Lapua 22LR Ammo

[Papa Charlie]

I recently purchased a Remington Precision Rimfire. Took it out to the range and tried a couple of off brands and some CCI 22LR. The CCI was the winner by far. At 75 yards, I was able to hold a 1.5" pattern for the most part. At 220 yards, I was able to hit the gong (6") every time. I adjusted the trigger to 2 pounds and am still trying to get use to it. But overall, considering some of the posts, I think I got a pretty good rifle with a good barrel. Sometime down the road I will probably get either a 20 inch Green Mountain or a Shaw barrel. Would prefer 22" if I can find it.

When I came home I started looking at other rounds to try. I see in the ELR Rimfire competition (out to 550 yards at the Las Vegas 22 ELR Rumble), that the Lapua Center X and Midas seem to be prominent. I also noticed on the Midway USA site that there is also a Polar Biathlon.

Looking at the specs they are all round nose, 40gr lead bullets and the velocities are similar:

Center X: Muzzle Velocity 1073 fps, Muzzle Energy 102 foot lb ($112.49 / 500)
Midas: Muzzle Velocity 1073 fps, Muzzle Energy 102 foot lb ($152.99 / 500)
Polar Biathlon: Muzzle Velocity 1099 fps, Muzzle Energy 107 foot lb ($139.49 / 500)

So what is the difference between these three Lapua rounds other than price?
Which would be the best for accuracy from 50-220 yards and beyond?
For precision, what else might you recommend for me to try?

 

[1911mag]

Lapua Midas Plus is a good long distance round in 2 of my guns, farthest out I have used them is 300 yds at clay birds.
This is a good article also on some testing done.

https://www.accurateshooter.com/guns-of-week/22lr-rimfire-ammo-comparison-test/

 

[Delfuego]

So what is the difference between these three Lapua rounds other than price?
Which would be the best for accuracy from 50-220 yards and beyond?
For precision, what else might you recommend for me to try?

It's really more about consistency and ES. ES shows up at those long ranges.
For example Eley "Tenex" is their best product. If a lot of that ammo doesn't shoot well enough, it becomes Eley "Match".
Lapua CenterX and Midas maybe be the same type of sorting.
Eley has a Lot Analyzer webpage where you can see their test results for each lot of ammo. They will also include a code in their lot numbers that tell you which machine it was made on.

 

[rkittine]

I bought multiple lots for Tenex and different Lapua .22 RF ammo and testing them in my two RF benchrest guns. As expected the same ammo does not do as well in one gun as the other. Same with different lots between the different ones. So, I purchase test boxes of lots that I know there is considerable back up stock available to purchase (get the inventory list with the quantities available by lot) test it and then order quantity of the type and lot that worked best for each rifle.

Bob

 

[Papa Charlie]

Thanks everyone for the information. Looks like I will be ordering a bunch of 50 round boxes to see what works and what doesn't.
I will order some of the Tenex, Center X, Midas and Biathlon.

 

[Danoh]

Be sure and give Pistol Match a try also, shoots VERY well for it’s price point.

 

[ebb]

Does Remington also make a precision rimfire, or did you miss type? I am hoping that Remington will get their act together but doubtful.

 

[Papa Charlie]

Does Remington also make a precision rimfire, or did you miss type? I am hoping that Remington will get their act together but doubtful.

Precision Rimfire Rifle yes. Ammunition, not that I have found.

 

[beemanjohn]

Are you sure it is not a Ruger Precision rifle? As far as I know, Remington does not make one. (but I have been wrong before and will be again)

 

[Papa Charlie]

Ok old age moment, yes Ruger Precision Rimfire.

 

[Tim s]

All RF ammo by Eley and Lapua is made on the same line. They have more than one machine but the ammo is loaded per spec on all. It is tested in 3 or 4 test barrels and sold per performance of the testing. IE: if it shoots good in 4 of the 4 barrels , it is boxed and sold as the top line. (Eley- Tenex and Lapua- Xact ).
Shoots in 3 of 4 then boxed and sold as the next down, ( Eley-match and Lapua Midas+ ). Continues down the line to the lowest performing of that lot.
I have spoken with both reps from them and shot thousands of both. The best way is if you go to a national match, normally the reps will be there and you can buy one box at a time, test it and then buy what shoots in your rifle.
NOTE: Just because a lot or brand shoots in your friends rifle doesn't mean it will in yours...

Yeah, that is not very accurate their friend, you might do some homework because I’d guess there’s a pretty good gap between what they might have said and what you thought they said.
Also, you need not go to a single match to buy any test ammo, many of the dealers will be happy to send you several test lots oryou can send your gun to either ELEY or Lapua test tunnels for testing and ammo selection.

 

[86alaskan]

Make absolutely sure you're testing a decent (50+) rounds of each type of ammo before judging your performance. Many of these RF bullets feature different types of lube. After speaking with several barrel makers, they've all come up with the same conclusion, you have to develop a good "season" on the bore with that specific lube before the groups will ultimately settle. I can shoot just about any ammo in my tikka t1x and it shoots decent. It isn't until I run about 50rds through the gun before I can watch the groups tighten. I don't ever change ammo during a match. I can literally see the groups shrink after cleaning and shooting a box or two while the barrel settles back down.

 

[Laurie]

All RF ammo by Eley and Lapua is made on the same line.

I believe you're confusing SK and Eley. SK and Lapua rimfires are made by the Nammo Schoenebeck factory in Germany, both part of the Finnish Nammo (Vihtavuori, Lapua. Berger Bullets, SK) group.

Eley is made in Sutton Coldfield near Birmingham in England. AFAIK, there is no link between Nammo Oy and Eley Ltd except that they are competitors in the top end of rimfire ammunition business. Eley Ltd used to be part of the longstanding British IMI (Imperial Metal Industries) group but was bought out five years ago by UK venture capitalists LDC which is financing production expansion.

http://www.guntradenews.com/news/eley-ltd-under-new-ownership/

 

[Tim s]

Make absolutely sure you're testing a decent (50+) rounds of each type of ammo before judging your performance. Many of these RF bullets feature different types of lube. After speaking with several barrel makers, they've all come up with the same conclusion, you have to develop a good "season" on the bore with that specific lube before the groups will ultimately settle. I can shoot just about any ammo in my tikka t1x and it shoots decent. It isn't until I run about 50rds through the gun before I can watch the groups tighten. I don't ever change ammo during a match. I can literally see the groups shrink after cleaning and shooting a box or two while the barrel settles back down.

I would love to know who you talked to as far as barrel makers since match grade barrels require nothing of the sort and very few competitors go much more than a box or so without a clean. Custom guns rarely require more that 5-10 shots to settle right in.
Your Tikka....I have not a clue but you are making some broad statements.

 

[Delfuego]

Please keep it friendly and remember we are here to help the OP...

 

[Tim s]

I think I understood. You are correct that one can order various sample boxes from just about any supplier. However: by the time you test them and find one that shoots, so has 200 other people and good luck getting it. Yes you can send your gun to Lapua or Eley for testing for a price. Then you normally have to buy a case of the ammo that tested best.

That, quite often, is an oft reported bit of incorrect information.
No doubt good ammo goes quick. Also no doubt, a lot....,quite a lot,gets overlooked and little tested.
I cannot tell you how much very good ammo sits around, sometimes for months. The absolute best ammo I currently have, I bought 3 months after it hit the US.
Don’t believe me, call Paul Tolvsted from KSS(ELEY USA) who posts all ammo availability online and will tell you same, and this is BEFORE recent developments which are that shipments are now coming in monthly.
Lastly, if you test, you don’t have to buy a thing. If you don’t you get hit with a nominal test fee.
With all due respect, you have to fact check before you post up some of this stuff, way too many guys believe the ammo conspiricy.

 

[Papa Charlie]

Thanks very much for the information guys. I will be testing a bunch of 22LR rounds. I am placing an order for one box of each of the Lapua (Center X, Midas and Biathlon). I will buy some others too form other mfg's. Who knows, I could get lucky and find a great round sooner than later.

 

[tomswede]

I would love to know who you talked to as far as barrel makers since match grade barrels require nothing of the sort and very few competitors go much more than a box or so without a clean. Custom guns rarely require more that 5-10 shots to settle right in.
Your Tikka....I have not a clue but you are making some broad statements.

A box and then clean? Have not seen a cleaning rod at any 1600pt smallbore match, but have to confess that I have not been to many.
What I have seen/heard smallbore shooters vary from every few hundred of round to every few thousand between cleaning. BR, I have no clue.

 

[Gilbert Garza]

I just shot the Texas 22 championship this weekend, ended up 5th overall. Well I had a theory of cleaning my rifle during stages at the upcoming Vegas finale to keep my rifle hammering. So after 350rds without cleaning I went to the range to test. Shot 4 5rd groups at 212yds, it shot the same groups as before the match. Then I pulled a bore snake and shot 4 5rd groups with a pull of a bore snake between each group. Well that was a mistake !! Groups looked like crap. On the last group just kept sending rounds till it tightened up. Lesson learned, won’t clean till before finale then I’ll foul the crap out of the barrel.

 

[Tim s]

What pray tell is the Texas 22 championship ?