Question: MOST accurate ammo?

[Boxerglocker]

OK, I have done a search and cannot find any threads that give consensuses and directly answer my question.

What is the MOST accurate ammo you have run in your 15-22? I just put a Mamba 1-4 scope on my rifle, setting it up for a varmint hunting trip in Montana for my 9 year old son to shoot.

I sighted it in with Blazer 40g RN at 50 yards and the results were less than spectacular, very inconsistent, 2-4 inch 5 shot groups at best. Though for my usually plinking and occasional match use, the Blazer has run great and is accurate enough for center of mass shots out to 100 yards with a IDPA/USPSA target.

I'd like to get it a little tighter for this hunting trip. What have you guys running scopes on your 15-22s had the best luck with?

 

[Zax]

I've only tested Federal bulk (Champion), Winchester 333 bulk and CCI MiniMag HP. Of those it's an easy choice, the CCI wins hands down although the Federal isn't far behind and is considerably cheaper. I didn't have as much luck with the Winchester, it seemed to vary more box to box.

 

[Majorlk]

There is no correct answer. What is the most accurate in one firearm may be mediocre in another. Every firearm is a law unto itself.

The only way to know what is the most accurate in your firearm, is to buy at least 100 rounds of each one you want to try and do your own testing. 100 rounds is the absolute minimum - 500 rounds is better.

 

[What the]

What kind of 50 yard groups did you get with iron sights? Most of my .22's shoot Blazer very well be they rifle or pistol. As the other posters have said, try at least a 100 rounds of any ammo you might consider and use sandbags or a rest.

Make sure everything related to the scope is tight, cheaper optics are suspect in my book and I don't use them ever. I'm not sure what your scope costs new but many headaches can be avoided with good quality optics.

Your gun should shoot better groups at 50 yards with quality ammo for sure. I've always had good luck with standard velocity CCI topped with 40 grain slugs. Federal Auto Match, Federal red box bulk, and Federal Champion are all good to try.

 

[Gopher Slayer]

Most of my .22's shoot Blazer very well be they rifle or pistol.

Same here.


Try some Wolf match if Blazer isn't performing well in your rifle.Wolf Rimfire .22LR Match Target 50/box - Natchez Shooters Supplies

That's funny. I'm from Washington and I'm in Montana at the family ranch working and slaying the gophers. I also use a 1-4 scope. It's all you guys should need to have a blast. What part of Montucky are you going to?

 

[Smith357]

Eley Tenex has won more Olympic Gold than any other ammo, at $200 for a brick it's not for the faint of heart.

RWS R50 is about $135 a brick and is very good.
Lapua Center X is just $100 a brick and pretty good.

What you pay for with the match grade ammo is consistency, all the components are measured and weighed and held withing extremely tight tolerances. This sort of attention to detail eliminates the fliers. But unless you're playing for Gold there really is not much point in spending the money. I use RWS R50 in my target rifle when I play for cash, but for hunting and plinking I use CCI Standard Velocity. Standard velocity and sub sonic ammo is generally more accurate than the HV stuff becuase it does not go through the buffeting that occurs at the trans sonic barriers.

 

[4cfed]

MY 15-22 will do 1/2-3/4" groups at 50 with federal 525 bulk hollow points consistantly shootin off a bipod... .. my preferred brand even though i had a random light strike issue today well.. 25-35 light strikes with in 100 rounds... anyways...

Like said try many different brands and see what YOUR gun shoots the best... also consider what type of game its being used on. I use remington vipers on possum and raccoons, and the feddy bulk for anything smaller

 

[rraisley]

IMHO, buying the "best" ammo for the 15-22 pretty much eliminates the reasons to buy this gun in the first place: Reasonable gun price, and cheap ammo.

 

[Boxerglocker]

Same here.


Try some Wolf match if Blazer isn't performing well in your rifle.Wolf Rimfire .22LR Match Target 50/box - Natchez Shooters Supplies

That's funny. I'm from Washington and I'm in Montana at the family ranch working and slaying the gophers. I also use a 1-4 scope. It's all you guys should need to have a blast. What part of Montucky are you going to?

I'll be in the Butte area for 6-7 days and head a little father east on day trips.

I'm not looking for a correct answer, just a general consensus of what guys have good luck with. I can definitely throw out the scope or technique being an issue. I mounted the scope on my AR-15 and shot my own hand loads under MOA at 100 yards.
I have the irons sighted at 25 yards and to be honest never shot it for groups as I run a RD on it 99% of the time.
I'll grab a box or Federal and Golden Sabers tonight and try those out.

I never bought this rifle as a target shooter just as a tactical trainer. I have over 10K in Blazer through it and my failure to fire rate with those is less than 1 in 150.

 

[grg3d]

I'm going along with this guy buy boxs of 50 and find out what works the best with your gun
Massive 22lr Ammo Test - Ruger Charger - YouTube

 

[rraisley]

I'm going along with this guy buy boxs of 50 and find out what works the best with your gun
Massive 22lr Ammo Test - Ruger Charger - YouTube

I agree with that. But I personally think that user "error" will have more to do with it than anything, when hand-holding a gun (this one apparently a pistol, as well). I would bet that if the average user took any ONE ammo, and made four 5-shot groups that you'd see substantial variation between them. And if you did that for several types of ammo, are you really testing the gun, or testing the shooter?

I'd think a bench rest, where the gun is kept, or returned to, a repeatable position would be the only way to really test ammo accuracy. Quantitatively, at least.

I prefer to just shoot 50 or so shots at one target, with several ammos (a different target for each ammo, of course). A quick look will tell me how accurate they are, and how many flyers there are. It also gives me a realistic expectation of where /I/ can shoot with each ammo, and what kind of accuracy I can expect, on average.

Just my $.02; YMMV.

 

[Titegroups]

4" groups at 50yds ain't an ammo problem. If your goal is exterme accuracy buy a quality bolt and learn to shoot.

 

[Majorlk]

I agree with that. But I personally think that user "error" will have more to do with it than anything, when hand-holding a gun (this one apparently a pistol, as well). I would bet that if the average user took any ONE ammo, and made four 5-shot groups that you'd see substantial variation between them. And if you did that for several types of ammo, are you really testing the gun, or testing the shooter?

I'd think a bench rest, where the gun is kept, or returned to, a repeatable position would be the only way to really test ammo accuracy. Quantitatively, at least.

I prefer to just shoot 50 or so shots at one target, with several ammos (a different target for each ammo, of course). A quick look will tell me how accurate they are, and how many flyers there are. It also gives me a realistic expectation of where /I/ can shoot with each ammo, and what kind of accuracy I can expect, on average.

Just my $.02; YMMV.

Absolutely!

Accuracy testing must be done from a rest/supported position to have any validity. At the very least over sandbags. Doesn't matter whether it's a pistol or a rifle. Trying to determine accuracy by simply handholding is a waste of time and ammo. If handholding worked, firearms and ammo manufacturers would have thrown away their rests long ago.

 

[Boxerglocker]

4" groups at 50yds ain't an ammo problem. If your goal is exterme accuracy buy a quality bolt and learn to shoot.

Quality BOLT?

Don't assume that I'm a novice shooter. Been at this a while now... I'm very capable of quality groups. I'm well aware of using sandbags and a stock rest bag eliminates the human factor.

The scope doesn't seen like it's an issue either using same scope on my AR-15 and my own 55g SP Hornady hand loads. I was able to shoot MOA groups easily.
I'm starting to think my barrel nut may be loose. Going to a local gunsmith friend, this weekend to borrow his barrel wrench tool and check the torque. As I stated earlier my rifle has 10K through the pipe.

 

[grg3d]

All I was saying was diffrent ammo "maybe" will have diffrent results in each gun...I like CCI mini mags and so does my M&P 15-22 however I also found out it likes Federal Bulk pack also to my surprise @ 25 yards with only a grip-pod for support/ red dot/ sun in law's target! mines to the left......standing & 25 round groups to boot

 

[Smith357]

I'm going along with this guy buy boxs of 50 and find out what works the best with your gun
Massive 22lr Ammo Test - Ruger Charger - YouTube

Very interesting vid but there are errors in his methodology. To get a true read on 22lr ammo the bore needs to be seasoned with that ammo. Depending on the barrel it can take anywhere from 5 to 25 shots to get it properly seasoned to the ammo you are using. That includes seasoning a clean bore or just changing ammo brands.

 

[deallad]

I use Aguila hv works for me nearly all the time shot this group some time ago

the coin is a UK 20p coin just under half inch

 

[omster]

Went to range to test out the three I've stocked up on: Federal Champion, CCI Blazer, & CCI Tactical... shot about 60-80 rounds from each and found the Tactical to be the most favorable - easily the best groupings. The CCI Blazer and Federal Champion were very close in comparison, but would choose the Blazer for accuracy... just a hair better than the Federal in my gun.

Update - performed the same test at the range and the CCI Tactical was easily the most accurate of the three, but this time the Federal grouped tighter then the Blazer - so I would call it a tie!

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Over the last couple years I've probably read more positive accuracy and reliability reports here from 15-22 owners about CCI Mini-Mag. Since you're going varmint hunting, CCI Mini-Mag hollow point might be worthy of consideration. CCI Ammunition - Varmint

I tried quite a variety of ammo when I first got my 15-22 just to see what it was capable of. It responded better to Aguila Match Rifle than all other $50/brick or less ammo. CCI Standard Velocity $25/brick is my favorite for suppressed plinking. For shooting without a can... whatever is the cheapest bulk at the time is the best.

 

[Aceman58]

My absolute best ammo in my M&P 15/22 for best performance and accuracy is the CCI Tactical. Free standing shooting at 25 yards with a Vortex StrikeFire Red Dot yelds on average 1" spread. Clean burning, low powder build up on the bolt and 99.99% zero failures..

Here is my test at 50 yards free hand... Red Dot only...