Different Grades of .22LR Ammunition...

[Demi-human]

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".

I like that you have “published proof” of CCI Standard’s less than one M.O.A. Accuracy at one hundred yards.
When I tell others that my rifle is also capable of this I usually get a smirk of disbelief.
It’s good to know I’m not alone. I might still be nuts, but I’m not by myself.


(I’m afraid to shoot Eley, I might like it and have to reallocate funds!)

 

[DustyGmt]

To date the best groups my 10/22 shoots is Aquila SV 38gr and CCI 40gr Mini Mags. I don't have precise measurements and yardage on hand, but out of a slough of different rimfire ammo, those are the best. Interestingly, I have shot a few bricks of, and have a good bit of CCI HV stingers that predate the .22Plinkster and swamp people endorsement deals from about a decade ago and are from what I was told, very good quality and the stuff shoots about as good as any cheap bulk ammo I have shot. Which is not very good.

Interestingly as well, Rem ThunderBolts shoot really quite well in my 10/22, I have some PMC match .22lr that I've never shot and some Win Wildcat that I just started shooting and is actually pretty good stuff IMO. I believe you guys when you say it's very rifle dependant, and lot dependant too.... I had the opportunity to buy a bunch of Green Tag back in the day and only bought a couple 100rd boxes and wish I bought more because it was lights out, 1 ragged hole accuracy.

I'm interested in buying some Eley match grade stuff and trying different types to see how good it performs in a regular production 10/22. I would love it if my range would host some rimfire matches and if I could run into somebody with competition knowledge and possibly build or buy a nice match .22lr or even just had a production rifle match....

 

[gobsauce]

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.
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.

So what exactly are the difference between "normal " and "competition" primers? Is it the consistency of primer compound?

 

[Poper]

So what exactly are the difference between "normal " and "competition" primers? Is it the consistency of primer compound?

As best I have been able to deduce, it is similar to the difference between grades of .22lr ammo. The lots designated as Benchrest primers test more consistently for flame temperature and duration than the non-Benchrest ones.
If I am not mistaken, hotter primers are engineered that way for magnum applications, whether rifle or pistol and are so labeled.

 

[Poper]

I like that you have “published proof” of CCI Standard’s less than one M.O.A. Accuracy at one hundred yards.
When I tell others that my rifle is also capable of this I usually get a smirk of disbelief.
It’s good to know I’m not alone. I might still be nuts, but I’m not by myself.


(I’m afraid to shoot Eley, I might like it and have to reallocate funds!)

Back before the panic, I discovered my T1X and Anschutz sporter both like Lapua Polar Biathlon so I bought a case of 5k rounds to feed them. About the same time, testing revealed my Sako P04 Finfire II has a liking for the SK Rifle match and will group it on par with Lapua Center X at 1/2 the price, sooo I bought a case of it, too. Then, again before the panic, I found Aguila Rifle match for less than $3 per box sooooooo I bought a case of it as a primary practice and plinking ammo. My .22lr stash might be pretty well set for the forseeable future.
I just hope the place isn't raided by BATFE... I can just imagine what the press will have to say about the guy with "nearly 20,000 rounds of ammunition" (and the rifles and handguns to 'choot 'em!) stashed in his little 2-bedroom 55+ community home.

 

[Poper]

To date the best groups my 10/22 shoots is Aquila SV 38gr and CCI 40gr Mini Mags. I don't have precise measurements and yardage on hand, but out of a slough of different rimfire ammo, those are the best. Interestingly, I have shot a few bricks of, and have a good bit of CCI HV stingers that predate the .22Plinkster and swamp people endorsement deals from about a decade ago and are from what I was told, very good quality and the stuff shoots about as good as any cheap bulk ammo I have shot. Which is not very good.

Interestingly as well, Rem ThunderBolts shoot really quite well in my 10/22, I have some PMC match .22lr that I've never shot and some Win Wildcat that I just started shooting and is actually pretty good stuff IMO. I believe you guys when you say it's very rifle dependant, and lot dependant too.... I had the opportunity to buy a bunch of Green Tag back in the day and only bought a couple 100rd boxes and wish I bought more because it was lights out, 1 ragged hole accuracy.

I'm interested in buying some Eley match grade stuff and trying different types to see how good it performs in a regular production 10/22. I would love it if my range would host some rimfire matches and if I could run into somebody with competition knowledge and possibly build or buy a nice match .22lr or even just had a production rifle match....

If you want an off the shelf .22 match grade sporter, here you go: https://www.anschutznorthamerica.com/store/p723/1761_D_HB_20"_22LR_Classic_Single_Stage_Light_Trigger.html This is an excellent rifle and is a close example of mine except I have the earlier edition with the cute schnable forend stock.
Here is the entry level Anschutz Match rifle:
https://www.anschutznorthamerica.com/store/p36/1907_Target.html They go up from there.
The Bleiker match rifles start at about $5,800 and go up from there. People that are spending that kind of money on their rifles take competition very serious!!
For most of us, a Tikka T1X will shoot as good or better than our capabilities. My T1X will shoot darn near as good as my Anschutz at less than 1/3 the price.
The Anschutz is a heck of a lot sexier, though!

I hope this is helpful.

 

[doubleh]

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

Isn't that the truth. My take on US made ammo has been that it ranged from reasonably decent for the price to not so great. Now, with the current production I have changed to ho- hum grade down to junk grade. My go to ammo has been CCI SV for years as I have never been in a competition with anyone but myself. I get more fliers and more duds with any of the US ammo than I used to and I won't even consider buying one brand now. Aguila has become one of the more available lower priced ammos here and I have found it to be as reliable and as accurate as anything from CCI now.

 

[gobsauce]

Isn't that the truth. My take on US made ammo has been that it ranged from reasonably decent for the price to not so great. Now, with the current production I have changed to ho- hum grade down to junk grade. My go to ammo has been CCI SV for years as I have never been in a competition with anyone but myself. I get more fliers and more duds with any of the US ammo than I used to and I won't even consider buying one brand now. Aguila has become one of the more available lower priced ammos here and I have found it to be as reliable and as accurate as anything from CCI now.

I live next to two ports of entry, and Aguila has been the most plentiful brand around here. Living on the borderland has it's upsides.

I've neve had an issue with Aguila. Then again, I seem to be lucky when it comes to ammo related malfs. I've only ever had a single dud, and that was a Tulammo 7.62x39.

 

[doubleh]

I live next to two ports of entry, and Aguila has been the most plentiful brand around here. Living on the borderland has it's upsides.

I've neve had an issue with Aguila. Then again, I seem to be lucky when it comes to ammo related malfs. I've only ever had a single dud, and that was a Tulammo 7.62x39.

I am almost all the way across NM just north of the main southern highway through the state that connects with El Paso and it seems to be reasonably plentiful here. Only 18 miles and I could still be a Texan. I guess I should qualify that statement by saying I'll always be a Texan but one that lives in NM now. One reason I stay here is the vast amount of state and BLM land that I can roam at will, something that can't be done in Texas.

 

[DustyGmt]

Isn't that the truth. My take on US made ammo has been that it ranged from reasonably decent for the price to not so great. Now, with the current production I have changed to ho- hum grade down to junk grade. My go to ammo has been CCI SV for years as I have never been in a competition with anyone but myself. I get more fliers and more duds with any of the US ammo than I used to and I won't even consider buying one brand now. Aguila has become one of the more available lower priced ammos here and I have found it to be as reliable and as accurate as anything from CCI now.

I'm really quite happy with Aguila SV 38gr ammo. I think I bought 1500+ rds @ $22/250rds and in my 10/22 it's great and my G44 pistol it's excellent. I went through a 250rd brick the other day and was literally trying to jam it up and it just wouldn't jam for anything and on top of everything it printed the tightest groups I have ever seen from that pistol. One very deliberate, slow fired group I shot from about 20ft off hand was impressive, at least for me. I have never got anything close to this kind of group with anything else I have shot through it but I also shot about 22-23 magazines before this group and most of them were not even close to this good but I was happy with this one, very slow and very steady.

Here it is, about 20ft, off hand with a glock44. I hate the sights on this gun and am considering buying some different aftermarket sights because this wouldn't even be show worthy imo with a target pistol like a Ruger....

 

[PapaG]

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 ??

Green tag is, to me, overpriced CCI std vel.

 

[LiveLife]

I'm really quite happy with Aguila SV 38gr ... in my 10/22 it's great and my G44 pistol it's excellent.

Then you will love Aguila SE 40 gr LRN/CPRN. Here's a comparison done at 50 yards between Aguila 38 gr CPHP with 40 gr LRN/CPRN - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...mmo-comparison-break-in.864241/#post-12110986

• Aguila (Eley Prime) 40 gr LRN #1 - Sub 1" group
• Aguila (Eley Prime) Pistol Match 40 gr LRN #1 - Slightly larger than 0.75" group
• Aguila (Eley Prime) 40 gr CPRN #1 - 0.75" group with flyer
• Aguila (Aguila Prime) 40 gr CPRN - 1.75" group
• Aguila (Eley Prime) 40 gr LRN #2 - Reference group #2 was shot to verify accuracy and 1.25" group size
• Aguila (Eley Prime) Pistol Match 40 gr LRN #2 - Slightly larger than 0.75" group
• Aguila (Eley Prime) 40 gr CPRN #2 - 1" group
• Aguila (Aguila Prime) 38 gr CPHP - Slightly smaller than 1.5" group

 

[slickracer]

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

No surprise with Winchester bringing up the rear.

 

[DMW1116]

The Aguila Super Extra high and standard velocity have been great shooter from my guns, 2 Marlin 60s and a S&W Victory. Never tried them in my Henry. They have given me the most problems. One dud in my rifle but that wasn’t to bad. I got one in my pistol that didn’t seat right or something and left the bullet stick in the barrel and shredded the case like a banana peel. That was a pain that could have been much worse.

 

[kidneyboy]

"nearly 20,000 rounds of ammunition"

Rookie.......

 

[Poper]

Rookie.......

Well, at 67 I don't feel so much like a "rookie", but I might be an amateur!

 

[d2wing]

Every rifle likes a certain ammo at a certain range. If you shoot the same rifle as the tester it may mean something to you. On the other hand, what works in the best rifles in top competition is going to be a good indicator of the most accurate ammo you can buy. But most rifles aren't going to be helped much by really accurate ammo because they are not designed to shoot match ammo, and aren't accurate enough to tell any difference. Another question is if the shooter can shoot as accurate as his rifle and ammo. In other words you have to test for yourself or have your rifle tested by experts..

 

[LiveLife]

I got to test new lots of Norma Tac-22 and new 250 round loose bulk packs of Aguila 38/40 gr along with CCI SV/Aguila 40 gr LRN as reference (Listing will update as newer lots are tested) -
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...22lr-on-the-cheap.898035/page-2#post-12304052

Updating my "different grades of 22LR" list from most accurate to least accurate based on 10/22 and T/CR22 testing (Posted group sizes are 50 yard smaller averages after accurizing mods/work/parts replacement):

1. CCI Standard Velocity Target 40 gr LRN - Boxed (Around 1/2")
2. CCI Standard Velocity 40 gr LRN - Boxed - Consistent group size (Around 1/2" - 3/4")
3. CCI Blazer 40 gr LRN - Boxed - Consistent group size (Around 1/2" - 3/4")
4. Norma Tac-22 40 gr LRN - Boxed - Based on initial testing 1/2"-3/4" groups (Testing to continue)
5. Aguila 40 gr LRN (Eley Prime) - Boxed - Consistent group size (No longer produced)
6. Aguila 40 gr LRN (Aguila Prime) - Boxed - Consistent group size (Larger than 1/2" to 3/4")
7. Aguila 40 gr CPRN (Eley Prime) - Boxed - Consistent group size (No longer produced)
8. Aguila 40 gr CPRN (Aguila Prime) - Boxed - Consistent group size (3/4"-1")
9. Aguila 40 gr LRN Pistol Match - Boxed, Consistent group size around 1"
10. Aguila 40 gr CPRN - 250 round Loose Bulk - Based on initial testing sub 1" to 1.25"
11. Aguila 38 gr CPRN - 250 round Loose Bulk - Based on initial testing around 1"
12. Federal Auto Match 40 gr LRN - Loose Bulk - Group size varied
13. Aguila 38 gr CPHP - Boxes - Group size varied
14. Federal Game Shok 40 gr CPRN - Boxed - Fairly consistent group size
15. Federal Field Pack 38 gr CPHP - Loose Bulk - Group size varied
16. Remington Golden Bullet 36 gr CPHP - Loose Bulk - Fairly consistent group size
17. Remington Thunderbolt 40 gr LRN - Loose Bulk - Small to large groups with flyers
18. Armscor 36 gr CPHP - Boxed - Varying group size with flyers
19. Federal Champion 40 gr LRN - Boxed - Group size varied
20. Federal Value 36 gr CPHP 525 Blue Box (Old/New) - Loose Bulk - Group size varied
21. Federal Value 36 gr CPHP 550 Walmart Red Box (Old/New) - Loose Bulk - Group size varied
22. Winchester XPert 36 gr LRN 500 - Loose Bulk - Group size varied
23. Winchester 36 gr CPHP 555 - Loose Bulk - Group size varied
24. Winchester M22 40 gr CPRN 500 - Loose Bulk - Group size varied with flyers

 

[Poper]

I got to test new lots of Norma Tac-22 and new 250 round loose bulk packs of Aguila 38/40 gr along with CCI SV/Aguila 40 gr LRN as reference (Listing will update as newer lots are tested) -
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...22lr-on-the-cheap.898035/page-2#post-12304052

Updating my "different grades of 22LR" list from most accurate to least accurate based on 10/22 and T/CR22 testing (Posted group sizes are 50 yard smaller averages after accurizing mods/work/parts replacement):

1. CCI Standard Velocity Target 40 gr LRN - Boxed (Around 1/2")
2. CCI Standard Velocity 40 gr LRN - Boxed - Consistent group size (Around 1/2" - 3/4")
3. CCI Blazer 40 gr LRN - Boxed - Consistent group size (Around 1/2" - 3/4")
4. Norma Tac-22 40 gr LRN - Boxed - Based on initial testing 1/2"-3/4" groups (Testing to continue)
5. Aguila 40 gr LRN (Eley Prime) - Boxed - Consistent group size (No longer produced)
6. Aguila 40 gr LRN (Aguila Prime) - Boxed - Consistent group size (Larger than 1/2" to 3/4")
7. Aguila 40 gr CPRN (Eley Prime) - Boxed - Consistent group size (No longer produced)
8. Aguila 40 gr CPRN (Aguila Prime) - Boxed - Consistent group size (3/4"-1")
9. Aguila 40 gr LRN Pistol Match - Boxed, Consistent group size around 1"
10. Aguila 40 gr CPRN - 250 round Loose Bulk - Based on initial testing sub 1" to 1.25"
11. Aguila 38 gr CPRN - 250 round Loose Bulk - Based on initial testing around 1"
12. Federal Auto Match 40 gr LRN - Loose Bulk - Group size varied
13. Aguila 38 gr CPHP - Boxes - Group size varied
14. Federal Game Shok 40 gr CPRN - Boxed - Fairly consistent group size
15. Federal Field Pack 38 gr CPHP - Loose Bulk - Group size varied
16. Remington Golden Bullet 36 gr CPHP - Loose Bulk - Fairly consistent group size
17. Remington Thunderbolt 40 gr LRN - Loose Bulk - Small to large groups with flyers
18. Armscor 36 gr CPHP - Boxed - Varying group size with flyers
19. Federal Champion 40 gr LRN - Boxed - Group size varied
20. Federal Value 36 gr CPHP 525 Blue Box (Old/New) - Loose Bulk - Group size varied
21. Federal Value 36 gr CPHP 550 Walmart Red Box (Old/New) - Loose Bulk - Group size varied
22. Winchester XPert 36 gr LRN 500 - Loose Bulk - Group size varied
23. Winchester 36 gr CPHP 555 - Loose Bulk - Group size varied
24. Winchester M22 40 gr CPRN 500 - Loose Bulk - Group size varied with flyers

Wonder what would happen if you tried some better quality Lapua Center-X, SK Semi-Auto Rifle or Rifle Match, Eley Tenex and RWS R-50/R100?

 

[LiveLife]

Wonder what would happen if you tried some better quality Lapua Center-X, SK Semi-Auto Rifle or Rifle Match, Eley Tenex and RWS R-50/R100?

I was actually curious and tried to buy some Wolf Match, Eley, SK, etc. and got a hold of some Eley Sport and Federal Gold Match but was not able to locate Wolf Match/SK. Plan was to compare them with current lot of CCI SV, CCI Mini-Mag and Winchester SuperX.

Then the craziness of ammunition/component shortage happened and when shelves emptied of 22LR ammunition, I started sharing/gifting/paying it forward my large stock of 22LR I bought for retirement with family/friends/neighbors desperate for ammunition including my stock of "premium/match" 22LR (Should have seen their faces when I dropped off case boxes of 22LR).

I will probably end up doing some comparison with "premium/match" 22LR once availability and pricing improve.

But when I started the "real world" 22LR rifle/ammunition comparison threads more than 11,000 rounds ago, focus was to benefit the "average" THR plinkers who didn't compete and bought the cheapest bulk 22LR and I maintained that focus. Even when the "Accurizing 22LR ..." thread was started, focus was "... on the cheap".

 

[3Crows]

I have pulled bullets on Thundercrap and found variable amounts of powder. Firing the primers, no bullet or powder, some go bang, some go psst some do nothing. Do the same with CCI of any sort and I find a much more consistent powder load, very consistent primer ignition and good bullet consistency in weight. CCI SV and MinMags in particular.

3C

 

[mikle76]

I think what the OP was asking was about what makes premium ammo better. We all know it is usually in just about any rifle but WHY is it better? More QC of the bullet? Different alloy? Different powders or better blended powders than cheap stuff? Stronger priming compound or just MORE of the same as in a bulk ammo? Etc, etc. I'm curious to know also.

 

[LiveLife]

what makes premium ammo better ... WHY is it better? More QC of the bullet? Different alloy? Different powders or better blended powders than cheap stuff? ... I'm curious

This destruction video demonstrates as you move from Eley Sport to Eley Match/Tenex, cartridge dimensions and component weights become more consistent/same.



And Eley explains why their Olympic match grade ammunition are so consistent - https://eley.co.uk/how-eley-achieve-olympic-accuracy-with-its-22lr-ammunition/

"There are a lot of factors that go into the production of ELEY ammunition, and these have all developed as the years have gone on. But how do we make our .22LR ammo so accurate? Here are just some of the methods:

Control of materials
Unsurprisingly, it starts at the very beginning of the manufacturing process. The materials we source and use in our products are only the best. The lead, brass, powder and machinery are all of the highest quality.

Flat-nose patent
The iconic flat nose projectile of ELEY tenex is one of many innovations pioneered by ELEY engineers. As it cuts through the air its revolutionary design pulls the centre of pressure forwards, aerodynamically stabilising the projectile and increasing accuracy at the target.

Small batch quantities
For our match-grade ammunition, ELEY only manufacture small lot quantities. This gives a greater level of control over the manufacturing process and allows our engineers to instantly spot and rectify anomalies.

These precise manufacturing techniques form cartridge cases of uniform length to a tightly controlled brass alloy, ensures each propellant charge burns in a controlled volume, delivering consistent energy to each projectile.

Independent testing
All tenex ammunition is subject to scrutiny from highly skilled engineers combined with state of the art machinery. A high speed electronic visual inspection system and Six Sigma methodologies produce the cartridges that have redefined .22LR accuracy.

Six sigma is a disciplined, statistical-based, data-driven approach to manufacturing and continuous improvement methodology eliminates defects in the product and process.

Just last year, ELEY’s independent testing set a new proof range record at ELEY HQ. This makes it officially the most accurate ammunition ELEY have ever manufactured.

When testing, ELEY uses four different barrels, each shooting five 10 shot groups.

The result? A mean radial shot diameter calculated at a fantastic 2.64mm. To calculate the RSD, it involves plotting the position of every shot fired on an x-y grid. As a result, this ensures all of the available data points from the shot group are used and is consistently quoted as the most accurate measurement for determining the tightest grouping load.

Packaging
ELEY developed a simple plastic box to store the match-grade ammunition in. The design keeps the rounds from touching each other and from bouncing the noses on the bottom of the box. This keeps a more true shape and ensures no damage can occur when travelling.

Batch testing
Ultimate accuracy comes from a range of factors, the shooters ability, the firearm and the ammunition. ELEY understand to win the three factors must have the best combination. ELEY manufacture world-class ammunition in a variety of batches and to achieve the ultimate performance we recommend using ELEY’s testing facilities."​

 

[Soupy44]

My experience is smallbore prone and 3p and tested ammo that I used in Olympic Trials. The dream of the Olympics didn't quite come true.

You're paying for consistency in materials and amount of quality control. The top lots are what shot well in their guns. Others were downgraded if they didn't shoot well, or if there was a limited run due to switching lots of powder, primer, bullet, case, or machine maintenance meant they had to recalibrate.

Simply put, I out shot most 22 ammo on the market at my peak. When I needed more ammo, I would buy 100 rounds of about 12-15 different brands/lots/grades to do initial tests. Usually, this was Lapua Midas and Multi-Match, Eley Red and Black, both EPS and regular, some RWS. I would test those at 50m with my previous torque setting of my last lot of good stuff. I'd pick the best two lots, buy 500 rounds, and then experiment with different torque settings with the bedding screws. Some folks used tuners too, I did not. Once I found the best, I bought as much as I could afford. I'd also buy a more economical case or three to shoot lower level matches as to not waste the good stuff.

Don't discount the lower grades of ammo due to them sometimes being that due to not shooting well in their guns. I shot about the same number of national records with Lapua Multi-Match as Eley Red box because I found a lot that shot phenomenal in my gun (would easily hold an inch at 100y when I did my part and read the wind right).

Finding what shoots well is simply brute force testing. Again, don't put full credence in the levels, though the more you spend, the higher the chance it will shoot well in your gun...usually.

 

[Soupy44]

Did some digging in my box of memories. These are three consecutive targets from a match when I was about 18 or 19. This is 60 shots at 100y iron sights with Lapua Multi-Match. The x ring is 1in and the 10ring is 2in in diameter.

Not too shabby for Lapua's third tier of ammo at the time (Midas, Master, Multi-Match).