I had same problem with some of the black box and the rims were really thin.

I think it's a worldwide trend, regardless of the product under discussion.  Today's Eley ammunition or yesteryear's post-64 Winchesters or the tennis rackets or pacemakers of the future, for all I know.  Making something cheaper, so that the sellers can squeeze the last bit of immediate profit for the benefit of the corporate board of directors and the major shareholders, with zero regard for the product's reputation or future customers, is the way of the future.

The hand was writing on the wall when Eley bought the Wolf label for .22 rimfire ammo.

watchthewind wrote on Jun 9^th, 2025 at 12:02am:


If the Eley codes have not changed, you should be able to tell the Lot #, year and Loading Machine for all their rimfire ammo.  Tell us which lot & year, please.

This is from a .22 novice. Last year I got an original 1885 low wall in .22LR. So I faced the usual questions on which ammo to try. As of today I have tried close to 20 different .22’s . Different manufacturers, different weight bullets, different FPS, etc. you name it and I have probably tried it. No i am not into some of the games “top shooters “ are. A 100 yd rim-ram offhand (reduced rams) and a new to get off the ground 22 BPCR match with the four different Dia stances. A lot off bench rest  for practice/a stable as could be platform. I’ve covered a lot of ground between Lapua, Elley to Aguila. From $20 per 50 rounds to $3.99 per 50. 
And what I found? For me, and it is only for me, it doesn’t really make a big difference. If I can hit the BPCR ram or the 100 yd reduced ram at 100 yds with the $3.99 Aguila 40 gr, 1130 FPS so be it. 
As an aside, last year I purchased some Eley 22 at a gun show. Old and cheap. The paper box was marked “made in Mexico “. Makes me wonder. Did Aguila buy Elley’s plant or equipment?