Federal auto match ammo

[Raptor3000]

Hi,

Is federal auto match 22LR ammo better than Federal bulk 525 Walmart ammo?

Turners has them for $24.99 for a box of 325.

Please let me know.

[tmh1]

I haven't shot the Auto Match within memory but... During my last Steel Challenge match there was a guy in our group shooting it out of his GSG 1911-22. He mentioned that he picked up a bunch recently because it was available at under $25 a box locally. He had never shot it before, so he was trying it out during the match.

He ended up going to his "known good" ammo after about 3 rounds. Too many FTE's in his gun using the Auto Match, where he knew that his other stuff ran basically flawlessly out of his gun. He didn't have any more trouble for the rest of the match.

The Auto Match is round nose so it should feed well. It is "high velocity" at a rated 1200 fps, but this is lower than the 1260 fps rating of the Federal Bulk. But then again, the Federal Bulk is hollow point, which won't feed as well in some guns.

So... best thing is to try it out in the guns you shoot. Match ammo generally does have a little lower velocity as compared to other grades. And while it will work just great in some guns, 22 autos can just be really picky.

[GILMORE619]

I've been running it in a 10/22, Ruger American rimfire rifle and a Mark III with not one fte or FTF. It seems it's been more available than any other bulk 22. Burned through 3 boxes in the last few weeks

[joe47]

In the last 3 years I have shot probably 5,000 rounds of FAM with maybe 3 FTF. At the present time I still have 10,000 rounds and buy more when Walmart has it in stock. The last I bought was less than $17.00. $25.00 is a little high.

[Raptor3000]

thanks guys

[FIREBALL_BRIAN]

Yes. They used to be $17 per 325 but times sir have changed

[HOGDOG1955]

bought some last week at walmart for $18.97 plus tax

[golfish]

I'd get what you can at a decent price. 25.00 for the FAM is a little high IMO but its better then nothing. I've bought that stuff at BPS and online last year for about 6-8 bucks less.

I try not to buy 22LR for more then 30.00 per 500rds, shipped, but then I have between 1 and 1 million rds

[Bubba_Leon]

I was able to get 2 boxes on sale for around $23.99, with the help of the lady at Bass Pro in Manteca last year.
I shot it only through my M&P 22 pistol. Only about 2/3'ds of both boxes functioned, multiple FTF's and frequently not enough pressure to lock the slide back on final round.
It's the only ammo that hasn't functioned flawlessly through that pistol. I must have gotten a bad lot.

[scootle]

I can't speak to your M&P 22, but do realize every rimfire gun has it's own "personality" when it comes to ammo.

Federal AutoMatch 40gr LRN (Product #AM22) is one of those ammo types that I learned to buy immediately (to the max/limit) if I see it on the shelf at Walmart. In my experience, it's more consistent than the 36gr copper-plated HP Federal Champion bulk packs (525 quantity, Product #745) by far, and as a waxed lead round-nose ammo, tends to perform fairly well accuracy-wise out of most semi-auto rifles and pistols, with a bit more fouling to clean up.

It's the go-to ammo for my Ruger MkIII if I'm target shooting and care about making it count.

[Press Check]

Is federal auto match 22LR ammo better than Federal bulk 525 Walmart ammo?

Negative.

[asphaltcowboychip]

On the box it says target grade accuracy, but I'm not too sure what that means as far as consistency.

I have noticed it does seem to leave a lot of carbon. I had to clean my Buckmark about 3 and a 1/2 mags (35ish rounds) into shooting it.

[jfdodge]

I bought 6 boxes online thru bass pro for 19.99 each, no complaints out of my remington 597 or browning 1911-22.

[scootle]

On the box it says target grade accuracy, but I'm not too sure what that means as far as consistency.

I have noticed it does seem to leave a lot of carbon. I had to clean my Buckmark about 3 and a 1/2 mags (35ish rounds) into shooting it.

I think it's partially the wax lube used on lead round nose ammo... But those in the know with rimfire will usually state that this "fouling" is usually a good thing for accuracy/consistency. Ymmv.

Read this: http://www.rrdvegas.com/rimfire-cleaning.html

[AR22]

Works fine for me. I am sure it is not quality match ammo as the box may imply, but it is decent plinking ammo. I have never shot paper with it. But we seldom do with any .22 ammo. We are more into minute of soda can than tight groups.

That price is high as others have said. I have around 6 boxes left, all bought for no more than 18.97 and as low as around 17.00 on the older boxes.

I usually pass on it though if the Federal 525 or 550 bulk is available also. 19.00 is high for only 325 rounds of plinking ammo in my opinion. 25.00 is robbery, that is what I pay for the 550 Federal bulk. I will surely not go out of the way to buy the 325, but will if its all that is available.