inchester v RWS in .22LR

[NickB65]

I have a read a few posts about Winchester being less accurate than they were and that RWS were a tad more consistent. So I purchased a box of Blue Winchester, a box of the Black newer production and a box of RWS. All 40 gr subsonic hollow points.

 

On the left we have the Winchester BLUE shot at 70 yards while on the right we have the Winchester BLACK which is the same load but more recent production. Same gun, same aim point...... so this batch of Winchesters do not seem to be that consistent but still on target (The target circle is 6cm across)

 

The RWS was the same load but only 1033 so I expected a slightly lower drop....

 

 

One mil dot lower but all over the place...... Now these were shot after ten RWS had been put through the gun after shooting the Winchesters and in the same conditions i.e. no wind and at 70 yards.

 

Think I will stick with the Winchesters.

 

The conditions were perfect in that there was no wind.

 

I know it was not the perfect experiment but I thought I would share sit with you......

Edited June 1, 2014 by NickB65

[kennym]

you have two lefts?

[wymberley]

Unfortunately, as it was job done, the targets were put on the bonfire so I can't show them. My oppo has just got some Winchester Black and used the last few Blues to check zero before then checking the Blacks. Before firing the Blacks I suggested that he try some SKs which I'd just finished using to zero the optic scope having just taken off the NV. Apart from the first shot which was high, the last four were well under 3/4" at 70 yards. He then started shooting the black until the third shot failed to eject. Had a devil of a job prizing it out. The previous day we'd driven to Poole to take his SM 100 to be repaired/tuned and we'd stopped in Dorchester for me to pick up 500 SKs. His only comment was that I've got 500 of the damned things and why didn't I listen to you - we have the same model rifle.

 

He did cheer up though. His HMR had arrived but had to go back as they'd forgotten to fit a two stage trigger. He had a go with mine and was well pleased not to be able to see the shots on the ShootNSee target. We put a 13mm patching disc over the red centre and he'd stuffed 5 into it without any mark showing on the 'See' at 100 yards by range finder.

[LeadWasp]

I find it takes around 8 shots after changing brands for the grouping to settle down

[telf]

there have been several threads on the winchesters,i started one myself,i think somebody actually contacted winchester about the unreliability of it since the "packaging" was changed and the problems started,but their reply was basically there has been no change in the manufacture of the ammo,even though people are having problems with it

 

i myself have 2 x.22s and have noticed a big difference in the accuracy of it ,so much so that i have bought myself a sako quad mach 2,to use as my day gun,havent actually tried it yet but hopefully may get out next weekend and zero it,but there has obviously been some sort of change to winnies,which in my opinion was the most reliable and accurate of the subsonic rounds

Edited June 2, 2014 by telf

[drut]

Your results are the complete opposite of what I have found with my CZ452:RWS subs give MUCH better groups(3/8" @ 50yds)than the last couple of Winchester batches I have bought.On the other hand my Brno 581 will still group the Winnies to an inch @50yds, although I am getting the odd FTF which I never had with older Winchester, but gives 2 to 2 1/2 in groups with the RWS subs.Considering the best groups I have ever had with the 581(1/2 in @50yds) were with RWS HV hollowpoints only adds to my confusion.Life was so much simpler when Winchester quality control was better:now having to keep 2 types of ammo & drop at longer range with RWS compared to Winchester is a disappointment.

 

p.s. would this thread not have been better in bullets,cartridges etc. ?

[Whitebridges]

Ah the vagaries of .22lr ammo from different batches through different guns!

I zero at 65 yards and RWS HP subs are superior from an accuracy point of view compared to Winchesters from the blue box.

I've recently got in to SK subs which are definitely faster than RWS and a bit flatter shooting especially when you extend the range. They are very accurate, yet to try them on the rabbits.

[NickB65]

Well I was back in the field and wanted to try again the RWS v Winchesters and was not surprised. The BLACK box Winchesters do not seem to be as consistent as the BLUE box with the batches I have but the impact on the accuracy after firing 20 RWS was amazing. The Winchesters went all over the place, what was a tight group of around 1.5 inches at 70 yards extended to 4 inches! It took another 30 rounds for the rounds to come back to thew way they were and this I can only assume is due to the waxyness of the RWS compared to the Winchester.

 

I will try and load some of the pictures up later......

[Cumbrian]

Well I was back in the field and wanted to try again the RWS v Winchesters and was not surprised. The BLACK box Winchesters do not seem to be as consistent as the BLUE box with the batches I have but the impact on the accuracy after firing 20 RWS was amazing. The Winchesters went all over the place, what was a tight group of around 1.5 inches at 70 yards extended to 4 inches! It took another 30 rounds for the rounds to come back to thew way they were and this I can only assume is due to the waxyness of the RWS compared to the Winchester.

 

I will try and load some of the pictures up later......

I suspect you are right about the effect of the coating. .22 target rifle shooters - of which I am one, though a mediocre example - are advised not to shoot a different brand without first cleaning the barrel. Cheaper than using 30 rounds of ammo to do the job.