I spent the day at the range today testing a variety of ammo out of my tuned 617.

It was a perfect day for shooting, In the mid 60s to low 70s with absolutely no wind.

I was very happy with the off hand accuracy at 15 yards. I didn't bother shooting from a rest because this is my Steel Challenge Revolver so everything will be done off hand.

The surprising winner was the Federal Auto Match in the new 275 round box. It fired 100 % of the time and groups were less than 2 inches. Federal Champions came in last for cleanliness. After only 50 rounds I had to clean under the star. I was getting very hard trigger pull do to all the junk under there.

American Eagle, also made by Federal came in second.

My Go-To ammo is still going to be Federal Premium HV. It runs clean and at 100 %. I can run about 150 rounds before taking a brush to the cylinders and I get no lead under the extractor even after 300 rounds.

Testing still continues. I'm having fun

Thank you for posting your Range Results
with your 617. I always find reading anything
617 here interesting.

Picture below shows my 617 22lr 6"bbl at
50 feet with some Winchester ammo I had.

The Federal Bulk 525 box 36gr bullet stuff
from Walmart is very accurate in both my
6"bbl and 4"bbl 617 22lr.

Attached Images

SW 617 target.jpg (4.4 KB, 687 views)

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SD social distanc'n since 1889

Thanks for posting the results of your test. I shoot an informal weekly Bullseye match using my 617 6". I have the best luck with CCI - standard velocity. Federal Auto Match comes in at a close second. For me, the Federal runs a bit cleaner, but the CCI has the edge in accuracy.

AZshooter, not to be a jerk but are your eyes ok? that gun should be able to plink empty 22 cases at 15 yds. I use CCI/Federal mainly as well-but shoots everything I have into it well, even cheap Blazers

Edit: ok i found my video and posted it up for you. I only shoot handgun offhand.
You should feel guilty using this gem in competition. Its like cheating ...

617 plinking empty 9mm & 22 cases. - YouTube

Wow. That's a bit harsh.

AZshooter - What size groups were you getting with the various ammo you were testing?

Having fun is half the battle!
Jim

I didn't see that AZshooter posted any targets or results, unless he edited those out. The Norseman did post one pic with gun & target, but apparently his eyes are OK.

Shot using a Bushnell TRS-25 red dot at 50 yards from a rest. I saw the first four shots, got excited and pulled the fifth shot. Now when I shoot off hand and shoot poor groups I know it's me and not the 617.

I was testing for function, not group size so I didn't take any pictures. Now that I know what ammo works I'll take it out again this weekend and test groups and will post the results.

Federal Premium UV came in best so far grouping into 1 3/4 inch at 25 yards from a sandbag rest. Others to follow.

I went back out today with the 617 to test some more ammo just to see what works. I polished the hammer a little more and got the trigger pull down to a consistent 7 lbs 4 oz. I wondered if the ammo I'm shooting would still function 100 % and I surprised myself.

The Federal Match HV still works 100 % and groups inside of 2 inches off hand at 15 yards. I can live with that. Federal Auto Match, 100 %. CCI-SV had 1 misfire out of 100 rounds so that's a keeper.

Mini Mags were also at 100 %. That was a big surprise to me. Blazer had 2 FTF in 100 rounds. Not bad.

Normal TAC 22 shot 100 % and had easy extraction.

I think I'll get a chance to shoot groups this Friday.

Finally got to shoot some groups. Looks like CCI SV on the top target has the best group followed by CCI Blazer on the bottom target right side and Federal Match HV in the middle.

Target on right was with my 22/45 with Volquartsen LLV 6 and CCI Mini Mags.

I didn't take exact measurements but can tell from the group size which ones worked best.

My 617 is also a shooter:

CCI SV rested at 25 yds w/2x Leupold
.

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Norma TAC-22 High Performance Target at 25 yds rested w/2x Leup:
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Norma TAC-22 High Performance Target at 100 yds rested w/4x Leupold:
.

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One of my favorites.

Paul

I am doing the same kind of test with my Model 18. So far it "likes" CCI 40 gr LRN.

Attached Images

20180305_145029.jpg (68.3 KB, 44 views)

I'm curious how you've gotten the trigger pull so low! I've got a year old 4 inch 617 that I've spent some time on and can't get below about 9 with reliability. I've added the Apex mass driver hammer, and a Power Custom trigger, and an extended firing pin as well. I tried a power spring but with the standard strain screw it didn't fire reliably. I replaced it with a 1/2 inch 8x32 cap screw, adjusted at the range until it was reliable, then loctite was used to hold the spot. Still about 9!

I've got the stock trigger but it has been polished a lot, along with the rebound slide. I have an 11 lb rebound spring in it. The hammer needed to be fit. Get yourself a copy off Jerry Michulek's video on Trigger Adjustment ( I forget the real name ) but there are a lot of other things you need to the interior to help get the trigger pull down this low.

Make sure you stone the frame where the trigger protrudes from the bottom. This took a little weight off. Just use your arckansas stone and DO NOT use a dremel.

The trigger needs a lot of work. Make sure nothing is rubbing. After you fire a few hundred rounds check for wear marks showing areas that are contacting the frame.

I've done lots of trigger jobs. Most, on centerfire revolvers are in the 4 1/2 to 6 lb. range. The 617 will never get that far down.

BTW I use the stock mainspring and it is turned all the way in. I have had no luck changing to a weakened spring.

After years of experimentation I have settled on 3 of 22 ammo to feed 95% of my 22 ( Rifle, Pistol and Revolver) collection.
I shoot 22 mini mag (40gr) to break in stubborn semi auto's until they can be tamed/tuned.
Wolf match target for competition shooting (bullseye to silhouette)where accuracy counts and..
Fed Auto match for everything else. I believe the Auto match is the best across the board compromise of power, accuracy, dependability and cost. At less than $20/325 rounds, I don't mind friends and guests shooting it up either. Consequently, I've laid away a metric butt ton of this stuff. Likely enough to take me through retirement! Thanks for sharing. Great topic!

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Dave