Accurate .22 ammo

[Chas B. Wolfson, SASS #11104]

🇺🇸I am looking for recommendations on accurate, maybe match grade .22 ammo.  I have two Ruger MKll GOVT. Target pistols and a very nice Remington 513T Match Master.  I know every gun will like a particular ammo but maybe a starting point would be nice. 

Thank you for your time and any recommendations given.

Chas B

[Eyesa Horg]

My MKII likes Federal standard velocity best. I haven't put today's ammo in it, but back in the 90s I used Federal match and it was more accurate than anything out there. More experienced shooters using Elly etc. we're surprised when they found the same at half the cost. Price doesn't always relate to better! Rarely, if ever, have a FTF either.

[Boggus Deal #64218]

CCI Green Tag has always been my test standard for accuracy. 

[Eyesa Horg]

15 minutes ago, Eyesa Horg said:

My MKII likes Federal standard velocity best. I haven't put today's ammo in it, but back in the 90s I used Federal match and it was more accurate than anything out there. More experienced shooters using Elly etc. we're surprised when they found the same at half the cost. Price doesn't always relate to better! Rarely, if ever, have a FTF either.

They are called "Federal Gold Metal Target" #711.

I've also seen that same part # on their Champion line, but have not used them in my MKII. I have in my Henry & Marlin with no issues.

[Gracos Kid]

I have learned that the Wolf .22 ammo made in Germany is the most accurate for me.....It is now made under the Eley name.   I bought a case some years ago before the price tripled......

[Chickasaw Bill SASS #70001]

before the PRS , took off , we played a game of shooting clay pigeon chips on the 100 yd berm 

 

 at that time I used CCI Blazer bulk pac or CCI green tag  , std vol  

 

   CB 

[Rye Miles #13621]

CCI or Federal have always done well in my .22’s. I have a SW Victory model, a pair of Heritage revolvers, a Henry rifle and a Ruger 10/22

[J-BAR #18287]

When .22 LR was in short supply a few years ago, I invested in a box of Federal Auto Match.  It cycles my Ruger Mark 1 fine, but gives bigger groups in my S&W Model 17.  These days I avoid Winchester and Remington, too many duds, using mostly CCI Standard Speed.

 

If you find a brand that works well in all of your .22s please let us know.

[Happy Jack, SASS #20451]

I use ELEY Tenex for my Annies and ELEY Match for practice.  All of the other stuff they call match isn't. Some guns like Lapua Midas + and their very expensive target line. But if your gun doesn't shoot at least .3 MOA it doesn't matter.

[Eyesa Horg]

That Federal mentioned above had a lot of experienced Bulls Eye shooters with mega expensive guns shocked when they tried it after their years with Elley. Although admittedly they stuck with their old tried and proven! 

[Stump Water]

Eley Target.

 

CCI Mini-Mag for every day plinking.

 

I inherited a pint milk carton of Federal somethin-or-other from my dad that shoots surprisingly well and isn't dirty like most "value pack" .22s. 

[Blackwater 53393]

Widder should chime in here! I know that he’s done some serious research on .22 ammunition in various guns!!

[Chas B. Wolfson, SASS #11104]

27 minutes ago, Blackwater 53393 said:

Widder should chime in here! I know that he’s done some serious research on .22 ammunition in various guns!!

I tried to PM him but he can't receive PM's.

[Blackwater 53393]

8 minutes ago, Chas B. Wolfson, SASS #11104 said:

I tried to PM him but he can't receive PM's.

Give him a minute!! I know he’s looking!!

[G W Wade]

CCI Standard velocity is a great place to start.   Highly regarded in a lot of groups and used by many as practice ammo instead of burning the good stuff learning to ways of the 22,     It al depends on how much you want to spend before your satisfied    Not hard to find rimfire ammo ammo for $20 per box and up!!!!     More than I spend on high power.         GW

[Linn Keller, SASS 27332, BOLD 103]

As Paul Harvey said, "I am listening with both eyes!"

[Widder, SASS #59054]

19 hours ago, Blackwater 53393 said:

Widder should chime in here! I know that he’s done some serious research on .22 ammunition in various guns!!

 

Indeed I have.

Two S&W model 617's, one with 4" and one with 6" barrel.  BOTH were 10 shot models.

 

With those 2 revolvers, there were 4 chambers that gave REAL GOOD accuracy with CCI standard vel, 

and 36 and 38 grain Federal 'Black Box' ammo.

Those same 4 chambers didn't do so well with about 15 other types of .22 ammo, including Eley.

The accuracy was about the same as the other 6 chambers.

 

And the 6" was noticeable better than the 4", both using a sandbag rest.

I actually numbered each chamber and fired EACH chamber for accuracy with over 20 different types of .22 ammo with 5 shot groups.

 

I also have two Ruger MK4 'Volquartsen' Scorpions....... barrel, trigger, hammer, etc.....

one is 4+" and the other is 6+".   There accuracy is braggable with a couple types of ammo, but just like

the revolver, they have their preference.

 

NOW, here is one interesting thing with my S&W model 41, which is now owned by TN Williams.

It loves CCI Stingers.   great accuracy.   But it wasn't fond of some Federal stuff or ELEY.

 

My present Model 41 really likes a couple favorites like CCI Standard Velocity and some bulk

Federal stuff.

 

Basically, with any .22 pistol or revolver, your gonna have to grab a couple boxes of CCI, Federal, etc.....

off the shelf and go test YOUR pistol.

 

Here is a partial list of .22 ammo I have tested for accuracy in Browning Buck Mark pistols,

S&W model 41's (2 different pistols, both with the 5" and 7" barrels), Volquartsen Ruger's MK4's,

S&W model 617 (4 and 6") and a few non-target type pistols.

Federal White Box (bulk)

Federal Blue Box (bulk)

Federal Hunter Match

Aguila Subsonic

Eley Subsonic HP (Green label)

CCI Standard Vel

CCI Suppressor

CCI Velocitor

CCI Mini Mag HP

Federal Black Box (36 and 38 grain bulk). Ironically, these work darn good in my KIDD 10/22's.

Federal HV Match

Aguila Sniper Subsonic

CCI Blazer

CCI Pistol Match

CCI Stinger

CCI Mini mag

Lapua Center-X. (High Dollar match ammo). 

 

Taking a quick look at my targets from all that testing, 2 of the better targets were with

the 6" Volquartsen Ruger using Federal Hunter Match and the S&W Model 41 using CCI

Stingers.

 

..........Widder

 

Edited February 20 by Widder, SASS #59054

[Blackwater 53393]

14 minutes ago, Widder, SASS #59054 said:

 

Indeed I have.

Two S&W model 617's, one with 4" and one with 6" barrel.  BOTH were 10 shot models.

 

With those 2 revolvers, there were 4 chambers that gave REAL GOOD accuracy with CCI standard vel, 

and 36 and 38 grain Federal 'Black Box' ammo.

Those same 4 chambers didn't do so well with about 15 other types of .22 ammo, including Eley.

The accuracy was about the same as the other 6 chambers.

 

And the 6" was noticeable better than the 4", both using a sandbag rest.

I actually numbered each cylinder and fired EACH cylinder for accuracy with over 20 different types

of .22 ammo.

 

I also have two Ruger MK4 'Volquartsen' Scorpions....... barrel, trigger, hammer, etc.....

one is 4+" and the other is 6+".   There accuracy is braggable with a couple types of ammo, but just like

the revolver, they have their preference.

 

NOW, here is one interesting thing with my S&W model 41, which is now owned by TN Williams.

It loves CCI Stingers.   great accuracy.   But it wasn't fond of some Federal stuff or ELEY.

 

My present Model 41 really likes a couple favorites like CCI Standard Velocity and some bulk

Federal stuff.

 

Basically, with any .22 pistol or revolver, your gonna have to grab a couple boxes of CCI, Federal, etc.....

off the shelf and go test YOUR pistol.

 

Here is a partial list of .22 ammo I have tested for accuracy in Browning Buck Mark pistols,

S&W model 41's (2 different pistols, both with the 5" and 7" barrels), Volquartsen Ruger's MK4's,

S&W model 617 (4 and 6") and a few non-target type pistols.

Federal White Box (bulk)

Federal Blue Box (bulk)

Federal Hunter Match

Aguila Subsonic

Eley Subsonic HP (Green label)

CCI Standard Vel

CCI Suppressor

CCI Velocitor

CCI Mini Mag HP

Federal Black Box (36 and 38 grain bulk). Ironically, these work darn good in my KIDD 10/22's.

Federal HV Match

Aguila Sniper Subsonic

CCI Blazer

CCI Pistol Match

CCI Stinger

CCI Mini mag

Lapua Center-X. (High Dollar match ammo). 

 

Taking a quick look at my targets from all that testing, 2 of the better targets were with

the 6" Volquartsen Ruger using Federal Hunter Match and the S&W Model 41 using CCI

Stingers.

 

..........Widder

 

 

See there??

 

I toltcha’!!😜

[ShadowCatcher]

FWIW I tested my browning 1911 - 22, my Colt King Cobra, my Marvel conversion, my S&W Victory .22, and my CZ 455 and Nordic Components match barrel

from the bench at 50', using pretty much every ammo I could find from Midway.  After a month or so of testing I found the most consistent one to be the

CCI Standard velocity.  All the guns performed admirably, the NC upper gave me dime sized groups, an all the others were near to that.  Frankly it was also

one of the cleaner ammo as well.  Since I can't out shoot my guns while shooting free style, I don't see a need for more accuracy. 

 

SC

[Eyesa Horg]

1 hour ago, Blackwater 53393 said:

Widder should chime in here! I know that he’s done some serious research on .22 ammunition in various guns!!

I'll bait him...

🍨 @Widder, SASS #59054🍨 

 

Guess I shoulda read further first. 😄

Edited February 19 by Eyesa Horg
Added text

[Crooked River Pete, SASS 43485]

All my rifles do very well with SK

https://sk-ammunition.com/rimfire/

[KatfishKid]

I got deep into accurate rimfire shooting years ago, testing just about every .22LR match load I could get my hands on. Some rounds stood out back then, but things change, and what was top-tier a decade ago might not be the same now. That said, a few tried-and-true options still hold up, especially if you're shooting a precision bolt gun, a semi-auto rifle, or one of the higher end semi auto pistols out there.

Back when I was really into this, CCI Standard Velocity was my go-to. Not quite match-grade, but for the price, it was hard to beat. It cycles well in the Mark pistols, burns cleaner than most waxy-coated match ammo, and holds decent groups.

Wolf Match Target was another favorite, made by SK, which is under Lapua. Subsonic, super consistent, and deadly accurate in bolt guns and semi-auto rifles. In the Mark II, though, it could be hit or miss. Some barrels loved it, some didn’t, and cycling could be iffy. SK Pistol Match was a good step up, offering similar accuracy but with a bit more power to keep pistols running.

Lapua Center-X was the real deal for precision. In bolt guns, it was one of the best. In the Mark II? Some guns cycled it fine, others didn’t. If you’re into high-end ammo, this is a solid one to try. Same with ELEY Tenex...insanely accurate, but its waxy coating could cause issues in semi-autos. ELEY Target or Club are better bets for pistols.

For rifles, bolt guns love match ammo. Wolf Match Target, SK Rifle Match, and Lapua Center-X all shoot tiny groups if your rifle is up to it. Semi-autos like the stock Ruger 10/22 need a little more energy to function right, which is why CCI Standard Velocity or SK Rifle Match tend to be solid choices. Some of my higher end 10/22 rifles would shoot anything you stuck in em. But my full KIDD build 10/22 was only 100% reliable with Wolf Match and ELEY Tenex. For your Ruger, I would start with CCI Standard velocity. For me, I always start with CCI standard velocity and work my way up to the higher end stuff. If it shoots CCI standard just as well as it shoots ELEY Tenex, there would be no reason to pay more for something that works just as well in your gun. 

 

[John Kloehr]

In a Ruger 10/22 rifle (I have 2), I find pretty much all the ammo is more accurate than I am at 25 yards. At 50 yards, ammo makes a large difference. I basically shoot a 2" donut with a 1" hole in the middle at 50 yards.

 

As best I can figure it, when a .22lr round drops from supersonic to subsonic speed, it goes in a slightly different direction.

 

I took part in an informal local club shoot and figured this out getting ready for it. The target would be at 25 yards for iron sights, 50 yards for optics. Due to the selected target, I could not see the nearer bullseye with irons, could see it further with optics. But was shooting a donut around the bullseye at the longer distance.

 

So off to a couple stores to buy a couple boxes of almost anything to try in a hunt for a 50 yard round. Before going shopping, I did spend about an hour researching. So I was specifically after Eley subsonic match grade (unobtanium locally lol), did buy some stingers and other fast rounds for research along with a couple boxes of every subsonic I could find. I'll shoot it all eventually.

 

Now I can't remember which round turned out the best for that day, other than remembering it was a somewhat inexpensive 40 gr lrn round. And while it did good best in the scoped rifle, CCI MiniMag still did better in the other iron sight rifle. In general, higher velocity rounds did worse which lends credence to the theory inaccuracy comes from dropping below the sound barrier. I was able to find a round which could generally hit in the bullseye.

 

As to Eley, what I read is that serious competitors buy cases of ammo from different lots and test some of each batch in their own guns. They keep what works and flip the rest to the aftermarket. And this after Eley does its own testing to designate batches as general target versus match grade. And any I found at the time of my search was on-line with shipping and expensive. It is manufactured in England.

 

 

Edited February 20 by John Kloehr

[Three Foot Johnson]

Eley Contact has a very good reputation, as do Tenex, Match, and Team. Lapua versions of these three are X-act, Midas +, and Center-X. I've had decent luck with CCI Green Tag too - a lot less money, and works remarkably well, depending on the firearm. Even CCI Standard Velocity works well, depending on the firearm, and costs less still.

[Widder, SASS #59054]

For those interested, there are a couple lengthy videos on YouTube about .22 ammo testing.

 

I would normally add the link but they are lengthy.   Part 1 is 26 minutes, and part 2 is 19 minutes.

And I didn't want to take up that much time/space on this thread topic.

 

Here are their titles of exact wording:

 

CZ 457 MTR ammo test part 1

CZ MTR ammo test part 2

 

Hope this helps with some variety of information.

 

P.S. - I have nothing to do with this video nor do I know the producer.

 

..........Widder