Ammo Matters and Barrels Do Too

... the barrel is the rifle ...

Ammo matters and barrels do too.

That point was driven home to me today in a training session at the range. I have started training for a big match that is coming up in a couple of months.

As part of that training, I went to the zero range at the Sawmill (https://www.sawmillttc.com/) to validate my primary and my backup rifles. My primary competition rifle has several thousand rounds through it. My estimate is eight thousand or more, but it is only a rough count. I have been wondering if it is time to re-barrel it.

As it turns out, the answer is no. Let me explain.

I decided to compare ten shot groups between my primary rifle and my backup rifle. My backup rifle has only a few hundred rounds through it. I fired four groups at one hundred yards with each rifle. The groups are listed below in the sequence that I fired them.

• 5 rounds American Eagle XM 193 55 grain

• 5 rounds Sig Performance Ammunition 77 grain Open Tip Match

• 10 Rounds AAC 77 grain Match Grade (America’s Ammunition Company - https://palmettostatearmory.com/brands/aac-ammunition.html)

• 10 Rounds Federal 77 grain Open Tip Match.