1.611 X 2.107 4. 1.147 X 1.187 DPMS bull barrel 50 yards Aguila 40 grain SE 1. .940 2. .797 3. .798 4. 1.369 5. .650 6. .812 Average .8943 50 yards CCI Mini Mags 1.100, .406 50 yards Eley Silohetex .703 50 yards RWS Target Rifle .955 100 Yards Aguila 40 Grain SE 1. 2.350 X 1.300 2. 1.641 X 1.579 3. 1.798 X 1.370 4. 1.433 X 1.036 100 Yards CCI Mini Mags 1. 1.927 X 1.975 Colt Conversion Kit 50 yards Aguila 40 grain SE 1. 1.317 2. 1.734 3. 1.464 4. .955 5. 1.398 6. .980 7. 1.511 Average 1.337 50 yards CCI Mini MAGS 1.313 50 Yards Federal 36 grain HP 1.457, 3.197, 2.924 100 Yards Aguila 40 Grain SE 1. 1.267 X 3.575 2. 2.376 X 2.699 3. 3.192 X 1.126 Ciener Conversion Kit 50 yards Aguila 40 Grn SE 1. 2.157 2. 1.679 3. 1.067 4. 1.073 5. 1.074 6. .827 7. 1.173 Average 1.2928 50 Yards Mini Mags 1.104 100 yards Aguila 40 Grain Se 1. 1.900 X 1.283 I didn't shoot any more groups out of the Ciener at 100 yards because I knew the groups were probably going to be larger and I was running out of targets. From my experience the in barrel conversion kits have good enough accuracy to shoot steel plates and man size torso targets out to 100 yards which is very good practice for CQB. If your planning on using a scope and shooting for groups you probably will want a dedicated upper. Both Colt and Ciener exhibited flyers which opened most groups but I observed no key holes. I had one stove pipe jam with the Colt conversion but no other malfunctions. All barrels were cleaned and lubed with CLP before the test began. Just as a comparison I shot the KKF again today with Aguila's at 50 yards. 1. 1.309 2. .476 3. .915 4. 1.015 5. 1.023 Average .9476 One other interesting point is about building your own upper using a 1 in 12 twist barrel or a similar set up with conversion kit and dedicated upper. There is very little difference between the KKF dedicated upper and the DPMS bull barrel both using 1 in 16 inch twist. To me the bullet jump through the conversion kit doesn't seem to have a significant effect on accuracy. There seems to be more variation in the ammo than a particular barrels accuracy in my two dedicated uppers. Each upper has its own preferences for ammo. Unless you are a very skilled High Power shooter I don't think most shooters would be dissatisfied with either. For most people if their ultimate goal was accuracy they wouldn't be wise to try to get it out of a 22 lr AR plat form. Summary: you decide what role your wanting your rifle to fill and spend your money or do like I did and buy one of each. |
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Thanks-very interesting I owned a DPMS heavy barreled upper at one point that was crazy accurate. It seemed to be sub 1" at 100 yards with standard velocity target ammo. The weak point was the trigger in that it would only run with the heavier sprung units such as stock and RRNM but wouldn't run with a jewell. When shooting with a high power target scope at 100 yards I would watch myself pull quite a few fliers out of the group due to the heavy trigger. The other problem is that due to being a DPMS the bolt would blow up (extractor flying off) or the fireing pin would break about every 300 rounds I bought a Ceiner for grins while the DPMS was out being repaired (again) and haven't looked back. After I got the unit broken in well I found It would run fairly well with standard velocity target type ammo . I found out that ammo is really the key to accuracy (hey its's a 22) and was surprised that my 1/12 20" upper really was no better (or worse) than several of my regular 1/9 uppers. I have allways thought that some of the guys moaning and groaning about the poor accuracy of the Ceiners were just hacking around with bulk ammo and military triggers and never gave their rig a fair test . Some of the bulk stuff has been truely rotten in my guns You seemed to be watching it but a huge factor in 100 yard rimfire shooting is wind.Bullet speed is so low (long flight time to target) that the slightest puff of wind can blow you an inch or better off target |
| Thanks for the feed back. I read the post on putting the tape on the Ciener and have never thought to try this before going to the range. It appears the Ciener fits pretty snug in my KKF barrel. I know the Ciener's 20/1000 extra length definitely is more accurate than the Colt conversion in my KKF barrel. It appears the difference the bullet travels before engaging the end of the barrel or rifling is the culprit with the Colt. I have shot a lot over the years and I know when I get a good let off with a rifle looking through the scope. My past experience has shown most 22 lr ammo is just not that consistent. I shot the Aguila's because they are the most consistent out of my guns and is locally available. I have had good luck with the CCI Mini Mags and they seem to shoot a tad (more expensive) better than Aguila's in my dedicated DPMS. If I had tried this test with other ammo the results could have been quite different in accuracy and reliability. 22 lr Kits are kind of particular in what ammo they eat best. The results in your barrel/gun may be different with a particular brand of ammo. Considering the amount of shooting I did on those two days, that is typical performance for me. I have shot a lot of really small groups over the last couple of years but usually those are a small percentage of the total number of groups I've shot. The primary reason I migrated to 22 lr is the enjoyment in shooting more for the same investment. I found I could get a lot more good practice shooting 22 lr compared to 5.56 or 40 S&W. I'm a full time Police Officer and I shoot a lot. Since shooting the 22's I can definitely tell a difference in my ability. I'm 52 years old and the age has taken its toll on my ability to shoot. I can shoot as good as some of the younger guys on my Dept. but if I didn't practice I know I couldn't. I've enjoyed reading other post on this forum and thought I might try to let others see what I observed. I initially started with a Ciener in my 5.56 carbine when I stated carrying a carbine at work. I didn't feel as competent with the rifle as I did with the pistol or shotgun. When I saw how much my competence and confidence improved shooting 22 lr in the carbine I started shooting the 22 lr Advantage Arms in the pistol. I migrated to the dedicated 22lr AR just because I was shooting 22 lr AR's the most. I don't have to reload as much or worry about picking up brass when shooting 22's. The BRD kicked in and thats how I ended up owning so many. I really haven't bought the expensive 22 lr target ammo to see how it would shoot. I just can't bring myself to spend 8 to 10 bucks on 50 22 lr. I'm just not that concerned about shooting a 22 lr for super tiny groups. If I wanted tiny groups I'd shoot a 204 Ruger or more a target cartridge. |
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