A .22 LR rifle that groups tightly with one load can throw flyers or struggle to cycle with another. That is why a list of the top 22lr ammo brands is useful, but it is not a substitute for testing ammunition in your own firearm. Rimfire ammunition is affordable enough to try different loads, and finding the right match can make range days more productive, hunting shots more confident, and training less frustrating.
For most shooters, the best brand comes down to the job. Bulk high-velocity loads make sense for casual shooting and semi-autos. Standard-velocity ammunition is often the better choice for suppressed use and precision work. Hunting loads need dependable expansion, while match ammunition is built around consistency rather than bargain-bin volume. Here are the brands worth knowing when you are buying .22 LR.
Top 22LR Ammo Brands Worth Buying
CCI
CCI has earned its reputation by offering a deep .22 LR lineup that covers nearly every common use. For general range shooting, CCI Mini-Mag is a proven high-velocity choice with a strong record in semi-automatic pistols and rifles. It costs more than basic bulk-pack ammunition, but many shooters are happy to pay for the cleaner performance and more dependable cycling.
CCI Standard Velocity is a favorite for quieter shooting, suppressor hosts, and rifles that prefer a 1,070 fps-class load. For hunting and pest control, CCI also offers segmented hollow points, copper-plated hollow points, and specialty options such as Quiet-22. The trade-off with Quiet-22 is obvious: reduced noise comes with reduced velocity, and it may not cycle every semi-auto.
If you own several rimfires and want one reliable baseline load to test first, CCI is usually a smart place to start.
Federal
Federal covers the value, training, hunting, and match ends of the .22 LR market. AutoMatch is widely used by shooters looking for bulk quantities that still work well in many semi-auto firearms. It is not match ammunition, and occasional variation is part of the bulk-pack equation, but it offers solid value for high-round-count practice.
Federal Champion is another common range option, while Punch is designed for shooters looking for a purpose-built defensive .22 LR load. For precision-focused shooters, Federal Gold Medal and Premium match offerings deserve attention. They are generally more expensive, but consistency matters when small groups are the goal.
Federal is a practical brand for the shooter who wants recognizable ammunition across several price tiers. Buy a few different loads rather than assuming the least expensive box will be the best fit for every firearm.
Winchester
Winchester .22 LR is familiar to just about every longtime shooter. Its bulk packs are frequently chosen for plinking, informal target shooting, and introducing new shooters to the range without turning a relaxed afternoon into an expensive one.
Winchester Super-X remains a useful hunting-oriented option, with high-velocity loads and hollow-point choices that work well for small game where legal and appropriate. Wildcat is another established line that many shooters use for basic practice.
The value proposition is straightforward: Winchester is easy to recognize, broadly available, and often priced competitively. With bulk rimfire, inspect cartridges as you load and keep expectations realistic. A high-volume pack is built for affordable shooting, not for producing one-hole groups at 50 yards.
Remington
Remington rimfire ammunition has been a staple on store shelves for generations. Golden Bullet is one of the most recognizable bulk .22 LR loads available, often selected for casual range use and shooters who want a large quantity on hand.
Some firearms run Golden Bullet ammunition without complaint, while others may prefer a different bullet profile or velocity. That is not unusual in the rimfire world. Remington also offers higher-velocity hunting loads and hollow-point options for shooters who need more than simple target ammunition.
The right way to buy Remington bulk ammunition is as a value play. It can make a lot of sense for recreational shooting, especially after confirming that your particular pistol or rifle feeds it reliably.
Aguila
Aguila has become a serious option for shooters who want more variety than the typical American bulk-pack shelf provides. Its standard-velocity and high-velocity loads are commonly used for practice, while its specialized offerings stand out.
Aguila Super Extra is a popular general-purpose choice available in several configurations. Interceptor and Supermaximum loads appeal to shooters who want higher velocity for field use. At the other end of the spectrum, Colibri and Super Colibri are extremely low-power loads intended for very specific uses.
Those quiet specialty loads require extra caution. They are not designed for every firearm, and a projectile can lodge in a barrel if the load is used outside its intended application. Always confirm the bore is clear before firing another round if a shot sounds weak or unusual.
Eley
Eley is one of the names precision rimfire shooters look for when group size matters more than price per round. Its match-grade ammunition is used in serious target competition and by shooters trying to get the most from accurate bolt-action rifles and carefully set-up rimfire platforms.
Eley Club is often an accessible entry point into quality target ammunition. Team, Match, and Tenex move further into premium territory, with tighter production standards and pricing to match. The gains may be dramatic in one rifle and modest in another, which is why experienced shooters often test several lots before committing to a case.
Eley is not the first choice for blasting steel all afternoon. It is the choice to consider when you have a capable rifle, a stable rest, and a real reason to measure groups instead of just making noise.
SK and Lapua
SK and Lapua occupy the same serious precision conversation. Both are respected for consistent match ammunition, particularly in bolt-action rifles used for rimfire competition, training, and deliberate target work.
SK Standard Plus, Rifle Match, and Long Range Match are common stepping stones for shooters building a precision rimfire setup. Lapua Center-X and Midas+ sit higher in the premium category and are often selected by competitors who have tested their rifle and know exactly what it prefers.
These brands are an investment. They make the most sense after basics such as optic mounting, action screw torque, barrel condition, and shooting technique are already sorted out. Premium ammunition cannot fix poor fundamentals, but it can reveal what a quality rifle is truly capable of doing.
Norma
Norma is another brand worth considering for shooters who want quality standard-velocity and match-oriented .22 LR options. Its TAC-22 load has developed a following as an affordable training and target round, especially among shooters who want a more consistent alternative to basic bulk ammunition.
Norma Match and higher-end offerings are worth trying in rifles that show promise with standard-velocity ammunition. As with Eley, SK, and Lapua, the only result that counts is the target your rifle produces.
Match the Load to the Job
The brand name on the box matters, but the load type matters just as much. For general plinking, buy dependable high-velocity or bulk ammunition that functions in your firearm and fits your budget. For semi-auto pistols and rifles, reliable cycling should be your first concern.
For small-game hunting, choose a load designed for the task and follow all state game laws. Hollow points and higher-velocity loads are common choices, but accuracy remains more important than a velocity number printed on a box. A load that groups poorly is not a hunting load for your rifle.
For target shooting, try standard-velocity ammunition before assuming faster is better. Many accurate rimfire rifles shoot their best groups with standard-velocity match loads. If you run a suppressor, these loads are also commonly preferred because they are often below the speed of sound from rifle barrels.
How to Test .22 LR in Your Firearm
Buy several small boxes before buying a case. Shoot groups at the distance you actually use, not just at 15 yards because the bench is open. For a rifle, 50 yards is a useful starting point. For a pistol, test for practical accuracy and feeding reliability at your normal range distance.
Keep notes on brand, load name, bullet weight, velocity, group size, and malfunctions. Rimfire ammunition can vary by lot, so write down lot numbers when you find a load your firearm truly likes. If you later buy more, getting the same lot can help preserve the results you worked to find.
Clean the firearm when it needs it, but avoid changing too many variables during a test. A dirty chamber, loose optic mount, or mixed magazines can make good ammunition look bad. Test carefully, use safe handling practices, and do not chase a bargain that leaves you clearing stoppages all day.
The best .22 LR purchase is not always the cheapest box or the most expensive match carton. It is the ammunition that runs reliably, shoots where you expect, and is available when you need it. When you find that load, set a few boxes aside for the next range trip and keep enough on hand to enjoy the rifle or pistol you already own.