Smith Model 18-3 Chrono'd .22 LR Results

[Rodfac]

Here are some chronograph results for part 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


__________________

 

[cfullgraf]

Interesting information.

Do you have any idea of the test fixture or firearms that the manufacturers used? Frequently, they use a test barrel or a firearm without a barrel/cylinder gap.

There are other features of the test rig that can make the advertised velocity look optimistic.

 

[Riomouse911]

I believe most .22 ammo velocity quotes are rifle velocities from 16”-20” barrels.

The drop to the “vented” 4” barrel length velocities shown for .22 LR is expected. (The .22 Magnum drop in handgun length barrels is much worse )

Thanks for the data. The Model 18 .22 Combat Masterpiece is one that I’ll someday add to the other masterpieces in the quiver, yours is a beauty!

Stay safe.

 

[beag_nut]

For even more info, go to the ballistics by the inch website. VERY eye-opening.

 

[Geno929]

Here are some chronograph results for part 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

View attachment 984137
__________________

That....is a thing of Beauty! The gun and holster are a match! I want one!

 

[Rodfac]

Cful, no idea as to the test bbl's. used but suspect that Rio is correct. Keep lookin' Rio, M-18's do come up...this one was $725 via GB. & a private seller who had to use an FFL on his end, so that complicated the sale somewhat...talked to him personally, & the gun turned out to be better than described. Hope you find the one you're looking for. Best Regards, Rod

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Interesting, and beautiful gun!

 

[JJFitch]

Unless the .22 ammo states "Handgun" it will have been tested in a "rifle", 20" barrel!
I have a recent M18-4 GB purchase in handgun jail! 's

 

[Rodfac]

JJFinch: Post some pics and a range report when you get yours out of hock. Mine was so new there was little or no blueing wear on the hand or frame there. Cylinder chambers were extremely tight..did some polishing with JB Bore paste then cleaned thoroughly. It ejects just fine now, but at first I was concerned that I'd bend the ejection rod.

It is a pleasure to shoot, and a great understudy for my M19s & M66. Mikulek stocks on the 66 are a real boon to DA shooting with moderate loads, say up to 1000 fps or so. Above that, the thin top, plays havoc with the web of my thumb.

Sure wish S&W would make these kinds of revolvers again, sans the cursed lock, and with the modern, more accurate machining. And as long as were day-dreaming, Smith oughta go back to the old "Coke Bottle" target grips.

Best regards, Rod

 

[Rodfac]

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

 

[FROGO207]

I also have foumd the offerings from CCI are more consistent and accurate than other .22 LR offerings in a lot of my firearms. However the .22 is a finicky beast and you just never know what will work best in what particular firesrm you test. I even have an old Remington bolt .22 that shoots the golden bullets best duds not withstanding.

 

[Rodfac]

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........Actual 1262, Ext. Spread 57
Scorpion Plated Rn............Actual 1107, Ext. Spread 59
Remington gov't contract...Actual 933, Ext. Spread 42
Norma Match Tactical Rn...Actual 864, Ext. Spread 19
Wolf Match Extra RN..........Actual 846, Ext. Spread 112
Aguila Match Rifle RN........Actual 849, Ext. Spread 60
Eley Tenex RN....................Actual 936, Ext. Spread 16