Here’s an option to the Hornady 45g. Federal premium brand has a 45g JHP 1800 fps version. https://www.federalpremium.com/rimfire ... 2WMR1.html

As with all 22 WMR, light candles, say prayers, and toss some salt over your shoulder before buying.

Thanks - that ammo definitely warrants "a try". I probably have 3 varieties of .22 WMR ammo in my stash that have not yet been tested on paper.

I guess that now the weather's getting nicer, I should schedule some dedicated range time for ammo testing.

Steve

I've been using CCI TMJ in my Henry 22 Mag Long Barrel Rifle. I had an issue with the rifle and Henry opted to send me a brand new rifle. Wanting to know if I was lucky enough to get a tack driver so I put a scope on it. Shot a group at 50 meters. I got a group with four shots at 1/2" spread but there was one another 1/2" out for a 1" five shot group. Ah! but the trigger pull was crazy. I checked it when I got home; 4#s, 4 1/4#, then after a time it stabilized at 3 1/2#. Figured I could do better with a lighter trigger. Got it down to 2 1/8#s...I like that....but same deal on the next group I shot. Kept trying to get a good five shot group. And on the fifth group I shot today, I had three shots at 1/2" again. On the fourth shot I made the same break and this one hit an inch and a half lower. That's when I realized it wasn't just me. This ammo has got a lot of flyers in it. I'll try it again when I can get a different lot but I'm not going to buy much until I find a good lot.
So .... I'm checking Steel Chickens for some other ammo to try. It's been a while since this post first went down.
Have you guys tested any of the ammo you spoke of in this post? How did it go? Any suggestions on what I should try?

22mag calls like a sirens song. No reloading, flat trajectory, low recoil and accuracy as predictable as a bipolar rattlesnake on a hot road.
I have had reasonable success with the 50g Federal ammo. It seems to stay within 2.5” at 100 including the flyers. I have some 45g Winchester that won’t stay on a chicken at 50y. I also had a great lot of Fiocchi 40g FMJ but can’t find anymore. The Fiocchi had a US production label and looked exactly like Federal bullets and packaging. The hit animals I have lost have all been to CCI 40g, both HP and FMJ. Two of those center hit pigs, that said it has predictable mediocre accuracy and is available most of the time. I think its bullets are too soft and thin jacketed for reliability on steel animals although it is probably the most widely used.

I’m experimenting with a .38 to replace the 22mag but she’s hard to stay away from.

I'm very on the fence between .38/357 and .22 Magnum.
Air traveling really lends itself to .22 Magnum but you can get a few ringers...
Guess that's the fun of it all - you can have both...

In taking my cheap shot at the .22 mag I must admit it is the sole cartridge I have used in PC matches. One more consideration is the short list of rifle options. If Henry is your choice you are in good shape. If you prefer something else that you don’t already own they seem exceptionally pricey, short on production options and short on supply.

I recently bought a 22mag 9422 1980’s vintage. It loves the 50 grain Federal’s; but I was on the fence to shoot it in big matches due to losing rams.
After reading this post I purchased some of the Federal 45 grain Punch ammo. Initial testing looked good. Today I shot a match at Ridgway Rifle club and I was more than impressed with the performance on rams. I hit 9 of 10 and all went down with authority; even the low belly hits.
Thanks for the tip.
Al Foust

I don’t know the answer for sure but I tend to think the .22mag may hold the honor for most big match wins of the PC options. I know it has held a good number of top 10 scores at Nationals and the Western Nationals. We can pick on its short comings but if it’s the cartridge you decide on it won’t hold you back. As pointed out it has some advantages that weigh against its few shortcomings. Travel friendly when weight matters, no reloading, flat trajectory and certainly accurate enough for our sport, occasionally superbly accurate.

Thanks for the 45g Federal ammo information.