.22LR Ammo Selection

C

Chesster

New member
I have an OM Ruger Single Six 5.5" on the way from auction. Also, a Ruger 10/22, Ruger MKIII, and a Beretta 21A. I would like some bulk ammo for plinking, small game, etc..... Criteria..... fairly clean, plated bullet, HP, reliable. Been looking at ATG and here are a few I've narrowed down to. What do y'all think is the best choice?

  • Federal 31gr. Game-Shok Copper Plated Hyper Velocity
  • Winchester 36gr Copper Plated Hollow Point/333 bulk
  • Winchester 37gr. Super-X SuperSpeed Hollow Point
  • Aguila .22 Long Rifle High Velocity Hollow Point
  • Fiocchi 40gr Copper Plated Hollow Point
  • Winchester 37gr. High Velocity Hollow Point
  • Winchester 40gr. Power Point Hollow Point
  • Winchester Super-X 40gr. Power Point Hollow Point
 
IMO hands down the BEST bulk is the one running at the LOWEST velocity. after that I prefer jacket rounds for cleaning reasons.
 
Some guns are recommend the use of hiigh velocity ammo. Even if not I like a fast hp .22 round. Look into the CCI offerings for a "high quality" rimfire ammo.
 
I shoot ALOT of .22lr (all I can really afford these days :o) and I've tried a bunch of different kinds. Since I go through so much I don't shoot the high dollar stuff cause the price but I still want something accurate and reliable enough for my needs (hunting/plinking). So, really the only .22lr I shoot at all any more is the CCI Mini-Mags. They are 100% reliable in all my firearms, accurate enough for my needs and they don't cost too much compared to others that meet the same needs.
 
Ed why do you prefer faster? I am curious. More for just hunting or another reason? What .22s recommends HV ammo? thats news to me. Unless its the P22 that supposedly works better with it.
 
I have a serious dislike for the 333 packs - dirty as hell and had more problems than not with the stuff. My favorite is the bulk packs of Federal that Wally World sells, I keep a few thousand rounds handy at all times. I also have a few boxes of CCI mini-mags that I haven't been able to try out yet, but I hear nothing but good things.

Jamey
 
None of the ones you listed are on my farorite list....

what I would suggest is to try and get 50 or 100 round boxes of what you are interested in and try them all in the Beretta 21a....

what ever the Beretta will shoot will also work in the MKIII and 10/22... when you pick out the ones that won't work in the Semi-autos... that's what you shoot in the Single Six....

And keep in mind, just because the ammo works in the Semi... doesn't mean it is very accurate.
 
What .22s recommends HV ammo?
Click to expand...

The Walther P22 is correct! The manual explains how the higher velocity aids in the guns function.

So, really the only .22lr I shoot at all any more is the CCI Mini-Mags.
Click to expand...

+100000:D
I purchased the before mentioned P22 a little over a month ago. I have over 500 rds of "Mini Mags" & maybe 75 rds of "Stingers". I have had "0" problems of any kind. Very consistent patterens. I have reached out as far as 45 yrds. Which is a long ways with the P22. Still able to put rounds where I want them. I have a bulk box of Federal that won't do that from my single shot rifle!!
 
All 22 rounds are not the same, nor do they work in the same gun, some, like Ely verry from lot to lot.

I use to shoot a lot of Small Bore matches. My Anchutes 1807 liked one brand. my H&R Model 5200 liked another. Then I had to get another lot for my High Standard Victor for Bullseye Matches.

You need to get as many 50 round boxes as you can, try them in every 22 you have to see what gun likes what ammo, then go from there, often you have to recheck the ammo when you end up with a differant lot.

When I found a brand and lot that worked I'd buy it buy the case, (2000 rounds), when that was gone, I'd start the search all over again.

I do buy bulk packages so the grand kids stay out of "MY" ammo, letting them blast away with my Models 62 & 63 Winchesters.
 
The two low priced ammo that run well through my Ruger MK.III,22/45 MK.III, and Marlin 99C are the Remington "Golden Bullets" in 36gr.HP and the Winchester Power point.

For the Ruger pistols the CCI Standard 40gr. solids, CCI Mini-mags solids or hollowpoints, and CCI Stinger work best and are accuracy loads.
 
I have to buy some more bulk .22 I would love to know where you can get good prices on a case (2000) I'd assume its cheaper then buying it thru a store.

Those 333 packs, while dirty, grouped really really well out of my 10/22 like scary good for bulk ammo.

I like CCI mini mags quite a bit but my many of my .22s don't group well in man of my guns. :( But the OP asked about BULK ammo so I left out more of the 'pricey' .22 ammo.

I liked Federal and Winchester ammo, usually Fed rimfire and WWB for centerfire. I've noticed some Fed ammo at Walmart in a redish/black box thats a bit cheaper then WWB it only comes in 50 boxes. Sorry a bit vague it was tucked in the corner of the case didn't get a good look anyone know how that stacks up for plinking ammo? I'll try and get a name. Don't intend to sidetrack the conversation.
 
Have they now downsized the number of rounds in a case? Used to be a case of 22 LR was 5,000 rounds (10 bricks of ammo).
 
In general, it is very difficult to beat Walmart prices on 22 ammo regardless of the quantity purchased (if they carry the stuff you are looking for). Venom the Federal ammo are the Lightnings (Load #510B) (50-ct boxes for $1.47 each) which many have found to be very good for the price.

A case is 5,000 rounds. It might be a tad more if you are buying 10 550 round bulk packs. I suspect a case of American Eagle is 4,000 since a brick is 400 rounds.
 
Guns choice, not yours. You will either pick the best one for each gun or one that will work in all the guns reasonably well. Your gun's preferences will differ from mine or the guys next door or your Uncle's gun in Wichita Falls. Sorry but you need to put in the sweat, (trigger), equity and find out for yourself.
 
The Walther is one that recommends High Velocity ammo. The gun I own that recommends it is a GSG5. In fact the manual says to ONLY use high velocity ammo. I use it in my MkIII because I dint see the point in buying more than one kind of .22lr ammo. I've always shot the much maligned Thunderbolt ammo without any problems other than being filthy to clean up. I have recently switched to the Federal Copper plated HP bulk ammo, because I am hoping it will be cleaner to shoot.
 
Thanks. I don't expect to find one size fits all, just wanted some bulk stuff to burn en masse on the range plinking sessions. If it works well enough, could use for other tasks.
 
general .22 ammo

While Winchester's .22 power point is not the cheapest- for general shooting, i've found it to have the most velocity/energy of any .22 lr, in barrels 4"-24" long. Accuracy is average i would say, .22lr ammo is often particular to a specific gun chamber. The hollowpoint actually opens up well, making it desireable for energy transfer if small game hunting or knocking stuff off the fence post.

For accuracy, the very expensive Federal Gold Medal Match and Ultra Match turned my home-gunsmithed .22's into amazing guns- 1.25" at 100 yards with a 10-22 using a Midway heavy barrel fully floated, and a lot of (stock) trigger work. It's expensive, but try a box, bench rested, and if it likes your gun, you'll understand the phrase "all guns are interesting, but accurate guns are moreso" (paraphrased). 5" at 200 yards may not sound impressive, especially with about a 5 foot drop and a .7 flight time, but i would not want to be behind the target...

Velocity? CCI Stinger. ZZZAAPP!

Revolver or lever/pump action .22? If it can take .22 shorts, play with CCI's CB shorts or longs. Low velocity, not much louder than a pellet gun if using a rifle.

Whatever you get- don't be afraid to try various ammo, especially in a .22.
 
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