Winchester M22 Rimfire Ammo is SOOOOOOO Bad

thegazelle

thegazelle

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Never thought I would, in the past 20 years, find ammo that is significantly worse than the Remington Thunderbolts, which I have had, for the longest time on the top of my list for the worst rimfire ammo (consistently for my guns at least)...until this I tried this stuff.

I thought maybe it was my gun, but lots of FTF and FTE on my trusty 10/22, then on my Savage Mark 2. Then on my now banned GSG, which ate pretty much everything - every few rounds it was mostly FTE. Then on my CZ 457, for which I took my daughter to my club for the first time to try out. First round was a SQUIB (first time in my entire life I had a squib with factory ammo). I figured at that point I just wanted to get rid of it - it was even jamming in my Cooey 60.

I recently got a Derya TM22 and took it to my club yesterday afternoon. Ran Mini Mags and even Super X through it relatively problem free. As that M22 ammo was in my ammo case (and it is supposedly meant for semi autos), I thought I would try it on my Derya. Literally every 2-3 rounds was a failure to eject or failure to feed. Put Mini Mags back in there, and it fed flawlessly.

How on earth is this ammo soooo bad? I talked with a fellow range member who indicated his experience is the exact same. I heard Winchester, while making generally decent centerfire ammo, leaves a lot to be desired with their Rimfire offerings. Sadly I have over 100 rounds of this stuff left. It is possible this could be a bad batch, but I have never been so frustrated with ammo as I am with this. Does anyone know if there is any gun that runs this stuff relatively well?
 
Maybe a bad batch. This same ammo runs good as I shoot my Ruger 2245 Mk III. Even with Remington 597 HB, it shoots decent grouping. Avoid Winchester Wildcat, cheap but jams at least 50% in semis.
 
FWIW Winchester loads the "Browning" line of .22lr which is also crap. My experience with M22 wasn't as bad as yours but I dont think I have experienced so many duds, split cases and undercharged rounds as with that stuff. Last brick I bought was 2017 or so. I think they load all of the "Browning" ammo just FYI.
 
Never used the M22 but I've used other Winchester rimfire and whether it was the 333/555 ammo or wildcat (not 100% sure if thats the same product but diff box?) and it was terrible. I don't buy Winchester 22lr anymore.

B said:
FWIW Winchester loads the "Browning" line of .22lr which is also crap. My experience with M22 wasn't as bad as yours but I dont think I have experienced so many duds, split cases and undercharged rounds as that stuff. I think they load all of the "Browning" ammo.
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That is good to know. I had considered picking some up Browning ammo, they have some 1400+fps options. Figured I'd give it a try next time I see some on sale... Maybe not...
 
thegazelle said:
Never thought I would, in the past 20 years, find ammo that is significantly worse than the Remington Thunderbolts, which I have had, for the longest time on the top of my list for the worst rimfire ammo (consistently for my guns at least)...until this I tried this stuff.

I thought maybe it was my gun, but lots of FTF and FTE on my trusty 10/22, then on my Savage Mark 2. Then on my now banned GSG, which ate pretty much everything - every few rounds it was mostly FTE. Then on my CZ 457, for which I took my daughter to my club for the first time to try out. First round was a SQUIB (first time in my entire life I had a squib with factory ammo). I figured at that point I just wanted to get rid of it - it was even jamming in my Cooey 60.

I recently got a Derya TM22 and took it to my club yesterday afternoon. Ran Mini Mags and even Super X through it relatively problem free. As that M22 ammo was in my ammo case (and it is supposedly meant for semi autos), I thought I would try it on my Derya. Literally every 2-3 rounds was a failure to eject or failure to feed. Put Mini Mags back in there, and it fed flawlessly.

How on earth is this ammo soooo bad? I talked with a fellow range member who indicated his experience is the exact same. I heard Winchester, while making generally decent centerfire ammo, leaves a lot to be desired with their Rimfire offerings. Sadly I have over 100 rounds of this stuff left. It is possible this could be a bad batch, but I have never been so frustrated with ammo as I am with this. Does anyone know if there is any gun that runs this stuff relatively well?
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I have the had same experience with Winchester and Browning 22 ammo in all 6 of my 22 rifles and pistols. Oddly, I have had great success with Remington Golden Bullet, better success with Federal Champion (my go-to plinking ammo), and perfect results with CCI Mini-Mag (never, ever a failure). CCI Clean on the other hand has been almost as bad as Thunderbolts. Flawless results with CCI-Quiets in my lever action.
 
Winchester M22 22 LR ammunition used to be very good ammo. In ran in every firearm I had tried perfectly. Keep in mind my M22 ammunition was bought over five years ago.

Winchester's reputation for lot's of their ammo line-up has significantly gone down hill though as we see several issues and complaints here on Gunnutz.

Moving forward, I would stick with CCI ammunition for rimfire calibers. Centerfire Winchester ammo is normally pretty good ammo, especially the Winchester Supreme stuff. Hopefully Winchester picks up their socks on quality control and reliability......:)
 
Doc Rainbow said:
For 22 LR I like , in no particular order, CCI Minimags, Velocitors, Stingers and Standard Velocity
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Agree with CCI - I have never had an issue with Stingers, Mini Mag or Standard Velocity.

I have used centerfire Winchester ammo for years, and while things like white box run particularly dirty, they are relatively reliable. I am shocked that there is such a precipitous drop in quality amongst some of their rimfire lines.
 
GARY56 said:
Stingers when on sale at belas.
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CCI Stingers can pound out the receivers on Ruger 10/22 rifles. A buffer bolt pin can help somewhat, but Stingers are not the answer for all applications.

They also are too much pressure for some of the real old 22 LR bolt action rifles as well.
 
Strange you've had such a bad experience. I used to use that exclusively as bulk HV range fodder in my semi-auto 22s when I still had them. I had the same number of duds as pretty much any other HV .22 that I've tried—maybe one in 200 I'd have a light strike that would go off with a second firing. It functions great in my Glock .22 Advantage Arms conversion even with an RMR mounted.

I stocked up when my local Canadian Tire had them for $65/1000 a few years ago. I think they are $119/1000 at the same store now.
 
I don't recall ever having any M22 stuff. I have fired thousands of rounds of 555/333 ammo. Can't say I've had any notable trouble with it. I'm still using 555 that I bought years ago. Remington Thunderbolt is dirty crap. Aguila is good stuff. Whacks gophers nicely.
 
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I wont have anything with the Winchester name on it anywhere near me or anyone I care about.

That's based on old experience with their garbage 22LR ammo in a 10/22 that would otherwise eat anything (as they do).
 
I actually have had good success with the Thunderbolts in multiple rifles, but I know that’s not how they perform for everyone. Maybe I just got randomly good samples of an inconsistent quality controlled item. With Remington ammo under different ownership maybe they’ll tune them up to higher quality.

I haven’t tried the M22 yet and have been reluctant to based on reports from people. You just gave me another reason to not buy them.

My best success has been with various CCI products - Blazer (40 grain grey box), Velocitor, Minimags (36 & 40, with 36 being more accurate in mine), and also with oddly great performance from Green Bullet remington.
 
Winchester ammo is generally junk. How many bolt faces ruined by crap primers. Lots of choice in 22lr no reason to buy win
 
I've never shot the M22 stuff, but I used to shoot a lot of Winchester Wildcat while grouse/chicken hunting. That's all my dad would buy for his 10/22, so it's what I used. I had the odd FTF, but probably on par with bulk Federal. Mind you, I haven't shot it in a decade or so now, too many better options out there
 
I've never found anything as horrid as the "Bucket o' Bullets," but the Winchester is a close second. It may sound odd to many but the sub sonics shoot better if you're shooting longer ranges "for a 22lr" because they don't go through a trans-sonic phase. I prefer the Aguila brand lately, price, availability, and consistency are proving enough to sway my shooting habits. I'm starting to stack some away, before prices start climbing again.

This was @ 50m out of a new Winchester semi, that the owner said couldn't shoot straight. At the time I was dealing with bronchitis hard, as you can hear me hacking and wheezing.
 
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