Any thoughts on most popular/favorite 22lr round for plinking/casual paper punching based on reliability, clean burning, general accuracy?

Well, back before .22 became a rare commodity. The Federal bulk packs were very popular. 525rds. for $16.

Another vote for the Federal 525 bulk packs, everybody used them

Ann..remember the dunned sport shop cases for 170. Seems so long ago

Ann..remember the dunned sport shop cases for 170. Seems so long ago

 

Yep I was thinking about that today. 5,250 rounds for $170. I regret not buying a couple of cases every time that deal would come up. sigh

For reliability (defense or competition) I'd use CCI, preferably round nose minimags.

 

For general plinking I like these lead rounds: Blazer (made by CCI), CCI standard, American Eagle(made by Federal) 40gr round nose(rn), and Federal 40gr rn in guns that are okay with lead bullets. If my gun requires plated or if I'm shooting inside I use the Federal 36gr plated ammo bulk pack or American Eagle plated ammo(Federal).

 

It really depends on what your gun likes. I have a Walther P22 that only shoots reliably with Minimags. My S&W 22A will shoot any of the above without an issue. My M&P 15-22 suggests Federal 36gr plated hp bulk. I suggest getting a few boxes of everything so you can tell what your gun likes to eat.

 

P.S. Skip anything made by Remington to avoid giving you and your firearm indigestion(excludes Ruger 10/22 and MKII&MKIII)

For reliability (defense or competition) I'd use CCI, preferably round nose minimags.

 

For general plinking I like these lead rounds: Blazer (made by CCI), CCI standard, American Eagle(made by Federal) 40gr round nose(rn), and Federal 40gr rn in guns that are okay with lead bullets. If my gun requires plated or if I'm shooting inside I use the Federal 36gr plated ammo bulk pack or American Eagle plated ammo(Federal).

 

It really depends on what your gun likes. I have a Walther P22 that only shoots reliably with Minimags. My S&W 22A will shoot any of the above without an issue. My M&P 15-22 suggests Federal 36gr plated hp bulk. I suggest getting a few boxes of everything so you can tell what your gun likes to eat.

 

P.S. Skip anything made by Remington to avoid giving you and your firearm indigestion(excludes Ruger 10/22 and MKII&MKIII)

 

I'll respectfully disagree, I actually went from using CCI in my competition guns to federal bulk. Some 22s will run anything and everything, others are more finicky, if your gun runs good on cheap blazer ammo, use that.

 

The CCI mini mags ran ok in my Mark 2, but I felt they were overpriced and left the barrel and internals with a waxy coating, which seemed to muck everything up.

I also use CCI minimag copper plated round nose for plinking and target shooting. Works the best for my rifles as well as my friends that I go with.

I still have an unopened box of Federal Bulk pack. The CCI's are not the most popular for plinking, range or target shooting due to their expense. They may be the best and most reliable though. For self defense the Stingers seem to be the most popular and very hard to get. I have half a box left and treat them like Gold, not shooting them at the range but rather loading them into my .22lr that sits in my living room gun safe. I have a few boxes of mini mags as they are, or should I say were, plentiful and easy to get. I also have boxes of Velocitors.

 

The purpose of a .22lr is cheap shooting for most except for competition shooters. The CCI ammo is not cheap. Therefore the bulk packs are the most popular as you used to get hundreds of rounds for about $16 around here. Now it is about $36 for the same ammo. If you have a .22lr revolver then the cheapest ammo is what you will normally buy. If you have a .22lr semi auto then you will usually find that the CCI mini mags will make it function most reliably or at least that has been my experience with a few .22lr rifles and semi auto handguns.

What made the stingers stand out, hyper velocity? Different bullet? I found a box in my safe but dont see anything printed on it that clues me in.

I like CCI blazers... but I've also had good performance out of Federal Bulk Packs

I cannot remember having any issues with CCI Mini Mags with any of my guns. Most of my .22s like Stingers as well, with the exception of my S&W 22A, which strictly prefers standard velocity ammo (and I swear it loves Remmy Golden Bullets). Federal bulk packs I had two boxes I purchased with nothing but problems, but after giving them more chances, I am happy with them. I do still get at least one FTF per range day with those. Federal lead round nose bulk packs I've had good luck with as well.

 

The 375rd bulk packs of Mini Mags (formerly AR Tactical) are what I buy now (err, did a few months ago anyway) if I want the highest reliability.

 

If I were relying on a .22 for a backup HD gun, I would only use CCI MiniMags, Velocitors, or Stingers. For range days, I will use whatever cheap stuff I can find....even Golden Bullets....

Any thoughts on most popular/favorite 22lr round for plinking/casual paper punching based on reliability, clean burning, general accuracy?

 

ammobot had a 50 rd box off cci that went for 25.00 a box!...FOR 50 RDS

The Stingers prove to have the best velocity out of real world guns. However, they are a little longer than other .22lr rounds and some semi auto's will have problems feeding them. I know that S&W tells you not to use them in its M&P15-22.

 

Here is some info from the CCI website:

 

FEATURES & BENEFITS

• 1640 feet/sec—the fastest 22 LR with varmint-class accuracy
  
• Special 32 grain hollow point bullet with tear-drop cavity for
  complete disruption
  
• Clean-burning propellants keep actions cleaner
  
• Sure-fire CCI priming
  
• Reusable plastic box with dispenser lid
  

There is a note at the bottom of their page:

 

Use only in firearms having standard ANSI sporting barrel/chamber dimensions.