Rimfires are funny in how they like or dislike certain ammo. Couple days ago I was sighting in a Henry 22 mag lever that I had changed out the scope on. I grabbed a box of CCI Mini-Mag HP's that had shot great in a Marlin bolt I recently sold. Setting up the target at 50 yards I couldn't for the life of me get those things to group in less than 3-4 inches. I had three boxes of this stuff that was 15+ years old. So I picked up a box of just purchased CCI Mini-Mag HP's and the darn things grouped great. Only conclusion I can come to is CCI changed out the powder or something. I did notice the newer ammo had a larger HP and was better formed than the old stuff. As to the plastic tipped 22 mags, I haven't run into any brand that doesn't shoot great in my gun. I think but don't know for sure that Hornady is still making the bullets and case for all the manufactures. I know that's how the supply of 17 HMR was in the beginning.

 

i'm not sure i believe that Hornady makes all the bullets and cases for all the 22mag stuff.

The reason that's the case with the HMR is because that was a proprietary cartidge until not too long ago. Hornady Magnum Rimfire

Until not too long ago, Hornady wasnt' even IN the 22mag scene. whats' in the box now from hornady measures on my grain scale the exact same weight as the last 2 rounds of OSSI stuff i have and it's about 6 years old I think. I think Hornady listened to some people bitching about the 30gr pills not being avail any more and decided to make their own. I know I emailed them a couple times and I'm glad to see this stuff in production again. The original OSSI stuff was MAGIC in both my 882SSV and in my 25mn. though...the 25mn REALLY liked the cci 40gr's and it was hard for me to justify spending anything more than 7 bucks a box for ammo...this is when the OSSI was hitting me 14.95 a box. Now i'm freekin HAPPY to buy polytips for 15 bucks a box LOL

 

by the looks of those targets, you've got dead turkey.
For some reason, my 882SS refuses to shoot the 30 grain offerings from CCI and Hornady well. My targets look similar to yours when shooting the Remington 33 grain Premier.

 

I'm sure you're right about Hornady not making the cases and not sure why I even thought that. But I do suspect Hornady are making the 30 grain VMax for themselves and CCI. The Remington 33 grain poly tip has been out for some time now, long before the CCI and Hornady load.

 

I'm sure you're right about Hornady not making the cases and not sure why I even thought that. But I do suspect Hornady are making the 30 grain VMax for themselves and CCI. The Remington 33 grain poly tip has been out for some time now, long before the CCI and Hornady load.

No. Hornady/CCI/Federal are all the same group and they (collectively) do make their own brass. CCI makes Remington's load as well. CCI and Federal have been on the forefront of fast, accurate 22WMR loads for years. CCI used to produce the "Speer 30 gr JHP" load that did 2350 fps back 15 years ago...now, regrettably discontinued. The Federal "Classic" 30 grain HP does 2350 from my CZ in summer weather.~Andrew

 

I started using CCI 30 gr. V-MAX almost 3 years ago and it is my favorite. The CCI 30 gr. HP+V is also a good round at the same velocity. Last year as the Hornady V-MAX came out I tried it and it shoots exactly the same as CCI. Then I tried the CCI Green TNT all copper 30 gr. and it shoots very well, it has more penetration and petals out to make a big exit wound, works good on tougher critters, but I get the tightest groups with V-MAX. V-MAX will penetrate and then it blows up inside the varmint, you can then pore the contents out like red puree soup. no exit wound. Coyotes, badgers and other critters that size are one shot away from worm food. 22 wmr is a whole different cal. with the new ammo and V-Max, it is real accurate.

I have been told that CCI makes the Hornady 22 wmr ammo and some others as well. I would say I couldn't tell the difference except the red tip on Hornady and black on CCI.

I would like to see a V-Max bullet for 22 lr. with a 1640 vel. that would be nice.

 

Tried 1650 fps with the 35 grain VM from my Hornet. It doesn't expand. There are few things that work as well as pure lead, anyhow. ~Andrew

 

Interestingly, I bought a box of the Hornady V-Max to shoot in my Savage 22 mag. It literally shot all over the place. Actually none of the lighter, higher speed, poly tipped 22 mag rounds work in that gun. I spent a lot of money on ammo finding that out. Know what works? CCI Maxi Mag. 40 gr hollow points. They will group under 1" at 100 yards. So, I use the cheap low-tech stuff!

 

My 9422 mag love the federal 50 grain hollows. The opposite of the 30 grain poly tips. If it won't shoot the light stuff there the heavies.

 

Actually none of the lighter, higher speed, poly tipped 22 mag rounds work in that gun.

Hal- did your experience in this gun include the Remington 33 grain Premiers? I don't like the price of them, but they're the best shooting round in my 882ss.

 

I liked the 30 grain VM for speed and accuracy but the expansion was unreliable. Winter rabbits are an easy kill here so I engineered identical shots using my CZ. Some rounds shot through, some expanded. About 50/50. I use the Federal 30 grain JHP "Classic". They really aren't a true drawn-jacket bullet but a roll plated lead slug. They are fast, accurate, and violent on game. At 90 yards I can hollow out a cottontail like a dug-out canoe.~Andrew

 

Actually none of the lighter, higher speed, poly tipped 22 mag rounds work in that gun.

Hal- did your experience in this gun include the Remington 33 grain Premiers? I don't like the price of them, but they're the best shooting round in my 882ss.

Yes, I bought a box but they just won't group well at all. You could probably kill a fat groundhog at 50 yards, but shooting a squirrel's head is out of the question.

 

With any rimfire it certainly pays to experiment. I have a Marlin 982VS in .22WMR. I bought a box of the Hornady 30gr V-Max and it shot OK but not great. My rifle does shoot well with Winchester Supreme 34gr JHP and Federal Power-shok 50gr JHP. For whatever reason my rifle has never shot well with any of the CCI offerings, go figure?

 

My 25MN likes the 50-grain GameShok rounds from Federal when I'm anti-critter...but it eats a LOT of stuff with good results.

 

Been a while since I chewed some 50's in the mag, but the Hornady 30's suprisingly shot well. just saying because I haven't had much luck with anything else under 40gr in my 25mn. Except the 34gr Supremes.

 

My 882svs seems to like most all except the Win. Dynaturds. may as well throw them at the target..
I am partial to the CCI's though.

 

Y'all can send me all those Dynapoints you don't care for.....I'm lucky to own the one Mod 25MN that shoots these through one hole...so you can let an old disabled vet have a ball with your cast off ammo that you're just going to unload downrange to be gone with it