I've bought only two types of .22 ammo for the last decade, CCI Blazer for my Bersa Thunder and CCI standard velocity for my supressed Ruger 10/22 and 4" 22/45. I remember buying 500 round bricks for under 25 bucks and that was about triple the cost of low end Remington, Federal, and Winchester but I didn't mind because CCI was perfectly reliable and very accurate. My Bersa Thunder is 100% reliable with Blazer but jams every couple of rounds on Rem/Win/Fed because the gun has a heavy steel slide and those rounds don't have enough oomph or they're poorer quality. The last several years CCI is very expensive and hard to obtain and I was wondering if anyone made equivalent quality ammo at a lower price?
Any 22 ammo as good as CCI that is cheaper?
- Thread starter Farmer17
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It's worth it to spend the extra money for CCI SV. I'm not positive, but I think Target Sports had it recently for around $400.00 for a case of 5,000; that may include free shipping. However, you might shop around and find a better price.
Another CCI fan here but for the 22 magnum ammo. Used to pay $11 at Walmart but lately no luck. My LGS charges $18 per 50! for CCI and Hornady. Stick with it cause the 40 grain stuff groups fantastic out of my Ruger A.
38SPL HV
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…Aguila 40 gr HV is even better in my opinion for reliability at lower prices…
In any case, TargetSportsUSA has some CCI at good prices
22 Long Rifle | 22LR Ammo - Target Sports USA - Ammo Deals
In any case, TargetSportsUSA has some CCI at good prices
22 Long Rifle | 22LR Ammo - Target Sports USA - Ammo Deals
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Boudiepitbull
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Plus one on the Aguila 40gr HV in the red box. It used to be significantly cheaper (less so now) and it smells kinda funny but I would rate it a close second to CCI Mini-Mags.
I have a certain amount of inconclusive evidence that CCI is superior ammo, but the one rule about .22 ammo is that there are no sure rules about .22 ammo. You never know what ammo might work out best for your gun. For the last couple of years, I have been using mostly Remington Thunderbolt (!), second iteration, I think. Highly reliable, and acceptably accurate. You just have to try what's around in your gun, and if you pick a winner, don't forget to buy a lot of it while it's still around.
Good luck!
Good luck!
GypsmJim
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I have a few autos that choke on std vel ammo. I used CCI mini-mags for years, but switched to bulk because of escalating prices.
Since the covid shortage Wallmart has been carrying bulk packs of Federal Auto Match Target Grade .22 ammo. 325 round boxes for $21. They are mid range between hi vel and std.
I bought a few boxes to try them out. They worked 100% in ALL my semis. Additionally, I was surprised at the consistency and accuracy.
Since then I have made 2 daily trips to every Wally in driving distance and bought the limit at each store. That should tell you how good i think they are.
Since the covid shortage Wallmart has been carrying bulk packs of Federal Auto Match Target Grade .22 ammo. 325 round boxes for $21. They are mid range between hi vel and std.
I bought a few boxes to try them out. They worked 100% in ALL my semis. Additionally, I was surprised at the consistency and accuracy.
Since then I have made 2 daily trips to every Wally in driving distance and bought the limit at each store. That should tell you how good i think they are.
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scooter123
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The most accurate 22LR I've found for my 617-0 is Winchester Wildcat, it groups 1/2 inch tighter than the SV CCI.
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I've found some Aguila SV to be good at times. I bought a case years ago and had a number of misfires, a complaint I've seldom heard about this ammo, so maybe I got a bad batch. Regardless, I only bought small quantities, maybe a brick or two after that and got away from it altogether a few years ago. I've also used Aguila HV but far less of it than the SV.
Shooting a number of benchrested groups using Aguila SV and HV (handguns at 25 yards and rifles at 50 yards) provided group sizes at least slightly larger than CCI SV in the same guns.
Like so many other inexpensive ammos, it functions great in some semi-auto pistols but not all of them. If you're shooting one ammo in many guns, rifle and handgun, it's hard to beat CCI SV. Nowadays, however, if you can find a decent buy on Aguila and there's no CCI SV available, I don't think you would go far wrong with the Aguila. It's still better ammo than much of the bulk cheap stuff.
NO!
NO! CCI is the BEST! As Gutfeld would say "PERIOD!"...
NO! CCI is the BEST! As Gutfeld would say "PERIOD!"...
THE PILGRIM
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Have had good luck with the Federal Bulk Auto Match.
I have the mentioned Aguilar but haven’t actually shot that much.
It smokes but seems to be reliable.
Some of my guns, 10-22 and Beretta 70s come to mind, shoot anything you come up with.
Then there’s the Beretta 21a and my Ruger LCP 22, they like MiniMags and Stingers.
But - But those old guns that have the holes where you insert the rounds,
Then close it, and pull the trigger.
I have some of them that shoot it if it will shoot!
I have the mentioned Aguilar but haven’t actually shot that much.
It smokes but seems to be reliable.
Some of my guns, 10-22 and Beretta 70s come to mind, shoot anything you come up with.
Then there’s the Beretta 21a and my Ruger LCP 22, they like MiniMags and Stingers.
But - But those old guns that have the holes where you insert the rounds,
Then close it, and pull the trigger.
I have some of them that shoot it if it will shoot!
venomballistics
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Aguila Is worth an honest test drive.
I've tried this stuff some 30 years ago and they seem to take 22 LR seriously enough to be a contender.
22 LR Sniper Subsonic | Aguila Ammunition
I've tried this stuff some 30 years ago and they seem to take 22 LR seriously enough to be a contender.
22 LR Sniper Subsonic | Aguila Ammunition
Midway USA has had CCI Stnd Velo for sale at $39.95/500 for several days now. They were offering free shipping with purchases of at least $49.00 .
IronSkillet
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Just grabbed a brick of CCI Stingers from SGA 89.95. A friend grabbed a brick of the Wolf Match for the same price it is a lot cheaper than GreenTag. Had a case of Federal blue box 510; 40gr about half used up pretty decent stuff (revolvers-semi auto pistols/rifles-bolt rifle) no issues.
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I found Fiocchi .22 Mag somewhat more accurate than CCI and several years ago I bought an ammo can full at Cabelas for a great price. I thought it would let me conserve the CCIs. Then the price went up and everything became scarce so now I'm shooting CCI to conserve the Fiocchi.
Aguila and Federal Auto Match are acceptable substitutes in my .22 LR guns, but bear in mind all but one of mine are bolt rifles or revolvers. The .22LR Match upper for my Witness likes the Federal just fine.
Aguila and Federal Auto Match are acceptable substitutes in my .22 LR guns, but bear in mind all but one of mine are bolt rifles or revolvers. The .22LR Match upper for my Witness likes the Federal just fine.
GypsmJim
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I agree. But sometimes you have to accept second best (almost as good, i.e., so close you may not tel the difference) because of availability and / or price.
Fed target fits the bill. I tried Aquilla, and it was OK, but I didn't buy it a second time.
Regardless, most all ammo is better than I am, with my arthritis and aged eyes. With the exception of ANYTHING with a Remington name on the box.
Lots of .22 ammo makers out there........
but the cheapest ammo is nice on your wallet but...
it might not be the most accurate in your pistols or rifles.
I have several .22 rifles that disagree on what is the most accurate ammo !!
One rifle refuses to cycle a federal LR round and one pump will not
group the Remington "Yellow Jacket" at 50 yards.
Have fun buying ammo to see what is the Best" for you, or just get the cheap stuff
and keep missing a lot of targets, in your outings.
but the cheapest ammo is nice on your wallet but...
it might not be the most accurate in your pistols or rifles.
I have several .22 rifles that disagree on what is the most accurate ammo !!
One rifle refuses to cycle a federal LR round and one pump will not
group the Remington "Yellow Jacket" at 50 yards.
Have fun buying ammo to see what is the Best" for you, or just get the cheap stuff
and keep missing a lot of targets, in your outings.
Just one word in response to your question - Nope, CCI is the most reliable .22 I have used. The accuracy is good enough for me to hit squirrels yard pig's crows etc. I am not target shooting with it.
I can't comment on the other brands because I stuck with what was working for me.
I have a bunch of Remmington used for plinking, but it is dirty and there are a lot of rounds that are just bad in the buckets, however it was super cheap. I guess you get what you pay for.
Back when I was buying .22, I bought the cheapest ammo I could for plinking and saved the CCI for hunting, fortunately I didn't shoot it all up.
I can't comment on the other brands because I stuck with what was working for me.
I have a bunch of Remmington used for plinking, but it is dirty and there are a lot of rounds that are just bad in the buckets, however it was super cheap. I guess you get what you pay for.
Back when I was buying .22, I bought the cheapest ammo I could for plinking and saved the CCI for hunting, fortunately I didn't shoot it all up.
