Posting for another thread in a different category -
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-over-the-counter.869871/page-2#post-11534907
best most accurate 22 long rifle ammo made that i can get over the counter
While I mostly plink with my 22LR rifles, ARs with CMMG 22LR conversion kits and GSG 1911, I spent the past 2 years and over 16,000 rounds of various "over the counter" bulk and boxed 22LR to see which produced the best accuracy consistently.
Since my 10/22 Take Down added slight input to the forearm no matter how tight I had the barrel band for 50 yard groups (I shot resting the receiver, not any part of forearm), I bought 2 new rifles to do accuracy testing while capturing every 10 shot group out of the box. Ruger 10/22 Collector #3 was free floated using V-block shim and electrical tape to steady the rear part of the receiver. Thompson Center T/CR22 was shot without modification.
Ruger 10/22 Collector #3 testing -
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...rrel-ruger-10-22-collector-3-break-in.859106/
Thompson Center T/CR22 testing -
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...50-yard-22lr-ammo-comparison-break-in.864241/
I stopped the testing during the winter/spring rainy season and plan to continue testing, particularly with Aguila Pistol Match Competition.
ive been using winchester super x and remington cheapo/s by the bulk. both have duds and are no better than each other.
To rule out age/storage issue of ammunition, various brand and lots of 22LR were bought within the past 2 years with most within the past 6 months to 1 year. Interestingly, I essentially did not experience any duds/misfires during the 16,000+ round testing using 10/22 TD, 10/22 Collector #3, T/CR22 and several ARs/CMMG 22LR conversion kits with the exception of Winchester M22 40 gr black copper plated RN which continues to produce several duds per box of 500. Even the Remington Thunderbolts which I wrote off forever due to numerous duds in past years, shot without any misfires while producing smaller groups so before you blame the ammo, clean your rifle well giving particular attention to the hammer/firing pin channel.
Since Aguila went to Eley priming
Actually Aguila went from "Eley Prime" using Eley priming process to "Aguila Prime" using Aguila priming process.
I am finding lower priced Aguila line to be "Aguila Prime" while still finding higher end line to be "Eley Prime". While I want to say "Eley Prime" to produce smaller groups, results have been inconsistent enough to say whether "Eley Prime" produces smaller groups over "Aguila Prime". (I could do more Eley vs Aguila priming testing but it may be moot if new lots are Aguila primed)
if i want to get serious for better groups, what do i buy over the counter to do so. the guns are tweeked as much as they can be, now it is up to good ammo
As others posted, accuracy can be dependent on firearm but from my testing, these were the consistent/inconsistent trend 10 shot groups after 10 shot groups from smallest average groups to larger groups:
- Aguila 40 gr Lead RN Pistol Match Competition Eley Prime (Boxed) - Initial testing showed promise
- Aguila 40 gr Lead RN Eley/Aguila Prime (Boxed) - T/CR22 produced smaller groups than CCI SV
- CCI Standard Velocity 40 gr Lead RN (Boxed)
- CCI Blazer 40 gr Lead RN (Boxed)
- Federal Auto Match 40 gr Lead RN (Bulk pack)
- Aguila 40 gr CPRN Eley/Aguila Prime (Boxed)
- Winchester 36 gr CPHP 555 (Bulk pack)
- Remington 36 gr CPHP Golden Bullet (Bulk pack)
- Winchester 36 gr XPert (Bulk pack)
- Remington 40 gr Lead RN Thunderbolt (Bulk pack) - While very small groups on par with CCI SV/Blazer were produced on occasion, it was not consistent
- Federal 40 gr Lead RN Champion (Boxed)
- Federal 38 gr CPHP Field Pack (Bulk pack)
- Armscor 36 gr CPHP (Boxed) - While smaller groups were respectable, overall group size were not consistent but not bad for lowest priced copper plated ammo
- Winchester 40 gr CPRN M22 (Bulk pack) - Several duds per box
- Federal 36 gr CPHP Walmart 550 red box (new box) - Bulk pack
- Federal 36 gr CPHP Walmart 550 red box (old box) - Bulk pack
- Federal 36 gr CPHP Value 525 blue box (Bulk pack)
Pending testing:
- Aguila 38 gr CPHP Aguila Prime (Boxed)
- CCI Standard 40 gr LRN (new blue box)
- CCI MiniMag Target 40 gr CPRN
- ELEY Sport 40 gr LRN
- Federal Game Shok 40 gr CPRN
- Federal Match 40 gr LRN
- Winchester SuperX 40 gr CPRN
