Remington Model 597 HB is one of the best semi-auto rimfire rifles on the market
Care needs to be given in regards to the bullet shape — long-bulleted or square-edged types — when loading into the magazine to stop deformation, but both the Winchester 40-gr and 42-gr Max bullets functioned perfectly in my tests, with the extra inertia of the 42-gr bullet singing. They produced 997fps with 88ft/lb energy and 1,046fps with 102ft/lb of energy respectively, and both shot 0.75in groups at 50 yards.
Shooting from a bench at 50 yards, the Eley Subsonic hollowpoints shot just under 0.65in with a velocity of 1,010fps and 91ft/lb of energy. The newer Eley Contact subsonic with solid heads shot 1,008fps, so there was little difference.
For those wanting a high-velocity round, the RWS HV was superb as usual with 0.55in groups, the best having a velocity of 1,207fps for 129ft/lb energy. The Remington Cyclone also shot 1,188fps with 125ft/lb and the Federal 31-gr HV loads shot 1,355fps with 126ft/lb energy. Both shot 0.75in groups.
Wild Justice's petition to ban driven grouse shooting was quashed in Westminster Hall yesterday, with all but one MP opposing the ban
The Government has finally confirmed what the shooting community has long argued – that sound moderators should be removed from firearms licensing controls