Looks like I'll be getting a new S&W 4" M617 in 22LR. If I have to I'll go through a bunch of different brands and versions but I thought I'd ask the board is their is any kind of a science to picking a very accurate 22LR for this revolver.

Alan

just get several different brands and designs and try them out. If you are serious about real small griups try the target or match stuff first. My old model 18 likes CCI green tag.

federal champion works really good, .. "just for fun" ... eley or remington target will do great

SSS will NOT perform well, and will keyhole at 20 yards

quote:

SSS will NOT perform well, and will keyhole at 20 yards

Yep! I read the string on your hunt for a revolver which would shoot this stuff. How's it gone since february?

Alan

Pistols, like every other firearm, seem to have their own peculiar likes and dislikes in ammo. I'm sure match ammo will work well, but for the price, you can buy half a brick of different brands to find out what you'rs likes.

(Speaking of the M617, I saw Jerry Miclik using one today on the Outdoor Channel. He was shooting balloons holding the gun upsided down, shooting it double action, with his little finger and busting a balloon at 200 yards. It did take him two shots, however. LMAO)

Alan
atill off being rebarreled.. gunsmiths being gunsmiths, i don't know why i thought it would be quick.. the "emergency" at work that stopped me from doing it has passed

Yup, go buy a few boxes of everything available from your local shop and have at it. The cost of ammo is the real beauty of the .22 LR.

If your club has a Ransom rest with inserts for the Smith I would recommend using that.
Peter.

The silly part is that the worst "common" 22 LR ammo I shoot still shoots better than I can hold it. 1.5" group at 50 feet, rested? Oh heck, Remmie Green Box, Federal 525 bulk packs, CCI whatevers - it's all the same to me.

On the other hand, .22LR revolvers absolutely rock.

I don't find revolvers to be near as picky as autos. But your gun will show some preferences, just not as pronounced. My old Colt loved Remington Pistol Match and it was a lot quieter than the high velocity stuff.

Standard velocity of any make works in my S&W Mod 17-2.

I've yet to meet a 22 - rifle, pistol, or revolver - that didn't like CCI MiniMags more than most other options. YMMV but they're certainly worth a try, if you can find any...

Trying the different ammo is the only way. Once you get it anrrowed down to a brand, weight, velocity ect then you will be ready to get picky. Start seperating your bullets by rim thickness then shoot them. You will find one thickness will out shoot the others then you will know what your chamber was cut for. for example 0.040", 0.041", 0.042" are the common measurements found. Sounds a bit extreme but with 22 ammo you can afford it. This is the critical dimension in 22s being they headspace off of the rim. Can be a lot of fun just plinking and experimenting. Every one is different.

JM2CW

Ditto on what Ahab said.Standard velocity 22LR has less SD than the high velocity.It shoots as well as a lot of Match 22 ammo and is kinder to the Wallet.