My own CPA with a Shilen barrel and a match chamber really liked the Federal B match the best. It just did not care for the Lapua L or M or the top of the line Eley match or the Fiocchi SM 320 and other like kind of match ammo that much. You just have to try them all and to find the best. And to then only hope you can go back to where you bought what worked the best and to still get the same lot number and to get enough of it to last you a lifetime. If not you unfortunately have start all over again to find what you can longer buy any more of what was once your best.

JLouis wrote on Mar 12^th, 2021 at 6:46pm:


This is why I hate rimfire ammo. The shooter has little if any control of his ammo. You find something that works then if you’re lucky you can find a stash of the same batch. It’s a high priced crap shoot. Thanks anyway

In my two Douglas barrel CPA rifles RWS R50 Matches RWS Target Rifle practice.  They shoot Eley well too, had a better deal on RWS & working on a large supply. Use it up get a deal on Eley may switch.

I don’t believe shooting outdoors offhand stocked gun subject to conditions with my 12 x Scope  I can tell one top brand from another. I can tell cheap ammo by unexplained flyers. Absence of off shots more important to me than minor test group differences. A single flyer may put me out of contention two likely. 3 flyers 40 shots might as well stayed home. 

Long run of matches good results using the same ammunition best test of all . Builds confidence, critical to good performance 

Boats

Eley Target is what mine likes.i shot some practice 100 today at 100 and it was shooting 3/4".

Another Shilen ratchet-rifled barrel here. Since there isn't any out there to be had I'll agree that Federal Gold Medal Match (not the plain Gold Medal) shoots very well out to 100yd and tolerably well to 200m. But, only after weigh-sorting to get rid of the fliers. It sorts into 3 major cohorts and everything outside of that is just barrel fouler ammo. Unfortunately it no longer shows up on Federal's website so we will be lucky to ever find it again.
For "serious" matches it has to be weigh-sorted Lapua Center-X for up to 100yd and Midas for anything beyond that. While you pay for it, Midas does not require weigh-sorting. The factory does it so well. It is worth the $$.
I also shoot weigh-sorted Norma match, with is not quite as good as the Federal Gold Medal Match, but more readily available. 
Wolf Match did not work well in the Shilen barrel for me. Plus, it is so 'greasy' with lube I don't like handling it.
Once supplies catch up (whenever the hoarders have enough) I'll likely try some Eley or others. 
Am also thinking about sending the barreled action to Lapua to see what they recommend and just biting the bullet and getting a case of whatever they come up with. At 73 and counting, a case would likely last about as long as I remain somewhat competitive.

CBA Shooter a 1/4 inch 100yd. Rifle falls into another sport. The 25 Ring on both the ISSA and ASSRA 100yd. Rimfire targets is 3/4 of an inch. Not unusual for someone to score one 250 or a 249 and a 248 to finish at the top in a Regional match. And that is using a falling block or tipping block action and not a Bolt action rifle per the rules. In ARA competition it would at least have to be able to shoot under a 1/4 inch to be in the top of the list nation wide at the end of the year.

.250 and under would be at 50yds. and that equates to .500 and under at 100yds. My friends Wife has been up there in the top four Nation Wide four around the last four years or possibly more now. It is a 25 shot for record target  target and one shot per each bull. Do a search to learn more about ARA and what it takes for a Rifle to actually be competitive.