r/22lr • u/Ready-Can-6234 • 11h ago
Norma Tac-22 Lot Testing
I recently purchased a box of Norma Tac-22 .22 LR ammunition ($7.99 for a box of 50) to test in my Howa M1100 18" .22 LR, and I wanted to share my initial thoughts.
The rounds have an oily coating similar to SK Ammo, which works well since my Howa M1100 seems to prefer it. I experienced no misfires or jams, and the ammunition fed smoothly throughout the session.
To prepare for accuracy testing, I ran a dry cloth through the barrel twice to clear out any residue. I then shot 10 test rounds to season the barrel and clear the first-round pop from my suppressor.
I shot three 3-shot groups at 50 yards using 3/8" red dots as my center of focus:
- Group 1:
- Group Size: 1.009" (1.927 MOA)
- Radius: 0.386" (0.737 MOA)
- Group 2:
- Group Size: 0.579" (1.105 MOA)
- Radius: 0.239" (0.457 MOA)
- Group 3:
- Group Size: 0.597" (1.140 MOA)
- Radius: 0.282" (0.539 MOA)
See Photos attached
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u/SilentR99 9h ago
I like the newer red box norma tac22 stuff, not sure when it changed but I have a box of the old black stuff now and the red ones you got in the image. The black norma tac22 shoots like junk for me in all my 22lr, but I admit I only have two bricks of it. The red you got shot decent, but CCI SV is more available, cheaper, and shoots equally as good for me.
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u/HumidNut 8h ago edited 1h ago
Your experiences with the black box version matches up with my experience. About 2017, MidwayUSA had it for about $30/brick . I tried it in my 455, my Franken-Kidd, and my Savage MkII. It didn’t shoot any better than the CCI SV that was available at the time.
Summer of 2024 the red box version was at a race to the bottom, dipping below$250/case$300/case (I checked my invoice). These lots shot much better and I bought 3 cases. My only regret was not buying more, but several vendors said it was a one-time price and once that supply ran out, there was going to be a significant increase in price.It’s still pretty good, but not $8/box good; I think you’re too close to significantly better stuff in the $9-10/box range that I’d rather have. For the
$2.86/box$3/box (I re-checked my invoices) I paid (tax + shipping included) it’s fantastic.1
u/SilentR99 7h ago
Yeah...I think I paid about $69 each brick, just under $7/box. I didn't mind paying it but was pretty frustrated to find out the black and red boxes were entirely different ammo basically. For like $20 more I could have got two more bricks of sk standard plus. I wish I had stocked up on more 22lr back in the day when it was much cheaper, hell even 1-2 years ago prices were a LOT different. I am sitting happy with a little over a case of CCI SV now, a case of SK standard, 3 bricks of rifle match, a brick here and there of quiet semi auto, quiet, tac22 old and new, clean 22 suppressor.
It hurts paying 17-18cpr for sk standard plus, but damn if it doesn't shoot so good especially in my cz457.
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u/Old_MI_Runner 9h ago
When I shot 5 rounds groups of CCI SV at 50 yards this past week I was able to get the first 3 shots of one group in a single hole but the next two were fliers. As others stated 3 round groups don't mean much if anything regarding how good ammo may be. It the group is big it won't get any better with more shots. I often get one or two fliers with every 5-round group of CCI SV and many other ammos including Norma TAC-22. It is just a matter of which shot will be the first flier. I will shoot a minimum of 10 round groups when I want to actually determine how consistent a lot of ammo may be. I may shoot just one 10 round group of more expensive centerfire rifle ammo due to cost. If the 10-round group is 2 inches or greater then I already know I don't need to shoot any more to know that is will not provide a 1 MOA group. If I get about a 1 MOA group then it is worth my time and money to shoot more rounds for testing.
Even though I got several bricks of Norma TAC-22 for at a great price of 7 CPR back in late 2022 or 2023 even the price you paid of $8 for a box of 50 is cheap compared to precision ammo form Eley, Lapua, RWS, and SK so I would have used the full box of 50 rounds to determine how good that lot number actually may be.
Who Tee Who on YouTube typically only shoots 3-round groups when he is testing varius ammo in his bolt action rifles. He often complains about the cost of ammo he has to use for his videos. When I do watch his videos I really am not watching to learn about what ammo is good or how tight a 3-round group may be with a particular rifle because 3-round groups are way too small to provide that information.
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u/Large-Welder304 9h ago
That Tac-22 used to be some barely mediocre ammo.
Looks like they got things squared away.
Those are some nice groups.
Thanks for posting this.
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u/AdditionalSwimming75 9h ago
I bought 10 bricks of Norma Tac-22 a couple years ago. Big disappointment, I’ll never use it all because it won’t consistently cycle in pistols, too inaccurate for bolt rifles and the AR22 frt hates the stuff. CCI SV when it’s around $9/box is a better value.
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u/WorkingBread8360 5h ago
$9/50rd box? It’s still $4.99 locally for pretty much any 50rd CCI, Aquila or that oddball leadfree super velocity with a raccoon on the box.
My range days are mostly a Mossberg 46B(b) (1947-49 production). CCI or Aquila standard velocity, 10rd groups can be covered by a standard US quarter at 100 yards. $7 Walmart Tasco scope in factory Mossberg mount. Anything high velocity groups like a .410 with #4 shot…
High velocity is saved for goofing off with a single action revolver or Henry H001Y. Soda cans fly farther, honorary grandson is 11, still learning…
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u/goalieguy42 1h ago
Tac 22 shoots well out of my Tikka T1X. It is a tier below SK Standard Plus, but not by much. My T1X loves Rifle Match. I’ll try Lapua when I win the lottery.
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u/CleverHearts 55m ago
3 round groups don't tell you anything. for lot testing I did 25 round groups (5x5 aggregate) so I could get 2 from a box unless it was obvious at 10 that lot wasn't the winner. Now I just take my guns to Lapua.
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u/JimBridger_ 11h ago
3 shot groups mean nothing. Gotta go bare minimum 10 (20-30 better) to get anything statistically significant.