22LR for less than $15-$20/500 shipped

Happy days are here again!

During the last shortage, I was happy to see any brick of 22LR for less than $50.

When the price of 22LR began to fall, I started the "22LR for less than $30/500" thread - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...ammo-for-sale-under-30-for-500-rounds.825048/

Recently, when copper plated 22LR fell below $15/500, I did the happy dance - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...30-for-500-rounds.825048/page-7#post-11157569

Now that price of 22LR seems to be staying low, starting a "cheaper" 22LR for less than $15-$20/500 thread.

Natchez is selling Remington Thunderbolt .22LR 40 gr RN (1255 fps) for $139.99/5000 ($13.99/500) shipped with code FS190626 - https://www.natchezss.com/remington...ntLink&utm_medium=35987&utm_campaign=48247-NA

Please keep in mind, Purpose of this thread is NOT to DISCUSS which 22LR works BEST in your firearms RATHER which 22LR ammunition is ON SALE for $15 to $20 per 500 SHIPPED, as ammunition performance can vary in different firearms (especially old performance information from years/decades past).

If you want to discuss which 22LR works best or more accurate, there are plenty of other threads or you can start a new one.

If you want to share CURRENT PRODUCTION performance of 22LR ammunition you JUST BOUGHT in terms of CONSISTENCY OF IGNITION, RELIABILITY OF IGNITION and AVERAGE REPEATABLE ACCURACY (And not how poorly they performed in years/decades past), current performance information would be beneficial to THR members/guests.

Thank you.

spazzy said:

Speedo66 said:

Good price for .22's, but I'd rather spend a little more not to deal with Thunderduds. To me, they're the bottom of the barrel in bulk .22's.

Click to expand...

Maybe my experience is non typical but I recently bought 3 bricks of thunderbolts, very few duds, 1 or 2 per brick. Much better than Winchester western I bought a few years ago about 1 dud per 10-20 shots!

Click to expand...

I am not a particular fan of Thunderbolts either for my 10/22 and ARs with CMMG conversion kits.

BUT many THR members ARE using them successfully in their firearms with current production lots and like them. Here are my list of current production 22LR performance bought within the past year.

• Federal 36 gr CP HP Walmart 550 round red boxes (Cheapest I can buy at retail comes out to around $18.00/500) and 525 round blue boxes have been 99.9% reliable.
• Federal 38 gr CP HP 325 round Field Packs have been 100% reliable.
• Aguila 40 gr Lead RN/CP RN have been 100% reliable.
• Armscor 36 gr CP HP (More brass color) have been 100% reliable.
• Winchester 40 gr CP RN M-22 average several duds for each 500 round box.

kcofohio said:

Oops, got carried away.

Click to expand...

Consider at $15-$20 per 500 price point, we are essentially looking at cheapest available 22LR and chances are they may not be the most reliable or accurate.

While I won't buy Lead RN Thunderbolts as I shoot 22LR in my ARs with CMMG conversion kits, I will gladly buy Federal/Aguila/Armscor 22LR at $15-$20/500 as they have been 99.9% to 100% reliable.

kcofohio said:

Armscor 36 gr. HP ... I know, it's over $20 per brick.

Click to expand...

Here's a better deal with free shipping. And unlike Thunderbolt and other "loose" bulk pack, Armscor comes packed in 50 round boxes (Which many consider helps prevent shipping damage to rounds).

Armscor 36 gr CP HP (1247 fps) $164.99/5000 ($16.49/500) with free shipping - https://www.ammoboard.com/rimfire-a...p-36-grain-hollow-point-case-of-5-000-rounds/

ohihunter2014 said:

Not sure if this is good stuff

Click to expand...

Yes for me, Aguila 40 gr Lead/CP RN have been second most accurate behind CCI Blazer 40 gr Lead RN (Boxed, not 36 gr LRN 525 round bulk) out of my 10/22 Take Down. Armscor 36 gr CP HP groups are 3rd most accurate right behind Aguila groups.

SGAmmo has a better price of $149.50/5000 with $22 shipping ($17.15/500) - https://www.sgammo.com/product/22-l...rd-velocity-40-grain-lead-bullet-ammo-armscor

BTW, here's 10 round 25 yard group with CCI Blazer 40 gr Lead RN (50 round boxes) - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-thickness-for-accuracy.850634/#post-11113638



Here's Aguila 40 gr Lead RN group (50 round boxes)



And Aguila 40 gr CP RN (50 round boxes)



Here's Federal 36 gr CP HP for comparison (Walmart 550 round bulk pack)

Listing of 22LR on sale to better identify desired ammunition:

• Remington Thunderbolt 40 gr Lead RN (1255 fps) for $139.99/5000 ($13.99/500) and free shipping with code FS190626 - https://www.natchezss.com/remington...ntLink&utm_medium=35987&utm_campaign=48247-NA

• Armscor 36 gr CP HP (1247 fps) $164.99/5000 ($16.49/500) with free shipping - https://www.ammoboard.com/rimfire-a...p-36-grain-hollow-point-case-of-5-000-rounds/

• Aguila 40 gr Lead RN (1130 fps) $149.50/5000 with $22 shipping ($17.15/500) - https://www.sgammo.com/product/22-l...rd-velocity-40-grain-lead-bullet-ammo-armscor

Adding more to the list:

• Remington Thunderbolt 40 gr Lead RN (1255 fps) for $139.99/5000 ($13.99/500) and free shipping with code FS190626 - https://www.natchezss.com/remington...ntLink&utm_medium=35987&utm_campaign=48247-NA

• Armscor 36 gr CP HP (1247 fps) $164.99/5000 ($16.49/500) with free shipping - https://www.ammoboard.com/rimfire-a...p-36-grain-hollow-point-case-of-5-000-rounds/

• Aguila 40 gr Lead RN (1130 fps) $149.50/5000 with $22 shipping ($17.15/500) - https://www.sgammo.com/product/22-l...rd-velocity-40-grain-lead-bullet-ammo-armscor

• Aguila 40 gr CP HP (1255 fps) $179.99/5000 ($17.99/500) with free shipping - https://www.ammoboard.com/rimfire-a...0-grain-copper-plated-round-nose-5000-rounds/

• CCI Blazer 40 gr Lead RN (1235 fps) $169.50/5000 with $22 shipping ($19.15/500) - https://www.sgammo.com/product/22-l...grain-lead-solid-high-velocity-ammo-load-numb

You sound like voice of wisdom from years of experience.

Yes, having gone through several component shortages the past 28 years and the "Great Shortage" several years ago, I am painfully aware of the feast or famine cycles that will likely repeat during our lifetimes. Out of desperation in 2013, I started "Where are there reloading components for sale" thread to help fellow THR members locate much needed components that often sold out in 30 minutes and when 22LR sold for premium like this $79.59/500 - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...e-reloading-components-on-sale.707473/page-11

When people complain of high cost of ammunition and components, I tell them to stock up when prices are low.

Well, PRICES ARE LOW NOW which means IT'S TIME TO STOCK UP for the future.

And why I started this thread.

As to "low cost" vs "quality", take into account what I already posted.

bds said:

Consider at $15-$20 per 500 price point, we are essentially looking at cheapest available 22LR and chances are they may not be the most reliable or accurate.

Click to expand...

At around $15-$20/500, when talking about large quantity stocking up, utmost accuracy becomes secondary. For me, 100% reliability is primary, especially during shortage times, as much of my 22LR will be used for high volume casual range blasting and short range plinking/point shooting drills using ARs with CMMG conversion kits and GSG 1911 to offset higher reloading costs of .223 and 9mm.

If members are looking for higher end match grade accuracy 22LR ammo, their prices are low too - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/eley-tenex-or.833458/#post-10776327


But based on numerous accuracy comparisons I have reviewed and personal accuracy testing conducted with CCI Standard Velocity as reference for my 10/22, I am focused on following 22LR ammunition to stock up:

1. CCI Blazer 40 gr Lead RN (boxed) - Most accurate at 25 yards consistently producing sub 1" groups to be used in 10/22 and GSG 1911 - 100% reliable.
2. Aguila 40 gr Lead RN (boxed) - Second most accurate at 25 yards consistently producing around 1" groups to be used in 10/22 and GSG 1911 - 100% reliable
3. Aguila 40 gr CP RN (boxed) - Third most accurate at 25 yards consistently producing around 1" groups to be used with ARs and CMMG conversion kits - 100% reliable
4. Armscor 36 gr CP HP (boxed) - Fourth most accurate at 25 yards consistently producing around 1" groups to be used with ARs and CMMG conversion kits - 100% reliable
5. Federal 38 gr CP HP (bulk) - Larger groups than above at 25 yards to be used with everything - 100% reliable
6. Federal 36 gr CP HP (bulk) - Largest groups than above at 25 yards to be used with everything - 99.9% reliable

Are there better 22LR ammunition I could buy? Sure but since I am stocking up for retirement, I am looking for best "reliable" bang for the buck. At fast point shooting drill distance of 7-10 yards, my GSG 1911 and ARs CANNOT really tell the difference between Walmart Federal bulk pack and Aguila/Armscor. At 15 yards slow fire, GSG 1911 and 10/22 CAN tell the difference in accuracy of Aguila/Armscor over Walmart Federal bulk pack.

At 25-50 yards of soda can plinking distance, scoped 10/22 can readily tell the difference in accuracy of CCI Blazer over other 22LR ammo.

For me, these are good enough accuracy and reliability levels and I am glad I am able to buy them at sub $15-$20/500 shipped prices.

Of course, if you are shooting different firearms and need greater level of accuracy, your purchase options will differ from mine.

lionking said:

yet in the 10 shot challenge trying various brands I scored best with Thunderbolts in my Rugers

Click to expand...

I have been out of town but back in time to see if I can have a go at the "May-June 2019 rimfire handgun 10 shot challenge" with my GSG 1911 22LR.

BTW, I did go to the eye doctor for fuzziness of right eye (my scope eye and he adjusted the prescription back to 20/20) but now he tells me I have a "touch" of cataract in my left eye and made an urgent referral for glaucoma due to significant intraocular pressure increase, particularly with diabetes. (Don't get old or get diabetes ... body just keeps on falling apart and choose your parents carefully )

Wish me luck.