Most accurate .22 LR ammunition?

Status
Not open for further replies.
stinger 327

stinger 327

Member
Joined
Sep 23, 2009
Messages
3,204
This would be for sighting in a Browning Buckmark and a Ruger 10/22 rifle with open sights?
Hypervelocity
.22 LR CCI Stingers?
CCI Qwik Shok
Aguilar
Remington Vipers
Remington Yellow Jackets
?

Regular .22 LR 40 grain
CCI
Aguilar
?
:confused:
 
Similar questions ("which .22LR is the most accurate?") have been posted numerous times. Here's the way to REALLY know:

Buy one 50-rd. box of a bunch of different ammo, as many different as you can find: hypervelocity, standard velocity, subsonic, plated, lead, etc. and try them all.

Shoot ten 5-rd. groups from each box, cleaning the barrel before beginning the next test.

This takes a while, obviously, but it doesn't have to be done all in one day. But using an indoor range helps keep the results from being affected by changing wind and weather.

If you're planning to compete, or want to get head shots on rabbits at 100 yds., and really need to know what works best, then that's what you have to do (if you're just planning on plinking, then it's a waste of time and you should just buy whatever's on sale).

Compare the groups on the targets for each different brand. Score them if that helps to make distinctions. I find that each gun will tell you what ammo it likes best. No two are alike.

My 10/22 shoots best with plain old CCI standard velocity, better than with any of the expensive match ammo I tried. My Single Six did best with Federal Gold Medal Target 711B, a standard velocity lead round nose that's supposed to be a cheaper practice round for the more expensive Federal Gold Medal Match and UltraMatch.

I tried all the expensive and well-known match ammo from Eley, Lapua, RWS, etc., but the above brands actually scored best.

Your results will vary. What works for me an others may not work for you.

FYI, best accuracy will usually be obtained with standard velocity or subsonic lead round nose bullets (target ammo) rather than Stingers, Vipers, Yellow Jackets, etc.
 
In a pistol, I have found Federal Lightnings ($1.47/50 at our Wal Mart) to have match-grade accuracy and reliability. Pistols make just about everything subsonic, unless you go to a hyper-velocity round.

Rifles, especially finicky things like 10/22s, you have to try a lot more ammo IME as a competitive .22 pistol shooter and a former 10/22 owner.:)
 
Very interesting on both answers. In the past I found that the 10/22 liked the Blazer lead nose bullets made by CCI? (CCI Blazer lead point ammo). Which is probably is standard velocity and weight .22 LR which is the cheap stuff.
The Buckmark Pistol still not sure. I think if you shoot too many of those CCI hypervelocity Stinger bullets won't that gum up the barrel worse?
 
Most folks will not realize match grade accuracy from any ammo using a handgun or 10/22 with open sights. Shoot what you can find for sighting in. As previous posters have mentioned, there is no way in knowing what YOUR guns will like best, but then again, with the handgun or open sighted 10/22 it won't really be that noticable.

In the case of the guns you're are shooting, you might be more interested in absolute reliability than accuracy potential that can't be realized. CCI ammo generally is very highly rated in the reliability department, and the CCI standard velocity often quite accurate in most guns. Realize that if your change ammo TYPES (standard velocity, high velocity, hyper velocity, etc.) you may have significant changes in your point of impact.
 
Last edited:
bhk said:
Most folks will not realize match grade accuracy from any ammo using a handgun or 10/22 with open sights. Shoot what you can find for sighting in. As previous posters have mentioned, there is no way in knowing what YOUR guns will like best, but then again, with the handgun or open sighted 10/22 it won't really be that noticable.

In the case of the guns your are shooting, you might be more interested in absolute reliablitly than accuracy potential that can't be realized. CCI ammo generally is very highly rated in the reliability department, and the CCI standard velocity often quite accurate in most guns. Realize that if your change ammo TYPES (standard velocity, high velocity, hyper velocity, etc.) you may have significant changes in your point of impact.
Click to expand...
On the lower cost Federal .22 LR's I noticed I get more misfires with those. With the hypervelocity rounds they all go bang.
 
I just buy what ever I can get in bulk, and adjust sights on my 10/22. Out to 50 yards most ammo will group inside of a 1/2 inch, beyond that I'm not to worried as it's a 22, not trying to take a 600 yard shot.
 
With my Ruger 10/22 rifle and Mk.II pistol, I consistently get great accuracy (and reliability), from Wolf Match Target and CCI MiniMags. Tried a lot of different manufacturers and types and these two have always performed the best in my guns.
 
Of course, guns are very much individuals, but I have had consistently excellent results from Winchester Power Points. In a match grade round, RWs is excellent (but expensive).

gary
 
What kind of accuracy are you seeking? If you are seeking the greatest accuracy, more than likely you are in the $10+ per 50-ct box price range. But with open sights, you will likely be hard pressed to see a significant cost accuracy benefit with the expensive match grade ammo.

I think that you might be better served mounting a scope on the Ruger 10/22 if you are seeking the best accuracy from that rifle. I don't shoot match grade ammo in my 10/22 as I don't see the benefit from a cost point of view. But if you want to shoot some good ammo and try it out, buy some Wolf Match Target or Wolf Match Extra and give those a try. Give CCI Standard Velocity 22LR a try.

I typically shoot lower priced ammo in my 10/22. You generally will not see the best accuracy with hyper velocity 22LR ammo. It is intended for hunting and the accuracy or precision requirements aren't as high as standard velocity ammo. But it's fun to shoot as it gives a louder bang. Try CCI Velocitors but you will have to test them all to see which of these shoot better in your rifle.

I tend to shoot Federal Lightnings the most in my 10/22 and pistols where I am not trying for extreme accuracy. Give the bulk packs a try. You may not see a significant increase in your precision unless you mount a scope.
 
I suspect that the question depends greatly on which firearm you are firing the .22 ammo through, as some are simply better than others. That having been said, I've always had excellent luck with CCIs of any variety, and especially Mini-Mags. Good stuff there, to be sure. I've never tried Wolf but will have to, based on the recommendations listed here. Thanks.
 
kedearian said:
I just buy what ever I can get in bulk, and adjust sights on my 10/22. Out to 50 yards most ammo will group inside of a 1/2 inch, beyond that I'm not to worried as it's a 22, not trying to take a 600 yard shot.
Click to expand...
Would 100 yards be too far for a .22 LR with a peep sight?
 
22-rimfire said:
What kind of accuracy are you seeking? If you are seeking the greatest accuracy, more than likely you are in the $10+ per 50-ct box price range. But with open sights, you will likely be hard pressed to see a significant cost accuracy benefit with the expensive match grade ammo.

I think that you might be better served mounting a scope on the Ruger 10/22 if you are seeking the best accuracy from that rifle. I don't shoot match grade ammo in my 10/22 as I don't see the benefit from a cost point of view. But if you want to shoot some good ammo and try it out, buy some Wolf Match Target or Wolf Match Extra and give those a try. Give CCI Standard Velocity 22LR a try.

I typically shoot lower priced ammo in my 10/22. You generally will not see the best accuracy with hyper velocity 22LR ammo. It is intended for hunting and the accuracy or precision requirements aren't as high as standard velocity ammo. But it's fun to shoot as it gives a louder bang. Try CCI Velocitors but you will have to test them all to see which of these shoot better in your rifle.

I tend to shoot Federal Lightnings the most in my 10/22 and pistols where I am not trying for extreme accuracy. Give the bulk packs a try. You may not see a significant increase in your precision unless you mount a scope.
Click to expand...
When I use the CCI Stinger, Qwik Shok, Viper, Yellow Jacket, those two hot 22's from
Aguilar 1,750 and 1,700 fps I do notice a big difference in recoil compared to the plain Federal lead nose bullets and the CCI Blazer lead nose bullets.
 
100 yards is not too far with a 22 rifle with peep sights. Regular HV rounds drop about 5" at that range relative to a 50 yard sight in. Many do it. I tend to shoot at 50 and 25 yards personally. 100 yards is too far for me with regular factory open sights unless I'm just plinking.

Yes, there is a significant difference between the high velocity and hypervelocity rounds in terms of velocity and feel. Typically the accuracy is not as good as standard velocity loads. So, you choose the load to match your use.
 
Every firearm is a law unto itself. There is no way to predict, other than that more expensive target ammo tends to shoot proportionally better than bulk stuff. You have to try them all and see.

...and don't believe what you hear about "match grade accuracy" and open sights.
 
+1 for WOLF TARGET MATCH

That said, WOLF does not make .22 Ammo. They contract with SK Jagd of Germany for their .22 ammo. If you really like SK MATCH you will like WOLF .22 MATCH EXTRA TARGET, it is identical and made on the same runs. The box is the only difference.

That said, JK is owned by Lapua/Vihtavouri of Finland which are all under the ownership of the NAMMO GROUP, NAMMO is short for Nordic Ammunition which is a Defense Contractor that produces Commercial Ammunition/Components as a sideline.

Yes, the Wolf is actually a Lapua Brand with Vihtavouri Powder with a WOLF price.

IMHO the WOLF 22 line is the Best in terms of accuracy and value. Word is getting out and this line is sometimes hard to find in stock. When I find it on sale I buy the max that I can under the sale pricing. The last order was for 1,500 rounds (3 boxes) through Cabellas. The total with shipping was $139.00. It was on sale and I had a code for $20.00 off. That works out to a little over .09 ea rnd.

The only downside is that it has a waxy coating on it. You will have to use it to understand what I'm saying. The coating does not gum up your action, it just gets on your hands while reloading your mags.

My .15 (inflation: It is caused by an artificial increase in the money supply)
 
I thought Wolf was the worse and cheapest ammo you could get for all calibers. Most common in 7.62 X 39 and .223 and now handgun calibers.:uhoh::eek::confused:
 
22-rimfire said:
What kind of accuracy are you seeking? If you are seeking the greatest accuracy, more than likely you are in the $10+ per 50-ct box price range. But with open sights, you will likely be hard pressed to see a significant cost accuracy benefit with the expensive match grade ammo.

I think that you might be better served mounting a scope on the Ruger 10/22 if you are seeking the best accuracy from that rifle. I don't shoot match grade ammo in my 10/22 as I don't see the benefit from a cost point of view. But if you want to shoot some good ammo and try it out, buy some Wolf Match Target or Wolf Match Extra and give those a try. Give CCI Standard Velocity 22LR a try.

I typically shoot lower priced ammo in my 10/22. You generally will not see the best accuracy with hyper velocity 22LR ammo. It is intended for hunting and the accuracy or precision requirements aren't as high as standard velocity ammo. But it's fun to shoot as it gives a louder bang. Try CCI Velocitors but you will have to test them all to see which of these shoot better in your rifle.

I tend to shoot Federal Lightnings the most in my 10/22 and pistols where I am not trying for extreme accuracy. Give the bulk packs a try. You may not see a significant increase in your precision unless you mount a scope.
Click to expand...
At this time I don't want to put on a scope because I like the quick acquisition and locking onto target with open sights. If I were to get a scope it would probably be a Nikon Bushmaster with BDC but that is about $220. Also with a scope the rifle will be that much larger.
 
I've used scopes on 22 rifles for a long time. I used to shoot rabbits on the jump with a scoped 22 semi-auto rifle. Everyone has their own idea of what works for them. Maybe you need to concentrate on the open sights and upgrade them to something a bit more precise if you are looking for precision. Good luck.
 
stinger 327 and everybody else.

Yes the WOLF is junk in all calibers outside of the .22 In my post I stated that WOLF does not produce .22 Ammo, they have contracted with SK (LAPUA) of Germany to produce their .22 ammo. IMHO it is the best ammunition value ever to be made available to the general public. To each His own and your opinion will vary because of the variables present.

Anybody who reloads should know the value of LAPUA Bullets & Brass and VIHTAVOURI powder assembled in a SK facility.

I'm just trying to share what appears to be a little known great value that may not live much longer. Get it while you can if your interested.

Thanks All and have a great weekend.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

stinger 327
  • Locked
Which .22 LR ammo?
Replies
17
Views
2K
stinger 327
stinger 327
stinger 327
  • Locked
Which is the most devastating .22 LR round?
2
Replies
28
Views
8K
stinger 327
stinger 327
SlowFuse
  • Locked
Special Edition 22 LR
Replies
10
Views
539
jmorris
jmorris
T
  • Locked
  • Poll
.22 LR hyper velocity/high velocity ammo reliability
Replies
10
Views
2K
rennaissancemann
R
F
  • Locked
Midway has 22 LR in stock.
2
Replies
37
Views
3K
Elkins45
Elkins45
Back
Top