Colibri's all over the place... - The Firearms Forum

Mr_Shamrock · 07-01-2012, 04:54 PM

We are having a very unusual heat wave this weekend with temps in the 100's (108 today). I thought it would be a good time to skip on the yard work and do some target shooting from inside the garage where it is at least a little cooler. I wanted to test some Colibri's, Super Colibri's, and CCI CB Long's. I have used Colibri's before and they weren't the most accurate, but consistant enough to hit some spinners and get a decent group. Today they were all over the place. I am far from a sniper, but on my make shift 20 yard range I can consistantly get 1" groups seated with the rifle resting on a saw horse with most ammo and usually 2-3" with Colibri's. I can also hit my spinners very consistantly with only an occassional miss on the little one. Today was a different story with the Colibri's. I even had them fly off the 5" target and then the next one would hit right where I was aiming and then the next would be 3" off one way or the next. I tried both my 10-22 and Savage and it was the same - one has a scope and one has iron sights.

With the Super Colibri's it was better and the CCI's were dead on. Could the heat and humidity affect the slower rounds that much?

As far the sound level it was as I expected - Colibri's are almost inaudible with just the sound of the firing mechanism and then the round hitting the target.

The Super Colibri's are a real close 2nd place and are still super quiet.

The CCI CB Longs are a little louder, but the accuracy of them makes up for the slight noise. They are still quieter than my break barrell 1200 FPS pellet gun so they will still keep the neighbors happy. These will be my new back yard round - after I burn through the brick of Colibri's I just bought.

Any idea's on the Colibri's acting this way today?????

3/2 STA SS · 07-03-2012, 09:41 AM

You have to clean the barrel about every 10 rounds with them due to the build up junk in the barrel. Fire about 10 of them,then safely look down the barrel,you will see what I am talking about. I would run a rod through down the barrel with a patch or two or a boresnake. That is the only way I get any accuracy out of them.

Mr_Shamrock · 07-03-2012, 01:01 PM

WOW - I just tore my 10/22 apart and I feel very neglectful. It was NASTY inside. I haven't shot it to see if it made a difference, but man are these some dirty rounds. Admittedly I am at fault as I usually just put a patch down the barrel after each use, but I did miss the time before my last session. The barrel wasn't that bad, but everything else was caked. It has probably been a year since my last full tear down and cleaning so it probably has 1000 plus rounds through it since then. With the majority of those Colibri's or Super Colibri's in the last few months since I have discovered I can shoot in my back yard with them. Anyways, it looks brand new now.
My apologies to the gun gods and as punishment I am buying my 10-22 a new scope and a couple 25 round mags. LOL - that will teach me!

3/2 STA SS · 07-03-2012, 02:04 PM

I always shoot mine through a bolt action rifle to keep the clean up easier...good shooting!!

Mr_Shamrock · 07-03-2012, 02:19 PM

It's funny you say that, I had split it up the other day between the Ruger and my Savage MKII bolt action and not only was it much easier to clean, but for some reason it wasn't near as dirty.

3/2 STA SS · 07-03-2012, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_Shamrock

It's funny you say that, I had split it up the other day between the Ruger and my Savage MKII bolt action and not only was it much easier to clean, but for some reason it wasn't near as dirty.

Those rounds were designed for bolt action/single shot rifles...not semi autos.

stumper1300 · 07-03-2012, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3/2 STA SS

Those rounds were designed for bolt action/single shot rifles...not semi autos.

I may be mistaken, but I thought the mfg only recommend them in pistols?

Mr_Shamrock · 07-03-2012, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stumper1300

I may be mistaken, but I thought the mfg only recommend them in pistols?

I think that is to cover their butt's. You just have to make sure you don't get one hung up - or so I have been told. I have fired over 500 through my 10/22 and Savage with no issues. I just make sure I hear it hit the target or backstop which is easy with how quiet they are. That is one benefit of the metal backstop (it's angled down 45 degrees), but makes a "ding" even when I miss the spinners or when it passes through the paper targets. I am in no way recommending their use in a rifle, but just giving my personal experience. With that said I will only buy the Supers if I go back to Colibri's, but will primarily use the CB Longs from now on. This has everything to do with accuracy though.

3/2 STA SS · 07-05-2012, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_Shamrock

I think that is to cover their butt's. You just have to make sure you don't get one hung up - or so I have been told. I have fired over 500 through my 10/22 and Savage with no issues. I just make sure I hear it hit the target or backstop which is easy with how quiet they are. That is one benefit of the metal backstop (it's angled down 45 degrees), but makes a "ding" even when I miss the spinners or when it passes through the paper targets. I am in no way recommending their use in a rifle, but just giving my personal experience. With that said I will only buy the Supers if I go back to Colibri's, but will primarily use the CB Longs from now on. This has everything to do with accuracy though.

I used CB LONGS to hunt tree rats-the kind that love acorns. More thump that the pellet gun.

Mr_Shamrock · 07-05-2012, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3/2 STA SS

I used CB LONGS to hunt tree rats-the kind that love acorns. More thump that the pellet gun.

I recently started using them and absolutely love them! Quiet yet accurate!

old semperfi · 07-05-2012, 10:59 AM

i have used cbs both short and long for years to hunt tree rats,at roughly 450 fps they usually dont penetrate the animal but stop inside and pitch the squirrel off the limb.in answer to your question..yes heat affects bullet trajectory,snipers have used that trick for years,but as you have been told dirty ammo is your culpret. old semperfi

3/2 STA SS · 07-05-2012, 01:38 PM

Old Semperfi...Semper Fi!! (87-94,0311-8541(scout sniper)-8151(barracks duty with Nuke subs).

Mr_Shamrock · 07-06-2012, 03:54 PM

Well I am done with Colibri's for sure. I tested out my new bullet trap today and even with a squeaky clean gun they were all over the place. I could actually see the regular Colibri's lobbing in and hitting the very bottom of the target. Not only were they way low, but left and right too. I only shot 2 regulars and found they wouldn't penetrate the rubber on my trap so they were bouncing back. I then switched to Supers and it was better but still all over - roughly 3" group = HORRIBLE! I thought maybe I had the shakes or something so I loaded some CB longs and shot a decent group...

10 rounds on a 5" target - 3/4" group. That was kneeling with the gun resting on the rail of a little folding step stool I have. This has me baffled. How can they be that irratic?

3/2 STA SS · 07-06-2012, 04:06 PM

They are only propelled by the primer which are made by machines that people made...not meant to match ammo just a more quiet means of practice.

gdmoody · 07-06-2012, 04:21 PM

The last time I shot a Colibre in my rifle, they wouldn't even make it out of the barrel. I would never even think about shooting them through the 10/22. I always enjoyed shooting them in my little NAA revolver and watching the bullet leave the muzzle and watching it all the way to the target. Not accurate at all but fun to play with.

07-01-2012, 04:54 PM	#1
Mr_Shamrock V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 138	Colibri's all over the place... We are having a very unusual heat wave this weekend with temps in the 100's (108 today). I thought it would be a good time to skip on the yard work and do some target shooting from inside the garage where it is at least a little cooler. I wanted to test some Colibri's, Super Colibri's, and CCI CB Long's. I have used Colibri's before and they weren't the most accurate, but consistant enough to hit some spinners and get a decent group. Today they were all over the place. I am far from a sniper, but on my make shift 20 yard range I can consistantly get 1" groups seated with the rifle resting on a saw horse with most ammo and usually 2-3" with Colibri's. I can also hit my spinners very consistantly with only an occassional miss on the little one. Today was a different story with the Colibri's. I even had them fly off the 5" target and then the next one would hit right where I was aiming and then the next would be 3" off one way or the next. I tried both my 10-22 and Savage and it was the same - one has a scope and one has iron sights. With the Super Colibri's it was better and the CCI's were dead on. Could the heat and humidity affect the slower rounds that much? As far the sound level it was as I expected - Colibri's are almost inaudible with just the sound of the firing mechanism and then the round hitting the target. The Super Colibri's are a real close 2nd place and are still super quiet. The CCI CB Longs are a little louder, but the accuracy of them makes up for the slight noise. They are still quieter than my break barrell 1200 FPS pellet gun so they will still keep the neighbors happy. These will be my new back yard round - after I burn through the brick of Colibri's I just bought. Any idea's on the Colibri's acting this way today????? -->

07-03-2012, 09:41 AM	#2
3/2 STA SS Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Area, FL Posts: 1,435	Re: Colibri's all over the place... You have to clean the barrel about every 10 rounds with them due to the build up junk in the barrel. Fire about 10 of them,then safely look down the barrel,you will see what I am talking about. I would run a rod through down the barrel with a patch or two or a boresnake. That is the only way I get any accuracy out of them. __________________ MORS DE CONTACTUS-DEATH ON CONTACT Last edited by 3/2 STA SS; 07-03-2012 at 09:43 AM..

07-03-2012, 01:01 PM	#3
Mr_Shamrock V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 138	Re: Colibri's all over the place... WOW - I just tore my 10/22 apart and I feel very neglectful. It was NASTY inside. I haven't shot it to see if it made a difference, but man are these some dirty rounds. Admittedly I am at fault as I usually just put a patch down the barrel after each use, but I did miss the time before my last session. The barrel wasn't that bad, but everything else was caked. It has probably been a year since my last full tear down and cleaning so it probably has 1000 plus rounds through it since then. With the majority of those Colibri's or Super Colibri's in the last few months since I have discovered I can shoot in my back yard with them. Anyways, it looks brand new now. My apologies to the gun gods and as punishment I am buying my 10-22 a new scope and a couple 25 round mags. LOL - that will teach me!

07-03-2012, 02:04 PM	#4
3/2 STA SS Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Area, FL Posts: 1,435	Re: Colibri's all over the place... I always shoot mine through a bolt action rifle to keep the clean up easier...good shooting!! __________________ MORS DE CONTACTUS-DEATH ON CONTACT

07-03-2012, 02:19 PM	#5
Mr_Shamrock V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 138	Re: Colibri's all over the place... It's funny you say that, I had split it up the other day between the Ruger and my Savage MKII bolt action and not only was it much easier to clean, but for some reason it wasn't near as dirty.

07-05-2012, 10:59 AM	#11
old semperfi Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: i live in southern indiana,old country boy at heart Posts: 1,506	Re: Colibri's all over the place... i have used cbs both short and long for years to hunt tree rats,at roughly 450 fps they usually dont penetrate the animal but stop inside and pitch the squirrel off the limb.in answer to your question..yes heat affects bullet trajectory,snipers have used that trick for years,but as you have been told dirty ammo is your culpret. old semperfi

07-05-2012, 01:38 PM	#12
3/2 STA SS Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Area, FL Posts: 1,435	Re: Colibri's all over the place... Old Semperfi...Semper Fi!! (87-94,0311-8541(scout sniper)-8151(barracks duty with Nuke subs). __________________ MORS DE CONTACTUS-DEATH ON CONTACT

07-06-2012, 03:54 PM	#13
Mr_Shamrock V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 138	Re: Colibri's all over the place... Well I am done with Colibri's for sure. I tested out my new bullet trap today and even with a squeaky clean gun they were all over the place. I could actually see the regular Colibri's lobbing in and hitting the very bottom of the target. Not only were they way low, but left and right too. I only shot 2 regulars and found they wouldn't penetrate the rubber on my trap so they were bouncing back. I then switched to Supers and it was better but still all over - roughly 3" group = HORRIBLE! I thought maybe I had the shakes or something so I loaded some CB longs and shot a decent group... 10 rounds on a 5" target - 3/4" group. That was kneeling with the gun resting on the rail of a little folding step stool I have. This has me baffled. How can they be that irratic? Last edited by Mr_Shamrock; 07-06-2012 at 03:55 PM..

07-06-2012, 04:06 PM	#14
3/2 STA SS Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Area, FL Posts: 1,435	Re: Colibri's all over the place... They are only propelled by the primer which are made by machines that people made...not meant to match ammo just a more quiet means of practice. __________________ MORS DE CONTACTUS-DEATH ON CONTACT

07-06-2012, 04:21 PM	#15
gdmoody Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northeast Georgia Contributor Posts: 6,306	Re: Colibri's all over the place... The last time I shot a Colibre in my rifle, they wouldn't even make it out of the barrel. I would never even think about shooting them through the 10/22. I always enjoyed shooting them in my little NAA revolver and watching the bullet leave the muzzle and watching it all the way to the target. Not accurate at all but fun to play with. __________________ NRA Endowment Member GeorgiaCarry.Org Member Retired US Army Postal Worker Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take an ass whoopin'.....author unknown (but obviously brilliant)