Best .22 Ammo

[Kentucky_Rifleman]

I have a problem. My shooting partner bought one of the new little Savage bolt-action target .22 LRs and has been chewing my butt at shooting paper at 50 yards.

I just traded my way into a Remington 504 .22 bolt gun, and I believe my new rifle will hold its own against the Savage.

My partner uses Federal target grade ammo (bulk packed at Wal-Mart).

What's THE BEST .22 ammo I can feed my new Remington?
I bought a box of the Dynamit Nobel Target Rifle, a Box of Eley Sport, and a box of Armscor Precision to start with, but I'm hoping that some of you with more rimfire experience could tell me which brands are best...

Thanks for your insight,
KR

 

[HGUNHNTR]

When trying out a new .22, I like to go to the gun shop and buy 8-12 different boxes of ammo and let the rifle decide. 50 rounds of each should be sufficient to gauge what the gun likes. More than likely you will have some left over to test out on future rimfire purchases....c'mon, you know you'll buy more.

 

[nelsonal]

Every smallbore target shooter I ran across in college (10-15 years ago) used Eley. I probably shot 200 boxes of the stuff over that time and don't remember one round that I could blame on the bullet.

 

[Smith357]

Eley Tenex
RWS R50
Lapua Midas+

All are about $18 per box of 50

 

[WardenWolf]

Tests actually show the Wolf Match and Match Select is the best .22LR ammo. It grouped better than even better-respected commercial brands.

 

[Magoo]

Do you have any links to those tests?

My research has more pointed to the advice of HDGUNHTR.

 

[WNC Seabee]

I went through this over the summer. ~10 different loads were tested and Wolf Match Target came out on top. Savage BTVLSS.

 

[Tom609]

I'd have to agree with HGUNHNTR. Try a variety until you find the one that shoots best. I have one that loves Minimags, and another that likes Winchester Dynapoints. Trial and error.

 

[Onmilo]

I consider CCI Standard velocity a gold standard starting point.
If it won't group this stuff well, it likely won't group more expensive options any better.

 

[Smith357]

How many Olympic records has Wolf set? Did Wolf even make into the top ten at the last Olympics? Eley RWS and Lapua have all won Olympic medals and set world records.

 

[Kymasabe]

I tried about 15 different rounds from various brands. My 10/22 loves PMC Zappers but Wolf Match (and the other name it's produced under) came out on top. I can't afford the Lapua and high end Eley stuff that wins olympic medals but for the common man, the Wolf stuff is really good. Blows away the bulk crap you buy at WalMart. I bought Remington bulk once and actually had the bullets falling out of the brass cases. Never again.

 

[Furncliff]

I bought a Brno #1 not too long ago and have become obsessed with getting small groups. As has been said, you need to try a lot of ammo to get THE ONE that your rifle likes. Some will skate by with relatively inexpensive ammo, others not. One thing you are buying when you opt for the expensive spread is consistency and Eley Tenex is the best, it's won more matches at the high levels than anything else. But man it's spendy. Mid range stuff like Wolf Match Target and SK Standard are where I'm at and the two rifles that like this ammo will shoot under 1/2" off the bench (50yd). Sadly.... most days... I don't measure up to the ammo's capabilities..

More good info on .22 rimfire at:

rimfirecentral.com

 

[m500'92]

I find Eley Target, Federal Target, CCI Standard and Lapua Standard Club shoot the best out of the widest range of guns I've used.

 

[Average Joe]

Try out the Wolf, I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

 

[22-rimfire]

I would run by Dicks Sporting Goods and pick up a brick or two of CCI Standard Velocity ($24.99 ea), and order a brick or two of Wolf Match Target ($45 ea I believe). Champion's Choice in the Nashville area usually have the Wolf ammo in stock and you won't be paying sales tax since you are in KY.

As you probably know, a 22 rifle will tend to favor one or two brands of ammo. Once you discover what they are, you buy.

That Savage may well out shoot your new Remington 504. The Savage Mark II is pretty amazing considering the cost. (I have debated telling you this.... ) The 504 has a very poor history in terms of accuracy where as the old Remington 541-S and 541-T have proven consistantly accurate. I hope you have a good one. The 504 was very good in 17HMR however. The new Remington 547 is quite good, but at a significantly higher price.

 

[hometheaterman]

That Savage may well out shoot your new Remington 504. The Savage Mark II is pretty amazing considering the cost. (I have debated telling you this.... ) The 504 has a very poor history in terms of accuracy where as the old Remington 541-S and 541-T have proven consistantly accurate. I hope you have a good one. The 504 was very good in 17HMR however. The new Remington 547 is quite good, but at a significantly higher price.

I had thought about telling him this too, but I couldn't decide if I should. Since you did, I will post that this is my thought too.

 

[Kentucky_Rifleman]

That Savage may well out shoot your new Remington 504. The Savage Mark II is pretty amazing considering the cost. (I have debated telling you this.... ) The 504 has a very poor history in terms of accuracy where as the old Remington 541-S and 541-T have proven consistantly accurate. I hope you have a good one. The 504 was very good in 17HMR however. The new Remington 547 is quite good, but at a significantly higher price.

You may well be right. I've heard good things about the 504, and I traded into mine with a newer Weaver 3x9 scope, a trigger job (9 ozs and crisp), and an acraglass job on the stock.

The Savage mk II is brutally accurate. There's just no denying that fact. Jim put a New Burris scope (6-12 power or something similar AO) on his. Before picking up the Remington I had been eying a Savage .22 Classic, but I'm a victim for the Remingtons.

For me, the best thing of all is that this one was built at the Mayfield, Kentucky plant. I've wanted one of these for a long time, and finally got a chance to trade into one. I'll keep the rifle, even if Jim is still outshooting me.

KR

 

[Coal Dragger]

My Kimber Model 82 has done really really well with Lapua Midas, and Eley Tenex. Others that have done well include RWS Target Rifle, and CCI Green Tag.

This is a single shot, target rifle with Anschutz style sights, a target stock, and a 25" bull barrel.

 

[hometheaterman]

Yeah, while the Remington might not outshoot the Savage, no reason to get rid of it if it works as it should. Savages out of the box are usually great in the accuracy department. They are kind of like a Honda. Reliable, accurate, and all for a reasonable cost.

 

[jpwilly]

Wolf MT in my 22lrs is most accurate. I won't buy the $10+ per box of 50 stuff.

 

[Slamfire]

I think an excellent value based match ammunition is SK Rifle match or the same stuff packaged as Wolf Extra Match .

These are three targets I fired prone at 100 yards in competition with Wolf Extra Match in three different rifles.

There is bias in the selection of these targets, I have many more that are not nearly as good . However I believe the rifle and ammunition will shoot better than me which is why I have not given up on small bore.

H&R12



M52D



Anschutz M54 with Redfield Scope



Charles Kemp of Alabama was 2010 National Champ at Camp Perry with Irons and was high civilian with scope. He used lot selected Red Box Eley. He told me his rifle shot consistent ten shot groups of 0.38” diameter at 100 yards. Today I was shooting in a match with a former 1000 yard Wimbleton Champ and we both agreed that such accuracy with a rim fire is mind boggling. Having asked Mr Kemp a similiar duffer question of "what is the best ammunition?", I was informed me that there is no such thing as “best” ammunition: all ammunition has to be tested in the rifle you are shooting.

Charles Kemp 2010 National Champion


His rifle was built around a M52D action he purchased from the CMP. Stock trigger too!

 

[22-rimfire]

.... I had been eying a Savage .22 Classic, but I'm a victim for the Remingtons.

I have a Mark II Classic. They are very nice accurate rifles and look much like the Remington 547. I'm also a Remington fan and have 513-T, 541-S, 541-T, and the new 547. I really want an old Model 37 or a 513-S. I'm a sucker for a nice sporter 22. Yes, I know the 37 is a target rifle.

I know this thread is about ammunition however. You can spend a lot of money on match grade 22 ammo. If you shoot many targets and strive to see what a rifle will do, eventually you end up with the $15.00 or more a box ammo just to see how much better it might shoot in your rifle. For me, since I do not shoot competitively (yet), there is not enough need to spend that kind of money on 22 ammunition. I have shot some, but just can't justify the cost for what I do. Get some of the Wolf and give it a try. Your rifle will probably like it.

There is a good ammo source in Ohio too.... Champion Shooters supply that sells the good stuff. I have been eyeing a Anshutz 22 rifle at Champion's Choice ($$). They are not set up for regular store type sales.... more of a warehouse, but they will bring stuff out for you to look at.

 

[CraigC]

I would also suggest Wolf MT and ME, not to be confused with their el cheapo centerfire stuff. The Match rimfire ammo is actually produced by SK. It is of excellent quality for its modest price.

But don't be surprised if the Savage outshoots your Remington.

 

[22-rimfire]

For me, the best thing of all is that this one was built at the Mayfield, Kentucky plant.

I didn't know that. I appreciate the information. I thought they only built the 597 there.

The glass bedding has been done on a lot of 504's with the owner trying to make them shoot better. You see a lot of custom barrels on them as well. I hope you will be very happy with the 504.

Do you have the Weaver rimfire 3-9x AO on it? I have that scope on a couple of my 22's. I like that scope a lot.

 

[NCsmitty]

For me, since I do not shoot competitively, there is not enough need to spend that kind of money on 22 ammunition. I have shot some, but just can't justify the cost for what I do.

That's how I feel. I have a supply of PMC Moderators that shoots superbly in my own 541-T.

You just have to try different types and brands and you will find some that shoot well, and others that shoot exceptionally well.
I have or had at least 30 different different boxes of 22 LR when I was searching for the best ammo in my 22 rifles. None cost more than $5, and the PMC Moderator was less than $2 a box, so I bought a bunch. They were made by Aguila and feature Eley priming design. They are very consistent over the chronograph screens. I'm very satisfied.

For Kentucky_Rifleman, I have chronographed a bunch of rimfire ammo, and I suggest trying some T-22 Winchester. It is reasonably priced and has a very low standard deviation over the chronograph. It is also the ammo of choice in my Marlin T-bolt, but mediocre in my 541-T. You never know.


NCsmitty