Eley .22 Benchrest Gold Ammunition

[Shynloco]

Hi guys,
I'm kinda new to the .22 Rifle competition scene as the result of a new competition that was formed at my local Gun club. (We do it strictly for fun and braggin rights.) One of my shootin buddies who also got me involved into the 6mmbr thing about a year ago (boy was that an expensive venture) also helped me taste the fun of shooting for accuracy with a .22.
As for the ammo thing, I've been reading some accuracy reports and comments by those already involved in the scene. But one report I saw spoke of and gave figures for an ammuntion made by Eley called "Benchrest Gold." Talk about some VERY accurate stuff! Problem is I can't find even a hint of the stuff currently anywhere. Anybody heard of the stuff and know if ELey still makes it? I know Eley recently repackaged their products and I currently have two of their highly accurate products in my safe. But I'd sure love to get my hands on a box of the Benchrest Gold ammo to try out in my newest .22, an Anschutz 64 MPS. Anybody have any info? Thx!

Alex

 

[RonAKA]

I've been in rimfire for a couple of years now, and have never heard of it. From some internet articles I suspect it was discontinued in the early 2000's. It appears it was still being sold in 2001 based on this one:

http://www.pilkguns.com/intsm.shtml

 

[RichinKansas]

Boy I've never seen that red box with GOLD imprinted. Eley had select lots of 10X relabeled Benchrest Gold in a white box with black labeling. It was king of the hill in 1994-1996 time frame. Then Lapua came out with Midas in about 1996. Benchrest Gold continued to about 2001 when they came out with the Eley 10X EPS. Midas and EPS duked it out for a few years with strong proponents of both. The EPS was dinged for poor performance in wind. Eley came out with a 10x roundnose for auto's that was to cure the wind problem. A year later they redesigned the EPS and it's been pretty much king since then. A couple of years ago Lapua replaced the Midas/ Master lines with what you see now. I've only shot their 3rd string ammo, Center-x, It's better than the older Midas which was their first string (highest priced). None of the other brands have ever drawn many proponents in ARA or the other big games. I think Fiocchi had something called stardust in the early 90's before benchrest gold. So much ammo to try and so little time.

 

[Shynloco]

Good Morning RichinKansas,
Thx for the detailed explanation. I've seen the Red Box Eley only on a very few websites and I suspect it's because of the price. Champion Shooters Supply is selling it for $18 and Bruno's sells it for $17.44, but they are out of stock (maybe). So once I get my my new Anschutz in my hands and put a scope on her, I'll start the testing all over again even though one site says the Anschutz 64 MPR really like Wolf Match Extra. That'll definitely be one ammo I'll be testing as well as Federal Gold Ultra Match, along with the two Eley ammo's AND of course, Lapua Midas L. One of those has to be the ticket for success in this rifle. Thx again for the info.
Alex

 

[nfhjr62]

Still have some R50 .22 long rifle match ammo from when i was shooting with my gun club team would travel to four other gun clubs for matches.
This R50 ammo would shoot very well in my Win. 52D shoot clean in three of four positions offhand would always give me trouble even indoors and would drop three or four points offhand.

 

[RichinKansas]

http://www.killoughshootingsports.com/Webs/ammunition.html here are some better prices for Eley. The Team I understand shoots real well at a more reasonable price.
For Lapua Charlie Scott has good prices. The 3rd string Center-x shoots well at about $9 a box. Charlie doesn't have a web site but can be contacted at cspss@att.net Both will sell test lots if they have stock. however I have found all lots of center-x I have tested to shoot well. The big problem is if there is any stock. It goes quick when they get ammo in.
For non-benchrest 3p shooting I find the wolf match extra shoots really well but doesn't eject well in my Martini.

 

[Shynloco]

RichinKansas,
Thanks for the tip. I contacted Dan Killough at the email address you supplied and he set me straight on how Eley rates their ammos. The Red Tenex is their best and Dan sells it for $16.95 for 50 rds. That is still better than what some other of the top brands go for. But I guess if you want and demand the ultimate in accuracy, you have to pay the price. But don't make the mistake of A S S U M I N G your rifle likes the 16.95 or even $24 per 50 brands. That why I'll mostly likely be getting 50 rds of the top stuff and once my Anschutz is broken in, we'll do some testing to find out what diet she likes the best. Thanks again for your info.

Alex