Different Grades of .22LR Ammunition...

[DustyGmt]

....and their differences.

Just curious, have always wondered after you take away certain manufacturing practices for match quality and handloading being completely absent in .22LR discussions, where does the additional accuracy potential come from. Is it purely just a matter of better propellant, ignition, better QC cherry picking components like the brass, projectile and maybe better bullet seating.....?

I really have no idea about this stuff, those are just some presumptions but what does make a Match Grade .22LR match grade? And what kind of things make one a Match, Match Pistol, Match Target, Match Target +. If you look at a Match Target or a Match Target + and to the eye everything about them looks the same but one is a lil more expensive and marketed as performing "better", what is the "it" that makes it better. Does it pretty much mirror the processes in which match grade centerfire ammo is produced, just on a larger scale with a smaller cartridge?

Sorry, that's as best I can frame that question. Thanks for any clarification.

 

[rust collector]

Accuracy in rimfire ammunition is a function of consistency, quality control, and matching the round to the gun and the competition event. Packaging also plays a part, and every additional quality control step adds expense to the process. Priming compound and distribution in the rim is a big factor. The results should be apparent, and shooters will pay more for better performance if it matters to them.

 

[LiveLife]

I am approaching around 10,000 rounds of testing various ammunition in 10/22 and T/CR22 with 5/10 shot groups monitored at 25/50/100 yards - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...22lr-on-the-cheap.898035/page-2#post-12183064

Going on 4 years, approaching 40,000 rounds tested in several 10/22s to include 10/22 Take Down, 16"/18"/20" AR15s using CMMG conversion bolts, GSG 1911 and Glock 22 with Advantage Arms slide kit, certain brands/weights/types of ammunition stand out.

• CCI SV/Blazer 40 gr LRN (Boxed not loose bulk pack) and Aguila 40 gr LRN/CPRN have consistently produced smallest groups with CCI SV/Blazer capable of 1/2" groups at 50 yards and Aguila capable of 1"-1.25" groups at 100 yards as well documented in my various "real world" threads whether new out of the box, triggers breaking in from 7.5/6.5 lbs for 10/22 and T/CR22 down to 4.5/4.0 lbs and after accurizing parts were changed out.

• Federal Auto Match 40 gr LRN, Federal Field Pack 38 gr CPHP, Federal Game Shok 40 gr CPRN and Remington Golden Bullet 36 gr CPHP produced more consistent groups after trigger break in and accurizing parts replacement.

• While Remington Thunderbolt 40 gr LRN would occasionally produce small groups, it would also produce larger groups with flyers. Armscor 36 gr CPHP produced varying group size with flyers (Will produce 2" 25 yard groups with GSG 1911).

• Federal blue box 525 round (old and new packaging) distinctively produced smaller groups than Walmart only Federal red box 550 round (old and new packaging) and produced smaller consistent groups with accurizing parts replacement. Very reliable in ARs with CMMG 22LR conversion bolt.

• My 10/22 really did not like Winchester ammunition but T/CR22 did better proving selective ammunition preference by rifles/barrels.

Here's my listing of most accurate to least accurate based on 10/22 and T/CR22 testing:

1. CCI Standard 40 gr LRN - Boxed - Consistent group size
2. CCI Blazer 40 gr LRN - Boxed - Consistent group size
3. Aguila 40 gr LRN - Boxed - Consistent group size
4. Aguila 40 gr CPRN - Boxed - Consistent group size
5. Aguila 40 gr LRN Pistol Match - Boxed, Consistent group size
6. Federal Auto Match 40 gr LRN - Loose Bulk - Group size varied
7. Federal Game Shok 40 gr CPRN - Boxed - Fairly consistent group size
8. Federal Field Pack 38 gr CPHP - Loose Bulk - Group size varied
9. Remington Golden Bullet 36 gr CPHP - Loose Bulk - Fairly consistent group size
10. Remington Thunderbolt 40 gr LRN - Loose Bulk - Small to large groups with flyers
11. Armscor 36 gr CPHP - Boxed - Varying group size with flyers
12. Federal Champion 40 gr LRN - Boxed - Group size varied
13. Federal Value 36 gr CPHP 525 Blue Box (Old/New) - Loose Bulk - Group size varied
14. Federal Value 36 gr CPHP 550 Walmart Red Box (Old/New) - Loose Bulk - Group size varied
15. Winchester XPert 36 gr LRN 500 - Loose Bulk - Group size varied
16. Winchester 36 gr CPHP 555 - Loose Bulk - Group size varied
17. Winchester M22 40 gr CPRN 500 - Loose Bulk - Group size varied with flyers

 

[Jim Watson]

It varies with time. In the past, while I was testing a lot...
I had a case of Winchester Super X that was very accurate in my 10/22. The next batch was pretty ordinary, I am glad I did not buy another case.
My High Standard Supermatic Citation Military did well with Winchester T22. That ammo shot best in its price range in other guns, too.
The first run of Winchester Wildcat DynaPoint was very accurate, I should have bought more.

Bart B. on TFL will point out that record scores shot with Winchester Mk IV Match have not been equaled since they quit making it.

 

[PapaG]

Throw in some various types of Eley,Lapua, RWS real match and you will be astounded. Find some old copies of Precision Shooting and read Merrill Martin. He’s forgotten more than we will ever learn. (Hyperbole).
That said, I have three lower end, by todays standards, match rifles. Win 52, CZ455 varmint, a built up10-22. Had a141 Anschutz sporter. One test cycle, using a TC carbine 22 wit 4X scope as control,firing a five shot group with each with true match ammo (Eley, etc.) provided plenty of easy differentiation between bulk, generic, and regular ammo. Most everything I shot stayed around the 1/2-5/8” mark with few fliers. Surprise of the day was a 3/8” one hole group from the TC carbine using CCI mini mag hollow points. I don’t think I’ve ever been satisfied with any standard offer ammo for serious accuracy. I did shoot 50' three position small bore for years with a 37 REM and Eley Club as it was the cheapest that was capable of possibles. In my 77 years I’ve found nothing to compare to the old Win Wildcats for inconsistency.

 

[Mike OTDP]

Consistency, and inspection. I've heard that Eley basically has two lines - one makes Tenex, the other makes Club. The intermediate grades are ammo that was slightly out of spec for those two. Most of the makers of top-tier .22 ammo - Eley, RWS, and Lapua - have tiered grades of ammunition.

Pro tip: Match ammo isn't a lot more expensive - provided that you buy it by the case from a specialty target house, not whatever the local gun story has.

 

[PapaG]

I have gone so far as to separate cartridges by both total weight and rim thickness using Green Tag, std vel, and a few others. Not enough difference to make the difference if your time is worth anything at all. The few times I shot Tenex, I was really impressed. But at $25/50 I’d hope so.

 

[rabid wombat]

Those at the highest levels will specify lot numbers after testing several lots….

https://www.killoughshootingsports.....html#/579-lot_number_tenex_tx-1018_011271058

And if you want you weapon tested (rather than doing it yourself), another value added service….

https://www.killoughshootingsports.com/content/6-eley-range

 

[Poper]

I am approaching around 10,000 rounds of testing various ammunition in 10/22 and T/CR22 with 5/10 shot groups monitored at 25/50/100 yards - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...22lr-on-the-cheap.898035/page-2#post-12183064

Going on 4 years, approaching 40,000 rounds tested in several 10/22s to include 10/22 Take Down, 16"/18"/20" AR15s using CMMG conversion bolts, GSG 1911 and Glock 22 with Advantage Arms slide kit, certain brands/weights/types of ammunition stand out.

• CCI SV/Blazer 40 gr LRN and Aguila 40 gr LRN/CPRN have consistently produced smallest groups with CCI SV/Blazer capable of 1/2" groups at 50 yards and Aguila capable of 1"-1.25" groups at 100 yards as well documented in my various "real world" threads whether new out of the box, triggers breaking in from 7.5/6.5 lbs for 10/22 and T/CR22 down to 4.5/4.0 lbs and after accurizing parts were changed out.

• Federal Auto Match 40 gr LRN, Federal Field Pack 38 gr CPHP, Federal Game Shok 40 gr CPRN and Remington Golden Bullet 36 gr CPHP produced more consistent groups after trigger break in and accurizing parts replacement.

• While Remington Thunderbolt 40 gr LRN would occasionally produce small groups, it would also produce larger groups with flyers. Armscor 36 gr CPHP produced varying group size with flyers (Will produce 2" 25 yard groups with GSG 1911).

• Federal blue box 525 round (old and new packaging) distinctively produced smaller groups than Walmart only Federal red box 550 round (old and new packaging) and produced smaller consistent groups with accurizing parts replacement. Very reliable in ARs with CMMG 22LR conversion bolt.

• My 10/22 really did not like Winchester ammunition but T/CR22 did better proving selective ammunition preference by rifles/barrels.

Here's my listing of most accurate to least accurate based on 10/22 and T/CR22 testing:

1. CCI Standard 40 gr LRN - Boxed - Consistent group size
2. CCI Blazer 40 gr LRN - Boxed - Consistent group size
3. Aguila 40 gr LRN - Boxed - Consistent group size
4. Aguila 40 gr CPRN - Boxed - Consistent group size
5. Aguila 40 gr LRN Pistol Match - Boxed, Consistent group size
6. Federal Auto Match 40 gr LRN - Loose Bulk - Group size varied
7. Federal Game Shok 40 gr CPRN - Boxed - Fairly consistent group size
8. Federal Field Pack 38 gr CPHP - Loose Bulk - Group size varied
9. Remington Golden Bullet 36 gr CPHP - Loose Bulk - Fairly consistent group size
10. Remington Thunderbolt 40 gr LRN - Loose Bulk - Small to large groups with flyers
11. Armscor 36 gr CPHP - Boxed - Varying group size with flyers
12. Federal Champion 40 gr LRN - Boxed - Group size varied
13. Federal Value 36 gr CPHP 525 Blue Box (Old/New) - Loose Bulk - Group size varied
14. Federal Value 36 gr CPHP 550 Walmart Red Box (Old/New) - Loose Bulk - Group size varied
15. Winchester XPert 36 gr LRN 500 - Loose Bulk - Group size varied
16. Winchester 36 gr CPHP 555 - Loose Bulk - Group size varied
17. Winchester M22 40 gr CPRN 500 - Loose Bulk - Group size varied with flyers

Plinker grade rifles shooting plinker grade ammo. Very interesting.
Compare those results with a test of many different ammos with a match grade rifle:
https://www.accurateshooter.com/guns-of-week/22lr-rimfire-ammo-comparison-test/

 

[LiveLife]

Plinker grade rifles shooting plinker grade ammo. Very interesting.
Compare those results with a test of many different ammos with a match grade rifle:
https://www.accurateshooter.com/guns-of-week/22lr-rimfire-ammo-comparison-test/

That's what I used to think but with a little accurizing, got decent groups - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...0/&temp_hash=cbc49af9dc5499de6975e2181d675ed9

• 10/22 with factory barrel (Round count 5000, brushed twice with copper bore brush and 3 passes each) - Volquartsen trigger 2.25 lbs (Trigger round count 1000) - Barrel free floated with plastic shim under V block - Rear of receiver better secured to stock with 1 strip of electrical tape - Mizugiwa one-piece scope mount - Tactical Solutions V block - Pike Arms red bolt buffer - T/CR22 factory pinned bolt

• T/CR22 with KSA 16.5" bull barrel (Round count 500, Rifle round count 3000, brushed once with copper bore brush and 3 passes) - Volquartsen trigger 2.0 lbs (Trigger round count 1000, Trigger reset fixed with shimming of hole) - Barrel free floated with factory Magpul stock - Rear of receiver better secured to stock with 1 strip of electrical tape - Mizugiwa one-piece scope mount - Tactical Solutions V block - Two 0.02" barrel shims - Pike Arms red bolt buffer - Power Custom pinned match bolt

50 Yard groups (Look at CCI SV and Aguila groups)

And 100 yard groups with Aguila 40 gr CPRN

100 yard turret tracking box test (Round count 5750)

 

[Poper]

That's what I used to think but with a little accurizing, got decent groups - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...0/&temp_hash=cbc49af9dc5499de6975e2181d675ed9

• 10/22 with factory barrel (Round count 5000, brushed twice with copper bore brush and 3 passes each) - Volquartsen trigger 2.25 lbs (Trigger round count 1000) - Barrel free floated with plastic shim under V block - Rear of receiver better secured to stock with 1 strip of electrical tape - Mizugiwa one-piece scope mount - Tactical Solutions V block - Pike Arms red bolt buffer - T/CR22 factory pinned bolt

• T/CR22 with KSA 16.5" bull barrel (Round count 500, Rifle round count 3000, brushed once with copper bore brush and 3 passes) - Volquartsen trigger 2.0 lbs (Trigger round count 1000, Trigger reset fixed with shimming of hole) - Barrel free floated with factory Magpul stock - Rear of receiver better secured to stock with 1 strip of electrical tape - Mizugiwa one-piece scope mount - Tactical Solutions V block - Two 0.02" barrel shims - Pike Arms red bolt buffer - Power Custom pinned match bolt

50 Yard groups (Look at CCI SV and Aguila groups)

And 100 yard groups

100 yard turret tracking box test (Round count 5750)

Compare your 100 yard groups to the Accurate Shooter groups: http://www.accuratereloading.com/2009/bl100.html
Note in the tabulation of 100 yard test groups that the best CCI ammo was 23rd on the list in group size and was the ONLY CCI ammo that shot less than an inch. Of the top 30 100 yard groups, only 2 groups exceeded 1".
Note that there is a big difference between the match grade ammo and the budget grade ammo.

0.455 Eley Match
0.510 Lapua Midas Plus
0.549 Lapua Midas M
0.611 Lapua Polar Biathlon
0.611 Eley Tenex Ultimate EPS
0.619 Eley Match EPS
0.622 Eley Club
0.630 Lapua Center X
0.631 RWS R50
0.679 Eley Tenex Semi Auto
0.694 Lapua Midas L
0.729 Eley Tenex
0.739 Lapua Master L
0.753 Lapua Super Club
0.785 Lapua Master M
0.831 Eley Sport
0.851 Eley Match Xtra
0.859 Lapua Standard Plus
0.867 Akah X-Zone
0.877 Eley Pistol Match
0.907 Norinco Target
0.924 Eley Silhouex
0.939 CCI Standard
0.952 Eley Subsonic HP
0.963 Magtech
0.970 Olin Ball
0.978 Kassnar Concorde
0.995 Eley Club Xtra
1.009 Western Value Pack
1.032 Federal Champion
________________________________________
1.087 Norinco Pistol Revolver
1.100 CCI Mini Mag
1.112 Lapua Crow HP
1.143 Winchester T22
1.142 Federal Gold Medal
1.144 federal American Eagle
1.156 Swartklip Hollo Point
1.165 Lapua Signum
1.170 Swartklip Match Trainer
1.175 Fed. Champion Value Pk
1.182 SK high Velocity
1.201 Totem
1.224 Winchester Super X
1.358 Eley Standard
1.367 Remington High Velocity
1.375 CCI Blazer
1.414 Eley High Velocity
1.450 Remington Target
1.504 LVE Logo
1.813 SK Standard
1.879 S&B Club
1.947 S&B Hollow Point
2.073 SK Standard HP
2.221 S&B Standard
2.266 Pobjeda Target

For most of us, the budget priced Aguila, CCI, Federal, etc. is more than good enough for our uses. If you want to perform your best in a sanctioned competition, then a better grade rifle and ammunition it shoots best will be necessary. If you want your budget .22 to shoot as best it can with budget ammunition, then some serious testing is indeed necessary. Keep track of not only the ammunition it likes, but the lot numbers of that ammunition, too. Ammunition can vary a whole bunch from lot to lot.

 

[Rule3]

I think the OP is asking more on what factors actually make the better ammo , better??
Primer compound, brass consistency, bullet weight, etc Not what gun it is shot through or shooter anecdotal results,
RimFire Central has been doing it for years!
The companies are top secret on giving this stuff out.

I don't know

All the stuff reloaders discuss everyday.

Most consider CCI SV 40 ammo to be pretty good for most shooters and guns
But then there is Green Tag, Clean,Pistol Match then the Blazer version!!
All these just with in the CCI brand

What ammo is used in the Olympics ??

 

[LiveLife]

where does the additional accuracy potential come from. Is it purely just a matter of better propellant, ignition, better QC cherry picking components like the brass, projectile and maybe better bullet seating? ... Does it pretty much mirror the processes in which match grade centerfire ammo is produced, just on a larger scale with a smaller cartridge?

Primer compound, brass consistency, bullet weight, etc ... All the stuff reloaders discuss everyday.

I believe you are correct. Just as reloaders/handloaders load "match grade" centerfire rounds with utmost consistency (bullet weight, powder charge, primer/priming compound, neck tension, COAL, etc.) to reduce group size, same factors may be involved to produce better 22LR.

If you look at a Match Target or a Match Target + and to the eye everything about them looks the same but one is a lil more expensive and marketed as performing "better", what is the "it" that makes it better.

I believe greater consistency of ammunition to produce smaller groups.

If one cannot see the difference on target, it could be shooting variables overshadowing the difference in ammunition.

Compare your 100 yard groups to the Accurate Shooter groups: http://www.accuratereloading.com/2009/bl100.html

For most of us, the budget priced Aguila, CCI, Federal, etc. is more than good enough for our uses.

Funny you posted that list because that's one of the reasons why I conducted my near 10,000 round test to continue the listing to include rest of "retail" non-match 22LR ammunition.

But as you can see from the list, CCI SV/Blazer (And I don't doubt also 40 gr Aguila LRN/CPRN with longer bearing surface) posted smaller group size than other "match grade" ammunition.

 

[Ru4real]

Great thread! I learned today that all 22 LR ammo is consistently inconsistent. Some more than others.

I had always assumed that a precision 22 LR shooting Eley Tennex or Laupua would be tough to beat with one of my 223’s at 100y. It appears that assumption was false, based on the groups I’ve seen posted in the link from @Poper

I’ll stick with CCI standard velocity for my go-to 22 accuracy ammo for less than 100 yards. And I will stick to my hand loaded 223 ammo at 20 cents per round for 100 yards and beyond.

 

[Poper]

Great thread! I learned today that all 22 LR ammo is consistently inconsistent. Some more than others.

I had always assumed that a precision 22 LR shooting Eley Tennex or Laupa would be tough to beat with one of my 223’s at 100y. It appears that assumption was false, based on the groups I’ve seen posted in the link from @Poper

I’ll stick with CCI standard velocity for my go-to 22 accuracy ammo for less than 100 yards. And I will stick to my hand loaded 223 ammo at 20 cents per round for 100 yards and beyond.

No, not false. You are attempting to compare apples and oranges. Your typical .223 Remington round, with a 50 gr. bullet, will have a muzzle velocity (from the Hodgdon Reloading Data Center for Hodgdon powders) of between 2460 fps and 3024 fps depending on powder, powder charge and other variables. The .22lr match will typically use a 40 grain bullet and will travel about 1072 fps. The.223 bullet's ballistic coefficient is surely much better than the .22lr 40 grain pill. The time of flight for 100 yards is so different between the two, it takes almost nothing to push the .22 lr off its aimed trajectory. Really no comparison between the two rounds.

When it comes to .22lr it all depends on:
1) Acceptable performance for your particular needs and desires;
2) The price you are willing to pay for that performance;
3) What flavor your particular rifle likes best within the limits of #1 & #2 above.

I hope this helps.

 

[Poper]

But as you can see from the list, CCI SV/Blazer (And I don't doubt also 40 gr Aguila LRN/CPRN with longer bearing surface) posted smaller group size than other "match grade" ammunition.

Not sure what list you are referencing. According to the list posted at https://www.accurateshooter.com/guns-of-week/22lr-rimfire-ammo-comparison-test/, CCI Blazer placed 47th out of 54 at 50 yards; 46th out of 55 at 75 yards and 46th out of 55 at 100 yards. That's pretty consistently back a ways in the pack when compared to Lapua, Eley, RWS and even CCI Standard (20th, 14th and 23rd - 50, 75 & 100 yds. respectively) in the list I referenced.

 

[Ru4real]

You are attempting to compare apples and oranges.

I’m not comparing. I’m saying I will use a 22 LR to make bug hole groups at 25y and a 223 to make bug hole groups at 100y. And bug hole groups are for bragging, like here on THR.

Maybe I should say that I learned a 22 LR is out of its league shooting at 100y. If I want to make hits at 100y, I will use a 223. And the 223 is out it’s league most days at about 600y and sometimes closer or farther, depending on conditions.

Sure, you can spend more per round for 22 LR ammo than 223, but why if you get beat by a 223? Competition is the only place it makes sense, because “rules” protect the 22 LR.

 

[Mike OTDP]

What ammo is used in the Olympics ??

Whatever shoots best in that particular gun. Mostly Eley and Lapua.

 

[gobsauce]

Great thread! I learned today that all 22 LR ammo is consistently inconsistent. Some more than others.

I had always assumed that a precision 22 LR shooting Eley Tennex or Laupua would be tough to beat with one of my 223’s at 100y. It appears that assumption was false, based on the groups I’ve seen posted in the link from @Poper

I’ll stick with CCI standard velocity for my go-to 22 accuracy ammo for less than 100 yards. And I will stick to my hand loaded 223 ammo at 20 cents per round for 100 yards and beyond.

The consistency part applies to every round. Bullet weight, what powder and the amount.

The primer,if I understand correctly, really only applies to rim fire. If distributed appropriately, there'll be less misfires.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I have shot .22 benchrest for a number of years. I agree with much that has been said regarding consistency in manufacturing and packaging. Another thing that I notice with match ammo is the lube that is used. It makes a difference in accuracy. If you wipe the lube off or even worse, let the lube dry up and turn white, you can expect accuracy to degrade.

Higher end match ammo generally is more consistent over the long run with very few, if any flyers. Sure, I have seen some great groups shot out of lesser expensive ammo, buy flyers are more frequent. It only takes one flyer to ruin a great card in a benchrest match.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Here's a target with four 5 shot groups shot at 50 yards with a good gun using good ammo.

 

[Poper]

Here's a target with four 5 shot groups shot at 50 yards with a good gun using good ammo.
View attachment 1065881

Good shooting!
Good ammo and good rifles are always capable of good groups. However, the person squeezing the trigger is every bit as important, if not more so.

 

[Slamfire]

To have a better understanding of match rimfire ammunition, shooters ought to take their rimfire to Lapua in Mesa AZ and have it lot tested. The wind tunnnel in Mesa has 50 meter and 100 meter targets, so you see the same ten shot group at 50 and 100 meters. Their system is set up to create 40 shot composite groups. Attempting to make accuracy inferences on three, or five shot groups is statistical nonsense.

There is an excellent article at the end of the Oct 2014 Shooting Sports USA on group size and accuracy: http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nra/ssusa_201410/ This foundational article was written by small bore prone competitors who wanted to shoot perfect scores. In small bore prone a Match is a 40 shot event of two twenty shot targets. The typical 1600 round Smallbore bore prone tournament is 160 rounds fired for record, divided up into four 40 round Matches. Therefore the referenced article assumes that a 40 round group is the baseline.

As anyone can see in table six, at least at 100 yards, a five shot group is 59% of the size of a 40 shot group, a 10 shot 74%, and a twenty shot 88%. A three shot group is below contempt, but three shot groups are the current standard for the shooting community because the leaders of the shooting community, that is in print Gunwriters, have convinced the shooting community that three shot groups are an exact measure of accuracy and consistency.

This is another good article on the limitations of five shot groups

Accuracy Testing: Shortcomings Of The Five-Shot Group

by Brad Miller, Ph.D. - Wednesday, September 25, 2019

https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2019/9/25/accuracy-testing-shortcomings-of-the-five-shot-group

one that addresses statistics for accuracy.

Shot Group Statistics for Small Arms Applications

https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/AD1034885.pdf

It is instructive to see groups that are counter intuitive. That is, 100 meter groups whose MOA is actually less than the same ten shots at 50 meters. I suspect given more rounds down range, the 100 meter MOA would increase above the 50 meter, so perhaps 40 rounds is still too small of a sample size to determine inherent ammunition accuracy.

If you ever have your rimfire lot tested, what you will see is "great" differences in group sizes for the same label. That is different lots of Center X shoot different sized groups, in your rifle. Same for Midas plus, the "next step up" from Center X. If you get to have both tested in your rifle you will see that on the average Midas plus is more consistent and produces smaller groups than Center X, but there will be really excellent lots of Center X that will be better than the worst Midas plus.

And, what shoots best depends on the rifle. Bring another thunderstick, and the ranking of lots will be arranged differently.

The more rounds you pound down range, the more flyers you will experience with low priced match ammunition. The juniors at a club are issued some white box CCI SV ammunition. I think it came from the CMP, don't know. Anyway, the match director asked me to shoot it in my rifle, and it would not hold the ten ring at 50 yards. I have never seen anyone shoot cheap, over the counter rimfire ammunition at a Regional or National Match. Shooters are too sophisticated, spend too much money, to ruin their score firing cheap ammunition.

I was squadded next to the third best smallbore prone shooter in the US (that year) and I asked him how many times he had his rifle lot tested, and he said 60 or 90 times. Might have been 90. And, the team he was on determined that how you shot the stuff also made a difference on target. That is, lot testing on the bench, versus slung, things grouped differently.

I do know my lot tested Lapua consistently gives me higher X counts than my randomly chosen ammunition. An Eley representation made the claim that you have a 30% chance of finding the best ammunition for your rifle by randomly picking something off the shelf. Eley was selling their lot acceptance testing at their range. However, they only tested Red Box, which is ridiculously expensive.

 

[LiveLife]

As anyone can see in table six, at least at 100 yards, a five shot group is 59% of the size of a 40 shot group, a 10 shot 74%, and a twenty shot 88%. A three shot group is below contempt, but three shot groups are the current standard for the shooting community because the leaders of the shooting community, that is in print Gunwriters, have convinced the shooting community that three shot groups are an exact measure of accuracy and consistency.

This is another good article on the limitations of five shot groups ... Accuracy Testing: Shortcomings Of The Five-Shot Group

So true.

After approaching 10,000 round count with my 10/22 and T/CR22 testing (With composite 22LR testing approaching 40,000 rounds with multiple rifles), I found 5 shot groups are subset of 10 shot groups and 10 shot groups are subset of 20 shot groups, and so on. (And why I documented 8-12 groups on same target for transparency as sum of all the 5/10 shot groups convey truer accuracy of the rifle/barrel/ammunition/shooter)

Here's a sample of eight 50 yard groups that ranged from 1/2" to 3/4" to 1". While "claim" could be made that this combination of rifle/barrel/ammunition could produce 1/2" group, composite of all the groups combined convey "truer" accuracy. IMHO, of course.

 

[Poper]

The consistency part applies to every round. Bullet weight, what powder and the amount.

The primer,if I understand correctly, really only applies to rim fire.

Not really. If you handload your centerfire ammunition for competition, you will find a definite difference between primers. There is a reason why the primer manufacturers (CCI and Remington in particular) produce "Benchrest" primers and charge a token premium for them. CCI primers vs. Winchester primers in my silhouette rifle shoot very different groups with the otherwise identical load. CCI and Remington, however shoot close enough to identical groups. - With the lot numbers of the two primers I have. I only have 3k of the CCI remaining and only 1.5k of the Remington remaining and will have to verify that load when I have to buy primers again.

If distributed appropriately, there'll be less misfires.

This is definitely true of rimfire ammunition and is why with some of the cheap stuff there are so many duds. Sometimes you can try shooting a dud again in your rifle and it will fire if struck in a different location on the rim. Uneven distribution of the priming compound, and possibly differing amounts of compound, from round to round in rimfire ammunition, will definitely affect group size/accuracy.