Best brands of .22lr ammo

[the_klenzer]

Total newb question...

Getting ready to buy my first gun (playing the PAL waiting game), and really don't know much about brands of ammo.
Assuming that not all .22lr ammo is created equal, can you guys point me towards a couple good brands that offer decent quality for the dollar, so I know what to look for when I'm in a gun store?
Also, are there any brands/makes that offer more power than others?

Thanks!

 

[Grizzlypeg]

Federal hollow points, American eagle, and CCI mini mags are all favorites of mine. But 22's are somewhat picky and you need to find out what works well in yours.

 

[P90Puma]

For plinking - Federal 525
For target - Eley Sport (Green)

 

[dizzy]

No, I can't, I have a pile of different 22's and they all need different ammo. Overall though cci, all of it tends to shoot pretty well, cheap american eagle made by federal shoots good in some CZ's and some 10/22's shoot the s**ts in high end 22's. Match ammo shoot all over the place in one gun unless you find the right ammo for that gun then it shoots like a laser. you really have to buy a box of several differnet kinds of ammo find what works and buy as much as you can of the same ammo and the same lot 22's are more fussy about ammo than any other gun, they have less powder pushing lead (with pressure) down a bore but don't let that discourage you, just shoot more. Eley sport green is excellent out to 50 yards but out to 100 you need to upgrade to eley tenex at 3 times the price.

 

[300Spartans]

If it's made by Eley, it's going to be tight groupings.

Also, CCI is always good ammunition.

 

[mardig88]

i have been the most satisfied with the federal 525 bulk packs

today i shot winchesters and was really disappointed

 

[Zner]

for my 10/22 i find that winchester super X, 37 grain works GREAT. never had a misfire and is good on accuracy

 

[AWOL]

Plinking=Winchester HVHP 333 or 555
Target=Eley Sport
Small game=CCI Velocitor, Stinger or Mini Mag

 

[pitdogboy]

CCI is what I run

 

[TrueNorth26]

For inexpensive plinking, Ive found CCI Blazers work well; and if you've got a gun that's really ammo sensitive, I've found the Lapua work incredibly well, though they're not cheap (500 for $55). They are lubricated and that seems to make them feed and eject without a hitch.....and the lubrication actually has a nice scent after it's been fired.....something I now realize sounds a little weird.

 

[mikeystew]

Federal 525 or federal champion solids, for cheap ammo its very good stuff.

 

[.330 Dakota]

I found a lot of feeding problems with the American Eagle stuff when used in a semi

 

[lister]

My Ruger MK11 chokes on Winchester (x-pert or something like that) but runs for thousands of rounds of Rem. Thunderbolts with no jams, stovepipes ect.

I know a lot of guys don't like the Thunderbolts, but I've never had a problem with them.

When I end up with Winchester I use them in non-semiauto guns and they're fine.

 

[irkedtadpole]

federals for my 597...tried CCI because my friend said the same thing CCI always work, it became a jammomatic. So I gave him my box of CCI, have a box of american eagle to try next. But you just never know until you try.

 

[Winnipeg Toymaker]

I have tried many ,many different brands of ammo. I stay with the bulk packs as I shoot more gophers than paper so costs are lowest. I average the accuracy out and cleanliness in semis , and The Winchester 333s are king . The new 555 bulk bricks are the same ammo so I will stock up on them over the winter.

Federals are dirty, A/E will not cycle my semis ( jam city) and I see no reason to pay for target type ammo to shoot the numbers I do. I think under 2 inch at 100 yards for Marlin 81s, Stevens 87s and better than that with my Mossy 144lsb will quite suffice in the fields. Most ammo will cycle in bolt actions.

 

[Metropolis]

Buy a bunch of little boxes in different brands. Shoot at target, and use the ones that group the best for your gun...each gun likes different ammo.

 

[Rod B]

I have found SK Standard to work well in all my .22 rifles

 

[bcode]

Lapua/SK ammo, or nothing. SK is made by Lapua, so they are really rather similar.

I prefer SK Standard Plus or Lapua Center-X... In many rifles the Center-X will actually group smaller than the X-Act, which is about 2.5 times pricier than Center-X. With Center-X being about twice the price of SK Standard Plus.

 

[otter]

my cooey 64b hates federal bulk pack and anything hollow point, but it happily eats and spits out el cheapo winchester wildcats. My marlin 60 doesn't mind as well. Nor my savage.

 

[Eagleye]

It all depends on how consistent you want to be, particularly over 75 yards. El cheapo ammo is great for plinking and casual pest control, but if you are serious about punching paper, you will need to find out which QUALITY ammo your firearm likes and buy up some of it.
As has been mentioned, 22 rimfires are fickle, and what works in one, may be dismal in another.
Lapua makes some very good ammo [the old Super Club often performed above the price range] RWS has some excellent offerings in their Target and match ammos. ELEY stands out, but all of the top offerings from Eley, RWS, or Lapua/SK are pricey, and that may be prohibitive to some.
I have a couple of rifles that really perform with a certain lot of ELEY Match EPS, but at $1200.00/5000, it is not everyday plinking ammo!. Regards, Eagleye.