Seems to me, all that matters is what's happening at the target. Which one shot better?

 

Federal Target Grade Performance ammo.

Was it the Automatch 325 round box?

 

I shoot a bunch of this and I would take CCI any day of the week. It's much cheaper though. I would agree it's a little dirty and not super consistent, but I can't recall any misfires or other major problems. #1 plinking ammo because of the lower cost.

 

the cci sv is better ammo, but it should be. It's more expensive.....................

 

>>Was it the Automatch 325 round box? <<

Yes, That was the Federal ammo I was using.( but the box is square )

I was pleased with both when it comes to how well they hit the target. I'm a rather new shooter and I have not yet reached the stage that I can attribute any accuracy problems to the ammo I use. I know that will come with time.

One of the Buck Marks I was using was the Hunter, and I do better with that one. I have just finished cleaning the firearms and, as expected, they were both pretty dirty.

I was not at all dissatisfied with either the Federal or the CCI . I was just wondering about the cloud of smoke that appeared to be coming when the Federal was used.

Thank you all for your comments.

Hanagan

 

>>Was it the Automatch 325 round box? <<

Yes, That was the Federal ammo I was using.( but the box is square )

I was pleased with both when it comes to how well they hit the target. I'm a rather new shooter and I have not yet reached the stage that I can attribute any accuracy problems to the ammo I use. I know that will come with time.

One of the Buck Marks I was using was the Hunter, and I do better with that one. I have just finished cleaning the firearms and, as expected, they were both pretty dirty.

I was not at all dissatisfied with either the Federal or the CCI . I was just wondering about the cloud of smoke that appeared to be coming when the Federal was used.

Thank you all for your comments.
Hanagan

325 rounds means 325 cartridges

 

Welcome to the sport, and to RFC !

First thing I'd say is that there is NOTHING "match grade" about Fed. Automatch !
It is bulk ammo, and as such is passable, reliable plinking ammo. It is certainly sufficient for pistol shooting, at least until one's skill level surpasses the precision of the ammo. For most pistol shooters that will never happen, certainly not for yours truly.
The name is just a marketing gimmick, my guess is to appeal to the masses as something a bit better than most bulk ammo. IME, the ammo fits pretty loosely in most chambers, so maybe it's designed tat way for more reliable function in semi-automatic actions, maybe hence the name 'auto' 'match' ?

That said, I shoot a ton of Federal RF, mostly 510, and do find it pretty accurate and reliable for what it is in my guns. IME the 510 has been more consistent accuracy-wise than the AM-22.
I also shoot a lot of the CCI-SV. It is a step up from any of the HV bulk ammo's just because it is SV ammo, and also is a quality step up with more precise mfg and a better bullet design. If you shoot some groups from a rest you will find the SV outshoots most of the bulk HV ammo out there in most guns. Of course we are talking Rimfire here, so YMMV !

BTW, I kind of like the smoke myself. A holdover no doubt from my Blackpowder shooting

Cheers
Bob

 

My Buckmark Hunter loves CCI SV. I've had the best luck in all my 22's with SV ammo vs HV.

 

Similar experience here. In terms of accuracy, performance and cleanliness, CCI SV is what my Buckmark prefers.

I have used Federal a lot as well and find it to be dirtier and a bit less consistent. I also get more light strikes/duds with Federal. If I am shooting a lot - like more than 150 rounds of Federal, I start to see feeding issues due to crud on the feed ramp and breech face.

With ammunition availability as it is, I will likely continue to shoot either when available - but I have been buying CCI SV now any time I see it. Annoyingly, I think I am not alone there!!!

Just my experience - your results may vary.

 

A few years ago I bought a case of Remington Thunderbolt. Later I bought a Colt 22 AR. I used the Thunderbolt to break in the 22 AR. I hadn't gone though a couple of magazines before I started getting FF. Inspected the gun and it was filthy. Chamber was clogged. Cleaned the gun and switched to Winchester Wildcat. Absolutely no problems after that so I bought two cases of the Wildcat and dumped the Thunderbolt. Currently using the Winchester M22 in the 22AR. This was all before the recent craziness in 22 ammo prices

However, i recently bought two boxes of the Federal Automatch so I'll keep an eye on it as I first use it. Some years ago I bought .22 ammo from the CMP. It was in 325 round, "square boxes". I bought two cases of that and hope the Automatch isn't leftover CMP ammo. That didn't shoot very well.

 

Remington Thunderbolt is known for being dirty, I only buy it when it's the only bricks available

 

CCI SV all the way...

My two cents worth on this subject is just how much more per round my CCI SV has been costing lately. One dealer puts it up at $63 per brick. I think he knows I have a Model 41 which has a stroke if Federal gets anywhere near the barrel. Federal does appear to put out more residue than the CCI. I base this on the amount of material left on the floor of the indoor range during Bullseye shoots when we clean up. Federal does the same thing to my .45 pistol. I always expect a dirty firearm when I fire it. I just can't fire it because its cheaper, that hurts my Model 41. And I do see a difference in accuracy at 50 feet. CCI SV appears to be more consistently accurate in groupings over the Federal.

 

CCI vs Federal

From my experience with Buckmark and Marlin, I have found that Federal is just as accurate as CCI for less money. Oddly I have found that Geco Auto is more accurate in my guns than either Federal or CCI. Geco comes lubricated so a rag comes in handy to wipe off your hands after loading.

 

From my experience with Buckmark and Marlin, I have found that Federal is just as accurate as CCI for less money. Oddly I have found that Geco Auto is more accurate in my guns than either Federal or CCI. Geco comes lubricated so a rag comes in handy to wipe off your hands after loading.

Haven't heard of Geco Auto...who makes it and where is it available, and what is the cost when available ?
Thanks

 

I kind of dig Automatch. All of my guns seem to like it. When compared to Thunderbolt, Automatch is great ammo.

It is also readily available in my area 29.99 for 325.....is less than .10 a rd. The same outlet is charging 50.00 for a brick of Thunderduds.

 

I've been getting all the Automatch I want at F&S for 17.95. Thunderbolt bricks 26.95.

 

CCI Standard Velocity

I can shoot consistent 10 shot 1/3 minute groups at 50 yards in my 52C and none of the other ammos are very close.

 

CCI SV - 10 shot 1/3 minute groups at 50 yards

Ya' must've got hold of a "magic brick" of CCI SV.
I've got 4 bricks in the stash right now that are showing 100 fps spread in mv.
Not even y'er 52C will shoot 0.33333 moa at 50 yards, with this stuff.

 

I have a 10/22 stainless 22" barrel model that shoots .5 moa 5 shot groups at 50 yds with CCI SV and nothing else even comes close. I haven't tried any of the Ely and similar expensive bench rest stuff. 1/2 inch groups at 50 yards is at the very upper limit of my shooting skills so I don't think the bench rest stuff would do me any good.

 

CCI chambering Malfunction

Hello I'm new to the forum. Had 3 rounds of CCI std. velocity ammo malfunction when chambering today. I just started shooting again recently after 30 years, have a Hi Standard Duramatic which has hardly been used. When the rounds went to chamber they hit on the top of the chamber and bent the bullet out of alignment. Anything I should be looking for. This is the first time it has done this, last week it shot 150 rounds without incident.

 

Hello I'm new to the forum. Had 3 rounds of CCI std. velocity ammo malfunction when chambering today. I just started shooting again recently after 30 years, have a Hi Standard Duramatic which has hardly been used. When the rounds went to chamber they hit on the top of the chamber and bent the bullet out of alignment. Anything I should be looking for. This is the first time it has done this, last week it shot 150 rounds without incident.

Could be a mag adjustment is needed. High Standards are sensitive to ammo changes and magazines. If your mag was adjusted to use one type of ammo it may not function as well with a substitution. Earlier models of High Standards function well with CCI SV and that has been the "go to" ammo for High Standard shooters for years. You should refrain from using HV ammo in most original High Standards. For trouble free operation you should "tune" your mag to use a certain type of ammo and stick with it. These days that is more difficult with the limited supply of 22RF.

 

I have found the CCI SV to be the most accurate other than match ammo that I have used. Remington ammo is my last choice including their match ammo.
Elmo

 

Cci sv



+1 on that Rebel Rouser, I totally agree. CCI SV is pretty much all I shoot in my 41's and High Standards. I tried Rem Thunderbolt years ago with terrible results. I wouldn't take it for free now. It states in my S&W 15-22 manual that it is NOT recommended for use.

 

Ime

I haven't been able to get my hands on any CCI SV, so can't comment on that, but I like to try as many kinds as I can.

I've shot a bunch of Automatch, it's pretty common around here, and I think it's acceptable ammo, and certainly better than some out there on the shelves.

Although I own a Buckmark, I use my old Belgian Browning Challenger after I determined over the course of a long afternoon that it shoots just as good as my Buckmark.

Either that, or a 10-22. Works good in either one.

 

food for 41's

FWIW...
My 41 shoots it's best with Winchester T22, when I can get it.
A VERY good friend gifted me with 4 bricks, same lot #, and I save that for the local Bullseye shoots.
It's 2nd choice is Eley. I use CCI SV for practice.

uncle albert

 

I've shot both in my Remington 541S and the CCI is more accurate. The 541S, for those of you who don't know, is one of the finest .22s ever produced by Remington. I can consistently shoot ragged one hole groups with it and CCI SV at 50 yards. With the Federal I can only shoot about 1inch with an occasional flyer out to 2 inches. Good enough for plinking but not for consistently head shooting squirrels and not for shooting competition for sure.

 

I have targets somewhere from a study i did showing where best to spend money on a ruger 10/22. Started with a stock rifle. And shot multiple different types of ammo after a 100 round break in sequence. I found CCI and Wolf match to be the best bang for your buck. I was able to get 23 out of 25 @ 50 yards on the tack-driver game with both. With the automatch I believe it was 8 out of 25 and fliers are way off.

 

Back to the original question... I've been shooting for 40+ years and I have noticed that Federal ammo is always "dirtier" than other brands. Back when I was 10 or 12 years old I wouldn't shoot Federal because of how dirty it was. These days it's better, but I still notice it.

 

Bought 2K rounds of the Amscor ammo, dirty shooting stuff but works well in my many .22 Firearms and seems to be as consistent as the Federal in accuracy, with that being said the Federal ammo is a bit cleaner and as always you just can't go wrong with anything CCI unless you step up to quality match ammo.

FnL

 

I have fired thousands of rounds of CCI SV in my Buckmark and S&W Model 41
with no problems of any kind. Accuracy is very good in both guns also. I do not shoot any of the Federal .22 ammo is any of my guns it is real dirty and not accurate.

 

My ammo test

This was a quick test a couple months ago. I was more interested in the grouping than the bull. 10 rds 75 yards. 10/22, original 1990 barrel with all Kidd internals. I'm far from good, but I'm 72 and loving life.

 

Thank you all.

I am both pleased and surprised that my question in the original post has resulted in so much interest.
This is such a great Forum which is made up of so many knowledgeable members who are willing to share their knowledge and past experiences.
I take it from reading the responses that my observation of the Federal ammo being somewhat dirtier than the CCI was not a figment of my imagination.

I will continue to use both, but if I find them both on the shelf, I'll buy the CCI.

Hanagan

 

I shoot rimfire Steel Challenge and while it's great when the bullets go into the same hole, it's really important to me that the rounds function 100%. A "click" is probably the most noticed sound during a string of fire, because when the you're striving for a sub-10 second Smoke 'n Hope stage, you need to average, at least, a less than 2.5 second time across 5 plates and any misfire immediately throws out that string. Sure, I have 4 more to make it up, but it does tweak the pressure up a bit.

CCI Standard is the gold standard for me. It costs a bit more (about $3.47 a box at Academy here), but it's worth it to me to not worry about function. Accuracy-wise, I'd put it at the top of the "non-match" ammo brands. I put Federal Auto-match at the same level with CCI Blazer. Great for practice, but it's CCI Standard for a match.