New owner with ammo questions

[ranger54936]

Last night I came across 2 boxes of CCI Tactical that is described as "designed specifically for the M&P 15 22" so I grabbed it. As a new owner I am not familiar with the differences in the variety of ammo out there so I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with this ammo and is it worth my time to spend the extra money on this. Any help would be appreciated!

 

[rraisley]

I certainly like the /idea/ of the CCI Tactical ammo. Copper plated, full 40 grain bullets, decent velocity, CCI quality and, as you say, "designed specifically for the M&P 15-22. However, I've found that in my gun, they jam on loading more than other rounds I use. So, since I'm cheap and shoot a lot, I'm stuck with Federal Champions, which are copper plated, but hollow point, 36 grain. So they aren't as accurate as the CCI. But they're accurate enough for me, and work very reliably.

 

[ranger54936]

Thanks for the insight. Hopefully I will be able to find some cheaper ammo. I was starting to think I would never be able to shoot as everywhere I have looked for ammo for the past two weeks is all out and they have no clue when they will get a new shipment. Is there any ammo that I should stay away from?

 

[Zax]

I've shot several boxes of these with no issues, and although they aren't as accurate as the CCI Mini Mags they may be slightly better than the Federal bulk I usually shoot.

Each rifle is slightly different so I would shoot a box or 2 and see if it likes them.

 

[BP_Z28]

Sometimes you need to venture out like 30+ miles to find ammo.

 

[Zax]

...Is there any ammo that I should stay away from?

There are 'not recommended' brands listed in the manual, but that doesn't necessarily mean they won't work.

If you can find the Federal Bulk / Champion 375 or 525 boxes, I would try those. They seem to work for most people and they're cheap.

Check out the AMMO TALK thread, which can be found in the http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-m-p-15-22/166153-notable-thread-index.html .

 

[aguablanco]

My personal opinion is that there is no such thing as " tactical .22 ammo". Do these rifles work significantly different from any other .22 rifle? I don't see how. Seems like a marketing technique to increase the price, at best.
RichH

 

[ranger54936]

Sometimes you need to venture out like 30+ miles to find ammo.

I live in NC and I just drove back here from MI. I couldnt find ammo up there or anywhere I stopped on my way back. I have resorted to putting my name on backorder lists. Just going to keep stalking the sporting goods guy at Wal-Mart haha

 

[Scopes]

My personal opinion is that there is no such thing as " tactical .22 ammo". Do these rifles work significantly different from any other .22 rifle? I don't see how. Seems like a marketing technique to increase the price, at best.
RichH

I wondered that myself.

 

[rraisley]

My personal opinion is that there is no such thing as " tactical .22 ammo". Do these rifles work significantly different from any other .22 rifle? I don't see how. Seems like a marketing technique to increase the price, at best.

The 15-22 is a "tactical" style .22 rifle, and CCI Tactical is designed specifically for this rifle, so I think "CCI Tactical" is a reasonable name for it. They don't claim any special properties for it other than that. And the price isn't really that bad, all things considered. I'd use it more, if my guns liked it more. Just so happens that they don't.

 

[Zax]

How about their Troy Landry Signature Series, perfect for alligator hunting . They appear to be mini mags in 'bulk', so perhaps worth a try.

 

[Maddmax]

I'd stay away from Remington Thunderbolts. They use to be great many Many years ago until they outsourced them off shore. Their QC SUCKS now.

 

[photoracer]

My personal opinion is that there is no such thing as " tactical .22 ammo". Do these rifles work significantly different from any other .22 rifle? I don't see how. Seems like a marketing technique to increase the price, at best.
RichH

Actually the only real differnce is the bullet shape. CCI-Tactical has a narrower shape to the top of the bullet supposedly for more reliable feeding in hi-cap mags. In my PC model they work flawlessly as opposed to the Fed Champion, which causes it to jam (Fed Champion has a longer OAL than Fed Bulk, which a match chamber does not seem to like. CCI-T also works fine in my other, standard 15-22. Every .22 rifle is a little different when it comes to ammo it likes.

 

[rdillon]

I just bought a couple of boxes of the CCI TACTICAL. Haven't tried them yet. They were only 6 cents a round, that's about as cheap as any 40 grain bullet I can find. Are there any cheaper out there that will work in the 15-22?

 

[rraisley]

Wow, the last CCI Tactical I bought was $14.99 a box, or 4 cents a round. But then, my LGS didn't have any yesterday, so....

You might want to try Federal Champions, if you can find them. I've bought them at $17 a box of 525, delivered. But again, I think they're out.

 

[rdillon]

Maybe the price is catching up with the demand....I hate spending money! But if they shoot well, I'm OK with 6 cents a round.

 

[Hockey is Life]

Ranger I went through a box of CCI tactical this past weekend and had no issues. we used most of the box with the M&P 15-22 but some rounds were used in a Ruger 10/22 takedown I was trying out.

Again all 325 rounds no issues.

Give them a try and i think you will find they work well, if not in your weapon then find the rounds that do work.

good luck.