Norma Tac-22 any good?

[Moondog]

Every rifle is different. I'm curious to know what you think of Tac-22 and how it shoots in your rifle? Is it a semi-auto or bolt? Do you consider it a premium or plinking ammo?

I'm sharing an ammo test I ran with my Ruger Precision Rimfire rifle. It's a factory barrel and action with only minor cosmetic upgrades like an Anarchy Outdoor Penguin grip. I got this rifle during the lockdown so ammo was scarce and selection was next to none so I never got around to testing which ammo it likes until now. For the moment, I'm restricting my tests to the rimfire ammo I can easily buy at my local Big-5 or Sportsmans, rather going for match stuff, which I'll have to mail-order.

In the last couple of years, Norma Tac-22 rimfire ammo has shown up at my local gun stores. This rimfire ammo was tailored for semi-auto rifles and AR conversions, but it has also earned a following among bolt-action shooters. Norma is a Swedish company, but this rimfire ammo is actually made in Germany by RWS. Inspecting Tac-22 you can see the RWS headstamp on each cartridge. RWS makes some well-regarded rimfire match ammo, but it has been hard to find locally. For baseline comparison, I've been using CCI Standard in this rifle. Among my gun club members, CCI Standard is probably the most popular everyday ammo for bolt-action rifles and bullseye pistol competitors.

Testing both in my factory Ruger Precision Rimfire Rifle (RPR), CCI had by far better groups. I had some challenges zeroing out my scope for Tac-22, expending over 20 rounds before I achieved a reasonable zero. This sighting-in should have sufficiently seasoned the barrel with Norma wax. Despite this, my first group produced significant flyers. The average group size of Tac-22 was nearly double the spread of CCI Standard.

RESULTS​

CCI Standard
Distance: 100 yards
Avg. Group Size: 1.77"
Average: 1.69 MOA
Mean Radius: .66" / 0.63 MOA


Norma Tac-22
Distance: 100 yards
Avg. Group Size: 3.24"
Average: 3.09 MOA
Mean Radius: 1.13" / 1.08 MOA

 

[Hit Factor]

I used Norma TAC-22 at an Appleseed about 10 years ago. I shot Rifleman scores 7 times in a row with it. It would have been 8, but I ran out of time on the first qual test because the instructor said “take your time” and I believed him. The grease on the TAC-22s is annoying if you’re loading them into 10/22 mags, but as far as accuracy goes from standing, sitting, and prone positions, they’re good enough for me.

 

[H. Bowman]

I've shot a fair amount of it and never had any problem. The white box shot (their target or match or whatever, I forget what they call it) really well from my bolt guns but not as good as wolf match. I'd keep buying it if price was right.

 

[Pewpewwagon]

I don’t shoot Norma , but I love my RPR.

 

[TheAverageShooter]

I tried the TAC 22 in my semi autos , Buck Mark and 10/22 take down. In both cases they caused a lot of cases stuck in the barrel. I then cleaned both , wiped some of the excess grease of the casings, it improved things, but was still unreliable. Both of these ran flawlessly with CCI SV and most other ammo.

I also used it in my RAR, still had one or two that would stick in the barrel. The POI was quite a bit lower at 100yds compared to other SV ammo. Accuracy was so so, better than HV ammo, but not as good as CCI or Aguila SV. After fixing a few things on the RAR it got sub 1.5” groups easily with CCI and Aguila, the Norma stuff never got better than 2” or so.

Would never buy it again, in my experience the CCI SV is far superior.

 

[H. Bowman]

CCI SV is definitely my go-to all around favorite round. I bought a lot of the norma during the dry years and still have several bricks left.

 

[Hit Factor]

CCI SV is definitely my go-to all around favorite round. I bought a lot of the norma during the dry years and still have several bricks left.

Same here — on both counts.

 

[Moondog]

Tac-22 shot a whole lot bit better in my CZ457

100 yard RESULTS​

NORMA TAC-22
Avg Group: 1.38"
Mean Radius: .46 MOA


CCI STANDARD
Avg Group: 1.32"
Mean Radius: .47 MOA

 

[that one guy]

It’s good in my RPR 22LR for plinking and general shooting. The wax grease stuff wouldn’t reliably cycle in my Glock 44 and casing would get stuck in my 617 cylinder.