alanwk
Member
What brands of 22lr should I look for? I have some federal thunderbolt and see some neg. reviews. This is for a pistol. Thanks
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.22LR ammo
- Thread starter alanwk
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NIGHTLORD40K
Member
Did you mean Remington Thunderbolts? I honestly haven't had serious issues with Thunderbolts in recent years. They seem to produce only "meh" groups but are ok for steel or tin cans. Their ignition reliability is average, which is to say you will get a few duds. Remington ammo is under new management however, so time will tell.
I have the best results with CCI Minimags and Stingers in automatic pistols other than softly-sprung high-end target guns- those get CCI SV. I cant remember the last dud I had from CCI- very reliable ammo.
Federals have been solid performers as well, IMO, but once again the odd dud is to be expected- maybe .5-1%. Agulias are so-so if nothing better is handy- I experience probably 2-3% duds from them.
Eli is considered a high-end manufacturer, but I get 90% of their results from SV at half the cost. They may be worth it if you are a serious competitor, of course.
The only .22s I run from are Winchesters. They won't even chamber in some my guns, and cause difficult extraction or even serious jams in others. Additionally, they produce great clouds of filthy, smelly soot, and exhibit inconsistent power and grouping. I experience perhaps 5-7% misfires with them. Terrible hot garbage, IMO.
I have the best results with CCI Minimags and Stingers in automatic pistols other than softly-sprung high-end target guns- those get CCI SV. I cant remember the last dud I had from CCI- very reliable ammo.
Federals have been solid performers as well, IMO, but once again the odd dud is to be expected- maybe .5-1%. Agulias are so-so if nothing better is handy- I experience probably 2-3% duds from them.
Eli is considered a high-end manufacturer, but I get 90% of their results from SV at half the cost. They may be worth it if you are a serious competitor, of course.
The only .22s I run from are Winchesters. They won't even chamber in some my guns, and cause difficult extraction or even serious jams in others. Additionally, they produce great clouds of filthy, smelly soot, and exhibit inconsistent power and grouping. I experience perhaps 5-7% misfires with them. Terrible hot garbage, IMO.
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P5 Guy
Member
PistoleroWadcutterGANG
Member
The ammo I've had good luck with is as follows. CCI Blazer, standard V., Mini mags Agulia- SV, pistol match, pistol comp, Match target, Most PMC stuff, Fed. Auto Match, All Fed target stuff. JUST about all MATCH ammo or Comp ammo made in Europe is a no brainer.
Be well
Be well
bannockburn
Member
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2007
- Messages
- 26,307
alanwk
I would second the experiences member NIGHTLORD40K wrote about some of the various brands of .22 ammo. Personally I never have found any Remington loading to be reliable or accurate in my guns. Same with most Winchester ammo as well. Federal is halfway decent with three or four duds per 100. Their Gold Medal Target is pretty good stuff too.
CCI is my go-to choice for dependable ignition and accuracy, both with their MiniMags and their Standard Velocity rounds. Another brand that I have had great success with is Wolf Match Target.
I would second the experiences member NIGHTLORD40K wrote about some of the various brands of .22 ammo. Personally I never have found any Remington loading to be reliable or accurate in my guns. Same with most Winchester ammo as well. Federal is halfway decent with three or four duds per 100. Their Gold Medal Target is pretty good stuff too.
CCI is my go-to choice for dependable ignition and accuracy, both with their MiniMags and their Standard Velocity rounds. Another brand that I have had great success with is Wolf Match Target.
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RA40
Member
Aguila has been my main go to for the past 30 years in standard and the HV variant. Federal Eagle and CCI Blazer I've liked too. I don't have many issues in my 10/22, SW 2206 and Marlin 60, it is mainly a factor of how dirty which they all are. The CCI Blazers ran fairly clean and the current Agulia is cleaner than the old yellow/gold box years. I have not bought Winchester directly but the Browning .22LR variant which is made by them.
Riomouse911
Member
Bulk ammo in 250-1,600 round boxes or buckets will usually have a higher rate of duds, misfires or chambering /extraction issues due to oversized bullets or cases than the individual 50-100 round boxes. Usually, but not always. I will hazard a guess that the bulk ammo is not of the same initial quality of the individual stuff, and the loose-round jostling from bulk packaging and shipping doesn’t help.
I have had duds with just about any brand of ammo except the imported, high-dollar match stuff. I have observed a higher rate of duds and issues with the bulk stuff, be it from Remington. Federal, Browning, Winchester, Aguila, etc.
CCI has been pretty darn consistent for me across the board, a dud or issue with their pretty wide variety of .22 rounds is not common.
As for Thunderbolt; it is plinking and informal target grade ammo that can double for squirrel or pest control where generic, 40 gr RN .22 ammo shoots well through a gun and that type of bullet is called for. I think I still have a 500-round brick or two left from back when they were often called “Thunderduds”, so I’m not in too much of a hurry to shoot them.
I do hope the new ownership making todays Remington ammo has improved QC on their rimfire line, having another option that is economical AND reliable is always a good thing.
If you shoot a variety of ammo, including Thunderbolt, let us know about your experiences.
Stay safe.
I have had duds with just about any brand of ammo except the imported, high-dollar match stuff. I have observed a higher rate of duds and issues with the bulk stuff, be it from Remington. Federal, Browning, Winchester, Aguila, etc.
CCI has been pretty darn consistent for me across the board, a dud or issue with their pretty wide variety of .22 rounds is not common.
As for Thunderbolt; it is plinking and informal target grade ammo that can double for squirrel or pest control where generic, 40 gr RN .22 ammo shoots well through a gun and that type of bullet is called for. I think I still have a 500-round brick or two left from back when they were often called “Thunderduds”, so I’m not in too much of a hurry to shoot them.
I do hope the new ownership making todays Remington ammo has improved QC on their rimfire line, having another option that is economical AND reliable is always a good thing.
If you shoot a variety of ammo, including Thunderbolt, let us know about your experiences.
Stay safe.
gwpercle
Member
Anything "In Stock" and not labeled "Thunderbolt" or "Wildcat " !
CCI makes some of the best ammo . Federal makes good ammo and Remington Golden Bullets used to be decent ammo . Winchester Super-X is on some dealers shelves but I don't know how good it is in semi-auto pistols ... it works fine in my revolvers .
Federal also makes a line of 22 LR for semi-auto in a value pack , those are good .
Finding ammo used to be the big problem .. it still may be .
Gary
CCI makes some of the best ammo . Federal makes good ammo and Remington Golden Bullets used to be decent ammo . Winchester Super-X is on some dealers shelves but I don't know how good it is in semi-auto pistols ... it works fine in my revolvers .
Federal also makes a line of 22 LR for semi-auto in a value pack , those are good .
Finding ammo used to be the big problem .. it still may be .
Gary
Every 22 is slightly different in what it likes to shot accurately and reliably. Having said that, i'v had good luck with both CCI and Federal loads. Not impressed with either Remington or Winchester. My Hi Standards only get CCI standard velocity. The one round that works best in MOST of my rimfires is Federal auto match. I average about 2 duds per 325 round box. The exception to that is my two rough riders. They both do there best shooting with CCI blazers. Just remember,what works for me or anyone else might not work for you. Buy a box of all the different 22 rounds you can find and see what your particular firearm likes. You might be surprised at the results.
I think it depends on what you plan to do with it. (Yes, I know, "shoot it.") If I'm just out plinking, I'll shoot just about any kind of cheap bulk ammo I can find. Currently working my way through the hodgepodge of ammo my dad amassed over the years. Kleanbore, Western, Peters . . . whatever's on the top of the stack. My more recent purchases of generally been Winchester or Federal, just because that's what was on hand and cheap locally. That's what I'll use if I'm taking a guest to the range and want something a little more reliable. Recently, I've gotten into trying for smaller groups, and for that, I'll have to step up, at least to CCI or Aguila standard velocity.
So, whatcha gonna to do with it?
mountainroads
Member
Thumbs up for CCI .22LR
- MR
- MR
2ndtimer
Member
For bulk ammo, Federal Auto Match ammo runs okay in my .22 auto pistols. Even better, albeit slightly more expensive, is CCI MiniMags. I prefer the 40 gr solids over the hollow points in pistols, but like the hollow points in rifles for small critters. The standard velocity target ammo ( SK Standard Plus, Norma TAC-22) give better accuracy in my CZ bolt actions, but don’t provide sufficient energy to reliably operate my auto pistols.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
You didn't specify what the ammo.will be used for. Hunting? Target work? Inexpensive plinking???
There are MANY good choices out there. Some are very expensive and some, not so much.
CCI Pistol Match, Target Mini-Mags and Green Tag which are accurate offerings but will cost a bit.
I prefer using CCI Standard Velocity ammo for target work best. They offer at least 20 different ammo choices, all are good IMO.
Federal, Remington, Winchester, Wolf and a whole bunch more offers good ammo.
Giving us a specific use will help us give you suggestions.
There are MANY good choices out there. Some are very expensive and some, not so much.
CCI Pistol Match, Target Mini-Mags and Green Tag which are accurate offerings but will cost a bit.
I prefer using CCI Standard Velocity ammo for target work best. They offer at least 20 different ammo choices, all are good IMO.
Federal, Remington, Winchester, Wolf and a whole bunch more offers good ammo.
Giving us a specific use will help us give you suggestions.
CCI MINI MAG RN for me & Ruger MK IV. Consistent, clean and very accurate. Tried most of the other brands mentioned CCI works the best. Aguila 40gn RN shoots well but in the bulk packs are coated with cosmoline or something and the rounds leave lots of powder residue in the chamber. Won't use them anymore.
Shawn Dodson
Member
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2002
- Messages
- 3,198
Remington Thunderbolt used to be really good until about 20 years ago, then it turned to crap with inconsistent powder charges.
I usually run CCI Minimag, either 40gr LRN or 36gr LHP, depending on the gun and its use. I can usually find these loads anywhere I go, and I started ordering it in 5000 rd cases to stock up in anticipation of the next ammo shortage.
I also use CCI Velocitor 40gr LHP for a couple of guns, but I use the 36gr Minimag LHP wherever I can to maintain commonality.
I usually run CCI Minimag, either 40gr LRN or 36gr LHP, depending on the gun and its use. I can usually find these loads anywhere I go, and I started ordering it in 5000 rd cases to stock up in anticipation of the next ammo shortage.
I also use CCI Velocitor 40gr LHP for a couple of guns, but I use the 36gr Minimag LHP wherever I can to maintain commonality.
For cheaper stuff I really like federal champion 36gr copper plated. Might see 5 duds per 525. What really sold me on them though is when I once had a bad batch, several had zero powder or maybe just enough to propell them out of my MK IV barrel. I could actually see the bullet flying to the target and they barely made a noise. When I contacted them with the lot number they immediately got back to me and said they'd send me a replacement box. I expected a 50 round box but they sent me a whole new box of 525!
Gumby0961
Member
My favorite non "match" ammo is cci stinger. For plinking and guest blasting Rem gold or anything on sale. Also my Dad left me 20,000 rounds of Ely club hard not rank it as a favorite.
epags
Member
Alan: Don't take offense, I am only teasing and am providing some future help but I don't know if any 22lr will work in a 'piston'.
OK, enough teasing, look at your original post and find the 'edit' button on the lower left of the frame, click, make your correction to your original post and click on the 'save' button.
Unfortunately it doesn't change your post where someone has quoted you but oh, well. Ask me how I know all of this. LOL
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epags
Member
See the manual for your model of pistol. Manufacturers will recommend certain velocities to ensure the semiauto pistol will cycle. Many will function with standard velocity as well as high velocity. I have one that they recommend NOT to use hyper velocity (apparently the recoil spring might not be strong enough to prevent damage to the pistol).
I shoot for fun and strive for some degree of accuracy so I like Federal AutoMatch and Federal Match. CCI is also good. Since I do shot for some degree of accuracy I haven't gone with the buckets of bullets.
FWIW: I have a fair bit of Winchester M22 but when my Ruger Mark I spring started to get weak, the M22 would have a lot of FTF. Replacement spring solved that.
PS, thanks for putting up with my teasing in the earlier post (I hope)
I shoot for fun and strive for some degree of accuracy so I like Federal AutoMatch and Federal Match. CCI is also good. Since I do shot for some degree of accuracy I haven't gone with the buckets of bullets.
FWIW: I have a fair bit of Winchester M22 but when my Ruger Mark I spring started to get weak, the M22 would have a lot of FTF. Replacement spring solved that.
PS, thanks for putting up with my teasing in the earlier post (I hope)
.308 Norma
Member
Here’s one example of .22LR ammo that runs great in one gun, but not so great in another. On the other hand, my Ruger 10-22 likes both Winchester “hyper velocity” 40gr HPs and CCI Mini Mag 36gr HPs real well.
For ground squirrel shooting though, I prefer using my .22RF Kimber bolt (I don’t know the model) and Winchester “Power-Points” (40gr HPs) because I think they “kill better,” and they’re “accurate enough” for ground squirrels out to about 80 yards. The only problem with “Power-Points” I’ve found is that they don’t feed real smooth in any of my .22RF guns - because of their flat noses and sharp edges, I suppose. But how smoothly they feed (or not) in my bolt-action rifle, or my revolver doesn’t make a lot of difference to me because they still feed - just not as smoothly.
Big7
Member
I might have just got a few cartons from a bad skid but the last 5 or 6 of the 325ct (I think) Federal AUTOMATCH hasn't worked out in a few different firearms.
3 different 10/22's
Savage Rascal
SR-22
Rough Rider
TX 22 Competition
Seems like not enough primer compound is spun around inside the rim. Most will usually fire on the second strike.
If it wasn't for the variety of actions and makers, that'd be one thing.
I have always liked Federal "Everything" but also realize everyone, except maybe CCI and the "true" match grade makers are cutting corners because everyone else is cutting corners. Pretty soon, everything winds up being crap.
Sure am glad I don't have to buy much centerfire.
3 different 10/22's
Savage Rascal
SR-22
Rough Rider
TX 22 Competition
Seems like not enough primer compound is spun around inside the rim. Most will usually fire on the second strike.
If it wasn't for the variety of actions and makers, that'd be one thing.
I have always liked Federal "Everything" but also realize everyone, except maybe CCI and the "true" match grade makers are cutting corners because everyone else is cutting corners. Pretty soon, everything winds up being crap.
Sure am glad I don't have to buy much centerfire.
post china-flu era: only cci and aguila. i’ve spent enough on other brands of 22lr recently to know.
formerly fine, now lousy, brands of 22lr ammo is why a ruger wrangler or even heritage roughrider should always be in one’s shooting bag for a semiautomatic rimfire range session.
formerly fine, now lousy, brands of 22lr ammo is why a ruger wrangler or even heritage roughrider should always be in one’s shooting bag for a semiautomatic rimfire range session.
Deus Machina
Member
Take all the suggestions you want, but don't stress about only buying certain stuff. At least to start.
A couple of my guns have been just fine with Thunderbolt. It's not my preference, and when it acts up, I just use it up in the ones that are okay with it.
In fact, one of those guns, a $130 Savage Mark 2 rifle, can reliably hit a dime at 50 yards with a scope on it. Not even with expensive match-grade stuff, just a particular bulk box. Which I can't find in production any more. I need to find something else it likes.
.22s can be picky. Don't stress. Just buy a couple different types whenever you buy ammo and write notes on the box until you find what it wants.
A couple of my guns have been just fine with Thunderbolt. It's not my preference, and when it acts up, I just use it up in the ones that are okay with it.
In fact, one of those guns, a $130 Savage Mark 2 rifle, can reliably hit a dime at 50 yards with a scope on it. Not even with expensive match-grade stuff, just a particular bulk box. Which I can't find in production any more. I need to find something else it likes.
.22s can be picky. Don't stress. Just buy a couple different types whenever you buy ammo and write notes on the box until you find what it wants.
