Author Topic: What is your favorite .22 ammo (Read 4494 times)

yotie · « **on:** May 14, 2003, 11:07:53 AM »

Every time I go to the store to buy shells I see 20 different tipes of ammo. I hunt mostly and like the Winchester Power Points for most of my shooting. But I would like to hear what you have to say about your favorite ammo.

jh45gun · « **Reply #1 on:** May 14, 2003, 01:14:22 PM »

The last and only box I have tried of wolf TM was out of this world accurate out of my Romanian trainer. The old box of federal gold the cheaper stuff shot good but I have heard that they have messed with the new stuff and it is not as good. I will not shoot any Remington anymore and I have to get some CCI for my Mag and my LR to try. Jim

DWARREN123 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 14, 2003, 05:16:08 PM »

Any Wolf, CCI Mini-Mags,CCI Blazer,Sellier&Bellot Long Rifle SB Club,Winchester Power Points/Dyna-Points, most CCI products, surpisingly Remington Sub-Sonics. The interesting thing is that standard velocity or sub-sonics seem more accurate.

eroyd · « **Reply #3 on:** May 15, 2003, 05:51:16 AM »

Here's roughly the line-up at our local silhouette shoots and out of certain rifles will shoot around an inch at 100 yards.

Federal lightning, American Eagle, Winchester Dynapoint, Winchester T-22, PMC Target -orange box (not available anymore?), CCI Silhouette. Funny how hardly anyone shoots the premium domestic stuff.

A couple of guys shoot expensive stuff by Lapua and Eley but there scores aren't anything to justify it. Whatever your gun shoots and sometimes it will be the cheapest. If you buy a box of cheapo-promotional ammo and it shoots well, race back to the store and buy it all checking to make sure it is all of the same lot no. This kind of ammo can vary quite a bit lot to lot.

Majic · « **Reply #4 on:** May 15, 2003, 06:12:34 AM »

Nothing but Winchester T-22, but everyone is speaking highly of the Wolf brand so I guess I will give that a try.

Sixgun · « **Reply #5 on:** May 15, 2003, 09:40:02 AM »

I shoot several different kinds of guns in various silhouette games. None of them like the same ammo. They will all shoot any of it pretty good but when I put them on a rest and shoot them there is a difference. Silhouette targets are pretty big, in area, when it comes to presiscion shooting but I figure that if I get the best ammo for the gun then all I have to worry about is the wind and my wobble.

My Ruger MKII slabside likes Federal HI Volicity. My 10 in Contender Match barrel shoots 1" at 100 meters with Winchester x-Pert. Note that both of the above are available from Wally World for under $9.00 for a carton of 500 or 550 rounds and I only buy one at a time. They seem to be consistant in my guns.

My Marlin 39A likes CCI Blazer. With a receiver sight and shooting from a rest I can put them in one hole all day long at 50 meters. At 100 meters that goes up to 4 inches but I think it would be an inch or under with a scope. My front sight covers an area of about 12 inches on the target at that distance. It dosen't like CCI Mini-Mags. I can't get a group from them no matter how many I shoot and the only difference between Mini-Mags and Blazers is the copper plating on the Mini-Mags. I have tested them over a chrony and you can intersperse them in a string and end up with an extreem spread of under 10fps and a SD in single digits.

My little girl tags along and shoots her cricket in the practices. The cricket likes the Winchester X-Perts enough that she can shoot consistant scores in the 20's and that keeps her happy.

I have tried Aguila SSS 60gr in both my Contender and Marlin and get about 6 inch groups at 100 meters. In both guns they will take down the heavy Hunter Bore rams most of the time. Sometimes a low hit will not fall.

I have never had any luck with Remington Rim Fire ammo. If it happens to be accurate in my gun then I get misfires all the time. I don't by Remington.

In conclusion, my favorite 22 ammo is what shoots best in my gun.

Sixgun

eroyd · « **Reply #6 on:** May 15, 2003, 07:17:34 PM »

Just got back from the range. Thought I'd try some different types of ammo through my CZ. Some time ago I put practically every readily available brand of ammo through it and settled on Winchester T-22.

At 100 yards off my elbows shot 1.5 inch 10 shot group with the T-22's.

Next I used the Bulk Winchester Dyna-point (cheap) and it printed an almost identical group.

Next up was the equally cheap Win. Ex-pert hollowpoints and again another 1.5 inch group. The only difference with this group was that the point of impact was higher and right.

Lastly I fired 10 rounds of American Eagle; this time the group opened up to 5 inches. Funny thing is, my other CZ loves the stuff.

I was surprised the three Winchester products shot so similar, especially since they all have completely different bullet types. Guess I'll be shooting Dynapoints.

Graybeard · « **Reply #7 on:** May 15, 2003, 07:47:38 PM »

My favorite is CCI Mini Mag HPs. Never yet owned a handgun or rifle that didn't shoot them almost as well as it would the very best it fired. They might not be the very best but are always so close as to not matter. Back in my sihouette shooting days I fired more of them than all others put together.

GB

Bullseye · « **Reply #8 on:** May 16, 2003, 01:13:26 PM »

Recently gave up on Remington (poor accuracy and misfires), still have about 200 to burn through. Was using RWS High Velocity in my Contender with a match chamber and getting impressive results. Tried CCI Mini Mags in it today and got the same if not better groups. I am going to try the CCI Mini Mags in my other guns and will stick with if it shoots that good in them also. The RWS is good, but rather high in price compared to the CCI.

George Foster · « **Reply #9 on:** May 17, 2003, 05:39:50 AM »

In my two Rem581s I shoot either the Win Dynapoints or CCI Subsonic HPs. In my Win320 I shoot the PMC Zapper HPs. I have tested the various ammos over the years and these are the most accurate loads I have found for my rifles.

BruceP · « **Reply #10 on:** May 17, 2003, 03:52:19 PM »

I my Remington 541 I'd have to say it's CCI green tag although for the money PMC target shoots good too. In my Ruger MK II it would be CCI Mini Mag HPs. In both my Ruger Single six Bisley and my Contender 22 match barrel I have yet to shoot them enough to have a favorite.
BruceP

D Pete · « **Reply #11 on:** May 19, 2003, 01:04:25 AM »

I gave up on bulk ammo and settled on CCI mini mags. If I really want a good group I get out the .17 or .223......DP

Lagavulin · « **Reply #12 on:** May 19, 2003, 07:40:04 AM »

I have a Marlin 25mn in 22 mag. That rifle seems to love the Federal premium Gold rounds consistantly shooting 1" and under groups. Its one of the highest velocity rounds I could find as I use that rifle to practice in the off season for 150 + yard shots. I found the CCI Maxi Mag's to group well, but the +V's to have too many fliers.....my rifle maybe?

Ron T. · « **Reply #13 on:** May 19, 2003, 11:12:41 AM »

A couple of years ago, I decided to go all-the-way and REALLY find out what my .22 rimfire rifles and pistols (NOT magnums) "liked", so I went to the local gun shop and bought a box of every brand of .22 long rifle standard velocity solid point and hi-velocity hollow-point ammo they had. Altogether, I had about 20 different brands/styles of .22 rimfire ammo. I did NOT buy any expensive "target" or "match" ammunition, but surprisingly, none of the "standard velocity" ammo shot smaller groups than the high-velocity Federal or Super-X ammunition.

At the rifle range, I found the most accurate ammo in my .22 rifles (a Ruger 10/22 and a highly-customized Remington bolt-action Sportmaster, Model 512-P), both topped by 3x-9x by 32mm Bushnell variable .22 riflescopes set on 9x, shooting at 50 yards, to be the Federal "Classic" high velocity, long rifle, hollow point, copper plated .22 caliber cartridges.

The 2nd. most accurate ammo in the rifles was the Super-X long rifle, hi-velocity, hollow-point .22 rimfire ammo. It was only very slightly less accurate than the Federal rimfire ammunition.

Both of my two .22 rimfire handguns, the Smith & Wesson Model 17 (K-22) 6 revolver and my Ruger stainless steel Mark II long rifle, heavy-barreled, semi-auto target pistol with the muzzle brake, Ultma 30mm "red dot" scope-sight and the target grips seemed to like the Federal Classic and the Super-X ammunition about the same.

However, I did have feeding problems with the Federal ammo in my two semi-auto Rugers. The Super-X ammo fed reliably in my standard old Ruger 10/22, serial #9XX (yes, one of the 1st. thousand) and my stainless steel Ruger Mark II.

In August, about 2 months after I did my tests, I spoke to Federal Ammo folks at the Grand American Trap Shoot held in Vandalia, Ohio, only a few miles from my home. I told them about the feeding problem with their .22 rimfire Classic ammo in my Ruger 10/22 and my Mark II semi-auto pistol and asked if they had received any other complains about other cartridges from the lot of Classic ammo I had. They indicated they had not received any other complaints, but offered to exchange the remaining Federal Classic ammo for me (I had bought a case of it-5,000 rounds-the previous year).

However, since I had already shot up about half of it, I declined their kind offer because I do most of my .22 rimfire shooting with the bolt-action Remington rifle and the S & W K-22 revolver, so the feeding probably wasnt really a big issue for me.

What will I buy next time? Probably a few boxes of the Federal Classic ammo again to see if it feeds any better in my two Rugers. If it does, then Ill buy another case of it. If it doesnt, then Ill probably buy a case of the Super-X hi-velocity hollow points.

Good shooting!

Ron T.

gunnut69 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 26, 2003, 08:46:33 AM »

I love the Winchester t-22's and they shoot very well indeed in most of my rifles but I mostly use my rifles as hunting weapons. While the T-22's produce quite small groups they didn't kill as well as I'd like. Used some of the CCI ammo loaded with the Small Game Bullet (a truncated cone solid) and it killed well, but accuracy in the Winchester 69 and 75 was less than impressive. High velocity HP ammo from several makers shot OK but the damage to squirels made eating them problematic. I tried several standard velocity HP rounds and the RWS worked well but was pricey. The Remington SubSonic HP ammo was tried and I was delighted. In my CZ 452's it'l produce sub 1" groups at 100 yards on a still day. In the winchesters it's also wonderfully accurate. It sometimes creates functioning problems in autoloaders and my M63 Winchester won't function it realiably. For the autos I use the Winchester DynaPoint. It is high velocity but the shallow dimple doesn't create the damage to edible small game that normal HP ammo does. the M63 and my good friends little Marlin auto really shoot small groups with it. I must say I've noticed all the problems with Remington ammo noted here and have shoot a ton of it with absolutely no problems, even some of the very cheap promotional ammo. The SubSonic HP stuff is remarkable both accuracy wise and in it's killing effect. I did make a large ammo buy a few years ago on Remington blasting/plinking ammo so have not bought any for a couple of years other than the SubSonic(I stock up when ever I find it). For targets and recreation I usually use the Federal Lightning brand. It shoots quite well and is very ecconomical. Actually most of the misfires I have had with 22 rimfire rifles(and I work on them quite a bit) is usually traced to a problem with the rifles. Most commonly a damaged chamber rim. Easily repaired, usually, and very common on rimfires. The only problem I've encountered more often is lack of maintenance(cleaning). Rimfires are dirty cartridges (especially in autoloaders) and simply don't get cleaned well enough.. Try the remington SubSonic HP ammo if you hunt, you'll be very happy with both the accuracy and the killing effect. It's also quiet which helps keep from frightening the other squirrels..

jh45gun · « **Reply #15 on:** May 26, 2003, 05:24:04 PM »

gun nut 69 it is not my guns I can attest that to a fact pure and simple it is the ammo. When every thing else works and the remington does not then I would say it is a problem with the remington ammo. I have been shooting for a bit over 40 years have owned lots of guns and many have been new when shooting the remington and have had misfires with it over the years useing different guns. all other ammo works fine some have a ocasional dud but that is the exception not the rule all have been great some may not shoot as accurate as others, but they all go off with a pull of the trigger except for the remington ammo. That is why I will NEVER shoot thunderbolts again (had problems with severe leading) and would be leary of some of the other remington stuff. There is too many other brands out there that work well that I have to bother with the remington ammo and duds. Jim

Harpy · « **Reply #16 on:** June 19, 2003, 06:06:16 PM »

I agree with Greybeard,
My favorite is CCI Mini Mag HPs

Harpy

H666 · « **Reply #17 on:** June 26, 2003, 12:45:02 AM »

Has anyone tested the lapua ammo thoroughly. I fired a few out of a browning bl-22 the other day, it seemed like it did the trick, I liked 'em. What do you guys say?

jh45gun · « **Reply #18 on:** June 26, 2003, 07:00:05 AM »

No have not tried that yet have not seen it in my area. How much is it a box? Just wondering as I can when I can find it buy the Wolf MT for $2.29 a box and it is supposed to be made by Lapula in Germany. The Wolf shoots excellent in my gun and I bet the Lapula might shoot good also but then you never know until you try it. Jim

eroyd · « **Reply #19 on:** June 26, 2003, 09:59:22 AM »

I tried some Lapua in my CZ, not sure what kind of Lapua, 10 rds were just given to me to try. I distinctly remember a 10 rd vertical string about 2.5 inches by .5 inches at 100 yds. I was trying several different brands that day and that was the only one that did that.

jh45gun · « **Reply #20 on:** June 26, 2003, 12:07:22 PM »

100 yards is a pretty critical test of 22 ammo. Most guys see what they can do for groups at 50. At 50 yards it may have shot a group under a inch and not stringing either. sub moa at 50 yards is considered accurate for a 22. I have shot at 100 to see what my guns will do but it has been windy and has not been a fair test. I have yet gone to the range yet this year when it has not been windy. It is only open Wed and Sat so our range time is limited, but to be safe our range masters are volunteer and you cannot expect them to be there all the time for nothing. We get a calm day this summer I will have to shoot at 100 again and see what kinda groups I get just for curiosity. Most of my rimfire shooting will be under 100 yards except maybe for my 22 mag. Jim

H666 · « **Reply #21 on:** June 27, 2003, 02:07:59 PM »

The Lapua I tried came in a pink box of 50 rounds and was made in Finland. Dunno what kind it was but to check a .22 group on 100 yards? Man you're better than me, I don't dare to push over a 50 when trying it out for the first time. I know I'm just gonna hit Jack crap so I don't go there, just makes me feel bad 'bout myself. What have you got on remington ammo? I fired something called "Viper" or something like that. It had a tendency to pull up. Have you tried it out? It came in a box with a snake on.

jh45gun · « **Reply #22 on:** June 27, 2003, 03:13:23 PM »

Some guys like Remington ammo. I will not shoot it I have had two many duds from their ammo and that is since I can remeber trying it off and on for years I finally said there are to many good brands out there to shoot. I also had a severe leading problem using Thunderbolts and took years off of my bore with the agressive cleaning I had to do to get the lead out. Nope Remington Rimfire ammo is not for me, but if others like it fine. Jim

vmaxx · « **Reply #23 on:** July 09, 2003, 08:38:52 AM »

I like the old federal lightening and minimags but, I am trying some cci standard velocity, federal target and some wolf match extra to try and get in on the email matches at RFC.

Leftoverdj · « **Reply #24 on:** July 09, 2003, 11:59:19 AM »

I've given up on guessing. I keep somewhere between a dozen and 20 kinds of .22 LR on hand and when I get a new gun I shoot until I find what it likes. You can't outguess them, you can only listen to them.

vmaxx · « **Reply #25 on:** July 13, 2003, 05:00:11 AM »

I have gotten the best results out of my cz varmint with wolf ammo and cci minimags, federal lightening running a close second. I'd like to do some more extensive testing but our rifle range is closed for repairs right now.

gerry@fundy.net · « **Reply #26 on:** December 16, 2003, 10:54:26 PM »

Lapua Super Club (was in a pink box until recently) works best for me in my FN Herstal sporter (made by Zastava). It also works well in my Anschutz but not much better than T-22 which is about half the price. Eley Standard also worked well in several of my guns, sometimes better than the more expensive Eley ammo. If I had to choose one type for every rifle, Lapua super club woul win with only a slight margin over T-22. Because of the price, I will use T-22 except in serious competition.
Gerry

DoorCounty · « **Reply #27 on:** December 17, 2003, 08:03:37 AM »

What about ammo for a .22 mag rifle? I heard one guy mention Federal Gold Premiums as pretty good. However, I haven't heard many compliments for Remington. I just bought a box of Rem 33 gr vmax boat tails for my Marlin 22 MN. Are these rounds any good? I was hoping for flat trajectories and under 2" groups at 100 yards for fox and coyotes when I'm hunting closer to developments (hence the rimfire rather then centerfire). Any advice for the best 22 mag round out of such a rifle?

matt d · « **Reply #28 on:** December 18, 2003, 06:35:57 AM »

What A great question! I'm learning so much reading this. I buy the fedral box of 550 rounds for 8.99$ at wally world. this ammo whoots very will in my jc higgins bolt action. The cheap peters and more expensive Remington misfire and shoot very poorly. The CCI is good but not better and more expensive. Winchester isn't poor but costs more and doesn't shoot as wll as the fedral. I rarely put my 22 on paper but did to find an ammo I liked. There also seems to be a little lube on the fedral that allows for easy transitions and it seems to burn cleaner too. I have heard some complaints about the Federal ammo but I don't take the ground squirrles seriously.

matt d · « **Reply #29 on:** December 18, 2003, 06:39:01 AM »

Doorcounty,
you might want to start a new thread. Responces would be better!