CCI Standard Velocity 22 LR
CCI Standard Velocity 22 LR is included as the pragmatic, budget-friendly choice for rimfire practice when the goal is consistent shot-to-shot performance rather than pushing supersonic velocities. While it is not a high-velocity match round like the specialist loads on this list, its low recoil, dependable ignition and broad availability make it an economical training partner that preserves bolt guns and helps shooters save on range time compared with pricier match brands. Compared with Lapua, Eley, SK and Federal match offerings, CCI trades ultimate long-range match precision for value and repeatable baseline accuracy useful in tuning and practice.
Steady accuracy
Low recoil
Steady accuracy
Low recoil
Review Summary
"Buyers report CCI Standard Velocity is reliable, consistent, and accurate enough for casual target work and plinking, with excellent feeding and ignition in a wide range of rifles; users note it’s an affordable, everyday round rather than a top-tier match load. Overall performance and value make it a common go-to for extended range practice."
Old-faithful
Affordable 22 LR option for training and practice.
Old-faithful
Affordable 22 LR option for training and practice.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
CCI Standard Velocity 22 LR is included as the pragmatic, budget-friendly choice for rimfire practice when the goal is consistent shot-to-shot performance rather than pushing supersonic velocities. While it is not a high-velocity match round like the specialist loads on this list, its low recoil, dependable ignition and broad availability make it an economical training partner that preserves bolt guns and helps shooters save on range time compared with pricier match brands. Compared with Lapua, Eley, SK and Federal match offerings, CCI trades ultimate long-range match precision for value and repeatable baseline accuracy useful in tuning and practice.
Steady accuracy
Low recoil
Old-faithful
Affordable 22 LR option for training and practice.
Consistent standard-velocity performance suitable for casual target work.
Steady accuracy
Low recoil
Old-faithful
Affordable 22 LR option for training and practice.
Consistent standard-velocity performance suitable for casual target work.
$10-18 CAD
Lapua Center-X 22 LR
Lapua Center-X 22 LR is a precision-focused match load prized for tight tolerances, excellent lot-to-lot uniformity and very consistent muzzle velocities—qualities that make it a top contender when building or loading for rimfire high-velocity match performance. Technically it sits just below the absolute top-tier in marginal gains versus the costlier Eley Tenex, offering many competitors the best cost-to-performance balance for serious match work. Compared with CCI it is markedly more consistent and aimed at competition, and versus SK and Federal it often yields smaller vertical strings at challenging distances.
Match-grade precision
Tight groups
Match-grade precision
Tight groups
Review Summary
"Lapua Center-X is praised for exceptional consistency and competitive-grade accuracy across many rifles, with shooters frequently citing tight groups and very uniform velocities; reviewers also note it’s a premium-priced round but worth it for match shooting. Availability can be limited, but long-term users swear by its repeatability."
Bullseye whisperer
Manufactured to very tight tolerances for exceptional consistency.
Bullseye whisperer
Manufactured to very tight tolerances for exceptional consistency.
Skill Development & Mastery
Recreational Enjoyment
Lapua Center-X 22 LR is a precision-focused match load prized for tight tolerances, excellent lot-to-lot uniformity and very consistent muzzle velocities—qualities that make it a top contender when building or loading for rimfire high-velocity match performance. Technically it sits just below the absolute top-tier in marginal gains versus the costlier Eley Tenex, offering many competitors the best cost-to-performance balance for serious match work. Compared with CCI it is markedly more consistent and aimed at competition, and versus SK and Federal it often yields smaller vertical strings at challenging distances.
Match-grade precision
Tight groups
Bullseye whisperer
Manufactured to very tight tolerances for exceptional consistency.
Excellent long-term lot-to-lot uniformity ideal for serious practice.
Match-grade precision
Tight groups
Bullseye whisperer
Manufactured to very tight tolerances for exceptional consistency.
Excellent long-term lot-to-lot uniformity ideal for serious practice.
$25-40 CAD
Eley Tenex 22 LR
Eley Tenex is the benchmark match grade 22 LR cartridge, used by international champions for its ultra-low velocity spread, superb concentricity and the smallest point-of-impact variation in fielded lots—making it the market leader for rimfire high-precision competition. The technical advantage is clear in extreme-accuracy scenarios, though that supremacy comes with a premium price, so teams and shooters choose Tenex when maximum scoring consistency outweighs cost considerations. Against Lapua, SK and Federal it consistently posts the tightest groups, while CCI remains the practical training foil rather than a direct competitor at this performance level.
Extreme consistency
World-class accuracy
Extreme consistency
World-class accuracy
Review Summary
"Eley Tenex is widely regarded as the benchmark for rimfire match ammo—users consistently report unmatched accuracy, superb uniformity, and championship-level performance despite a high price and occasional supply issues. Long-term competitors overwhelmingly prefer it for serious match use."
Gold-medal charm
Ultra-high consistency and lap-tested accuracy for elite competition.
Gold-medal charm
Ultra-high consistency and lap-tested accuracy for elite competition.
Skill Development & Mastery
Recreational Enjoyment
Eley Tenex is the benchmark match grade 22 LR cartridge, used by international champions for its ultra-low velocity spread, superb concentricity and the smallest point-of-impact variation in fielded lots—making it the market leader for rimfire high-precision competition. The technical advantage is clear in extreme-accuracy scenarios, though that supremacy comes with a premium price, so teams and shooters choose Tenex when maximum scoring consistency outweighs cost considerations. Against Lapua, SK and Federal it consistently posts the tightest groups, while CCI remains the practical training foil rather than a direct competitor at this performance level.
Extreme consistency
World-class accuracy
Gold-medal charm
Ultra-high consistency and lap-tested accuracy for elite competition.
Extensive hand-sorting and strict quality control to minimize variation.
Extreme consistency
World-class accuracy
Gold-medal charm
Ultra-high consistency and lap-tested accuracy for elite competition.
Extensive hand-sorting and strict quality control to minimize variation.
$45-65 CAD
SK Rifle Match 22 LR
SK Rifle Match 22 LR is a highly consistent, competition-oriented load that offers many shooters a middle ground—delivering much of the accuracy expected from elite match brands but at a more accessible price point and with dependable availability. Technically it offers very respectable muzzle velocity consistency and is often chosen by competitors who want near-top-tier performance without the Eley or Lapua premium, making it a strong value proposition in the high-velocity match context. Compared to Federal and CCI it typically produces tighter groups, and while it may not quite match Eley’s absolute best spreads, it is frequently the most cost-effective option for national-level practice and matches.
Clean-burning
Uniform velocity
Clean-burning
Uniform velocity
Review Summary
"SK Rifle Match is valued for excellent accuracy, consistent performance, and good value, with many shooters reporting very reliable ignition and repeatable groups over extended use. It’s frequently chosen as a durable, cost-effective match-grade option."
Quiet assassin
Dependable velocity and accuracy for club and competition use.
Quiet assassin
Dependable velocity and accuracy for club and competition use.
Skill Development & Mastery
Recreational Enjoyment
Time-Saving Convenience
SK Rifle Match 22 LR is a highly consistent, competition-oriented load that offers many shooters a middle ground—delivering much of the accuracy expected from elite match brands but at a more accessible price point and with dependable availability. Technically it offers very respectable muzzle velocity consistency and is often chosen by competitors who want near-top-tier performance without the Eley or Lapua premium, making it a strong value proposition in the high-velocity match context. Compared to Federal and CCI it typically produces tighter groups, and while it may not quite match Eley’s absolute best spreads, it is frequently the most cost-effective option for national-level practice and matches.
Clean-burning
Uniform velocity
Quiet assassin
Dependable velocity and accuracy for club and competition use.
Clean-burning formulation that feeds reliably in bolt and semi-auto rifles.
Clean-burning
Uniform velocity
Quiet assassin
Dependable velocity and accuracy for club and competition use.
Clean-burning formulation that feeds reliably in bolt and semi-auto rifles.
$20-35 CAD
Federal Gold Medal Match 22 LR
Federal Gold Medal Match 22 LR is marketed as a competition-grade rimfire offering with a focus on reliable ballistic performance and widespread availability, making it a convenient choice for shooters who need consistent match results without sourcing rarer boutique lots. Financially it is often competitively priced against Lapua and Eley while delivering solid uniformity and good velocity control, so it appeals to competitors and clubs balancing budget and performance. In comparison to CCI it is more match-focused, and against SK, Lapua and Eley it represents a pragmatic compromise—better than standard plinking rounds but slightly behind the ultra-premium match leaders in absolute string size.
Precise seating
Consistent velocity
Precise seating
Consistent velocity
Review Summary
"Federal Gold Medal Match 22 LR gets consistent praise for solid match-grade performance, reliable functioning, and good accuracy that suits competition and precision practice, though some users prefer Lapua or Eley for absolute top-tier precision. It’s considered a strong mainstream match option with good availability."
Range royalty
Engineered for target shooters with consistent out-of-the-box accuracy.
Range royalty
Engineered for target shooters with consistent out-of-the-box accuracy.
Skill Development & Mastery
Recreational Enjoyment
Federal Gold Medal Match 22 LR is marketed as a competition-grade rimfire offering with a focus on reliable ballistic performance and widespread availability, making it a convenient choice for shooters who need consistent match results without sourcing rarer boutique lots. Financially it is often competitively priced against Lapua and Eley while delivering solid uniformity and good velocity control, so it appeals to competitors and clubs balancing budget and performance. In comparison to CCI it is more match-focused, and against SK, Lapua and Eley it represents a pragmatic compromise—better than standard plinking rounds but slightly behind the ultra-premium match leaders in absolute string size.
Precise seating
Consistent velocity
Range royalty
Engineered for target shooters with consistent out-of-the-box accuracy.
Stable ammunition performance across common match distances.
Precise seating
Consistent velocity
Range royalty
Engineered for target shooters with consistent out-of-the-box accuracy.
Stable ammunition performance across common match distances.
$25-40 CAD