Picking .22 LR Match Ammunition

by
posted on August 24, 2018
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
22lrchoices1.jpg
To determine the best .22 LR match ammunition for your rifle, purchase one or two boxes of the ammunition brands and quality levels you wish to examine. Research online, as ammo manufacturers have plenty of information (especially muzzle velocity) that you can use to pinpoint the specific .22 LR match ammunition characteristics you are looking for.

Next, go to the the local rifle range on a clear, calm day and set up a suitable target at 50 yards. Shoot from a bench using a solid rest. Fire five fouling shots first, then begin your record strings. Take your time and make each shot count. Fire at least five groups of five shots each, then measure the extreme spread of each group and average the results (add them together then divide by five). Clean the bore of your rifle thoroughly and repeat the process with other brands and/or loads. After you identify one or two brands which are superior, retest only using those.

Once you have identified the brand and load your rifle prefers, conduct similar tests with different lot numbers from the selected load to determine which works best. Prudent competitors then purchase ammunition from that lot in quantity to assure a future supply.
Learn about how .22 LR cartridges are made

Latest

Beretta Apx Falco 1
Beretta Apx Falco 1

Beretta Marks 500 Years With One-of-One APX Falco

Beretta and Burris unveil the APX Falco, a one-of-one 500th anniversary pistol with a red dot machined from the slide’s steel.

Alfred State College Wins Team Title at 2026 USA College Clay Target League National Championship

Alfred State and Montcalm’s Tanner Schmaus won national titles on tiebreakers at the 2026 USA College Clay Target League National Championship.

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte Opens New PROOF Research Facility

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte opened PROOF Research’s newest Columbia Falls building, toured barrel and rifle production and fired a 22 Creedmoor rifle.

New: Watchtower Defense Vantage Handguns

Watchtower Defense’s new Vantage Series pairs ported slides and barrels with double-stack 1911 frames in full-size and compact versions.

Trijicon Gives RMR HD A New Look In Coyote Brown

Trijicon has added a Coyote Brown anodized finish to its RMR HD reflex sight, offered with 1.0- or 3.25-MOA dots for $1,066.

Collegiate Rifle: Anceline Brackman Fires First Perfect 600-60X in NCAA History

Murray State freshman Anceline Brackman fired the first 600-60X air rifle score in NCAA history Nov. 1 at Ohio State.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.