RIMFIRE and STEEL CHALLENGE

[alfsauve]

Forgot where I posted the other stuff, so doesn't hurt have a new thread.

Finished my Optic, red dot, a Ruger MKIV 22/45 Lite.  Just added Holosun Comp sight, a Le Vang comp (red to color things up like Michael suggests) and a TandemKross recharging ring.  Oh,  and cut the notch in the back of the grip to accommodate MkIII magazines. 

[Rastus]

Sweet.  Very nice. 

I was talking to a friend today about getting the 22/45 in the not too distant future (I hope not too distant). 

So tell me what you know about the Tactical Solution PAC-LITE IV barrels and the Volquartsen light weight barrels. 

Volquartsen touts a hardened breech and stainless steel which I dunno if the TacSol has.  Also...I'll need to contact them but Volquartsen only says Mark IV and omits any reference to a Mark IV in 22/45...I am assuming there is a difference in how the barrels mate up to the receiver?  Which I am wondering because, go ahead and call me vain, but I prefer the looks of the aftermarket barrels...which..hey, I can live without.

[Big Frank]

That looks a lot nicer than my heavy barrel 22/45.

[alfsauve]

One of the issues with the whole MK family is that the upper is the regulated part.  It this wasn’t an issue when Bill designed it in ‘49, but you’d think with the later version they’d have made the barrel easier to replace like the 10/22.  Maybe with the MK V version.  Baby steps.

[Big Frank]

Don't hold your breath, Alf. I'd like to see the grip frame be the registered part so you could swap barrels. People have been talking about that for decades. At least they made them easy to field strip, so maybe another improvement will happen in our lifetimes. I still have some things I need to install in mine, like new mag springs.

[Sponsor]

[alfsauve]

So tell me what you know about the Tactical Solution PAC-LITE IV barrels and the Volquartsen light weight barrels. 

Nothing in particular that I know about.  All good companies, just for a whole new gun, they  far beyond my desired ROI.  The thing is nobody sells you just a barrel, because it’s not a diy swap out.  Almost all “barrels” include a new receiver which has to go through an FFL.  Tac-Sol, TandemKross and Volquartsen are high quality but expensive.  Imagine if the Fire Control Unit could be separated from the grip and the barrel as easy to swap as the 10/22?  There would be no end to the after market parts. Think Sig P320 and 365.

[alfsauve]

Shot at Talladega's "Match Tracker" monthly match.

RF Rifle both Iron and Optic.

Got bumped to B in the Iron Sight!  YEAH-H-H-H.
Missed B in Optic by 1.4 seconds.  Boo-o-o-o-o.   Had a ammo issue on two stages.

I'll go shoot Alabama state match next month and I think I'll do RF Rifle Iron and Revolver Optic.

I learned that shooting two divisions using the same magazine means you're reloading a whole lot.  Will definitely mix it up here on out.

[Rastus]

So what ammo were you using?  What's the predominant ammo on the rimfire competition trail?

I generally have best results with CCI and after that maybe Federal 22 LR.

Also...I've perused S&W and what do you think about the SW22 Victory for competition?  I see it comes with an optic and a carbon fiber barrel....but do you see it on the competition trail and if you do have you gleaned anything about it's performance?

[alfsauve]

I use only CCI Standard lead and plated, plus Federal Range(blue box), which I think is the same as CCI Standard.  Out of ~500 rounds down range I had 3 misfires.  CCI Standard lead works well in the 10/22s and the plated version in the MKIVs.  This is based on bench rest testing for grouping and functioning.

My observation, somewhat limited, is CCI is the most used, with most favoring some version of Mini-Mag.  Aquila and Federal are probably second.

Ah S&W.  Love their revolvers, not sold on their semi autos.  There are those who love them and, like my friend, Gary, those that don’t. Gary’s gun had to go back for warranty repair. Been 8 weeks.  To put in perspective, I had a revolver rebarreled by them in three. When they work they’re evidently very good.  If you want the best then go Volquartzen or TendemKross.  But also note they’re $1,200-$1,500.  I’m not sure that for the extra $600 the ROI is worth it over a stock 22/45 light.  My mods only cost me $100.

[Big Frank]

IMO it's hard to go wrong with a Ruger 22/45, or a MKII, III, or IV pistol if you like that grip angle. Anything but the original. There's a good reason Ruger owns just over 50% of the .22 pistol market (and almost 50% of the .22 revolver market, too). They're good, affordable guns. You can customize them however you want, and use the money you saved by not buying a more expensive gun to buy more ammo and practice to get better.