[Gman47564]

I've had 3 457 americans.. they all shot the sk+ ammo pretty well.. they also shot the rws subsonic hollow points well..

 

[Col Mustard]

On this site you'll find a whole spectrum of attitudes.
You get to read them all and make up your own mind.
I suggest you use reasonably priced ammunition to sight in, and break in your barrel, and also
to develop your shooting skills. If all you had was an AR-7, there's a whole world of .22 shooting
for you to explore. Shooting a good rifle from a good rest with a good scope and a good trigger
and a stock that fits you can make a huge difference even with moderately priced ammo.

I did this too, when I was new here. I read so many posts, some of which were alarmingly snobby.
But I don't mind reading snobby posts, because I myself am too easy going. I have no interest in
competitive shooting. I shoot .22s for fun, and that's my attitude. So if I don't annoy our more
competitive members, that's a good thing. I don't intend to. I've learned a lot here, and I'm grateful
for that.

To answer your question, I'm with Flint Hills. Shoot what you already have, and sight in your rifle with it first,
before you get too crazy. Our bone head "government" has now started a war, and threatened to set tariff
taxes on foreign products, therefore many of the brands that come from overseas may simply disappear.
*shrugs Or not! Maybe somebody has a warehouse full, and is waiting for an opportunity to gouge us all.
None of that would surprise me. I ain't buyin' it.

My rifle (I only have one .22 rifle) is a Ruger 1022. That fact will tell you that I care nothing about
the concerns of competition. I resolved to shoot what I could find, when I saw ammunition disappear
in 2020. Now that ammo is back on the shelves, I'm shooting up all the oddball stuff I bought when
nothing else was available. I've stocked up on CCI SV and Aguila Super Extra because those have
proved to shoot well in my 'moderately improved" 1022. I resolved not to buy into the cult of
.22 super-accuracy, and I have not done so.

I made up my mind and stuck with it... not to go down the super-accuracy rabbit hole,
and I'm happier up here in the sunlight. I did buy some parts and bits to improve my 1022,
and that was fun to do. if you popped for a CZ you might already be down in there.
Have fun! Make yourself a budget. Like going to the race track.
If you decide in advance how much of your hard earned cash you are willing to lose
to fast women and slow horses, you protect your family. The same with guns and ammo.

An AR-7 (to me) is like a go-cart... at least mine was. It will get you there.
A Ruger 1022 is the Chevy truck of the .22 world. I'm a Chevy guy.
Ford guys prolly like the Marlin model 60.
Your CZ 457 is a grade or two better than my Ruger, and the world of .22 rifles goes
on up to the Maserati level as you may know since you're here. You make your choices of ammo
the same way, based on what you can afford, and what you're trying to accomplish.

 

[LDB415]

I found a free shipping option at Midway. I ordered 5 boxes each of Federal Premium and SK Semi-Auto rifle and 1 box each of Eley Force and Eley Bullseye Pistol X. I'm going to use my Aguila Super and CCI for adjusting the scope and spending time getting used to shooting a rifle and this one specifically. Then I'll try some of those and see what happens. If I find any of the other SK suggested I'll probably get a bit while I can but for now I'm sure I'm more than set. It's still fun to talk about though and especially to learn so much from so many here.

 

[epags]

@LDB415
Congrats on your new rifle and when you get it have a lot of fun trying different ammo.
Just look out for the rabbit holes concerning the 'best' scopes, the 'best' bipods, the 'best' competitions, and the 'best' ammo. I can almost guarantee that will happen in time .

 

[Col Mustard]

only too true... I think Huck Finn has something to say about "leave well enough alone..."
but I looked through my copy and didn't find it. That's usually my method of operation,
because I'm only mildly OCD. I'm happy with my 1022 and have been enjoying working with
it, and seeing my groups get smaller.

I'm happy with my 1022 as a fifty yard gun. You might be able to shoot well at a hundred with
your CZ once you've stabilized yourself with your choices. You'll need a good rest if you intend
to explore serious marksmanship. I'd suggest you begin with a simple sandbag or two.
An old sock or two filled with split peas or crushed walnut shells (lizard cage media) will get you started.
You can spend a little or a lot on shooting bench equipment...
Here's my 1022 supported by a couple of commercial sandbags. I shot a deer off those bags last November
with my 7x51mm rifle. The Caldwell rest on the left is one I bought at Sportsman's Wh*rehouse... it's a
cheap one but works well. That's only the front end, it has buttstock support too.

If you get into longer range than 50 yards, you'll want a spotting scope or a good pair of binoculars... like this:
(or just a pair of track shoes if you're young and frisky)

Lots of rabbit holes to explore... you'll need your master card. Or just make a budget in advance, and stick to it.
Good luck and good shooting.

 

[epags]

Lots of rabbit holes to explore... you'll need your master card. Or just make a budget in advance, and stick to it.
Good luck and good shooting.

budget? budget? What is this thing called "budget"?

 

[Col Mustard]

well, the thread's about wealthy ammo for poor people I think.
Not everyone can afford to squander so much money on addictions such as this.
Sometimes the kids need new shoes.

 

[brian.egeberg64]

My attitude towards ammo is to shoot it all. I pick up cheaper bulk ammo and more expensive match ammo all the time; when I see it on sale or find a good deal. Yes I end up with a hodgepodge of ammo but it allows me to enjoy shooting more.

If I’m shooting with my wife or kids or friends I don’t need the best match ammo, we’re just out having fun. I generally shoot cheaper ammo in pistols as we don’t shoot very far and I don’t shoot very good anyway. Doesn’t make a lot of sense to spend 40 cents a round when I struggle hitting a pop can at 30 yards.

When I was younger and had to watch my pennies closely the cheapest stuff I could buy worked great and I didn’t know anything better existed. Now I’m old and can afford ammo but I’m still cheap and only shoot the good stuff for groups and playing battleship with my buddy. My little stockpile allows an ammo for any situation, all geared towards FUN!

 

[LDB415]

My attitude towards ammo is to shoot it all. I pick up cheaper bulk ammo and more expensive match ammo all the time; when I see it on sale or find a good deal. Yes I end up with a hodgepodge of ammo but it allows me to enjoy shooting more.

If I’m shooting with my wife or kids or friends I don’t need the best match ammo, we’re just out having fun. I generally shoot cheaper ammo in pistols as we don’t shoot very far and I don’t shoot very good anyway. Doesn’t make a lot of sense to spend 40 cents a round when I struggle hitting a pop can at 30 yards.

When I was younger and had to watch my pennies closely the cheapest stuff I could buy worked great and I didn’t know anything better existed. Now I’m old and can afford ammo but I’m still cheap and only shoot the good stuff for groups and playing battleship with my buddy. My little stockpile allows an ammo for any situation, all geared towards FUN! View attachment 605352

I don't think I ever saw 157000 rounds of ammo in one place before.

 

[sureshot71]

I don't think I ever saw 157000 rounds of ammo in one place before.

That's a small fortune in .22s! Couldn't fire that amount in a lifetime.

But when I'm thinking about recent ammo shortages and the ever rising ammo prices, you've done everything right, a worthwhile investment!

Have fun with it!

 

[DD 581]

I found a niche in SK Long Range Match and SK Rifle Match. If I'm shooting targets competitively the Rifle Match will shoot .25" at 50 yards and if I'm shooting metallic silhouette the Long Range Match is good out to 200 yards. Both are in the $10 - $12 range and I have a few bricks of each in a lot number that my MTR likes. I keep a few boxes of CCI SV Target or Aquilla on hand for general plinking or for when the wind is blowing.
No rabbit hole for me but rather work on my shooting skills and have fun.

 

[PaulWVa]

My attitude towards ammo is to shoot it all.
My little stockpile allows an ammo for any situation, all geared towards FUN!

View attachment 605352

Yeah, this thread has me thinking I need to stock up .... last count had me almost below 60,000 rounds. I have all kinds, brands and bullet styles ... from Eley and Lapua to bulk box plinkers. I have six different CCI loads and three different Lapua on hand. Name it I probably have a few of them. When I want to do an ammo test I just pull a few things out of my cabinet.

 

[WileyG]

Having shot all the Lapua and all the SK I recommend starting with something SK and Standard + is great ammo.

 

[AstroGuy]

Probably not much I can add to here as most everyone touched on what I’d suggested. I’ll just say that I have an CZ 457 @One & an MTR. In both cases they seem to like the SK Match Rifle/red box however I have a few lots of the Standard Plus that really shoots well so I only shoot that when I’m shooting in a match.
I don’t really know why but anything Eley does not shoot well out of my CZ’s. The SK really is the best I’ve shoot out of them.
I do want to get some Lapua ammo and see if its as good a shooters in my CZ’s at some point.

Good luck and congrats on your new gun!

 

[esldude]

Read this little article on choosing ammo.

https://www.rimfirecentral.com/attachments/two-shot-group-shooting-with-images-2-pdf.584386/

It is by far the best way to pick between ammos for your rifle that I am aware of.

You shoot two shot groups. Yes, two shots. Move to another bull and shoot two more. The article describes some additional calculating in a spreadsheet for even better discrimination. If you do the extra math 12 pairs is enough. If you just want to measure groups and average them, I'd suggest doing 15 pairs. And nothing wrong with doing 25 pairs or 50 shots. This will be better and more discriminating between ammos that are nearly equivalent than doing 5 or 10 shot groups because every shot is involved in your measurements. With 10 shot groups you are only measuring 2 of the 10 shots.

Second best in my opinion, would be ten 5 shot groups and nearly as good is five 10 shot groups.

If you had an indoor windless test location, and one of those auto return to battery machine rests so you don't have to re-aim each time I would say a single 30 shot group is the way to go. But outdoors along with a human behind the trigger I think the two shot group method is superior in practice to a single 30 shot group.

 

[Anschutter]

LDB415 here are my thoughts. I'm fortunate to have my Dad's Annie 1415 SM54 that he bought in 1969. I always believed that a top notch rifle like that would wring the best accuracy out of most anything it was fed. Perhaps not from a "bucket o bad Bob's boolits" but everything else from standard sv ammo to the top tier stuff. My father successfully shot Rem target, and ten years ago I used CCI sv with good results and I was happy with the results in 50 yard four position. Recently I began to shoot in the 25 yard benchrest postal here and I have been shooting Aguila Super Extra sv. My scores are rank beginners level but they are improving and I'm enjoying it. In this forum gnm began a thread "aguila in match 54?" One person, SA1922M2, replied in post #27 with some interesting thoughts. He makes some good points that caused me to reevaluate. He said: "good rifles take advantage of good ammo." and "You might think your skill level doesn't warrant spending more money, but how will you know what your skill level really is if your ammo has 3-4x dispersion?" Tomorrow I should receive a shipment of ammo, nothing in the $tratosphere of pricing, but better ammo. I'm going to begin with RWS Club, then Team, then Eley Target Rifle then Rifle Match. Over the next several cards I hope to see steady improvement. Thanks SA1922M2.

 

[brian.egeberg64]

I don't think I ever saw 157000 rounds of ammo in one place before.

You would have to include my center fire rifle and pistol stash to get that many rounds. Trust me there are folks here with much more. Stocking up for retirement in a few years when I’ll have more time to shoot and a range in my backyard.

 

[brian.egeberg64]

That's a small fortune in .22s! Couldn't fire that amount in a lifetime.

But when I'm thinking about recent ammo shortages and the ever rising ammo prices, you've done everything right, a worthwhile investment!

Have fun with it!

I won’t, I’ll have plenty of helpers, the wife, daughters and their BF, good buddies and anyone who’s fun to shoot with.

 

[sureshot71]

I won’t, I’ll have plenty of helpers, the wife, daughters and their BF, good buddies and anyone who’s fun to shoot with.

Oh, that's great! Honestly, I envy you a little bit...

My wife isn't interested in shooting sports (but accepts my hobby of four decades), and my two sons aren't old enough...yet. Hope they'll accompany me to the shooting range someday.

Here in Germany, it's forbidden to shoot .22s and stronger guns outside of officially certified shooting ranges, unless you're a hunter on your hunting grounds.

So shooting .22s on your private property isn't possible legally. You'd get into severe trouble, because the cops would come to visit within short time.

If this was possible here, I'd probably fire some shots more often. I don't go shooting very often at the moment. I simply don't have the time, because family comes first.

My local gun club also has only quite limited opening times. Rifle shooting at the 50 m range is only possible on saturday afternoons, additionally handguns on wednesday and friday evenings, and on saturdays. So frequently you'll have to wait some time, until it's your turn.

As a result, I've fired approximately only 350 rounds in 2025 until now, all calibers combined (.22s, .38 Special and .357 Mag.).

So, my ammo stock (approximately 5.000 rds of .22 lr of different brands and types alone) will last for many years.

 

[miles813]

Probably not much I can add to here as most everyone touched on what I’d suggested. I’ll just say that I have an CZ 457 @One & an MTR. In both cases they seem to like the SK Match Rifle/red box however I have a few lots of the Standard Plus that really shoots well so I only shoot that when I’m shooting in a match.
I don’t really know why but anything Eley does not shoot well out of my CZ’s. The SK really is the best I’ve shoot out of them.
I do want to get some Lapua ammo and see if its as good a shooters in my CZ’s at some point.

Good luck and congrats on your new gun!

My rifle also liked SK Rifle Match and when I tried Lapua Center-X my wallet cried because the rifle liked that even better.