Recently I conducted a head-to-head accuracy-test between CCI, Federal, and Aguila 22LR. In that test, surprisingly (to me) CCI-Mags 36gr HP (Hollow-Point) came in last place with the loosest groups. I wondered if this result was because I was shooting the hollow-point variety.
This week I compared three different CCI cartridges, Mini-Mag 36gr HP, Mini-Mag 40gr CPRN, and Standard Velocity 40gr LRN. I tested 5-rounds of each ammo at 6″ targets 50yrds. And averaged the results of 3 sets of tests and rotated each ammo type to average out the effects of barrel heating barrel. As with the previous test, I used my Ruger 10/22 Takedown as my testbed rifle.
Here were the detailed results measured using the Range Buddy app.
I created a detailed review and demonstration of function for this Mini-Bodycam. It takes some of the best footage of any sub $50 bodycam including at night but it’s hamstrung by some clunky controls. It’s too easy to accidentally turn-off the cam when you’re trying to start recording. And it’s impossible to confirm that it’s still recording without turning it off. I notified Lenofocus of my difficulties (and a possible manufacturing defect in the indicator light) and they’re interested in sending me another model to review.
PRO • Good low-light and night capture • Compact size • Built-in magnetic mount
CON • Shakey/Choppy footage • Clunky user controls • Weakly attached clip
AMAZON AFFILIATE LINK Purchase this on Amazon through this link and help support my reviews:
Aguila Super Extra HV vs. Federal Auto Match vs. CCI Mini-Mag. Guess which ammo came in first in our test? The test results were surprising to me because CCI’s have been the gold-standard for high-quality 22LR. I rotated between the different ammo brands during the test to isolate the effects of barrel heating affecting the group size (any heating would affect all brands equally).
The results below were calculated using the Range Buddy App for Android OS.
I wasn’t expecting much out of an airsoft replica Surefire. But was pleasantly surprised by how well it was built and it’s light output. It survived my 6ft drop tests into the dirt and my pressure washer, so there’s that. When the local ranges reopen (from COVID and wildfireds) I’ll see how it holds up to 9mm recoil.
CVLife sent me their 4-Reticle red/green dot to review. I was a bit dubious as there are soooooo many knock-offs of Sightmark’s Sure Shot reflex sight. It has become the most ubiquitous budget red dot design. I do like it’s very open, almost frameless design which offers almost no obstructions to your field of view. Perfect for action sports, birding, or a range gun. The trade-off is that this design is that the thin frame is vulnerable to rough handling and drops.
PRO: The CVLife looks a lot better up-close than other budget reflex sights. Nice detailing and no blemishes on the body. Clean sharp reticles with no blooming when the reticle moves off the center. The windage adjustment gave positive clicks and seemed accurate to 1/4″ MOA per click device specifications. Held zero after 25 shots mounted on a break-barrel .22cal
CON: Windage shifted once between shots while testing tracking. Elevation was mushy and often did not give a click on adjustment so was impossible to judge how accurate it was to 1/4″ MOA?
I’m working the video review after I get a chance to do more durability testing.
Available on Amazon for around $30 https://amzn.to/2E00btb
I’ve bee ordering so many things from various online stores, I honestly forgot I ordered these over a month ago. I purchased them from the “Professional Tactical Appliance Store” on AliExpress Mount: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dUrxQld QD Offset Mount: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dUubppp
I did a quick install and found that the 5-position mount worked as advertised, allowing you to select 5 different angles to configure your taclight on your Picatinny rail. But the mounting foot on the Pic-rail was small (only about 1/2″) so it doesn’t provide a secure enough clamp. The material is polymer and tightened down, there was still wiggle. Acceptable for general airsoft use but the recoil from real firearms will likely loosen this. And the polymer clamp is likely not strong enough for action shooting or real-world durability.
The mounting tube for the taclight itself was a bit wide, requiring a taclight with a minimum of a 2.75″ battery tube to clear it. Shorter tacklights may require you to completely extract the taclight from the mount to access your battery or a clicky tail.
The QR (Quick Removal?) mount on the otherhand felt more robust. When mounted, there was no flex or wiggle. The mount is secured by the tension of the tight tolerance of the molding along your, secured with a cross-bar which is retracted when you press a button near the base. The mount is also almost completely polymer, so repeated removal may wear down a tight groove and loosen it over time?
I also found my particular placement on the bottom rail of my handguard problematic because my palm would press the QR button when I held my rifle in a C-clamp. Mounting it on a different position may fix that problem but your setup may vary. Apart from the C-clamp issue, I found the mount to be robust enough for use on high-recoil firearms.
This morning we woke up to a blood orange sky due to the wildfires around the Bay Area, north in Sonoma County, south in the Santa Cruz mountains, and far east the huge Creek Fire complex. Or maybe Elon Musk secretly transported his Mars colony here.
Downtown San Francisco blanketed in smoke from wildfires.
Aguila Super Extra HV has been my go-to 22LR for the last few years after I started picking it up on sale at Big-5 Sports and finding it to be more accurate than Federal Range and Remington Golden Bullet and cheaper than CCI Mini-Mags. Aguila seemed to have a reputation for “dirty ammo” on various social media threads and forums. I thought I’d test the rumor.
