Lapua Ammo Lot numbers, most important numbers to match up

A5scott

A5scott

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Feb 20, 2017
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#1
When wanting more of the same lot, do I just try to find the lots with the same velocity? Or also with the same actual lot number, which seems very difficult.
I tested about 5 different kinds of ammo in my .22LR. Some SK, Lapua and Federal. The Lapua Long Range stuff was much better and shooting much better than the others, and I thought I might try to get some more.
Is matching up the first 5 numbers ok? or better to get all 11 to match?

Also, looks like the velocity of this Lapua Long Range is 335m/s. If I find other ammo from SK or Center-X for example that are 335m/s, are they likely to shoot fairly well? or there is more to it than matching velocity of better branded ammo types?

IMG_3821.PNG


Thanks,
Scott
 
#5
A5scott said:
When wanting more of the same lot, do I just try to find the lots with the same velocity? Or also with the same actual lot number, which seems very difficult.
Click to expand...
As 1813Benny says, when looking for the same lot all the numbers must be the same.

It's worth keeping in mind that the size (number of rounds) of .22LR match ammo lots often makes finding more of a particular lot impossible. Typically the higher the grade, the smaller the size of the lot. While most top tier match ammos lots don't exceed five to seven cases (5000 rounds in a case), even lower tier varieties such as Center X can be as small as three cases per lot.

In today's high level of demand for .22LR match ammo, it won't remain in stock long.
 
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#6
grauhanen said:
As 1813Benny says, when looking for the same lot all the numbers must be the same.

It's worth keeping in mind that the size (number of rounds) of .22LR match ammo lots often makes finding more of a particular lot impossible. Typically the higher the grade, the smaller the size of the lot. While most top tier match ammos lots don't exceed five to seven cases (5000 rounds in a case), even lower tier varieties such as Center X can be as small as three cases per lot.

In today's high level of demand for .22LR match ammo, it won't remain in stock long.
Click to expand...

Yes, I was thinking that finding exact same lot numbers would be very difficult.
I bought 4x 50 round boxes to try and about 3 days later, that lot was sold out.
I did find lots that matched the first 8 numbers, so I was wondering if that's close enough to give good results, or I'll find out when I shoot it.

Scott
 
#7
Since finding the same exact lot may be difficult, or even impossible, what is the next best strategy? Try a different lot with same velocity? If the lots are small, perhaps not much changes between lots, so does it make sense to try finding a lot number that is close?
 
#8
The thing I like about Lapua is that I have found that there seems to be very little difference (in my opinion)between lots in terms of performance. Unlike Eley where there was a significant difference. So I just buy a case when I need more. My next outing will be to see if my new rifle likes Xact or Super Long Range better.
 
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#9
Mainer said:
Since finding the same exact lot may be difficult, or even impossible, what is the next best strategy? Try a different lot with same velocity? If the lots are small, perhaps not much changes between lots, so does it make sense to try finding a lot number that is close?
Click to expand...
If you had a lot that shot especially well, the only way to find another like it is to test different lots to see how they shoot.

Of course it's hard to know whether the lot is especially good or not until there are other results against which comparisons can be made.

It may be reasonable to expect that most lots are in the "good" range of performance, with some a little better or worse than others. There will be a few lots that are especially good and a few that can be quite disappointing. In general, it's the disappointing lots that you will wish to avoid.

With .22LR match ammo, average velocity is not related to accuracy performance. Slower ammo drifts a little less in the wind, if that matters.
 
#10
I weather allows this weekend I will be testing Lapua Long Range, Center X and SK Long Range Match in my Vudoo and Custom CZ 457 with Lilja barrel both are 22in long.. I will post what the speeds were for each lot.
 
#11
Mainer said:
Since finding the same exact lot may be difficult, or even impossible, what is the next best strategy? Try a different lot with same velocity? If the lots are small, perhaps not much changes between lots, so does it make sense to try finding a lot number that is close?
Click to expand...

Just get signed up at the Lapua test center and get it tested. Pick the best ammo and buy a case or 2. No guessing just done.

I wish i could afford that so i buy a brick. I have 3 match guns. A 40x, an Anschutz 54 and a cz457 VTR. Usually 1 of the 3 will like the lot of center x i buy

David
 
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#13
A5 - Best is to go to Test, as said. 'My way' is to buy a few bricks, usually 2-4 depending on $$ on hand. I have 4 'good 22s' so as Dstoenner says usually one will like it. This Winter there were some really good 'sales' on SK-RM so I bought a bunch from 2-diff vendors to get diff Lot #s. I won't spend more than the cost of those 'cause I don't shoot matches.
 
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#14
Dstoenner said:
Just get signed up at the Lapua test center and get it tested. Pick the best ammo and buy a case or 2. No guessing just done.

I wish i could afford that so i buy a brick. I have 3 match guns. A 40x, an Anschutz 54 and a cz457 VTR. Usually 1 of the 3 will like the lot of center x i buy

David
Click to expand...
LOL! I wish I could afford that also!
 
#15
I have 2 BR rimfire rifles, one based on a 1913 Anschutz and the other a 2500X custom. I've tried 8 lots of Eley Tenex and they do not like it. I;m shooting XAct Lapua and they both like it. Yes Ammo is scarce and expensive, but if you like winning!
 
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#17
Tried 3 lots of X-Act and it shot no better then SK Standard+ did. Had some of flyers very disappointed for the price. I shot in my Vudoo and custom CZ 457 with Lilja barrel. Could have been bad lots as Lapua Long Range and Center X shot much better. I
 
#18
As with all things rimfire, rifles can be finicky. I have rife match ( give it to my kids), centerX, Midas+, Super long Range and some xact. Will see what my 1727F likes. Hopefully this next weekend.
 
#20
I gave up on ELEY 30 years ago after lot testing. For me Lapua has a much better track record of being consistent. It may not be the Best but my history says it is pretty good on the whole.
 
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#21
Mainer said:
Since finding the same exact lot may be difficult, or even impossible, what is the next best strategy? Try a different lot with same velocity? If the lots are small, perhaps not much changes between lots, so does it make sense to try finding a lot number that is close?
Click to expand...
For me finding center x in commiefornia is practically impossible unless I have it shipped in. I’ll never find the same lot to lot so I go by speed. My barrel likes 28xxx -29xxx so that’s what I try to find. Works for Midas as well. Bought two rando bricks of Midas+ @ 28xxx and 10 rounds go into the same hole 🤷‍♂️

IMG_5395.jpeg

- pic:
- top row is 10 rounds each of some SKLR my barrel hates
- 2nd row: left to right; left is 10 rounds Midas +, next is 5 rounds lapua SLR, next is 5 rounds Lapua LR, next is another lot of center x @ 24xxxx
- 3rd row: both are 5 shot groups of x act
 
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#24
GIXXER2000 said:
Tried 3 lots of X-Act and it shot no better then SK Standard+ did. Had some of flyers very disappointed for the price. I shot in my Vudoo and custom CZ 457 with Lilja barrel. Could have been bad lots as Lapua Long Range and Center X shot much better. I
Click to expand...
It's my understand that Center-X, Midas + and X-Act are all the same production. The lots are tested after production and then given a designation of either Center-X, Midas + or X-act at that point. This was information in a video on youtube from one of the test centers. This is an interesting watch and helps explain that sometimes Center-X may out perform Midas or X-Act in your rifle. If you skip forward to about 9:20 in the video is when the technician discusses manufacture of the different ammunitions.

 
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#25
So I originally got lucky and found a lot of the Lapua Long range that shot well, about 1 MOA at 100 yards. That was after trying Center-X, and a few different SK. (red, tan, and yellow boxes) and Midas+

Of course as we all know, the frustration of looking for more of the same lot, and not finding any available.

I talked to the Lapua testers at their facility, Lapua themselves, and a fairly well known retail shop in Florida.
Replies I got were a mix of the only way to ensure similar results is buying the the same exact lot, to matching the first 2 numbers to match the velocity, or match the first 5 if possible.

I now have had excellent results out of 3 different lots of Lapua Long Range by matching the first 5 numbers, and I think I will find similar results by just matching the velocity.
My point of impact didn't even shift between the 3 lots, and they all shot 1 MOA at 100 yards. I was able to score a 72 out of 80 at an NRA silhouette match out to 200 meters, so I'm hoping I can keep up the luck with future lots. I know it's just shooting steel, and not for groups, but I find it very fun.

Also, Whidden Gunworks in GA opened up a testing center to test Lapua and Elley ammos, and their wait is practically nothing to get in there.
You can send in a rifle, or bring it there and shoot it yourself.

Thanks again for the replies.

Scott
 
#26
A5scott said:
I talked to the Lapua testers at their facility, Lapua themselves, and a fairly well known retail shop in Florida.
Replies I got were a mix of the only way to ensure similar results is buying the the same exact lot, to matching the first 2 numbers to match the velocity, or match the first 5 if possible.

I now have had excellent results out of 3 different lots of Lapua Long Range by matching the first 5 numbers, and I think I will find similar results by just matching the velocity.
Click to expand...
Matching the first five numbers will only ensure the manufacturer's rated average MV, the type of bullet, and the year of manufacture. The numbers following the slash in the lot number is what identifies the lot.

The "speed" of the ammo is not relevant to its performance. Characteristics other than a lot's average MV (as calculated by the manufacturer) will determine how it shoots.

Below is an explanation of the Lapua lot number system. This particular lot of Center X happened to shoot poorly in a number of my rifles.

 
#27
Maybe the velocity does not mean everything, but it is what many have been using to judge the next purchase. People posted Eley lot#s vs velocity forever. I know I matched velocities and got pretty good results. And by judging ammo by price you got better SDs (black box is better than club).
 
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#28
oldrifleman said:
Maybe the velocity does not mean everything, but it is what many have been using to judge the next purchase. People posted Eley lot#s vs velocity forever. I know I matched velocities and got pretty good results. And by judging ammo by price you got better SDs (black box is better than club).
Click to expand...


Exactly, the velocity is what I used to buy two different bricks and they both shot as well as the first lot.
3 lots, same velocity, and I'm very happy with how they all shot.


Scott
 
#29
oldrifleman said:
Maybe the velocity does not mean everything, but it is what many have been using to judge the next purchase. People posted Eley lot#s vs velocity forever. I know I matched velocities and got pretty good results. And by judging ammo by price you got better SDs (black box is better than club).
Click to expand...
Velocity means nothing here. Two or more different Eley lots that both have the same MV printed on the packaging can have different MVs when tested in your rifle. In other words, the same published MVs can have different actual MVs. The performance of each lot can be similar to each other or different.

The point to take from this is that there is no shortcut, such as the same MV, to identifying good ammo. There's no substitute for testing it.
 
#30
I disagree but your experience may suit you better. It is still a guess but my history, as well as many other shooters, is to start our search based on muzzle velocity that we have proven works in a particular rifle. Or you can start sorting based on rim thickness, total length or any of the other mindless obsessions that some espouse. Sure you can send you rifle in to be tested, great idea by the way, but for some that may be impractical. Some mear mortals rely on other mean to pick our ammo.
 
#31
grauhanen said:
Matching the first five numbers will only ensure the manufacturer's rated average MV, the type of bullet, and the year of manufacture. The numbers following the slash in the lot number is what identifies the lot.

The "speed" of the ammo is not relevant to its performance. Characteristics other than a lot's average MV (as calculated by the manufacturer) will determine how it shoots.

Below is an explanation of the Lapua lot number system. This particular lot of Center X happened to shoot poorly in a number of my rifles.

Click to expand...
IMG_1402.jpeg

Lot numbers are different now. I don’t know what they mean now. The 2 lower boxes are a few years old and the top box is from the test center last year.
 
#32
When it comes to accuracy performance, it doesn't matter whether some or many shooters continue to believe that MV determines whether a lot shoots or not. Match rimfire ammo performance remains unrelated to what's printed on the packaging.

Shooters should be aware and understand that no one needs to send a rifle in to be tested to find good ammo. Good shooting ammo was identified long before testing facilities were available.
 
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#33
BillOH said:
Lot numbers are different now. I don’t know what they mean now. The 2 lower boxes are a few years old and the top box is from the test center last year.
Click to expand...
How are they different now? The two lower boxes are made in 2021 and loaded by machines numbered 6 and 7. The top box is from 2023 and was loaded by machine number 5. (Lapua uses more than a single loading machine.)
 
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