Sub-sonic Rimfire Ammo

[Marine24]

Not sure if there is actually a difference between sub-sonic rimfire ammo and standard velocity ammo or just a marketing ploy.

Was looking to purchase some Eley Match and Target ammo. Velocity is rated at 1085 fps at the muzzle. Their sub-sonic is rated at 1065 fps as the muzzle. Sound barrier (temperature, humidity dependent) is generally around 1100 fps.

This just something peculiar to Eley given their match/target niche?

CCI Standard Velocity stuff is around this range, but no doubt their Mini-mag and Stinger ammo is super sonic.

[Tim K]

Eley ammo varies in velocity from lot to lot. On Match and Tennex you can specify what velocity you want because the actual tested velocity for that lot is printed on the box. Below that, the velocity is just listed as some generic number.

I've shot a lot of Target, and it's been surprisingly good. Not as good as the more expensive stuff, but adequate for outdoor shooting at least.

One thing to note if you're shooting outdoors at long range. The BC of the bullet in Target is 0.105. On most everything else they make it's 0.150. The numbers are so similar I overlooked it for years and just figured it out a few months ago. Once my stash of Target is gone, I'll probably switch to Edge for outdoor shooting for just that reason.

[Marine24]

Tim,

Thanks. Good info on the Match and Tennex. I have some of the Match coming in, but see Target, Club becoming available as well. Saw Eley had the sub-sonic ammo listed, but only a few 20 fps slower than their other stuff, which was also sub-sonic.

Picked up a CZ Varmint the other day and looking to build a Kidd 10/22. Varmint still needs work but want to get it out and shoot it to get a baseline.

[Tim K]

I think the sub sonic is just an even less accurate and less expensive line. I've not tried it.

Match is really good. We measure standard deviations of 5 fps for ten shots. It tested better than the two lots of Tennex I tried.

[Marine24]

There a typical velocity that folks look for in Match rimfire ammo? Seems around 1080-1085 fps is what I typically see.

Champion's Choice seems to have a fair amount of Match and Tenex plus some Lapua Midas at some decent prices. I just picked up a few boxes to see how my rifle likes it.

[Tim K]

No special number, just subsonic. No one wants the bullet to go through the transonic region, so as long as it's clearly subsonic it's all good. Guys will use the velocity numbers to try to guess what new lot might work in their guns based on previous experience.

[Tim K]

Update: I was out with Zach O yesterday shooting Target out to 165. It was impacting 0.6 mils high based on dope generated with a BC of 0.105. We checked every input for an error, and found none. Now I'm suspicious that the published value is a misprint and the BC is really 0.15 like everything else. If I put that BC in and increase the speed just a few FPS the dope matches the data we collected.

If I have time this weekend I'm going to chrono that ammo out of that rifle with a magneto speed. Last time I used a crappy Shooting Chrony, and I don't trust the results.

Once we figured out the dope, the ammo shot great in a match.

[Marine24]

Wow. Lot more to this than just bracketing the target and firing for effect. You running a 20 MOA rail on your 40X? Necessary for that range or do you have enough clicks in the scope?

Debating on a KIDD 10/22 build and they offer a zero, 10 and 20 MOA rail. Primarily will be shooting at 50 and 100 yards, but still would like to see about shooting steel at 200. Plan was to go with either a zero or 10 MOA ral and then use the mildot to hold for longer shots if I couldn't dial in the elevation changes.

[Tim K]

There's no reason not to get all the elevation you can out of the rail. I run 20 or 25 MOA on both rifles. Better to have it and not need it than the reverse. Holding is too much mental energy for me, I'd rather just dial it up.

[offgrid]

Marine 24,

where did you find the Eley Match? I'm down to two boxes! Panic!

The Match I have is labeled 1059, chrono'd it at 1030. 10' from the muzzle. Also like TimK's results, low ES's.

20 MOA for my rail.