Ammo choice is one of the few things you can control that consistently moves the needle in a .22LR rimfire precision match. The right brand and lot will give you tighter groups, more predictable holds, and more repeatable performance across 25–100 yards and beyond. This guide lays out the top contenders, how to test them in your rifle, and how to use published BC and muzzle velocity data to build a dope card when your local range stops at 100 yards. All claims below are supported by manufacturer data and corroborating sources.
Why Ammo Selection Matters
In .22LR precision shooting, small differences in bullet shape, muzzle velocity (MV), and ballistic coefficient (BC) show up quickly as vertical dispersion and wind sensitivity beyond 50–100 yards. Manufacturers publish BCs and MV numbers (or drag models) so you can model trajectory — but those published numbers are a starting point. Real-world performance depends on your rifle, the lot of ammo, and local conditions. Always test in your rifle.
Manufacturer technical pages explain how BC and drag models drive trajectory calculations, and match communities regularly validate those numbers empirically.
Top Contenders — Specs & Sources
Below are widely used match and high-quality practice loads. Each row lists manufacturer-reported BC and typical muzzle velocity along with corroborating sources where available. Use these numbers in your ballistic calculator but confirm with chronograph and live-fire tests in your rifle.
| Ammo (common match options) | Published BC (G1) | Typical Muzzle Velocity (fps) | Primary Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lapua — Midas / Midas+ | ~0.172 | ~1,070 fps | Lapua tech / distributor data. |
| ELEY — Tenex / Eley Match | ~0.112 (RA4 drag model) | ~1,040–1,085 fps (lot dependent) | ELEY technical sheets & independent tests. |
| CCI — Mini-Mag 36gr HP | ~0.125 | ~1,260 fps | CCI product data & vendor listings. |
| SK — Rifle Match | ~0.17 | ~1,050–1,073 fps | SK product/trajectory tables & third-party reviews. |
| Lapua — Super Long Range (SLR) | Higher BC relative to standard match lines | ~1,100+ fps (model dependent) | Lapua product notes & specialized press. |
How to Test Ammo in Your Rifle — A Practical Protocol
Manufacturer specs are helpful, but the single most important test is what your rifle does with a specific lot. Here’s a repeatable protocol you can run during your four-hour range day.
- Baseline groups (50 yd): Fire three 5-shot groups per ammo lot at 50 yards (or 25 yd if range-limited). Measure group size and POI shift.
- Velocity check (if you have a chrono): Record mean velocity (MV) and standard deviation (SD) for each lot — velocity spreads often correlate with vertical stringing at range.
- Choose the best lot: Prioritize the lot that gives the smallest groups and the most consistent MV.
- Build your dope card: Use the chosen ammo’s BC and your measured MV in a ballistic app (JBM/Strelok/Applied Ballistics) to model holds for 25/50/100/150/200 yards. Then confirm when and where you can. Manufacturer drag models (e.g., ELEY’s RA4) improve calculator accuracy.
Applying BC & MV When Your Range Stops at 100 Yards
Many Carolina shooters only have 100-yard lanes. You can still prepare for 150–300 yd stages by combining measured MV with the published BC (or manufacturer drag model) in a ballistic solver.
Example workflow:
- Record MV for your chosen lot at the range.
- Use the manufacturer BC (or drag model) for that ammo as an initial input.
- Set environmental conditions in the solver (temperature, pressure, altitude).
- Generate elevation holds for 150/200/250/300 yards and write them onto a dope card.
- When you eventually shoot farther, confirm one group and adjust your model accordingly.
Important: BCs for .22LR are low compared to centerfire bullets, so small errors in BC or MV produce measurable hold differences downrange. Always verify when possible.
Which Ammo for Which Goal?
Different shooters have different priorities. Below are pragmatic recommendations based on manufacturer performance and community experience.
- Practice & Cost Efficiency: CCI Mini-Mag — reliable feeding, higher MV for flatter short-range trajectory, and widely available for practice. Not optimized for the highest long-range match performance but great for practicing fundamentals.
- 100–200 yd Precision: Lapua Midas+ or SK Rifle Match — both publish higher BCs and are designed for stable groups at extended rimfire ranges. Use these when your focus is precision beyond 100 yards.
- Top-End Long Range: Lapua Super Long Range (SLR) — engineered for extreme rimfire distances; verify in your rifle before committing to bulk purchases.
- Match Consistency / Manufacturers’ Recommended: ELEY Match / Tenex — ELEY publishes drag-model data (RA4) that integrates cleanly into ballistic solvers and is widely used in competition.
Real-World Notes from the Community
Across forums and match reports, a few themes recur:
- Most rifles prefer one brand/lot over others — test before you buy in bulk.
- Higher MV does not always equal better long-range performance; BC and consistency matter more at distance.
- Manufacturers’ drag models (where provided) give better calculator matches than generic BC numbers because they reflect the bullet’s actual aerodynamic behavior. ELEY’s RA4 model is an example.
Sample Dope Card Workflow (Printable)
Use this simple workflow during your 4-hour range day:
- Test 2–3 ammo lots at 50 yd (3×5-shot groups each).
- Chronograph each lot and record mean MV + SD.
- Select best lot and run a 100-yd confirmation group if possible.
- Input MV + published BC (or drag model) into your ballistic app and generate holds for 25/50/100/150/200.
- Print or write the holds on a 3×5 card and tape to your stock or wrist for matches.
Where to Buy Locally
Eastwood Outfitters (West End, NC) stocks commonly used match brands and can help you pick a starting lot. If a particular brand or lot is required for a match, call ahead — availability can vary and many shooters buy a case once they find a lot that groups well in their rifle. Retail vendor pages (Midway, Mile High, etc.) often include MV listings that can help you confirm published numbers before purchase.
Conclusion — Test, Lock, Then Bulk
The shortest path to consistent performance is straightforward: test ammo in your rifle, pick the lot that groups best with the most consistent MV, model holds using the manufacturer BC/drag data plus your measured MV, then buy enough of that lot to stay consistent across matches. Manufacturers like Lapua and ELEY provide the technical data you need to model trajectories; community tests and retailer data give practical confirmation. Combining both approaches gets you the most reliable results on match day.
Sources & Further Reading
- Lapua — Midas / Midas+ product & tech pages.
- ELEY — Tenex / Match technical data and RA4 drag model.
- CCI — Mini-Mag product specifications.
- SK — Rifle Match product pages and trajectory tables.
- Community testing forums and thread RimfireCentral
Trace Armory Group supports skillful, safe, and responsible shooting. Use the data above as a starting point — then verify in your rifle. If you’d like a printable ammo-test worksheet or a 4-hour session template to hand students at Eastwood Outfitters, I can build that next.