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I recently purchased a nice Model 61 S, L, LR and am looking forward to a range visit with it. It’s been years since I’ve shot .22. Any recommendations for accurate, functional, reliable, reasonably priced .22 ammo for me? Any that might cause problems that I should stay away from?
Thanks
Mac
I would think that old rifle would eat just about anything. A very good choice would be any of CCI’s offerings. Mini-Mags would be my choice. Also, Federal
Bulk ammo in 37 gr. HP is another good one. A little cheaper and still good ammo. Big Larry
22’s are funny critters. You have to feed them what THEY like and it seems no two are the same. The rifle will digest anything you feed it. My advice is, purchase a variety of ammo. Small quantity’s of several different types and let the rifle tell you what it likes. After you get that figured out buy a bulk amount of the particular ammo for that rifle.
Best,
Erin
November 7, 2015
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I’ve been having good results with Norma TAC and Norma Match in a wide variety of older Winchesters lately. The TAC has an oily coating that some folks don’t like but I think it may help functioning in some cases. The Norma Match is supposed to be select lots of Norma TAC but the difference is hard for me to detect except in a match rifle. The good part is that it’s very good quality standard velocity ammo that can be easily be found for under $40/brick. It’s very clean, only a slight bit of lube and powder residue after 2-3 range trips. I understand it’s made by RWS but haven’t confirmed it.
Mike
Thanks Big Larry, Erin, and Mike. Headed to Cabela’s today or tomorrow (got a sale coupon) and see what they have.
Mac
Big Mac said
Thanks Big Larry, Erin, and Mike. Headed to Cabela’s today or tomorrow (got a sale coupon) and see what they have.Mac
The M61 is not a match rifle and will not shoot with a M52 or M75. If this is to be a hunting rifle, try some CCI HP’s. If not, standard CCI Mini Mags are great as are some of the cheaper stuff if it is to be a plinker like mine. Big Larry
Larry,
Point of order…I’m a plinker so I guess the rifle is guilty by association. Your recommendation on CCI sounds “on target” to me.
Mac
Big Mac said
Larry,Point of order…I’m a plinker so I guess the rifle is guilty by association. Your recommendation on CCI sounds “on target” to me.
Mac
In any event Big Mac, enjoy your rifle and think ahead to a nice M62. Big Larry
November 7, 2015
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Plinker? Anyone who’s seen the targets I post knows that term certainly applies to me. It’s hard to beat the good times that can be had with a good .22 and some decent ammo. Even my “plinker” .22’s seem to appreciate good ammo, especially when the price is reasonable. Trying to balance value, performance, availability and a given rifle’s preference is sometimes a lengthy task but just think of how many range trips you can justify just to figure out which ammo is best for you and your rifle!
Mike
TXGunNut said
Plinker? Anyone who’s seen the targets I post knows that term certainly applies to me. It’s hard to beat the good times that can be had with a good .22 and some decent ammo. Even my “plinker” .22’s seem to appreciate good ammo, especially when the price is reasonable. Trying to balance value, performance, availability and a given rifle’s preference is sometimes a lengthy task but just think of how many range trips you can justify just to figure out which ammo is best for you and your rifle!
Mike
Isn’t that what 22 shooting is all about ?
Vince
Southern Oregon
NRA member
Fraternal Order of Eagles
“There is but one answer to be made to the dynamite bomb and that can best be made by the Winchester rifle.”
Teddy Roosevelt
November 7, 2015
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Vince said
Isn’t that what 22 shooting is all about ?
Not for every one. I know shooters who use the 1/4″ numbers on the edge of the target grid (Redfield style) for targets. These guys are looking for ways to shrink their tiny little bughole groups by a few hundredths of an inch and they spend thousands on rests, scopes and custom rifles to do it. When they buy ammo they not only specify the product number but also the lot number and another number that I don’t understand. And they seem to have a great time doing it.
Not me, I’m a plinker. Fun thing is they always enjoy seeing the old historical pieces like mine on the line. And not a one of them has shot a fly….yet. 
Yuuup, it’s official I’m a plinker. Bought CCI HP mini-mag and Remington Thunderbolt on sale at the local PX. Went to the nearest range, indoor, ran a 50 meter small bore rifle target out to the 15 meter stop and plinked away off-hand with the Model 61 and a Model 63 that I hadn’t previously fired. I can report both rifles functioned well with both types of ammo and all rounds hit paper, good enough for me. See attached photo. I may need to follow Big Larry’s advice and add a model 62 to the gang.
Big Mac said
Yuuup, it’s official I’m a plinker. Bought CCI HP mini-mag and Remington Thunderbolt on sale at the local PX. Went to the nearest range, indoor, ran a 50 meter small bore rifle target out to the 15 meter stop and plinked away off-hand with the Model 61 and a Model 63 that I hadn’t previously fired. I can report both rifles functioned well with both types of ammo and all rounds hit paper, good enough for me. See attached photo. I may need to follow Big Larry’s advice and add a model 62 to the gang.
Nice rifles. Yes, the M62 is the gunmakers art. The M62 is prettier than a M62-A, I think. I own both, and the fit and finish on the M62 seems to be a little nicer. I also have a 1950 vintage M63 that does not get much use. So many guns, so little time. Big Larry
Here’s another 2 cents worth of comment’
I used to shoot .22 RF Benchrest – 50 yds. The league had two classes : ARA (few restrictions). and “Benchrest in the Barnyard” (restrictions on cost of rifle. power of scope. and cost of ammo). My ARA gun was a Winchester 52 B, which liked Eley Edge, and my Barnyard gun was a Savage Mark II, which liked CCI Target Std. Velocity.
Now I’m in a Blackpowder Cartridge league, where I shoot my Model 1885 Takedown (made about 1913). I’ve tried 25 different brands/types of .22 LR, from CCI Target to Eley Tenex (so far). At this point the top three are Norma Match-22, Lapua Match M, and RWS Target Rifle.
My point in all this is that every rifle is individual. Among the Barnyard shooters there were at least 6 Savage Mark II’s, with at least 4 different ammos used.
It doesn’t matter whether you are shooting a new semiauto, a 25-year old bolt-action, or a 100-year old 1885 Single Shot. You MUST try as many different brands and types of ammo as you can afford. Also, I think it’s best to go with currently available stuff, rather than old stuff you find at shows. It is absolutely amazing how different each gun is. Two guns from the same manufacturer, and one serial number apart, may like ammo from completely different manufacturers. You gotta keep trying different stuff ! !
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