Best .22 ammo

[Guest dlamp4401]

I'm looking for some good but affordable .22 ammo that will function reliably and accurately in a variety of pistols and rifles. (Ruger 10/22 & Mark II, Marlin Model 60). I used to buy Winchester T22 target ammo but havnt saw any in years. I'm looking at Winchester M22, Winchester Wildcat, Federal Champion or any Bulk boxes.

Any and all input welcomed!

Thanks!

[Mike.357]

The winchester 555 or 333 packs work well in my Ruger MKIII and Model 60.

i got 'em at Wallyworld

Edited February 10, 2012 by Mike.357

[hipower]

The winchester 555 or 333 packs work well in my Ruger MKIII and Model 60.

i got 'em at Wallyworld

What Mike said. Walmart usually has the best prices on 22 around, unless you buy by the brick online. Then you have to watch the shipping, that can eat up your savings.

A little higher priced, but I like the CCI.

[Guest canebreaker]

I get them for 19.99 per brick at sportsmans plus 7% tax, that's 20.89.

I got an email ad for a brick at 16.99, shipping was 17.30, insurance .80 = 35.09

I would have to buy 7 brick to equal that price.

[TN_Hiker]

Some people claim to have problems with it, but I've not had any issues in my Ruger 10/22 or Walther P22 nor has my friend with his 10/22 with the Federal 550 round bulk ammo. Last I checked it was around $18 a box, but that was several months ago. Even buying in bulk from Cabelas the price came out to be about the same.

[Jonnin]

With bulk packs, I have had the best luck with blazer. Benchrested, they make about a 1 inch group at 25 yards for me, but my red dot is cheap and the dot is very big, makes it hard to keep them all in one hole even if the ammo could do it (not sure). (this is with the mark II pistol and wifes cz kadet)

Runner up is the federal bulk pack. It is a little less consistent in my gun but is still quite good.

I have not seen a gun yet that cannot fire one of these two. The blazer is soft lead, no jacket, and some guns do not like that. The federal is jacketed and is better if a particular gun is cutting chunks out of the soft lead rounds.

Revolver (S&W), ruger, CZ, buckmark, 10-22, various other rifles, all of mine will eat one of these two brands and make a solid group at a reasonable range.

Edited February 10, 2012 by Jonnin

[Jonnin]

If you want better accuracy, you have to spend a bit more, the standard velocity target stuff and it tends to cost at least as much as 9mm per 50. Usually not worth the expense, but if you want to try out a high accuracy gun once in a while at a good distance, its hard to beat the good stuff.

[Sidinman]

I have had good luck with the Federal and Winchester bulk. I shoot 'em out of a couple 10/22s, a Marlin 57N, Romanian Trainer, a Henry, Mark III, Colt , a couple single sixes, and a Heritage, and a H&R all with no issues. At WW last week the Federal were 18.96 I think. I do think CCI's are a little more accurate though.

Edited February 10, 2012 by Sidinman

[Oh Shoot]

With bulk packs, I have had the best luck with blazer.

'Bout all I've shot in the last year and half or so. Many thousands. Consistently loaded, no pfft, all bang.

- OS

[LCPfraTN]

I'm another that really likes blazer .22 ammo...cci without the cci price.

[Guest Lester Weevils]

I bought a brick of T22 last year and shot some of it. I can't shoot worth beans anymore (not that I was especially accurate in the past). The T22 from last year didn't seem as accurate or reliable as I recalled it from several years ago, but might be the shooter or the guns.

Been mostly shooting minimag hp, but like the minimag 40gn solid bullets better. Just don't see the solid on store shelves as often, at decent prices.

Got lots of various Federal. Can't tell much difference between the more-expensive Federal standard velocity bricks of 50 bullets per box, versus the Federal HV value paks. Maybe a better shooter could tell a difference.

Just been mostly shooting the MiniMag because it is so reliable. Dunno if the MiniMag is unusually accurate. One time I chrono'd some MiniMag and unless the chrony was acting up, it had a wider standard deviation in velocity than the Federal bulk pak (but the MiniMag had fewer dead rounds and misfeeds).

[MarkInNashville]

The only problem I have ever had was with Remington Thunderbolts (bought from Wally World) about a year ago.

[Oh Shoot]

The T22 from last year didn't seem as accurate or reliable as I recalled it from several years ago, but might be the shooter or the guns.

What is "T22"?

Been mostly shooting minimag hp, but like the minimag 40gn solid bullets better

I've found no difference between MiniMag solid point and Blazer performance or reliability, beyond Blazer being lead nose vs MiniMag copper (and Blazer being much cheaper).

Both CCI. Both 40 gr. Both claim 1235 fps.

- OS

[Guest Lester Weevils]

What is "T22"?

I've found no difference between MiniMag solid point and Blazer performance or reliability, beyond Blazer being lead nose vs MiniMag copper (and Blazer being much cheaper).

Both CCI. Both 40 gr. Both claim 1235 fps.

- OS

Thanks OS

I mentioned T22 because the OP said he hadn't seen any lately. It is Win T22 target, 40gn lead standard velocity. A little more expensive than some, but not crazy expensive. Many years ago the T22 seemed at least slightly more accurate in my Mark II slabside, but the brick from last year didn't seem especially accurate, but I shoot so poorly its hard to say. Last years brick also didn't feed 100 percent. There were not any duds, but there were a few misfeeds. Maybe the pistols need some kind of work.

I used to also be pretty happy with Rem subsonic, but don't see it around much for what I'd want to pay.

Thanks for the heads-up on Blazer. May be remembering wrong, but thought had read recommendations against blazer. OK, one recommend against was from Advantage Arms company saying they don't work well with AA .22 conversion slides.

Will try blazer out. If works as good and cheaper, fine and dandy!

[Oh Shoot]

.... It is Win T22 target, 40gn lead standard velocity. ...

Gotcha. I didn't catch it in previous lead-in.

Yeah, I think you'll likely be pleased with the Blazer stuff. Garufa really likes it too -- he has a couple of higher end rifles that perform almost as well as the high priced stuff with it; also has a tight chambered 10/22 target barrel wherein the Blazer is about the only bulk that runs reliably too.

Not having a purely tack driver gun (nor the ability to utilize it), I've just found them to be very reliable and consistent. Runs fine in both my 10/22's, Beretta NEOS. No probs in Single 6 revo or bolt and pump rifles either, of course.

I actually would be surprised if anything but the bullet itself were different between them and the mini-mag, production wise.

- OS

[Guest Lester Weevils]

Gotcha. I didn't catch it in previous lead-in.

Yeah, I think you'll likely be pleased with the Blazer stuff. Garufa really likes it too -- he has a couple of higher end rifles that perform almost as well as the high priced stuff with it; also has a tight chambered 10/22 target barrel wherein the Blazer is about the only bulk that runs reliably too.

Not having a purely tack driver gun (nor the ability to utilize it), I've just found them to be very reliable and consistent. Runs fine in both my 10/22's, Beretta NEOS. No probs in Single 6 revo or bolt and pump rifles either, of course.

I actually would be surprised if anything but the bullet itself were different between them and the mini-mag, production wise.

- OS

Thanks OS

Do you buy blazer at a local store or mail-order? Never went looking for blazer so I don't recall whether or not I've seen it "at the usual suspects" such as wally world, academy, sportsmans warehouse.

Edited February 13, 2012 by Lester Weevils

[Oh Shoot]

Thanks OS

Do you buy blazer at a local store or mail-order? Never went looking for blazer so I don't recall whether or not I've seen it "at the usual suspects" such as wally world, academy, sportsmans warehouse.

I bought 4-6 every other month down your way at Sportsmans Warehouse in 'Nooga for about a year or more, built up a pretty good stock. They were 16-17 bucks, then all of a sudden jumped to like 21 or something. Last time I bought, couple months ago maybe, I got a case of 10 for under $15 each including shipping from somewhere, maybe Palmetto State, but can't remember for sure.

I like them well enough to pay ~$20 + tax though, still helluva bunch cheaper than Mini Mags, for what I perceive to be same quality.

- OS

Edited February 13, 2012 by OhShoot

[Murgatroy]

I have buying the Winchester Cowboy .22LR bulk from Academy. 525 rounds for $15.99. Last time I was in there they didn't have any, but they had what I think was marked T22 at the same price. I assume it is the same stuff. My Ruger and Rough Riders eat it up. I haven't had any FTF in four or five bricks and my 10/22 is accurate enough to make a lot of little holes into one big hole.

[Oh Shoot]

...T22 at the same price.....

...It is Win T22 target, 40gn lead standard velocity

I'll score some of it next time I see it, guys. Always good to have another option. I really do like 40 gr. non hollow points the best.

- OS

Edited February 13, 2012 by OhShoot

[Jonnin]

lester, sportsmans has blazer bulk packs, wally does not, unsure about academy.

By the way CCI makes an "ar friendly" .22 bulk pack that is also quite good, very accurate in pistols and seems to feed better in just about everything. I forgot the name but it has AR on it somewhere. Its a little more expensive -- might be like $20 for 350 instead of 500.

[Guest Lester Weevils]

Thanks for the good ideas.

Strange thing, I like going to sportsmans warehouse and buy reloading supplies, assorted trivia, and even a couple of guns. But I rarely buy ammo so far. I always browse the ammo, but more often than not the prices I sample, fall in the range of "ho-hum" up to the "you've got to be kidding" price ranges.

Will look for the Blazer though.

[Jonnin]

its on par, "about" $20 for "about" 500 rounds. They have a shelf of medium-high grade including some eley target grade & similar stuff, and a good 22 mag selection. Those are the only things I buy anymore, are rimfire, so beyond that I cannot comment but they have a LOT of ammo for sale in a lot of calibers, so price aside at least you can find what you need.

[Guest Lester Weevils]

its on par, "about" $20 for "about" 500 rounds. They have a shelf of medium-high grade including some eley target grade & similar stuff, and a good 22 mag selection. Those are the only things I buy anymore, are rimfire, so beyond that I cannot comment but they have a LOT of ammo for sale in a lot of calibers, so price aside at least you can find what you need.

Thanks Jonnin

That is a good point that availability of about every caliber could trump price considerations.

Yep if the Blazer works about the same as minimag, would save a little. Usually been buying minimag at wally world and the price varies. Having gradually built up a supply of minimag, haven't got any lately and dunno the current price. IIRC at some times wally world was as low as "a little over $6" but other times higher. Even at lowball $6 per hundred, that would be $30 for 500 minimag, so blazer at $20 would be a 33% savings.

[Oh Shoot]

....Even at lowball $6 per hundred, that would be $30 for 500 minimag, so blazer at $20 would be a 33% savings.

Well, if it turns out ya like it as much as I do, you can find it cheaper than that online. But Wally's price on the MiniMag is pretty close to lowest you can find anywhere, even by the case.

- OS

[Garufa]

Yeah, I think you'll likely be pleased with the Blazer stuff. Garufa really likes it too -- he has a couple of higher end rifles that perform almost as well as the high priced stuff with it; also has a tight chambered 10/22 target barrel wherein the Blazer is about the only bulk that runs reliably too.

OS speaks the truth. Every since I put a fancy target barrel on my 10/22 Blazer is the ONLY bulk ammo that will cycle reliably. It's a little annoying but that ammo is very, very good. I'd go so far as to say it is the best bulk ammo out there accuracy and consistency-wise.

Edited February 13, 2012 by Garufa