Back during one of the Olympics the fine folks at Federal made some Gold Medal rimfires with a "Dimple" in the Case Head similar to the Russian Match Ammo.

Did any of you ever try any of it? If so, how well did it compare with other Match Grade rimfire you have used?

Do they still sell it?

I just recently used some of it in a new Anschutz I picked up. The ammo worked great very tight groups. I think they still sell it if you can find anyone who still has it in stock.

Hey David, That is just what I tried today. Asked my local Gun Shop and the guy nearly started slobbering. He told me that he thought it was the VERY BEST 22LR Match Ammo that has ever been made. Then in a quick after thought has asked, "You got any you are wanting to sell?"

He said Fed did have some "new stuff" at $18/50 and some at $11/50 and neither has the Dimple. I'd normally have smiled and passed, but he has treated me pretty well along with some buddies, so I got one box of each. He did mention one guy got a single $18/50 box, went home and shot it, then came back and got two bricks at $120 each.

Fed Gold Medal Match – These have a Waxy Coating similar to Eley. $11/50 locally.
52.8gr – 4
52.9gr – 21
53.1gr – 25

Fed Gold Medal Ultra Match – These have a Waxy Coating similar to Eley. $18/50 locally.
52.8gr – 10
52.9gr – 31
53.1gr – 9

I feel sure the missed readings at 53.0gr is due to my MTM Scale and not the ammo.

Don't know when I'll have a chance to Test them, but at least I do have a box of each.

Hot Core;

I think you have boxes of the "new" Federal ammo. Reportedly it is made by RWS for Federal (similar to what Remington does with Eley). If it is RWS it ought to be really great. The R-50 & R-100 are superbe out of match grade guns. Both have a very waxy coating on their slugs. Price range compare favorably.

I have a brick each (-20 rounds each as I shot a few groups for test) of the older Federal 900B & UM1B. They both shoot under 1" @ 100m with good gun (no caffine, wind, etc.). The "B" signifies sub-sonic (1080+/-). The same w/o "B" are faster so probably work aok under 50yds. Have heard it was great in match pistols. Both have the somewhat sparse lube similar to all Federal 22 match ammo. Both hard to find & expensive now.

If you get some of the new stuff please take simialr a pic and post. Would love to see 'em. I'm keeping this stuff kinda like a fine wine, waiting for the right time.

Here's the 'stuff' I mostly shoot. The 711B shoots well (1"-1.25") and the 714 shoots well enough (1"-1.5", has a few flyers)) @ 100m. the 711B at $35-40/brick with the 714 @ $20-25/brick. The 714 has only sold at Dicks Sporting Goods. The advantage is the 714 is darn close to the 711B site setting for small bore silhouette (40m, 60m, 77m, 100m). This allows my sons & I a lower priced practice ammo with minimum sight variations.

Pete A.

Hey Pete, Those are the ones I was thinking about with the Dimple. I'm not sure I can get the flick cordinated, but if I do, I'll let you know.

I have some of the Champion ammo and found it at a local Wal-Mart, but it is the High Velocity "510" version. Seems to shoot fairly well in my inexpensive Marlin M880SS.

We have Dick's Sporting Goods up here and I will check them out. Thanks for the tip.
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Sure appreciate the info about the new Fed stuff being RWS. I'm sure I've never tried any RWS before, because I've not seen it on the shelf.
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A buddy in Califoney and I have noticed the 22Rimfires which have the Sticky Wax style coating seems to shoot the best in our rifles. He even noticed if he fired some of it(10-15) and then shot another brand that did not have a Wax coating, the second stuff shot better for 5-6 shots. Kind of like the Wax "seasoned" the Bore.

Have you, or anyone else, ever noticed that?

quote:

A buddy in Califoney and I have noticed the 22Rimfires which have the Sticky Wax style coating seems to shoot the best in our rifles. He even noticed if he fired some of it(10-15) and then shot another brand that did not have a Wax coating, the second stuff shot better for 5-6 shots. Kind of like the Wax "seasoned" the Bore.

Have you, or anyone else, ever noticed that?

Interesting observation.

Hey Dogface, I feel sure my buddy was shooting a $$$High$$$ Lapua(if the spelling is correct) with a Waxy Coating. And the Eley I was shooting last year also had a Waxy Coating. And this new Fed stuff has it.
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I had commented to him the Waxy Coating would be a disaster when toting it around in your pocket on a Squirrel Hunt. Obviously it would get coated with pocket lint, sand, whatever. So, I really didn't care if it shot well or not.

Then a Pennsylvania buddy mentioned he used Eley when Squirrel Hunting, "kept them in the box", and the box in his pocket.

And of course the Eley stuff shoots great, even the comparatively inexpensive "Club" version.
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If you get a chance to try some, let me know if you notice a difference in your regular ammo after using a few rounds of it behind the Waxy ammo.

I hunt squirrels with Eley or RWS Sub-Sonic HP's. Both of these are pretty "waxy". I typically have 2 clips for each our "squirrel" rifles (Win M320 w/Leupold 4x Rimfire Special & Rem 541S w/leupold 3-9AO compact) which we load at the car and slip in pocket. Then additional 20+/- rounds in shirt/jacket pocket. The shells in box 'rattle' too much.

Lint/dirt accumulation isn't too bad as we typically will shoot all ammo at the end of the hunt, plinking etc. I try to seperate these from somewhat dirtier shooting jacket pockets. Have been known to put these extra rounds in a "baggie".

I love Eley & RWS for hunting. They are both very accurate & quiet. Both have great results on the squirrels & rabbits, "peels 'em right out of the tree". The Solids seem to send to many ricochette's. The HV's are so much louder and IMHO don't extend the usable shooting distance enough.

Pete A.

PS.: Just got in 2 boxes of the SK SubSonic HP's but have yet to test. Will let you know the results.

When testing different brands of 22 ammo I noticed that when changing ammo it took several shots for the different ammo to settle in to a group I think that this is due to the different lubes on the bullets

quote:

Originally posted by Pete A.:
I hunt squirrels with Eley or RWS Sub-Sonic HP's. ...

Hey Pete, I was using the Subsonic Remingtons and could not have been happier. Killed just fine even on Foxes.

Then the Califoney buddy asked how well they shot and I told him just fine. No, he was interested in the actual group size. Told him I'd have to look at the Targets but "thought" it was pretty small.

Couldn't even find that 3-ring binder. So, I realized I needed to re-shoot them and start a new binder. Good gosh, I was a bit surprised at how large the groups were at 25yds, which is about the distance I shoot Squirrels. Couldn't believe I had the impression they were doing so well in my rifle. But, they always Killed well before then.

That is what got me and him both going on re-testing our 22Rimfires and it has been a lot of fun. I'll see if I can locate some of the Eley or RWS Subsonic ammo.
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Hey mousegun1, Same with us. I tended to clean the Bore between different brands, but once my buddy noticed that, I tried it and saw the same thing.

Try Champions Choice near Nashville, TN. They are mostly a target shooters supply but keep the best in 22 ammo. Not a good source for ammo in a "milk carton". Should be able to get Eley, RWS, & SK SubSonic HP's here. As I said I just bought 2 boxes of the SK SS HP but have yet to try it. Will report results (out of Rem 541 & the Win 320, hopefully Sun morn).

I also like 20+/- rounds of any new ammo before testing for best groups. No perfect data here but seems to work best. Hey it's a good reason to burn more ammo!!

I've not had the best of luck with just about any Remington 22 ammo. Yea it fires but no awe inspiring groups for sure. Tried the Winchester 22 SubSonic HP & it was unremarkable.

The CCI Subsonic HP does do well in some guns. My Win 320 does well with it (5/8"+/- @ 50yds). However my Rem 541 & Cooper 57's don't get along with it at all. Hard to chamber and won't extract unless fired. Not a good position for a hunting round.

Pete A.

Pic of my youngest with good morning with Win320 & eley SS HP's

Last year with my oldest & same combo

Hey Pete, That sure is a fine set of "grins" on those boys. And some right fine Squirrels too.

Thanks for the scoop on "Champions Choice near Nashville, TN." I'm headed into town today and see what I can locate. Always nice to have a back-up though.
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I'm at the point I actually enjoy watching folks younguns do well on their Hunting more than when I'm Hunting alone. Glad to see you passing Hunting on to the boys.

I still have a brick of 900 b and it's quite accurate. Wolf match target for the money is quite hard to beat in most guns.

Hey Moorepower, I'm glad you revived this thread. I FINALLY had just enough time one day before a rain set in to shoot 17 shots. Weather guy didn't have a clue.

Anyway, here is the way it went. I figure if the Ammo shoots Bad from the beginning, then it just needs to be in a different firearm. Or if it shoots great, then it has potential but might be a Fluke Group.

Distance was 25yds because that is about as far as I shoot at Squirrels. I used my relatively inexpensive Marlin M880SS Bolt Action and only 5-shots so far in each Group.

Fed Premium Match = 0.38" with 4 @ 0.06"
Fed Premium Ultra Match = 0.48" with 4 @ 0.18"

I must have been low on Tea, cause the Reticle was jumping around like I was hooked to a Paint Shaker. The fact that they got anywhere close to each other really surprised me. No telling how well they would have shot for one of you guys who get to shoot a lot more than me.

Other than the $$$HIGH$$$ cost, the new Fed ammo looks like some fine ammo for my rifle.

Still no appreciable Rimfire ammo on the shelves where I am. I do see some 17HMR ammo, but it seems the "cost" of that ammo is keeping it from moving. Darn shame cause I hear it is an accurate, fun cartridge.

What I have found out with a .22 lr, is higher price is not always going to shoot better. Usually more consistent, but not always better than the Wolf match target. My 900b shoots better in most of my guns but not all.

Hey Moorepower, I completely agree. I took a very old AMT Lightning(10/22 clone with a Stainless Receiver) to the Range a week os so ago. Decided to use up some old stuff that is no longer in production and had just partial boxes.

Popped open some Fed Lightning that had not shot real well in my Marlin M880SS. Of course it was shooting tiny holes in the AMT for the few cartridges that I had. All gone now though, but I feel sure some of the other ammo will do just fine in it.