22 ammo question

asop

Saw what was labeled "22 target" ammo the other day.  Didn't pay much attention but what is "22 TARGET" ammo?  Thanks

He Dog

It has greater consistency and concentricity than the run of the mill .22LR.  If you are a competition shooter, It is likely worth the extra expense, if you shoot cans and squirrels, not so much.  Weighing a bunch of .22 for consistent weight will get you almost as good a result.

navc130

Generally, it means better accuracy from (1) lower velocity (2) bullet design (3) more precise manufacturing.

SoreShoulder

It may be standard velocity which means it will get about 200 fps less than high velocity.

dreher

My experience with 22 target ammo is that it MIGHT be more accurate in your 22 than non target 22 ammo.  

nononsense

Actually, it depends on who the manufacturer is. When you have a manufacturer dedicated to excellence and they mark certain types of .22LR as 'Match', you can pretty much take for granted that you are buying and paying for better, more consistent ammunition. These can be labeled by Lapua, Eley, SK and some Norma. But you will not be paying 3 or 4 cents per shot like cheaper ammunition. Plan on 16 to 35 cents per shot for their top of the line offerings.

The exceptions are the cheaper brands which strive to deceive you by marking their fodder as 'Match'. Since here are no rules regarding what can be labeled as Match, they are not in violation. This is not unlike less expensive brands of beer marketing their brand as a 'Super Premium' when indeed it isn't. It improves their standing as far as competition is concerned. The same concept applies to ammunition.

Testing .22LR ammunition is no different from testing your reloads or factory ammunition. Buy some, test until you are satisfied but be sure from the beginning that they have enough of the same lot for you to purchase.

Every firearm is unique so your results might vary from others. Lapua has brought us the best situation by creating 3 enclosed test centers; two in the U.S. and one in Germany. Here you can select and test several lots of product at 50 and 100 yards without charge. Once you determine the lot you want, you agree to buy case quantities. The Lapua technician onsite can handle the testing for you then allow you to decide on the solution but you still buy those in case quantities. Many world class competitors test at these facilities.

Tread lightly when it comes to buying anything that claims to be 'Match' unless it's a quality manufacturer. Always test to see how it performs in your firearm. You might get a surprised but not very often.

Best.

mohawk600

I have read and heard that loading consistently performing rimfire (22LR), is one of the most difficult thing for manufacturers to achieve. As nononsense said......buy small lots and test them out. When you find what your firearm likes........buy MORE.  

chme

There is standard, Target and Match.  Good, better, best.  Typically price goes up as well.  Target loads are usually standard velocity, as are Match rounds.  What distinguishes them is uniformity from one round to the next.  Amount of priming compound.  batch number and quantity of powder. Much of the Match ammo seems to be lubed with Vaseline, etc.  
Will you notice the difference when using an ordinary 22 auto to punch soda cans?  Nope.  When you are shooting BR-50 with a rifle that weighs more than a sledge hammer- could quite possibly mean a .10 inch that wins the match.  Some of the better known Match ammo is Eley Tenex, Lapua Match, Nobel R-50, Wolf Match, etc.  Federal used to load one .22 LR that was Federal Champion Target Standard Velocity- shot about as well as many Match loads.