22 long rifle handgun target ammo choices

[stubbicatt]

Topic probably says it well. Does it really matter between target ammo for pistols and for rifles? In essence will you get good accuracy with rifle ammo fired through a pistol, or is it less likely to be as accurate as dedicated pistol ammo.

If it is pistol ammo, why then do they call it "long rifle?" LOL.

Is there a single shot pistol 22 l.r. ammo choice that will shoot well in such a firearm pretty reliably? Thanks for offering a good place to start.

 

[steelyblue]

Mini Mags work the best in my 1911 conversion, but I choose federal bulk ammo. No difference in accuracy to speak of, but it functions a little better with the mini mags. I like $10 for 550 rounds.

 

[Okiecruffler]

Aguila GE match rifle target ammo shoots pretty well in my Dan Wesson pistol. The GE match pistol shoots like a laser. Only way to tell in your gun is to try them out.

 

[PointOneSeven]

They do make pistol match ammo if your local shop has it (cci and other brands).

The pistols are designed to shoot the .22 LR ammo, don't let the 'long rifle' title throw you, it's just a name for the load. The only bonus to pistol match ammo is a faster burning powder so more burns in the tube rather than giving a cool but wasteful fireball out the end. The energy can be used to push the bullet instead.

I like cci standard velocity (about $7.00 / 100) for informal target shooting. If I'm feeling good I might pick up greentag or cci pistol match. But for the most part, the fraction of an inch at 50 yards isn't worth the extra expense.

Actually, you could almost say that about any .22 ammo other than bulk pack stuff. A decent shooter behind a decent target gun, can make something happen even with golden bullets, blazers, or american eagles.

 

[stubbicatt]

Thanks for the input guys. I guess I'll start with a box of Green Tag, Pistol Match, and Standard velocity CCI ammo and see how it stacks up.

What would be a meaningful range to compare them to? 25 yards? 50 yards?

 

[pinetree64]

I would suggest ordering several varieties from Midway or Grafs. I only have 2 22 pistols and I am thinking about picking up a third. I have experimented with 6-8 brand/varieties and I have found that my MkII Govt does great with Wildcats. Green Tag were not worth the $$ in that gun. My point is find out what works for you and your gun.

I shoot some paper but I prefer spinning targets and clays. One of my favorite things to do is set up some clays at about 70 paces at the farm and shoot seated with cross-sticks. Once you get the hang of it, it is easier than you would think. Also setting up a little action pistol course for the P22 is fun too.

 

[stubbicatt]

Groan! LOL.

I guess this is like load development with a centerfire? Take a whole lot to the range, and shoot. Curious to see how it all stacks up though. Should take awhile to shoot all that ammo in a single shot pistol off a rest. I wonder whether the results will clearly point to one brand/type of ammo or whether they will all group pretty well, leaving me stymied?

Oh well, it is a good excuse to go to the range, I suppose.

 

[Ghost Tracker]

.22 rimfires (rifles, pistols & revolvers) are just as sensitive to ammo selection as are centerfires. Go buy a nice selection of EVERYTHING you can get & see which one your particular pistol shoots best. Try & have no pre-conceived notions because you WILL be surprised. No kidding, I have a Volquartsen rifle that shoots Wolf Match Target Extra ammo better than it shoots Ely 10X. But I've got a Browning Buckmark pistol that is most accurate with CCI standard velocity & sprays Wolf Match like a shotgun! Have some fun with the process. Good Luck!

 

[Smith357]

+1 for Ghost Tracker

Every .22 is different at to what type of ammo it likes. Even two of the same rifle will often like different ammo. You have to buy a box of everything and see which works best out of your firearm. You should see my .22 ammo box, I must have 25 differnt types of ammo. I have one Winchester that likes Wolf where the other likes Tenex, my Contender with Bullberry barrel likes RWS R50 but not R100 which is a higher grade, the Walther UIT and the Kimber like Federal GM Match, the 452 likes Lapua Midas L, the S&W 41 likes Green Tag and the K22 will eat anything except Remington.