"Nother Question on the Olympic Rapid Fire Match

[Cyrano]

I've heard from several sources that shooters now use the 22 LR cartridge in this match instead of the 22 Short which has been standard for 50+ years. Anyone have the straight, ungarbled word on this?

I wonder if the change was due to the rules now specifying the cartridge to be used, if the match itself has been changed in some way to favor the 22 LR, or if the 22 LR has been found to produce superior scores despite its greater recoil.

 

[forresth]

There are plenty of weak 22lr options out there. If true, my guess is its just because 22lr is cheaper to shoot, so the competitors don't have to be constantly breaking the bank.

 

[tputto]

Changeover to .22LR was due to change of rules. From what I've heard, this was brought about for several reasons.

The event was suffering from lack of competitors and one reason for this was thought to be the need for a specific pistol. The plan was to gain more shooters if the same pistol could be used for all 25m rapid/standard/sporting events. Also, .22 shorts were becoming harder to obtain and more expensive, due to being obsolete in almost anything but the rapid-fire event. There was a power level set in the rules, at about the level of typical standard-velocity round fired from a pistol, 250m/s (=819fps) for a 2,53g (=39 grain) bullet. Also, to ensure compliance with other events, trigger pull minimum was set to 1000g (=2.2lbs), compensators were not allowed, as well as old-style grips that extend around the wrist of the shooting hand.

I used to have a .22short RF pistol but I never got serious about the event so I sold it. It was fun to shoot though.

 

[H Richard]

Google "NSSF" (National Shooting Sports Foundation) and you can find all the rules and equipment specifications for all the International type shooting sports used in the Olympics. You can also go to Target Talk, TargetTalk :: Index for a Forum on International shooting.

 

[Cyrano]

Thanks, guys. No matter how arcane the question, someone here on the forum will have the answer.

One of the LGSs has a few boxes of CC target 22 short: lead bullet, 830 fps. That might not stay in production long if there's no market for target grade 22 shorts; I better stock up for my Hammerli/Walther Olympia.