Federal Automatch Accuracy?

[Seedy Character]

I bought 2 bulk packs of Auto-Match.
Had 6 squibs in <60 rounds. Sent them back to Federal for credit.

I will stick to Thunderbolts.

 

[LiveLife]

I bought 2 bulk packs of Auto-Match.
Had 6 squibs in <60 rounds. Sent them back to Federal for credit.

I will stick to Thunderbolts.

As we have well discussed in the "Myth busting 22LR no dud, why dud" thread, priming compound moving away from rim of loose bulk packs could heavily depend on how rough shipping and handling boxes experienced during transport (These pictures show absence of priming compound at rims of Thunderbolts) - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...r-no-dud-why-dud-thread.893062/#post-12017971

And as expressed on my list of 20 different 22LR ammo tested (to include multiple lots), mostly boxed rounds produced greater accuracy than loose bulk packs possibly indicating shipping/transport damage could also affect muzzle velocity variance - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/federal-automatch-accuracy.904533/#post-12270603

Surprise to many, most of ammunition purchased within 6 months of testing produced 100% reliable primer ignition (with the exception of Winchester M22), including Thunderbolt and Auto Match. Only time when new 10/22 and T/CR22 produced any feeding/primer ignition issue was when they got dirty with 1000+ rounds and as long as they were kept clean and properly lubed, reliability of primer ignition returned to now approaching 10,000 rounds.

So if you experience squib rounds or rounds that do not ignite, take apart the round and see if there is priming compound at the rim. If there is any missing priming compound, it may have moved away from rim from rough shipping/transport.

 

[55fairlane]

My Anschutz will shoot anything accurately, but we're not taking about serious target rifles.......so.....it is definitely NOT match grade ammo, but decent plinking ammo.....not quite as accurate as CCI mini mag , but for high velocity ammo, it's good plinking/ practice ammo

Aaron

 

[Seedy Character]

As we have well discussed in the "Myth busting 22LR no dud, why dud" thread, priming compound moving away from rim of loose bulk packs could heavily depend on how rough shipping and handling boxes experienced during transport (These pictures show absence of priming compound at rims of Thunderbolts) - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...r-no-dud-why-dud-thread.893062/#post-12017971

And as expressed on my list of 20 different 22LR ammo tested (to include multiple lots), mostly boxed rounds produced greater accuracy than loose bulk packs possibly indicating shipping/transport damage could also affect muzzle velocity variance - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/federal-automatch-accuracy.904533/#post-12270603

Surprise to many, most of ammunition purchased within 6 months of testing produced 100% reliable primer ignition (with the exception of Winchester M22), including Thunderbolt and Auto Match. Only time when new 10/22 and T/CR22 produced any feeding/primer ignition issue was when they got dirty with 1000+ rounds and as long as they were kept clean and properly lubed, reliability of primer ignition returned to now approaching 10,000 rounds.

So if you experience squib rounds or rounds that do not ignite, take apart the round and see if there is priming compound at the rim. If there is any missing priming compound, it may have moved away from rim from rough shipping/transport.

Never a squib in 60 years of shooting and buy 2 box, (1st time to use loose, bulk pack), go to range and have 6 squibs in <60 rounds. (2 lodged in barrel, 4 didn't reach the 10 yard target). FAM bulk is off my list.

 

[LiveLife]

Never a squib in 60 years of shooting and buy 2 box, (1st time to use loose, bulk pack), go to range and have 6 squibs in <60 rounds.

There was reported lot related problem with Auto Match being under powered and poor ignition issues but that was some years back involving lots starting with #1BW4-- and Federal replaced the bad lot boxes - https://www.rimfirecentral.com/threads/federal-auto-match-22lr.217451/

Not aware of similar recent issues as my boxes of Auto Match were 100% reliable and I do not remember THR members reporting recent year lots of Auto Match having problems.

 

[Gus Chiggins]

Federal Automatch has been excellent in my older Cooey bolt actions, Glock 44, Alfa revolver, and my Ruger Mk Iv Hunter.

 

[Howland937]

I don't have a link, so I'm probably making this up.
I was almost certain that Federal AutoMatch was made for reliable use in gun games in which semi-autos are common, and not "match grade" accuracy.

It also seems I'd read the same thing about the relatively new Tippman ammo. The samples I'd tried were certainly not match grade, but it wasn't advertised as such either.

 

[wombat13]

Accurate enough, but stove pipe jams in my 10/22. Can’t get through a full 10 round mag.

 

[Buzznrose]

Thanks for all the input, guys. I'll probably pick up a single bulk pack to test some groups at some point.

It's really for plinking and small game hunting, so I don't need the most accurate ammo. It'd be nice to save a few cents per round if I can get away with it.

If you are buying one, you might as well buy 2-3 boxes. I find that during these frequent ammo runs, a bulk pack of .22 (any flavor) is excellent barter material!

 

[bamajoey]

I have shot thousands of rounds with only one misfire. It’s reliable in a bolt action but haven’t used it in a semi. Accuracy is so so. It is NOT match ammo.

 

[Tentwing]

It has been the best of the “bulk ammo” that I have tried. Doesn’t group as well as some of the Eley or RWS that I use in some of my bolt 22’s , but cost much less. I use it quite a bit when grandsons are training with my lever guns, and have had only a very
few issues with the past 15,000 or so rounds. Your mileage may vary??

 

[Jonesy814]

I have a friend that has 4 to 6 misfeeds with it in his 10-22 if he uses 30 round magazines. Works ok with the 10 round mags

 

[LiveLife]

I have a friend that has 4 to 6 misfeeds with it in his 10-22 if he uses 30 round magazines. Works ok with the 10 round mags

If ammunition works with factory 10 round magazine, misfeeding is not an ammunition related problem.

 

[Jonesy814]

If ammunition works with factory 10 round magazine, misfeeding is not an ammunition related problem.

You would think, but everything else he has tried works in his 30 round magazines.

 

[d2wing]

Stovepipes and misfeeds can be caused by grim in the bolt. Try taking it out and cleaning it.

 

[LiveLife]

You would think, but everything else he has tried works in his 30 round magazines.

I can't speak to his experience as there are many variables at play.

One thing is certain for me, if ammunition works with new/clean factory 10 round magazine, misfeeding is not blamed on the ammunition and other factors are investigated.

 

[someguy2800]

I would rate federal automatch as "okay" in terms of reliability and accuracy. My favorites are remington golden bullet and Blazer. I get good accuracy and reliability from both. All the other federal, winchester, and browning bulk ammo I would rate as crap. I've also had good luck with aguilla bulk but have not shot that much of it yet

 

[someguy2800]

As we have well discussed in the "Myth busting 22LR no dud, why dud" thread, priming compound moving away from rim of loose bulk packs could heavily depend on how rough shipping and handling boxes experienced during transport (These pictures show absence of priming compound at rims of Thunderbolts) - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...r-no-dud-why-dud-thread.893062/#post-12017971

And as expressed on my list of 20 different 22LR ammo tested (to include multiple lots), mostly boxed rounds produced greater accuracy than loose bulk packs possibly indicating shipping/transport damage could also affect muzzle velocity variance - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/federal-automatch-accuracy.904533/#post-12270603

Surprise to many, most of ammunition purchased within 6 months of testing produced 100% reliable primer ignition (with the exception of Winchester M22), including Thunderbolt and Auto Match. Only time when new 10/22 and T/CR22 produced any feeding/primer ignition issue was when they got dirty with 1000+ rounds and as long as they were kept clean and properly lubed, reliability of primer ignition returned to now approaching 10,000 rounds.

So if you experience squib rounds or rounds that do not ignite, take apart the round and see if there is priming compound at the rim. If there is any missing priming compound, it may have moved away from rim from rough shipping/transport.

Neat pictures. I've always thought if someone wanted to make a truly reliable 22 pistol or rifle it should have dual firing pin protrusions hitting 180 degrees from each other. Even that won't get the ones with no priming compound, but it would solve 90+ % of the duds.