.22 LR. The good, The bad, and The Ridiculous.

[DelFuego]

As a whole, there's little difference ... primarily because calling a tiny hole in the nose of the bullet a "hollow point" borders on the ludicrous.

Why do they put that little hole there? I think it is wholly ridiculous that they can't sell you a bullet with a whole bunch of lead. It must be because hollow point .22lr bullets are considered a whole house defensive round. Which, as you point out, is wholly ridiculous. I think I am going to wholly melt down some lead weights that I have in the garage and fill in the hole in my hollow point bullets to make them whole.

 

[DelFuego]

Not that it is a bad thing, but has anybody noticed that Remington ammo seems to be in stock more than other brands right now. I picked up 2,800 rounds the other day. If I get a dud, or two, or three every 100 rounds, I should still be able to shoot 2,716 rounds. That's not too bad considering that I bought the Remington ammo for $138. Just call me golden boy.

 

[perfectcircle1]

For those doing accuracy testing with a variety of ammo ...

You need to clean the barrel between ammo brands. It doesn't have to be spit shined, but two or three passes with either a patch and brush or a BoreSnake is a must.

Then you need to put a minimum of 10 rounds of the new ammo downrange to season the barrel to that ammo before any firing for accuracy.

Just swapping ammo brands without doing the above two steps will yield undependable and inaccurate results.

Absolutely. Plus rest your eyes and mind a little

 

[MichiganScott]

As a whole, there's little difference ... primarily because calling a tiny hole in the nose of the bullet a "hollow point" borders on the ludicrous.

That "tiny hole" does not seem to affect accuracy but it does increase expansion in flesh, at least with the brands I've hunted with.

 

[photoracer]

Well there are 2 types of Federal "bulk". The 550 round box that WM sells and the 525 round box of Federal Champion. For one thing they are not the same ammo. The Champion I found has a slightly longer OAL (or maybe the rim is thicker), which caused some jamming in my PC model which has a tighter Bentz match chamber (WM 550 does not do that). The standard 15-22 does not care. Other than that I almost exclusively use CCI-Tactical in both my 15-22s as it runs the best, no FTEs or FTFs and only maybe 1-3 duds per box. Inspite of the S3G trigger with the low power springs in it. Mini-Mags work pretty well but they have thicker diameter bullets so sometimes they may have a feed jam (I use them in my pistols). But it is very rare. I did manage to get a brick of Remington recently as pretty much all I have left is 3 boxes of Tactical and about 1k of mini-mags. I will use that for practice along with the last part of a box of Fed AM.

 

[TheMaineEvent]

So I went and did my own ammo comparison test today. As I stated in a previous post, my 15-22 loves Federal Automatch far more so then the CCI Chootem variety, but I wanted to see how regular CCI Minimag Standard Velocity performed.

I loaded four 25-round mags of each variety and shot from the 50-yard lane from bench using a shooting bag.

My 15-22 has a cheap Black Hawk 3-9x40 scope, but it does the job. Most days.

I shot three mags at a glow shot target and the last mag at a 50-yard small bore competition target. I then ran a bore snake through the barrel 3 times before switching ammo.

Results;

Side-by-side of the glow shot targets. Automatch on the left and minimags on the right.

Final mag of Automatch;

Final mag of Minimag;

The Automatch actually performed very well during the first three mags and I had zero performance issues with the ammo. I don't know what happened on the last mag, but something was off.

The Minimags shot very well. IMHO, I think they shot better than the chootems and I only had one FTF.

Overall, I think the CCI rounds are a bit more accurate, but I don't know as I'd go with one over the other. I'm glad I have plenty of both in my stash so I don't have to worry about it.

 

[perfectcircle1]

So I went and did my own ammo comparison test today. As I stated in a previous post, my 15-22 loves Federal Automatch far more so then the CCI Chootem variety, but I wanted to see how regular CCI Minimag Standard Velocity performed.

I loaded four 25-round mags of each variety and shot from the 50-yard lane from bench using a shooting bag.

My 15-22 has a cheap Black Hawk 3-9x40 scope, but it does the job. Most days.

I shot three mags at a glow shot target and the last mag at a 50-yard small bore competition target. I then ran a bore snake through the barrel 3 times before switching ammo.

Results;

Side-by-side of the glow shot targets. Automatch on the left and minimags on the right.

Final mag of Automatch;

Final mag of Minimag;

The Automatch actually performed very well during the first three mags and I had zero performance issues with the ammo. I don't know what happened on the last mag, but something was off.

The Minimags shot very well. IMHO, I think they shot better than the chootems and I only had one FTF.

Overall, I think the CCI rounds are a bit more accurate, but I don't know as I'd go with one over the other. I'm glad I have plenty of both in my stash so I don't have to worry about it.

I was waiting for someone else to do it!!!! Yeah accuracy changes as the barrel gets warmer. I think by your results and mine automatch likes a cold barrel. If im wrong about this i hope someone will tell me differently

 

[TheMaineEvent]

Went out today for another comparison. This time around I loaded up four 25-round mags of Winchester 36gr HP from the white 555 round box and four 25-rounds of CCI Standard Velocity 40 gr.

All rounds were shot from 50 yards using a 3-9x40 scope and from a shooting bag. As before, I ran a bore snake through the barrel 3X before switching brands.

I numbered the targets based on which mag I was using.

Winchester;

CCI:

I don't know what happened with the first two mags of CCI, but they were VERY low. Perhaps the cleaning solution on the bore snake messed them up, but I had to adjust the scope up by about 10 clicks to get the 3rd mag on target. The 4th mag performed very well.

I only had one FTF with the Winchester and zero problems with the CCI.

Personally, I think the Winchesters shoots better than Federal Automatch from my first test. I'll have to go out again to see what happened with the CCI as I don't think the issue was with the ammo since the last mag of CCI was the most accurate of the day.

 

[BlueOvalBandit]

I've just finished running my first golden bullets in my 15-22 a couple days ago. Sent about 4-500 in one sitting without a single fte or ftf. None of the bang, bang, pew, pop, snap, bang etc with the exception of one that gave off a lot more smoke than others. Did a quick check thinking OOB or squib. Barrel was clear, ejector still in place, everything checked fine and went back to shooting. Didn't seem any dirtier than the 325 rds of federal automatch my friends blew through a while back. But then again I think all 22lr is nasty compared with centerfire.

Cleaned it the same way I always clean, brake cleaner, bore snake, and clp to coat and lube metal. Everything came right off.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Hellraiser]

Just a bizarre turn of events...

Last December... I ordered 10,000 rounds of CCI Mini-mag solid points. Also... I ordered 10,000 rounds of CCI Mini-mag hollow points.

Fine.... but later on in December... they sent another shipment of both.l

Now... I have 40,000 rounds of CCI Mini-mags.... and Midway refuses to take the additional 20,000 rds. back. I have never paid or been charged for the second batch. huhhsshheett .... how does that work? STRANGE!

^..^

 

[22 Short]

Thanks to everyone who went out and did there own comparisons. I'm not sure how to take it all but it makes me realize with all of the responses there are a lot of things to consider when doing a test to ensure that the results have some meaning. I know it has inspired me to go out and do a test of my own with the various ammo types.

I've used a lot of different ammos lately as a friend bought a SIG and it won't hardly digest any of the off the shelf ammo so he sold me several cartons of different ammo. I use it in my Browning 1911/22 and it likes everything it can get. Of course that says nothing about accuracy. I did find though the Chootum ammo gave me a lot of duds. I got several out of every carton.

And as far as the hollow points go here is my conspiracy theory and it is totally a knee jerk theory. It seems that it would cost less to produce since there is less lead in the hollow point to produc and they produce millions so saving material over time saves money. Yet they charge a premium on the hollow point ammo so it could be a real money maker for the ammo producers, costs less sells for more. Of course it may cost more to make the little dimple on top so that could totally blow my theory.


I'll report back if I get my act together and get out to the range for some testing.

 

[Majorlk]

And as far as the hollow points go here is my conspiracy theory and it is totally a knee jerk theory. It seems that it would cost less to produce since there is less lead in the hollow point to produc and they produce millions so saving material over time saves money. Yet they charge a premium on the hollow point ammo so it could be a real money maker for the ammo producers, costs less sells for more. Of course it may cost more to make the little dimple on top so that could totally blow my theory.

Yes, your theory is blown; the HP costs MORE to make than the solid because of the extra step necessary to make the hole in the bullet. And, no, there is not a premium charged for .22 LR HPs.

 

[LeadBolt]

Having finally accumulated enough ammo to feel somewhat secure, I took my 15-22 to the range and fired for the first time. Having read all the comments on ammo, I took 6 types and fired 50 of each.

I did not use a bench or rest but just fired the gun from a standing position to get acquainted, so accuracy was not the best. I had two duds 1 Winchester Super X HV and one Federal Auto Match.

The CCI Blazer was the most consistent followed closely by the Agulia Super Extra and the CCI MiniMags. Fed Automatch and Winchester Super X were next and Remington Yellow Jackets brought up the rear.

No failures to feed and 2 duds in 300 was fairly pleasing after reading here.

Accuracy was questionable as I had not fired the gun before, did not use a rest or bench, and did not clean the barrel between.

 

[TheMaineEvent]

Obviously, standing will hurt your accuracy, but shooting that large variety of ammo in one session certainly didn't help, either.

It's like mixing different brands of scotch together and expecting it to taste good.

Guess I know what I'm drinking today, lol.

 

[Chris Puza]

Interesting Thread. I had the same experience with the AutoMatch. There seemed to be quite a few flyers. I switched to the bulk and found that was more consistent. I'm planning on switching to CCI Standard Velocity next. Going to give a sub-sonic round a try.

 

[jajo]

I just picked up a couple boxes of the Federal Automatch. Never seen it before, but it was decently priced. I'll see how it shoots from my 15-22 tomorrow.

Over the past 18 months or so, I haven't found anything it didn't like.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[Tdub]

The dreaded ThunderBolts at 25 yards...yeh she was the shooter.

 

[StlBluesFan72]

Here was my results from Feb.

This was 4 different types of ammo :

Process was two passes of Boresnake than fired 10 rounds before shooting for groups for each ammo type.

25 yards, supported with 4 MOA red dot.

Center - 15 rounds CCI standard velocity 40 gr.
Upper Rt. - 15 rounds Winchester M22 40 gr.
Lower Rt. - same fired rapidly
Upper Left - 25 rounds of Federal 550 brown box from Walmart
Lower Left - 25 rounds of CCI MiniMags 40 gr.

To be honest I was happy with all of them .. I guess the CCI minimags win for group size, but for plinking and killing paper any of these load will do!

 

[TheMaineEvent]

At 25 yards I too think most ammo brands would/should do very well. It's when you shoot out to around 50 yards or more that I think you get to see which ammo is more accurate. More than 50 yards and I think you're asking a lot of the rifle and the ammo.

Nice grouping on your ammo, though!

 

[StlBluesFan72]

At 25 yards I too think most ammo brands would/should do very well. It's when you shoot out to around 50 yards or more that I think you get to see which ammo is more accurate. More than 50 yards and I think you're asking a lot of the rifle and the ammo.

Nice grouping on your ammo, though!

Yeah I included the 25 yd. target, because the OP mentioned all his shots were at 65 FEET. I think his groups were excessive. A friend of mine couldnt get a decent group with his 15-22, only to find out the barrel nut was just a little better than hand tight. A tacticool barrel nut wrench and 10 min. later his rifle was shooting like mine ..