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

[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 ..

 

[TheMaineEvent]

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad to see good results at 25 yards. I'm using 50 yards on mine since that's the closest option at my range, but I guess the side benefit is seeing how the ammo performs out to that far.

Of course, a lot of the accuracy is on me so the pressure is on, lol.

 

[stonecutter]

I have given up testing different ammo, i have found MiniMag to be the most consitent in my Smith both for accuracy and reliability.
I just hate paying £70.00 per thousand for them here in the UK.

 

[perfectcircle1]

I have given up testing different ammo, i have found MiniMag to be the most consitent in my Smith both for accuracy and reliability.
I just hate paying £70.00 per thousand for them here in the UK.

I agree even though i have no idea how much money that is in US

 

[BlueOvalBandit]

I agree even though i have no idea how much money that is in US

$108/1k

currently

 

[perfectcircle1]

That's not really that bad. Most places are up to 10 per 100 where im at

 

[Plumbago]

I've never shot the AutoMatch and have only shot two boxes of CCI Tactical. I have shot something over 12k of Federal Champion and I must say your experience does not match mine for that ammo. My 25 yard targets are under one inch day in and day out. 0.75" is common. 50 yard groups are normally 1.5" or a tad more.

I was just going to comment something very similar.....at your 21.6 yards, something is very wrong. You should be able to hold 1/2" groups or less.......and heavy on the less......sorry, but any of this ammo at this short distance should do much better....................

 

[perfectcircle1]

I was just going to comment something very similar.....at your 21.6 yards, something is very wrong. You should be able to hold 1/2" groups or less.......and heavy on the less......sorry, but any of this ammo at this short distance should do much better....................

I was shooting fairly rapidly, wasn't trying to break any records. Just normal fun shooting.