Took the Plunge - Ammo Question

[Jon651]

Greetings Everyone if 15-22 Land!

It's been nearly 20 years since I last fired a long gun of any sort - my doc told me that since I had a pacemaker he didn't want me to shoot anything resting against my shoulder with a significant recoil. Being a dutiful patient, I have stuck with only pistols ever since.

Recently a friend purchased a new M&P15-22 and since it had almost no noticeable recoil I decided to throw caution to the wind and give it a try. It was great! I had so much fun and with the lack of significant recoil with the 22LR it was just what I needed to get me back into long guns again.

Now I got the itch and after a lot of online searching finally found an M&P15-22, cut into my fun money to pay for it and am waiting for it to show up at the store so I can pick it up.

Here is my ammo question - Since there is an acute ammo shortage right now I can only find CCI Mini-Mag 22LR-HP hollow point rounds for it. Is there any problem with this ammo and the 15-22? I will only be using this for plinking at the range; I have other firearms for personal protection and home defense.

It was the only thing my local dealer had in stock (even the larger stores like Academy Sports had nearly-bare shelves). My concern is that because it is the only stuff available others may consider it problematic, which is why I can still find it.

Any thoughts?

 

[Buick]

CCI mini mag has always run great for me in my semi .22's. Any .22lr firearm might prefer one brand or another but in my opinion the CCI should do fine in your 15-22. Maybe try a box or two before buying a truckload. Congrats on the nice rifle.

 

[SW Gun Guy]

What Buick said +1. By 15-22 has always loved CCI mini mags. If any of my friends have trouble with their semi auto 22LR pistols functioning, I always tell them to clean it and then try a box of Mini Mags. If they don't run the gun, there is something wrong with the gun.

 

[cracker57]

Those mini mags should treat you right.

 

[lancehankins]

I like Mini-mags too. But my own 15-22 actually prefers Federal AutoMag. Don't know why, but the Gun has had fewer problems with it than anything else (and I've tried them all.) YMMV


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[VaTom]

Mini-Mags run great in my 15-22. I prefer the 40 grain round nose over the hollow-point. I think it is more accurate at 50 yards with the round nose bullet.

Enjoy!

 

[Univibe]

Be sure to clean and lube thoroughly after each shooting session. 15-22 is sensitive to residue.

 

[SRG]

CCI Mini-Mags are the go to ammo for reliability in semi autos.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

You can find Mini Mags?
You are one Lucky Dog!
Around here, it went first.
Then every other brand followed.

 

[Jon651]

Thanks for everyone's advice - I went and picked up the CCI Mini-Mags. My local dealer would only sell a max of 4 boxes of 100 rounds per box so I bought his limit. I managed to find another 500 rounds of Browning BPR from Bass Pro online and guess I got lucky because it showed out of stock about an hour after I put in my order. Got my shipping notice so I know what I ordered is coming.

I was in Academy Sports the other day and unless you were looking for shotgun ammo or some really esoteric calibers everything else was gone. I did manage to pick up some Hornady Critical Defense .44 Special for my 629 but it wasn't what I was looking for - I just couldn't turn it down right this moment seeing as how it was available. Academy had just gotten in their truck and the only pistol ammo they received that day was 10mm.

This ammo shortage is really putting a cramp in my style. Another day or two and I should have my new 15-22 in my hands!

 

[Univibe]

CCI Stingers are not recommended. Higher pressure, longer than standard cartridge case.

 

[Jon651]

CCI Stingers are not recommended. Higher pressure, longer than standard cartridge case.

Since I never had much cause to learn about .22 ammo, are these "Stingers" the same as the "Mini-Mags" I just purchased? There are more than a few comments here saying that the Mini-Mags are preferred.

Always wanting to learn - even if not always willing!

 

[peterdeb]

Congrats on your purchase. Great little rifle. In my older 15-22 owners manual, it states which brand of ammo to run and which NOT to run. Not in your owners manual? CCI SV is great and the mini-mags, as stated are the go to ammo for correct cycling if a problem with other ammo occurs.

 

[JM4151]

Smith & Wesson model 15 rifle

I have a S & W model 15. I did put a red dot sight on it and it really is a fun gun to shoot. Get your self about a half dozen of the 25 round magazines, and have a blast. You won't have any problems with CCI ammo!

 

[Sparky22856]

I have a M&P 380EZ for my EDC weapon. The M&P 15-22 is for fun.

 

[kenjen]

stay away from Remington Thunder Bolts. CCI's work the best in my 15-22, also shot a lot of Federal with out to many problems. I also put a red dot site on mine.

 

[VaTom]

Congrats on your purchase. Great little rifle. In my older 15-22 owners manual, it states which brand of ammo to run and which NOT to run. Not in your owners manual? CCI SV is great and the mini-mags, as stated are the go to ammo for correct cycling if a problem with other ammo occurs.

The only ammo that wouldn't run reliably in my 15-22 were the Thunderbolts. If you want something a little more than mini mags the CCI-Velocitors are the next step up. They can be used in the 15-22. The CCI stingers are the top 22lr in regards to high velocity. Check your manual. It lists ammo to use.

 

[Winch]

My 15-22 runs all ammo so far.

 

[VaTom]

Checked my instruction manual. The standard 15-22 will run stingers, the performance center model will NOT. See photos. Left to right. Mini-Mag 1235 FPS, Velocitor 1435 FPS, Stinger 1640 FPS.

Have fun with your 15-22.

 

[Jon651]

Congrats on your purchase. Great little rifle. In my older 15-22 owners manual, it states which brand of ammo to run and which NOT to run. Not in your owners manual? CCI SV is great and the mini-mags, as stated are the go to ammo for correct cycling if a problem with other ammo occurs.

When I started this thread I was still waiting to receive my rifle. I just picked it up today (10/2) but have not yet been to the range. The manual does not have a list of preferred ammo; it does have the warning that you should not use CCI Stingers in the Performance Center model due to the "match-grade chamber" as they have a longer case.

Now that I have it in my hot little hands, it's time to clean and lube it and head out to the range sometime next week. Looking forward to it!