Prime 22 LR semi auto

[Mike Casselton]

I have an Anschutz that loves the RWS Target.

According to the responses from Target Sports, this Prime 22 is also made by RWS.

RWS Target is listed at 1082fps and this is 1148fps, so it's not exactly the same. However, I'm wondering if it's worth buying or should I just keep using the Target?

Anyone shooting it?

Your thoughts?

 

[billmeek]

I personally would stick with standard velocity 22LR ammo. From my experience, anything ammo that goes above the speed of sound isn't as accurate. If using it for hunting the high velocity would be fine.

 

[DownhillFromHere]

RWS is one of the companies under the RUAG umbrella. Prime ammo, prior to the legal blowup (widely discussed in various SH threads), was produced by Norma - also under the RUAG umbrella. After the blowup, RUAG dumped Prime-branded ammo in a few places, of which Target Sports is one.

Regardless of whether you care about RUAG's actions, the "Semi-Auto" flavor of Prime .22 is loaded hot to assure it will operate autoloading (blowback) firearms. If all you want is plinking or short range ammo, go for it (but you can find CCI ammo cheaper). I wouldn't buy this stuff in hope of superb accuracy.

I made the mistake of buying a case of Prime subsonic hollow point (SSHP) when it was on sale before the blowup... I didn't know then that "subsonic" meant "really slow, really quiet, really not precision" .22 so puny it will not reliably cycle an autoloader. I bought a niche product and have learned to be more careful. I've been selling the SSHP to people I know with full disclosure - if you want super-quiet ammo for short-range applications, this stuff is great - but don't look to it with any hope of "precision" or expectation of high reliability in standard autoloaders.

I'm thinking the semi-auto ammo is a similar thing.

 

[Near miss]

Hah I have a story for you.
Just yesterday I was shooting Federal 1272fps rated ammo in a semi.
It could not pick up a new round in like half the time from the magazine. Before I had used it and it worked but it was like 33C/90F hot that day.

Well I had regular Topshots with me. They run at about 1060fps.
They picked up!

I guess there is no cheap and good when it comes to ammo..

 

[gpkon66]

At that price, it might be worth trying out in your gun. I run in my Izmash and it likes it. My Ruger 10/22, not so much. Good luck!

 

[ddavis]

There was another thread about this ammo somewhere. I'm not sure anyone has got it to shoot decent in any rifle. It shoots terrible in the couple I've tried it in. I payed pretty much the same as Golden Bullet crap ammo so I'm not super disappointed since it was during their huge moving sale but no way I'd pay full price for it. FWIW bulk garbage ammo from Walmart shoots better.

-Dan

 

[Mike Casselton]

I've always had good luck with Federal Champion 40gr lead standard velocity.
Most of my 22s like it, but the Anschutz loves and I mean loves the RWS Target.

Two 5 shot groups at 50yds including cold clean bore.

100yds, zero wind.
Last group was 5 shots. I will probably never see those conditions again.

My issue is the cost of buying bricks, let alone a Case of it.

I suppose I could buy two bricks, and if the Annie doesn't like it, they can be shot up by the kids.

What you guys might find interesting is that I don't own a 10-22 or other semi-22, except for a Browning Buckmark pistol.

I should fix that problem.