What is the golden rule on 22LR Ammo ? Lots of types & choices on Ammo, and Guns, and Barrel types, Mainly Revolver Target Shooting, Let me run this by every body.. 40 Grain Lead Round Nose for Target Shooting.. 36 Grain Copper Plated Hollow Point for Hunting, which is the best ? or is that part of the fun to try them all ? Back in the day around 50 years ago I had really good luck with CCI Stingers 32 gr. for squirrel hunting, with a Marlin 39A golden trigger..The Best I have tried so far, Target Shooting, M617, 15 Yards, Paper & Steel, For the price $, and Clean Running.. #1 Federal Champion 36 gr., #2 Federal AutoMatch, #3 Remington Golden Bullet, #4 CCI SV, #5 Federal American Eagle, #6 CCI Mini Mags.. Tried Aguila 38 gr.. was real consistent, but leaded up my forcing cone, Trying more types of ammo when this bad weather breaks.. With different types of guns it may be a different story..

Every gun has its own personality so there’s no golden rule of what’s best. I and my wife probably have 20 22cal rifles and pistols and what shoots best depends on that specific gun. Matter of fact I’m not sure you can say all Ruger 10/22 shoot xyz ammo equally well or all 4” 617 revolvers shoot zzx ammo the same. Ever barrel is different with each liking one ammo over another.

Some ammo is cleaner than others and some of us like plated lead and some are just biased. Many swear by CCI and others Federal. Some hate Remington, Aguila and Armscor. My advice, buy a variety of ammo and test it in your guns.

I’ve tested a lot of ammo in my guns and was totally surprised at how much difference the right ammo makes. You’d think the more expensive would be the best, not so. In one of my precision rifles I found bulk Federal to shoot much tighter groups than the high priced stuff.

Good advice. Try as many different ammos as you can. What works for others may or may not work for you in your guns.

If you go to Rimfirecentral.com you will find an abundance of very good information addressing your question.
Best,
Gary

Unless one has bought 22 ammo Lately not sure. CCI of any flavor is the Only 22 I’ve found NOT TO HAVE FTFs. Sadly Fed. tan box and every other mfg( excluding Eley) has way to many FTF. Shot all ammo in 10-22, MkII Ruger, Colt Woodsman and Mdl 17 S&W, same results, to many FTF.

There is no " best " .

I have a Bersa thunder 22 pistol that I love, but about the only ammo it is reliable with is the CCI blazers. My suppressed Ruger 22/45, the only thing I feed it is standard velocity CCI and its 100 percent reliable and quiet. My Ruger 10/22 takedown will eat anything but I buy bricks of the CCI Blazer which is fairly cheap and never have a problem.

Back inn the day...50s-60s-even 70s...I hardly ever had a FTFire...a few FTFeeds iin Semi Autos...probably needed cleaning. All ammo seems to have FTFS of both types these days even vaunted CCI and yes Even Eley. Buy 'em all...try 'em all. You will find what shoots best in your guns. I'm not a target shooter...just a shooter and I have bought a lot of 22slately...from cheapest to spensive. A lot of cheap Armscor and even Aguila as it has been on sale from just under 4 cents a round to 6 cents. All I have shot has seemed to be getting better than 2 years ago for certain. at about 20,000 rounds now some dating to the 70s...I think I will stop. I may have enough for life now. Some of the more reliable newer purchases have been the Federal bulk ammo...for me anyway.

Yes. The CCI SV seems to be at the top of the list, have not tried the Blazer yet, is the 40 or 38 gr. the best ?, I had 3 FTF from a 1375 round bucket of Federal Champion 36 gr.. it was good stuff.. I tried 300 Remington with no problems, I have 2 525 boxes of the 36gr. to try when the weather breaks..

A coupe thoughts - Generally the 32-36 grain HV hollow point stuff is for hunting, and is not USUALLY the most accurate ammo choice for paper punching.

USUALLY the 40 grain RN standard velocity stuff is more accurate for shooting small groups. I have had excellent luck with CCI SV.

I say the word usually a lot, because each rifle is different in what it will like. Yours may like the cheapest no name bulk ammo out there, or it may not. Half the fun is testing to see just what your rifle likes.

I will say this though - Consistency is a big word in .22 accuracy, and in rifle accuracy in general. You pay $$ for consistency. Your .22 may like cheap bulk ammo, but it will never shoot to it's potential using said ammo. Just run cheap .22 ammo over a chronograph, and you will see what I mean - Big variations in velocity, often 100 fps or more. You will not get your best accuracy.

Key, for ultimate accuracy, is to find which one of the "Match" grade ammo's shoot well in your gun. Good match ammo usually has an 8 fps, or less variation in muzzle velocity, and this will result in the tightest groups your rifle is capable of. Some good stuff is Eley Match, 10x, SK Match, Standard Extra, RWS Match, Wolf Match. Expect about $8 to $20 a box of 50 for this type of ammo.

All said, you do not need expensive match ammo to enjoy shooting your .22. CCI standard velocity is usually very consistent, and a lot cheaper. But if you want the best groups your rifle is capable of, with repeatability, then match ammo is the way to go. Just to add - Getting a .5 inch 5 shot group at 50 yards with cheap bulk ammo is possible, but getting it with consistency and repeatability is another matter.

Larry

It all depends on what you are going to do with it.....serious target work (NRA 3&4 Position)I always used Eley Tenex to put me in the winners circle, same with Russian Olymp.

For prairie dogs and such what ever feeds reliably and good accuracy 5 shots or more into the 9-10 ring of A-17 target_ at 50 yards

Most of the times that means CCI MiniMags....although Remington and Winchester shoot well in my CZ452 as well Aquila.

Randy

Had some old 22LR & 22 shorts 40-50 years old, shot it up with my M617, it all went bang, just have 10 of the old CCI Stingers, K-Mart $1.49, it looks a lot better made then the New box I have..

I shoot Stingers.

Tried a lot of different brands but keep going back to Stingers.

When I pocket carry an SR22 I load it with pre pandemic stingers.At the range I load it with pre pandemic mini mags.Why pre panandemic;I have lots of them.
My S&W 15-22 likes the mini mags too.
Function doesn't always align with accuracy.

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

For general shooting, CCI std vel is hard to beat. that said , i also shoot a lot of Aguila std...and Winchester hi vel

"What is the best 22LR ammo?"

Well, here's my opinion: Federal Gold Medal Match, Series 900. The kind that they made around 25-30 years ago with the dimpled primers. It's no longer available and the stuff that Federal calls "Gold Medal" these days doesn't hold a candle to the old stuff. It was made to compete with Russian Olympic ammo (which also has dimpled primers) back in the 90's for the Olympics. It was too expensive to manufacture profitably, and they quickly abandoned making it, so good luck finding some. Here's the last of my stash:

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Here’s a 5 shot 50yd target with cheap bulk Federal. Shot in my Thompson Center copy of a Ruger 10/22 scoped. I was buying this stuff for $16/550 prior to the pandemic and it is the best I’ve found in my TC. I’m no expert rifle marksman but think this is pretty good for cheap ammo in an off the shelf rifle.

A little note, I rarely have FTF’s no matter the ammo or gun. I probably will bet 2 in a box of 550 maybe. The exception is the most recent batch of Armscor. I never had a problem with their ammo until I opened a current production brick and I get about one dud every 12 rounds. Last trip out with my K22 I had as many as 2 per cylinder, 33% failure rate. I still have some and think I’ll contact Armscor and see if they’ll replace it. My wife was also shooting it in her Smith and had a high rate of failures too. We’d even take the cartridge out and rotate it to see if there was a dead spot in the primer but most simply wouldn’t fire. Some I even tried 5 times.

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Every gun shoots ammo differently. Round up all the different ammo that you can find and have a range day. Clean between the different ammo and just shoot for groups. If you hit dead center great, but grouping is what you are looking for. I usually start with about 10-15 different brands of ammo to see what the gun likes. Autos usually like faster ammo and bolt guns will like standard velocity. It does not necessarily work out that way as I have an Izhmash Biathlon 7-2-KO that likes the old PMC Zapper (36 grain) and of course they don't make that anymore. Did buy a case just for that rifle before it was all gone.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

A lack of consistency in production is much of the problem with the cheap ammo. Another batch of the Federal may shoot just as well or may shoot poorly. Two duds in 550 rounds is too much for me, but is to be expected with the cheap stuff. I prefer CCI SV because of consistency from one batch to the next. I've been buying by the case for a good while.

Several years ago I did have a cartridge that didn't fire on the first pull of the trigger, very surprising with CCI SV. Only time it's happened in thousands of rounds. It only costs a little more than the cheap ammo.

Never have seen 22LR ammo like that, they should bring that back, They can sell that ammo even at a high price..

Shoot a lot of MiniMags. Have had FTF in small Autos.
Beretta 21A and Ruger LCP. No problems in Beretta 70S, Smith 63, etc.
Tried the Cabala House 22.
Got so many FTF that I retired it for the Zombie Apocalypse.
Stingers no Problemo in several guns.
Ruger 10-22? Load it, shoot it.
So I’m a thinking that with todays ammo, they tend to function best in strong primer hitting guns like rifles.

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

I'm just a plinker so the Fed Auto match works great in my Victory. Walmart has some good prices on it and I am pleased with it.

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Why duck?? It's a 9mm!

I've had good luck with most CCI .22lr and Remington Golden Bullet 22lr.

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Lee Erickson

The only .22 LR caliber cartridges that I will use have to have jacketed bullets. No lead bullets. Filthy things. Ugh!

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Come and take it!!

Do they make .22 LR with jacketed bullets? The only .22 LR I've used have had lead bullets, but some have a light copper coat, no jacket.

When I shot Bullseye with a '70's vintage Model 41 I shot Mini Mags exclusively. Std. Velocity anything would yield too many alibis. The other thing was that at the time that was the best I could afford.

After the last .22 crisis was over I tried the Fed bulk Auto Match. I have found it to be 100% reliable, plus it functions reliably in every single semi-auto that I own. My SR22 is the most finicky, but it likes this brand.

I am also mostly a plinker and I buy ammo on the price point for the most part. I have bought some real cheap stuff at times and have had FTF but never at the percentages some report. Lately I have been bulk buying Aquila and so far it is 100%. It is a little waxy and smells odd when fired but it shoots accurately and functions in all my rifles and a Model 34 and 617.
For those into tight groups and precision I understand your priorities just different than mine.

Thread should be more specific as to particular firearms. Obviously what works in a Ruger Sp101 22lr wont necessarily function well in a lot of 22lr semis.

I have numerous rifles and revolvers in 22lr. Any quality ammo should function flawlessly. Cheaper ammo will suffice if you're only plinking tin cans in the backyard. Expect a few duds but who cares. You get what you pay for. Accuracy and quality is a big factor but only if you are a serious shooter.

Over the past year I bought 3 pocket carry 22lr semis. All were brand new and a little "tight" so I went with CCI Stingers to help with the breakin. CCI Stingers are IMHO the equivalent of 22WMR for regular 22lr firearms.

Buying and shooting firearms is a journey filled with joy and sometimes disappointment. It wasn't meant to be easy.

Each firearm shoots ammo differently. What works well for someone may not work for you. When I buy 22 ammo I buy what works well for me in my guns. I will list in order what I buy and what I use it in. It may or may not be the same for you. Since I like accuracy and precision, that trumps the cost for me.

CCI standard velocity 40 grain - used on target pistols like a M41

CCI Mini-mag High velocity - used in revolvers and long guns

CCI 40 grain Velocitor - used in rifles for small game hunting or pest control.

CCI Quite 40 grain - sounds like a pellet rifle if noise trumps great accuracy. Good ar short range only.

Federal Blue Box #510 and American Eagle 40 grain - used in rifles, almost as accurate as CCI but a little less $$ for general plinking at steel plates outdoors.

Winchester Wildcat 40 grain high velocity - not tack driving, but cheap and reliable enough for a days shooting outdoors when used by shooters not looking at tack driving accuracy but still something descent.

That's about it for what I buy. I do have a bunch of misc.brands around that I burn through sometimes when testing a repair or rough sighting in a scope.

What I was saying in Post #18

Most pistols will shoot most ammo decently for purposes not involving matches.

Rifles are a whole different ballgame. Also the type of rifle dictates what kind of ammo is needed.

Just try different ammo that works well in your gun. I have match rifles that will not shoot Eley Black Box EPS worth a darn, but will shoot SK Rifle Match like a dream.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

I shoot CCI Standard Velocity in my S&W Model 41. I feel (at my 50 ft range) it is the sweet spot in terms of price and performance.

But I recently had issues with one batch; a few failure-to-fires in each box. Just that one lot. I contacted CCI and they sent a label to ship them back. They could not find issue with the ammo but sent me a check for the retail price.

I appreciate that kind of support.

Maybe I'm blessed, but I haven't had a dud in recent years when using any of the Federal bulk .22's.

Just as a matter of routine, when I unpack a cardboard box, I transfer the rounds into old mini-mag plastic boxes. Thus, I inadvertently count the contents. Federals always add up.

In contrast, duds, empty brass and less than 500 in a box have been constant issues with anything Remington. Just after one of the last crises I had similar issues with Winchester ammo.

After having such good luck with the cheap Federals I stocked up while I could get them.

That 'was' wonderful ammo! Depending on the gun, it was as good or better than the best the English or Germans offered - iMO. I think I still have a box or two.

Years ago I shot .22 bullseye.
One day while practicing, I was using Remington, and got a "click".
I racked the slide and rotated the round slightly in the chamber. "Click" again.
I rotated the round 10 times, got 10 very clear pin hits on it, and it never went off.

Find an ammo that shoots well in your gun and that you can afford. Then have fun. How many here are shooting matches for score. I just shoot to please myself and no one else........

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

Jim, I do the same thing, Those CCI plastic boxes are great, I have a 100 & 50 count box that is the amber color, not the clear ones, what was the last year for those ? I get around one dud out of 500 Federal 36 grain, about one bad one out of 1500 Federal AutoMatch 40 grain, Had no problem out of 400 Remington, Shot 100 yesterday, I think they had some trouble with the Remington 22LR a few years ago, I think they have improved them..

I Prefer Remington standard velocity 22 ammo.

Just noticed a couple days ago, my old CCI Stingers was a lot better made, with a large hexagon shaped hollow point, in the old amber color box, K-mart sticker $1.49, My newer box has the regular small hollow point, don't know the year on those old ones, maybe 1975..

Yes. I need to try those, don't think I've seen those any place..

I bought all my amber boxes for 99 cents a box from KMart back in the 1970's. By the 1980's I switched to bulk, so I don't know what CCI did.

I had a problem with almost every Remington ammo I ever bought, from the 1970's to 2000. Not just .22, but brass and centerfire ammo as well.

I would not take anything Rem for free.