What 22lr do you like for hunting?

Suther

Suther

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So Im curious as to what everyone is shooting from their 22lr for hunting. Grouse, Rabbits, Squirrels, that sorta thing. Ranges under 75 yards, probably more like inside of 50 most of the time.

So, whatcha guys like? Currently Im running Federal 525 bulk, because its the only stuff I have thats hollow point (everything else is round nose, does that really matter considering the size of the quarry though?) My only problem with it is its not the most consistent, I can usually get 4 of 5 shots into less than an inch at 50yds, but there is almost always a flier or two that I can only attribute to low quality ammo.

Anyone using standard velocity ammo? Or even shorts?
 
I always try for head shots when shooting small game, so bullet type doesn't matter. Savage and Marlin make good bolt actions. Marlin 795 if you like a semi.
I'm going through a mid-life crisis, reliving my youth, so now I'm using an old Cooey 39 single shot, just like in the good ol' days. Short, long or long rifle, will do fine for me, on grouse and rabbits at short range.
I only ever see the inexpensive bulk packs in high velocity long rifle, so that's what I get when buying new ammo.
In my youth, all I used on groundhogs was .22 short CIL Canucks. Worked well at short range with head shots.
 
If you are sticking to head / shoulder shots, the CCI AR tactical ammo (solid bullet) is very accurate and consistent in everything I've tried it in.
If you have a tool to put a flat tip (or meplat) on the bullet, it would then be perfect for small game.
 
For the record, I have a gun. Savage Mk II. I am only looking for ammo suggestions.

I have CCI standard, and some federal blue box standard velocity stuff. The CCI shoots really well - 5/8" groups at 50yds. Haven't shot the Federal stuff yet, bought it from cabelas a few weeks back when it was on sale...

I might swing by the LGS today and see what they've got on the shelf...
 
I like 40 grain round nose standard velocity for shooting stuff I intend to eat. If I miss the head it doesnt tear them up like a hollow point. I really miss when you could get the Imperial 22's in 22 long. They were awesome for bunnies and grouse. For gophers and crows etc. I prefer 36 grain hollow point high velocity. Punches a good hole in them for such a small slower calibre.
 
Until you have tried five 10 round groups per brand and tested to determine what your rifle really like you may never know.
Clean after every test brand and keep your targets so that you know.
I have one rifle that will group about 2 inches at 100 yards with CCI MiniMags round nose but has run over 6 inches with the same in hollow point.
 
CCI Velocitor is great stuff, you should try that out on the slightly larger small game animals. I know I will catch flack for saying it but if I was in a survival situation and I had to shoot a deer with a .22lr I would want Velocitors.

For the animals you mentioned (grouse, rabbit) any old round will do IMO. CCI minimag in either solid or hollow point is my preference although if just for grouse I will use CCI Blazer.
 
CCI quiets for Road Grouse while Deer hunting. Shoot great from my Henry, kills cleanly and quietly.

Federal AE for Rabbit, Raccoon.

CCI standard for target/plinking
 
When I did use a 22 (back to using a 20 gauge Ithaca Model 37) I liked my Remington Model 597 with CCI Stinger ammo. I was worried about cycling issues when it was cold and it was very accurate ammo for me.
 
Running CCI mini mags HV in my Rem 597 with a TRS25 on top. This guy walked into dinner yesterday.
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horseman2 said:
Until you have tried five 10 round groups per brand and tested to determine what your rifle really like you may never know.
Clean after every test brand and keep your targets so that you know.
I have one rifle that will group about 2 inches at 100 yards with CCI MiniMags round nose but has run over 6 inches with the same in hollow point.
Click to expand...

I'm not after the most accurate possible ammo or anything. I'm just wondering what sort of brands, weights and speeds people like to shoot. I need to buy some more ammo for my 22 soon, so I figured might as well see what other people like to use and see if anything listed calls to me, so to speak.

Minimag round nose are out I think. They fire fine, but occasionally dont extract. They get stuck in the chamber (If I close the bolt and pull the trigger a second time, they typically come out, and its not every case that gets stuck) I haven't tried the HP. Stingers and Standard both work fine. Only other ammo that has issues is winchester bulk stuff, I won't touch that crap anymore.
 
For a 22 I use what ever is cheap. My gun is a 22 Lake Field MKII and I have owned it since 1985 think I paid about 70 bucks new. It's not perfect but I don't think I have ever had a shot at a bunny or grouse over 50 yards and at 50 yards pretty much any brand solids or HP's will do the job I doubt I have ever missed my target because of the ammo brand and not sure I have ever failed to get the bunny or grouse I shot at.
 
ELEY Sport, ELEY Practice or RWS Target Rifle. These are very consistent in 2 of my "field" rifles. [Mossberg 42M, Mossberg 46M]
I also like head shots on grouse, bunnies, etc, so consistency is paramount. D.
 
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