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Silver Lake, Oregon, 40 years ago: A roommate and I "bailed out" of town for a three day weekend in the winter desert. Datsun station wagon (with chains), nylon tent, and guns.
The second afternoon there, exploring in the little car, I saw a stretch of rimrock about 3/4 of a mile long and suggested we walk it for Cottontails with our "new" pistols. Six inches of snow on the ground, 20 degrees outside and no wind, with evening approaching. Made to order for bunny huntin'!
Actually, only my buddy's pistol was new. A Ruger Standard MKII, with the 5" bull barrel. He bought it on my suggestion and it shot well when we tested it and sighted it in. The rimrock was crawling with rabbits, and in about 45 minutes, I had 4 flopping against my legs, their heads pulled up through my leather belt for carry. I missed just as many. Greg missed a lot, and almost whined, "Why doesn't my pistol do as good as yours?"
My pistol (new to me) was a well-worn High Standard HD military, 6.75" barrel. Greg's pistol should have kept pace: He'd handicapped it by shooting different ammo than it was sighted with. Not knowing that made a big difference, he blamed the gun.
But that HD WAS a real shooter. My first auto pistol, it whipped a Browning Medalist on one occasion. I kept it until a month ago. Sold only because I found it's twin, but near-mint condition, at a "friend" price. (Oh, yeah: I sold the old one to another friend, so I can still shoot it if I want.)
A fascination sparked by that gun has led to other target .22's "gravitating" to me in a fair number: Enough so that I decided I'd put 'em up against each other. This is that report.
This is not represented as any sort of scientific evaluation of accuracy. I fed every gun my preferred hunting ammo (since these guns were acquired for that purpose): CCI Mini Mag 36gr HP.
There is no doubt that some of these guns would shoot other ammo better (or worse) if tested for such. That's not happening here. They danced with the one I brung 'em. I have found this ammo to be VERY accurate for High Velocity HP, reliable function in ALL guns, clean, and delivers reliable expansion on game. (Some HP's do NOT.)
To be sure, there were some Pleasant Surprises, and a few Disappointments.
THE GUNS:
Clockwise from upper right:
Colt's Woodsman Match Target 3rd Series, Smith and Wesson Model 17-4, Ruger Standard MKII, Browning Nomad, Kimber Classic Gold Match (Kimber .22lr Conversion installed), Hi-Standard Model HD Military.
...To be Continued....
The second afternoon there, exploring in the little car, I saw a stretch of rimrock about 3/4 of a mile long and suggested we walk it for Cottontails with our "new" pistols. Six inches of snow on the ground, 20 degrees outside and no wind, with evening approaching. Made to order for bunny huntin'!
Actually, only my buddy's pistol was new. A Ruger Standard MKII, with the 5" bull barrel. He bought it on my suggestion and it shot well when we tested it and sighted it in. The rimrock was crawling with rabbits, and in about 45 minutes, I had 4 flopping against my legs, their heads pulled up through my leather belt for carry. I missed just as many. Greg missed a lot, and almost whined, "Why doesn't my pistol do as good as yours?"
My pistol (new to me) was a well-worn High Standard HD military, 6.75" barrel. Greg's pistol should have kept pace: He'd handicapped it by shooting different ammo than it was sighted with. Not knowing that made a big difference, he blamed the gun.
But that HD WAS a real shooter. My first auto pistol, it whipped a Browning Medalist on one occasion. I kept it until a month ago. Sold only because I found it's twin, but near-mint condition, at a "friend" price. (Oh, yeah: I sold the old one to another friend, so I can still shoot it if I want.)
A fascination sparked by that gun has led to other target .22's "gravitating" to me in a fair number: Enough so that I decided I'd put 'em up against each other. This is that report.
This is not represented as any sort of scientific evaluation of accuracy. I fed every gun my preferred hunting ammo (since these guns were acquired for that purpose): CCI Mini Mag 36gr HP.
There is no doubt that some of these guns would shoot other ammo better (or worse) if tested for such. That's not happening here. They danced with the one I brung 'em. I have found this ammo to be VERY accurate for High Velocity HP, reliable function in ALL guns, clean, and delivers reliable expansion on game. (Some HP's do NOT.)
To be sure, there were some Pleasant Surprises, and a few Disappointments.
THE GUNS:
Clockwise from upper right:
Colt's Woodsman Match Target 3rd Series, Smith and Wesson Model 17-4, Ruger Standard MKII, Browning Nomad, Kimber Classic Gold Match (Kimber .22lr Conversion installed), Hi-Standard Model HD Military.
...To be Continued....