Smith Model 18-3: .22 lr velocity/accuracy

R

rodfac

New member
Here are the chronograph results of some of my stash of .22 LR in my Smith Model 18-3. Shown are the round, the claimed muzzle velocity, then my chrono results: velocity and extreme spread over 5 rounds.

Before you ask, the accuracy winner, from a Weaver Stance and 15 yds is a 3-way tie between CCI Mini-Mag 40 gr Solids, Federal Auto-Match 40 gr & CCI Mini-Mag 36 gr HP's. All will group 6 shots in an inch at 15 yds. I had no mis-fires and all ejected well from the Smith's very tight chambers.

Best Regards, Rod

CCI Mini-Mag 40 gr Solid Advertised 1235; Actual 1032 / 27
CCI Mini-Mag 36 gr HP Advertised 1260; Actual 1075 / 44
CCI Standard Vel 40 gr Solid Advertised 1070; Actual 940 / 31
CCI Subsonic HP 40 gr HP Advertised 1050; Actual 972/ 34
CCI Short Hi-Vel 27 gr HP Advertised 1105; Actual 972 / 85

Federal Auto-Match 40 gr Solid Advertised 1200; Actual 1070 / 72

Remington Golden 40 gr Solid Advertised 1255; Actual 1035 / 90

Winchester Super-X 40 gr Solid Advertised 1300; Actual 1026 / 91

 
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The claimed muzzle velocity only applies to the firearm, its barrel length and conditions on the day of the test. There's no mention anywhere of what firearm CCI used. Could have been a 6" revolver or a rifle.
 
I love the S&W M18. I don't really know but I'd bet factory velocities were taken from a rifle or rifle length barrel fixture. Those velocities are about what I'd have guessed in a revolver. Super nice M18. This is my old M18 which I prefer over my M17 that I ended up selling.
 
Yep, I've always thought they use a rifle to take the velocity readings. But as O'Heir points out, it's not readily apparent from the cartridge boxes. I've been interested in handgun velocities through my various .22's for quite some time....and the advent of "subsonic" offerings got me to wondering how they compared to "standard" velocity.

You may have noted that the "subsonic" was actually faster than than "standard" in the CCI that I tested. Speed of sound varies by altitude and temperature and hovers near 1125 fps @ 68 degrees. That's about what it was today here in KY. Wonder what I'd have got with one of my .22 rifles...another day...

HTH's those of you wondering as I was, just how fast those little pills are moving out of a representative 4" bbl'd. revolver.

As to the gun, it was a GB pickup some time ago...in almost new condition...and glad I found it...a grail gun for me...

Rod
 
One thing that caught my eye was the small extreme spread of all the CCI long rifle types vs. those of Federal, Remington & Winchester. It's no wonder, based on those numbers, that CCI Mini-Max, et al., enjoy a reputation for quality over the years.

Also of note is that I found Fed Auto-Match to be one of the top three for accuracy in my Smith. IIRC, that's held true for my Ruger Standard Mk2, and my Colt Diamondback as well. Go figure....

I do have some match quality .22, that I'm going to test as well, maybe today, wx permitting .

Best Regards, Rod
 
I found Fed Auto-Match to be one of the top three for accuracy in my Smith
Click to expand...

IIRC the Federal people, a few years back, got upset that all the U.S. Olympic shooters were using foreign made ammunition and took it upon themselves to develop some really accurate U.S. .22LR ammo. They didn't take over the market but they did have some of the medal winners using their stuff so maybe that technology is still influencing their products...or maybe your gun just likes the stuff.

P.S. That is a NICE looking revolver.
 
Smith M18-3 .22 LR Add'l Chrono results

For those of you who followed my previous thread with this revolver, I did some add'l chrono work this afternoon on the remaining types of .22 LR ammunition in my storage locker. As yet, I haven't done accuracy data with any of these brand, however.

I chrono'd three brands of "Match" category rounds: Eley Tenex, Aguila Match Rifle, & Wolf Match Extra and included some data on Remington's gov't contract standard velocity (in the plain white box). The rest are pretty much self-explanatory. But take note, of the CCI Stinger velocity: 1262 with an Ext Spd of 57...this through at 4" revolver barrel...a big surprise for me as I've not shot Stingers through any of my .22's, rifle or handgun, in many years.

Of note also, are the Norma Match with an ext. spd. of only 19. Not one that I'd have guessed for such good uniformity. The Eley Tenex, with an ext. spd. of 16 is to be expected, as the cost is nearly double some of the others. The Wolf Match Extra with a 112 ext. spd was a complete surprise as I've had pretty good results with it in the past, using a scoped Winchester M-61 pump known for its outstanding accuracy.

HTH's & Best Regards, Rod

CCI Stinger Plated HP Advert. Vel. N/A Actual 1262, Ext. Spread 57
Scorpion Plated Advert. Vel. N/a Actual 1107, Ext. Spread 59
Remington gov't contract Advert. Vel. N/a Actual 933, Ext. Spread 42
Norma Match Tactical Rn Advert. Vel 1100 Actual 864, Ext. Spread 19
Wolf Match Extra Advert. Vel N/A Actual 846, Ext. Spread 112
Aguila Match Rifle Advert. Vel N/A Actual 849, Ext. Spread 60
Eley Tenex Advert. Vel N/A Actual 936, Ext. Spread 16

 
I've merged your most recent chrono results with your original thread. No sense in spreading out results over multiple threads when it's about the same subject.
 
I have 3 m17s, 2 m18s and 1 m34. If I’m planning on serious 22 shooting, like squirrel hunting I always go for my old M17. The m34 was to be my fishing pistol. After one dip in the creek I cleaned m34 totally and put it back in the box. Got a 422 for wading gun. The m18s are nice but I only shoot them occasionally at targets. I don’t think I can do a inch at 15yds unless it was off bags. That’s why I never bought 4” guns in the CFs.
 
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