Range Report: .22 SMLE Trainer

[Brian the Brit]

Is everyone away on holiday this month? It's certainly quiet on the forum at the moment.

I have no exciting new purchases to share but thought that you might be interested to hear how I'm getting on with the new toy.

Here's a picture of one of this morning's targets shot at 50 yards from a sandbag on the bench. I was moaning about not being able to see where my bullets were striking through my binoculars when a mate who visits America regularly gave me a couple of Birchwood Casey Shoot N C targets to try. I stuck one in the centre of one of our standard targets and my first round cut the 9 ring. A slight adjustment in point of aim and I was in the middle.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/ ... G_0999.jpg[/pic]

The problem with the standard SMLE sights is that the foresight blade disappears when set against a black target. The bright green splashes on this target gave me a clear point of aim and any reservations I might have had about accuracy were immediately dispelled.

In my earlier post I showed the wooden insert in the magazine. I'm still not sure of its purpose as eight times out of ten, provided the bolt is worked vigorously, the used .22 case will separate from the extractor ready to fall into the empty magazine case as intended.

The ammunition I used was cheap-as-chips Sellier & Bellot Standard at £15 for 500. I could see no appreciable difference with Eley Tenex but will continue to try other brands until I find the one she likes best.

I could become really enthusiastic about .22 shooting. The accuracy of these inexpensive rounds is incredible. Hmmm, I wonder if I should start looking for a BSA International now?

Brian

[awo425]

Nice shooting!

I like my trainers, but I do not have a No2Mk4*, only No7 and No8.

Martinis are also great fun, my modified 12/15 is now in parts to be cleaned.

I am looking for a International too, any ideas?

I mainly use ammo from Schönebeck, the one that comes in the 500 tin can, shoots under 2" at 100m from all my trainers.

A fiend uses RWS target pistol, bu ti did not try it yet.

Chris

[belgmart]

Just send me a mail, and I'll pass you some contact information of someone in the UK who has one...

send to gert. claes @ scarlet .be (omit all spaces). By the way, the Centurion was the top model 12/15 (or 15, depends...)

[dromia]

Good shooting Brian you must be pleased with the rifle.

I find the tighter the tolerance of the rifle the better it likes the better ammo, you only get the benefit of the top notch suff if the rifle is made well enough.

For the barrel that has seen a bit of usage Lapua do their Midas rounds, and maybe others, in two bullet diameters. The larger one can give a real benefit in a well used barrel.

I'm busy getting my sling fettled for the winter leagues on my No2 patt14 just now.

[awo425]

All the Lapua .22lr ammo is made here in Germany, in Schönebeck that is!

All my .22lr Trainers( No7, No8, hungarian trainer and the BSA Martini) like the Schönebeck Standard ammo in the 500 tin cann, even my HK270 shoots best with that ammo.

Is the SK ammo available in the UK?????

Chris

[dromia]

Chris,

I used Lapua Standard all last winter season and it shot very well in all my .22"s it came in a 500 round can, Lapua label.

[awo425]

Yes, that is the same ammo as the SK sold under the name of "Magazin" here, must order some more cans

Chris

[pneps]

Chris, over here in the US there is a brand of ammo called Wolf, ostensibly from Russia. However, the box states the .22 target ammo is made in Germany. My No 8 loves the stuff. You wouldn't happen to know where in Germany it is made, would you? :?

[awo425]

There was only one factory for .22lr in East Germany, Schönebeck on the river Elbe.

They exist today an belong to Lapua now:

http://www.skmunition.de/

Their ammo is one of the best I've ever shot, alt least in my rifles.

Chris