I have come into posession of a few highly regarded .22 pistols this last weekend, quite unplanned but a happy accident nonetheless. The 17-3 was mine before the rest, and it's a real tack driver, but I am very familiar with the High Standards and have owned several over the years. Same with the model 18-3, they too are capable of excellent accuracy. Rugers have never really impressed me regarding precision accuracy, and most of it was usually due to their mediocre triggers (compared to the High Standards, the 41 and the revolver's single action triggers.) This Ruger however, has been upgraded with volquartsen componants and I would rate it as equal to the 41. Sorry, when it comes to triggers, NOTHING can compare to High Standards without spending a lot of money. Although my 17 comes very close.
Top to bottom, left to right we have the S&W 41 of 1997 vintage. Across from it is it's arch nemesis, from 1967 is the High Standard Victor. Backing up it's young autoloading cousin is my 1972 3T 17-3. Not to let it's brother be bullied, the 1971 High Standard Citation has it's brother's back. The 1973 model 18-3 heard there was going to be a rumble and came to support the family. The young pup Ruger Mk.III, seeing the Hi Standards outnumbered, throws his hat in the ring. After all, how tough can these old geezers be?
My goal is not to see which one shoots best with what ammo. Given the proper ammo, each of these is likely capable of sub moa accuracy from a machine rest. My question is, how do they do with bulk 500 rd box bargain ammo? That is the basis of "the bet."
The bet is, which gun will perform the best out of the group, to be determined with 10 5 shot groups from each gun using a single box of bulk bargain ammo. Since the average Joe (call me Joe) doesn't have a machine rest, groups will be shot from a sandbag rest and averaged. Lowest average wins. No, it's not the most scientific, and really all it accomplishes is to satisfy my own curiosity.
So, gentlemen, place your bets.
BTW, my bet is on the 17, thus the reason I placed this in the revolver category.
Top to bottom, left to right we have the S&W 41 of 1997 vintage. Across from it is it's arch nemesis, from 1967 is the High Standard Victor. Backing up it's young autoloading cousin is my 1972 3T 17-3. Not to let it's brother be bullied, the 1971 High Standard Citation has it's brother's back. The 1973 model 18-3 heard there was going to be a rumble and came to support the family. The young pup Ruger Mk.III, seeing the Hi Standards outnumbered, throws his hat in the ring. After all, how tough can these old geezers be?
My goal is not to see which one shoots best with what ammo. Given the proper ammo, each of these is likely capable of sub moa accuracy from a machine rest. My question is, how do they do with bulk 500 rd box bargain ammo? That is the basis of "the bet."
The bet is, which gun will perform the best out of the group, to be determined with 10 5 shot groups from each gun using a single box of bulk bargain ammo. Since the average Joe (call me Joe) doesn't have a machine rest, groups will be shot from a sandbag rest and averaged. Lowest average wins. No, it's not the most scientific, and really all it accomplishes is to satisfy my own curiosity.
So, gentlemen, place your bets.
BTW, my bet is on the 17, thus the reason I placed this in the revolver category.
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