I have decided to get into the monthly .22 shoot that my county gun club puts on. I have two rifles to choose from, a Ruger 10/22 with a Shaw competition barrel, Hogue stock and BX trigger, and a Savage heavy barrel bolt action. I have a 5-25 scope on them.

I have a bunch of just plain old .22 ammo that the Ruger shoots very accurately, but would like to try a couple match grade types before doing my first shoot. Any suggestions? SK? Eley? Aquilla? I have no idea who is supposed to produce the best, and yes, I know each rifle is picky about what it may like.

Is this NRL22, falling steel, paper targets, what kind of competition?

Just need to test it with various offerings from SK, Lapua, Eley, RWS and Wolf.

Unfortunately, you will have to get a variety of ammo and test it. Fortunately for Dubi, her KIDD 10/22 shoots CCI standard velocity (about $4.00/box) out to 100 yards almost as well expensive match ammo.

My CZ457, is more picky about ammo and seems to like SK Pistol Match Special (about $11/box).

Federal Auto match

Max06 said:

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Is this NRL22, falling steel, paper targets, what kind of competition?

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Paper targets, 10 rounds at 50 yards and 10 at 100 I think is how it was explained to me.

I have probably 10 types of different .22 ammo that I am going to take and see what hits the best at each range. I did order some Eley Match and another Eley one that I cant recall right now.

When I installed the Shaw barrel and Hogue stock I took it to the range to get it sighted in and it was pretty darn good at 50 yards, but I haven't gone beyond that yet. The Savage does not seem to be as accurate as the Ruger, but I need to try different ammo in it too.

My 10/22 really likes CCI mini mags. For 22 I think it's mostly just trying lots of different flavors until you find what works.

Eley Match

Lapua, ely, old Wolf

It's not just what brand/version it likes best, but which lot.

Depending on how serious you want to get you can send your barreled action off to I think both lapua/SK and Ely and have them lot test then sell you the best performing.

I also think there are a few, at least one, company that will seek you a brick of different ammo but agree to hold the lots for you to test yourself.

I like the CCI clean 22 rounds because they aren't quite as dirty as other 22LR rounds and cycle great in a semi auto platform while still being sub sonic. They are accurate enough for my 15/22 but I haven't used them enough to rate accuracy for competition use.

I shot competitive rifle for 4H in high school and always used Remington Thunderbolt. It was 'dirty' like most 22 rounds, but I cleaned my gun weekly at a minimum so it wasn't a big deal. We shot a 1" diameter target at 50' with peep sites. Sounds easy, but every 0.22" from bullseye is a deducted point. 10 shots from prone, kneeling, and standing position each. Out of a possible 300 score (30 targets@10 point per target) I would typically shoot in the 250's. The Thunderbolt ammo and gun would do their job if I could hold the gun steady. The 10 shots in standing position always held me back. I could definitely hit the 1" target, but just not the bullseye.

What distance are you shooting? At 50' I don't know if ammo varieties are important. At 50 yards, I would definitely buy a 'target' type cartridge of any major brand.

I have been shooting in my local match up here in Midland with a Ruger 10/22 and a Ruger Precision. We have NRL, ABRA and one other I cannot remember the acronym. A something. I have a ton of Federal blue and black 800 rounds box that works very well out of both guns and my 22/45 and .22 charger (i really like Ruger 22s). I am not going to win weekly but I have a blast and it is cheap and I have a ton of it. Most of the rest of the shooters are using CCI or a mix and match of whatever. The older guys with the 4 digit dollar rifles typically win and they use the Norma match that they had stockpiled because apparently it is not made anymore or is not the same. What does your rifle like and what is your intent. I just do it to have fun and spend time with good folks, so 5 dollar a box or so ammo is fine. Others are out there to win and compete nationally so they spend more.