[TerryK]

On a semi windy day with a 54 MSR, fed from magazine, Meopta 4-20X. Bottom sighter shots are barrel conditioning, but I think they say something. Distance 50 yards from bench with no finesse/skill, all 10 shot groups.
I think it is interesting to see the flier in the written word TAC. In that case I had fliers. I have 3 cases of TAC, so that is my chicken practice ammo at 40M offhand. If I had to choose between 400 dollar/case TAC and CCI, I wish I had another case of CCI at the same price point.
For me, I don't need insane accuracy, but for 100M, TAC and CCI will be a bit lacking. Given SK is maybe 800/case, and CenterX is 1400, I would be better off by shooting/practicing with 2 cases of SK, than 1 case of CenterX.
Hopefully SK+ will be available soon, but I have a brick and a full case, so I am good for this year. My buddy owes me a case of SK+, I was thinking of getting SK semi auto if he orders that for himself.
Anyway that is my cost/benefit for smallbore silhouette with one rifle one one day. I want to run the same test with my 1712 when I get time. I really expect the same results, but it will be interesting to see. If I get a calm day I would like to see the same test at 100M, or at least SK+ vs Centre X.

 

[Shorty123]

For a mid priced ammo, SK+ has always done well for me. I have had some really good lots. Very nice shooting!

 

[Jackpine]

For the price, I have had great success with SK Std+, from multiple lots in several guns. In one of my CZs it shot just ask well as Center-X. With my Sule 150 bench gun with a "rail" stock, nothing comes close to Center-X. A gun club friend gave me a box of TAC-22 and it shot as well as ANYTHING I had ever shot in my 457, so I ordered several cartons and the different lot shot groupls almost twice the size of the first box! The CCI has never shot badly in multiple guns and lots, but it has never been a first choice in anything. (all testing was multilple groups, with "barrel seasoning" of each ammo.

My point is, we are back to the question of whether your rifle likes a certain lot of a certain ammo, but my personal experience has been that the SK Std+ has done great for the price.

 

[atlantafireman]

My experiences with Tac-22 and CCI standard velocity (SV): it all depends of the lot I got. The CCI SV lot, which I am currently chewing through, will hold about inch and a 1/4 at 50 yards; I can’t tell what is a flyer and what is part of the group. My current Tac-22 lot holds 3/4 inch, add some crazy flyers, and 3/4” goes out the window. I measure 10-shot groups edge-to-edge, and mostly with a dime, nickel, or quarter. I like to cover groups with a dime. Lapua Center-X and X-Act shot tighter, without flyers; for me though, the cost difference was not worth the money—nor are my rifles (10/22 with aftermarket bull barrels, Ruger RAR, Savage Axis 22LR (honest—it says “Axis” on the barrel), and various family pre-WWII 22LR rifles). At some point, when finances allow, I may have to try some SK Standard+, just for kicks. OH GEE, you mean I have to go to the club for another day of fun?

 

[TerryK]

Windy day, 40F. Different rifle.

 

[2500X]

Looks like you had a right to left wind.

 

[TerryK]

It was pretty windy. Wind was swirling around. I guess today’s test was “what ammo shoots best in wind at 50 with a 1712.”
For this rifle, I guess Centre X. For close practice either TAC or CCI is OK. I wanted to see what to use for practice, and what to burn in a match. My MSR liked CCI for practice, and SK for match. So that will be written on the stocks.

 

[jazzsax8]

I really like the conclusions you have drawn on using your different grades of ammo. I do not have set ups that will produce award winning benchrest accuracy and am not willing to spend $5K to even get started so, when you shoot a lot of standing offhand at both targets and small swingers, the less expensive stuff will do a more than adequate job for my level of wiggle!

 

[tominboise]

Just so I know, you shot 10 shot groups. How many conditioning rounds for each ammo? Did you clean between each ammo? Just wondering as I have similar rifles and ammo and need to do some testing myself.

 

[wagon]

I never had luck with Tac22. None of my toys like it, it is better than cheapo bulk no doubt, but even Aguila SV gives me better groups.

 

[TerryK]

I did not clean between ammo. I took 5-10 sightsees before shooting upper target for results. This reflects how I shoot for silhouette. I believe in cleaning, but not often.
It is interesting to see a relative performance in both rifles.
TAC, or I should say the last case of TAC included in this case has fliers. That can be seen in the first target. I just found another case of TAC, so I have 4 cases to burn. Hope they shoot better, 4 cases will probably have 4 unique results.
I am also blessed to have a case or so of good-great ammo I want to use up. So it will take a while to get to fresh TAC. I want to just approach ammo on a case level so I can just knock over steel.

 

[Sgt. Buzzard]

Testings fun. I've been working out tests in wind too. My two shooters like Match & Club Eley. And my go to practice load is CCI AR Tactical. Then this morning under windy conditions I left the good guns and ammo home and played with a Ruger take down.

Whoa, this toy likes CCI SV in heavy gusts. I can't find Norma or SK around me. Always looking. Now I want to test the take down with the high priced stuff, just because.

 

[TerryK]

I tested a different Anschutz 1712 with Mcmillian stock. Meopta Opt5 4-20 MOA2.
Puked TAC, but loved CCI.
I only had 15 rounds of Center X and CCI, so sighter was 5 shots.

 

[Sgt. Buzzard]

I like CCI sv but wow. I wish my mod.37 would group $4.99 ammo better than the 20. Dollar stuff. Your very lucky.

 

[cournot]

Lucky man. CCI is worst for me of those in all my rifles.

 

[jazzsax8]

CCI is worst for me of those in all my rifles.

Would you have some data saved to show just how bad "worst" is compared to something else? At 50 yards, it should shoot easily into 1" and has always done so in my stuff. Even my less accurate Marlin 39a does 3/4-7/8" at 50 using SV. My Nelson .22 conversion pistol sightin in a red dot at 50 put 5 into .655" the first time out.

 

[cournot]

Would you have some data saved to show just how bad "worst" is compared to something else? At 50 yards, it should shoot easily into 1" and has always done so in my stuff. Even my less accurate Marlin 39a does 3/4-7/8" at 50 using SV. My Nelson .22 conversion pistol sightin in a red dot at 50 put 5 into .655" the first time out.

1 inch at 50 is fine. But with the right lot of Center X, my Vudoo shoots half an inch. With my Suhl 150, even Tac 22 routinely has tighter groups than CCI Standard. I did multiple tests with my rebarreled Suhl and that one seems to like RWS Target Rifle, Rifle Match, Center X and Eley Match (black) better. My CZ 457 prefers Sk Std Plus and Center X. Also I get more random flyers in a 25 bull target with the CCI. I have never managed to score a clean score with any target and CCI Std but have multiple 250s with CX, Tac 22, Federal Match (the kind RWS made), Eley Match and Tenex with different guns on the IBS target, 2500 on the ARA factory target, and once on the IR 50 with several 248 and 249.

Here's a 10 shot group off my Suhl 150 shot with a mix of Norma Match and Tac 22 at 50 yards. I've never come close with CCI.

 

[jazzsax8]

courtnot
OK I get it now. You are shooting some fabulous equipment for score off a bench. Sometimes I forget that I only shoot bench to test ammo and then go offhand. Yes, I would assume CCI SV to be deficient to most all of the brands you have tested. I too have some pretty nice results with TAC-22 that is inexpensive ammo. These are only 5 shot groups at 50yds but for offhand purposes, more than adequate.

 

[cournot]

courtnot
OK I get it now. You are shooting some fabulous equipment for score off a bench. Sometimes I forget that I only shoot bench to test ammo and then go offhand. Yes, I would assume CCI SV to be deficient to most all of the brands you have tested. I too have some pretty nice results with TAC-22 that is inexpensive ammo. These are only 5 shot groups at 50yds but for offhand purposes, more than adequate.

Yes. I am probably your polar opposite. Due to hand and eye issues, I never bother to shoot rifles offhand. But I always found CCI std inadequate for my purposes. With my unmodified Ruger IV, I don't shoot CCI Std better than Minimags.

 

[atlantafireman]

Windy day, 40F. Different rifle.

Good scope too.