Sellier & Bellot Surplus 22LR Ammo? - The Firearms Forum

LDBennett · 05-18-2005, 04:32 PM

I found S&B Czech military surplus (1970's) 22LR std velocity target ammo at AIM Surplus. If bought in 125 boxes of 50 rounds, packaged in a wooden crate it works out to about $1.25 a box. I bought one 500 round brick to test. I tested the following pistols at 50 feet, 20 round groups, off a rest, and threw away two flyers from every group as my shooting is suspect at least that much:

Beretta 87 Target with red dot
Sig Trailside with red dot
S&W Model 41 open sights
Marvel 22 conversion on Colt 1911 frame open sights
CZ Kadet open sights

I tested the S&B against Wolfe Match Target and CCI Blazer. These last two are the best value for the buck in a target ammo and a cheapy ammo, that I have found yet. The Wolfe has been found to shoot really well at about $2.50 a box of 50.

In all cases the Wolfe out shot the other two except in the CZ Kadet. Amazingly the Blazer won that contest. The only place the S&B was equal to the Wolfe was in the Beretta 87 Target. In two cases the Blazer out shot the S&B and in one case it equaled it

I got a surprise when the AIM supplied S&B ammo arrived as the ammo was $15 for the brick and the shipping was $10. Perhaps the shipping would be better for the wooden crate (???). I can get the Wolfe Match Target to my door for $29 a brick. The Blazer is about $13 a brick at Big Five on sale and less if I let my daughter buy it as she is an employee and gets a discount.
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The bottom line is don't bother with this surplus S&B 22 ammo. It is nothing special. It has sat around for about 30 years and time was not good to it for accuracy. I'll finish off the rest of the brick in my 10/22 shooting at cans or something.
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As an aside, of the two red dot'ed guns they both shot just about the same. Amazingly my open sighted S&W equaled the group size of the two red dot'ed guns (all with Wolfe Match Target ammo). I should not be too surprised as the gun has amazed me ever since I bought it about ten years ago. It seems to always pull out little groups even when I am not sure I did my part.

The Beretta definitely needs trigger work. I'll have to get to it, I guess. The Marvel, while it has a good reputation, has not shown itself yet. I have yet to use the ammo it likes. I suppose I should just use Marvel's recommended ammo but I would like to somewhat limit the different 22 ammo I have on hand. Unfortunately, the Marvel is not particularly happy with my selections so far.

LDBennett

gamachinist · 06-02-2005, 09:26 PM

Thanks for the review LD,
You just saved me some money!
Regards,Robert.

45Smashemflat · 06-03-2005, 12:55 PM

What does Marvel recommend?

Thanks for the review - reinforces my experience with the Wolf Match. My 10/22, MKII, and Kimber Classic all like it - and cheaper than Eley.

LDBennett · 06-03-2005, 06:18 PM

45smashemflat:

They claim the best results with various (won't be specifice) Eley ammos. They recommend Aguila for an inexpensive ammo.

I have tried Wolfe Match Target, Wolfe Match Extra, Remington Standard Velocity, CCI Blazer which typically has shot groups only about 30% bigger than the best I could find in other guns.

I am reluctant to start with Eley as all their ammo is so expensive and often doesn't do as good a Wolfe Match Target. I resist having many different ammos to feed the likes of each gun. I try to find an acceptable one or two that most of my target pistols like. Aguila is available but is not readily available everywhere.

LDBennett

Mausermeister · 06-16-2005, 07:33 PM

Before you give up on the S&B, try it in a bolt rifle or two. I have had good results with it in my bolt guns, especially the longer barreled ones. I shot a match score of 377-14x using the S&B in a Mossberg 46B(B) with peep sights a couple weeks ago. It shoots better that the Wolf match in that gun. Most of my semi-autos don't seem to like it and won't group for crap with it, except for my 10/22 bull barrel which loves it. I have not tried it in any handguns.

It could just be that I got a few bricks out of a good lot on the first order, but I liked it enough that I bought another case. I haven't started shooting it yet. It cost $175.36 shipped to my door. That works out to $1.40/box.

05-18-2005, 04:32 PM	#1
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,715	Sellier & Bellot Surplus 22LR Ammo? I found S&B Czech military surplus (1970's) 22LR std velocity target ammo at AIM Surplus. If bought in 125 boxes of 50 rounds, packaged in a wooden crate it works out to about $1.25 a box. I bought one 500 round brick to test. I tested the following pistols at 50 feet, 20 round groups, off a rest, and threw away two flyers from every group as my shooting is suspect at least that much: Beretta 87 Target with red dot Sig Trailside with red dot S&W Model 41 open sights Marvel 22 conversion on Colt 1911 frame open sights CZ Kadet open sights I tested the S&B against Wolfe Match Target and CCI Blazer. These last two are the best value for the buck in a target ammo and a cheapy ammo, that I have found yet. The Wolfe has been found to shoot really well at about $2.50 a box of 50. In all cases the Wolfe out shot the other two except in the CZ Kadet. Amazingly the Blazer won that contest. The only place the S&B was equal to the Wolfe was in the Beretta 87 Target. In two cases the Blazer out shot the S&B and in one case it equaled it I got a surprise when the AIM supplied S&B ammo arrived as the ammo was $15 for the brick and the shipping was $10. Perhaps the shipping would be better for the wooden crate (???). I can get the Wolfe Match Target to my door for $29 a brick. The Blazer is about $13 a brick at Big Five on sale and less if I let my daughter buy it as she is an employee and gets a discount. --------------------------------------- The bottom line is don't bother with this surplus S&B 22 ammo. It is nothing special. It has sat around for about 30 years and time was not good to it for accuracy. I'll finish off the rest of the brick in my 10/22 shooting at cans or something. --------------------------------------- As an aside, of the two red dot'ed guns they both shot just about the same. Amazingly my open sighted S&W equaled the group size of the two red dot'ed guns (all with Wolfe Match Target ammo). I should not be too surprised as the gun has amazed me ever since I bought it about ten years ago. It seems to always pull out little groups even when I am not sure I did my part. The Beretta definitely needs trigger work. I'll have to get to it, I guess. The Marvel, while it has a good reputation, has not shown itself yet. I have yet to use the ammo it likes. I suppose I should just use Marvel's recommended ammo but I would like to somewhat limit the different 22 ammo I have on hand. Unfortunately, the Marvel is not particularly happy with my selections so far. LDBennett -->

06-02-2005, 09:26 PM	#2
gamachinist V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Locust Grove GA Posts: 213	Re: Sellier & Bellot Surplus 22LR Ammo? Thanks for the review LD, You just saved me some money! Regards,Robert.

06-03-2005, 12:55 PM	#3
45Smashemflat Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 1,494	Re: Sellier & Bellot Surplus 22LR Ammo? What does Marvel recommend? Thanks for the review - reinforces my experience with the Wolf Match. My 10/22, MKII, and Kimber Classic all like it - and cheaper than Eley.

06-03-2005, 06:18 PM	#4
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,715	Re: Sellier & Bellot Surplus 22LR Ammo? 45smashemflat: They claim the best results with various (won't be specifice) Eley ammos. They recommend Aguila for an inexpensive ammo. I have tried Wolfe Match Target, Wolfe Match Extra, Remington Standard Velocity, CCI Blazer which typically has shot groups only about 30% bigger than the best I could find in other guns. I am reluctant to start with Eley as all their ammo is so expensive and often doesn't do as good a Wolfe Match Target. I resist having many different ammos to feed the likes of each gun. I try to find an acceptable one or two that most of my target pistols like. Aguila is available but is not readily available everywhere. LDBennett

06-16-2005, 07:33 PM	#5
Mausermeister Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 1	Re: Sellier & Bellot Surplus 22LR Ammo? Before you give up on the S&B, try it in a bolt rifle or two. I have had good results with it in my bolt guns, especially the longer barreled ones. I shot a match score of 377-14x using the S&B in a Mossberg 46B(B) with peep sights a couple weeks ago. It shoots better that the Wolf match in that gun. Most of my semi-autos don't seem to like it and won't group for crap with it, except for my 10/22 bull barrel which loves it. I have not tried it in any handguns. It could just be that I got a few bricks out of a good lot on the first order, but I liked it enough that I bought another case. I haven't started shooting it yet. It cost $175.36 shipped to my door. That works out to $1.40/box. __________________ Two wrongs don't make a right, but three lefts do.