All the top producers of 22LR ammunition sort their cartridge runs from best to “not the best”. The top performers become their premium offerings.
Here’s what SK does.
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SK Ammunition
According to Geoff Esterline, director of marketing for Capstone Precision Group, which handles SK’s marketing in the US, SK produces just two different loads with the 40 grain round nose. One is factory rated at 1073 fps. The other at 1106 fps.
“Each production run is sorted by quality, measured through accuracy and group size at 50 meters (55 yards) in their lot acceptance testing tunnel, with a return to battery style test fixture,” said Esterline. “The best shooting 1073 fps ammunition is packaged into SK Rifle Match, Its equivalent in the 1106 fps variant is the new SK Long Range Match.
“These are the two best performers,” Esterline said. “From there, you work down. Second best quality for 1073 fps is SK Standard Plus, then Pistol Match and lastly, Magazine. Second best quality for 1106 fps are sold as Biathlon Sport, then Pistol Match Special.
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So, for SK at least, their pistol ammunition is not specially formulated to work in short barrels. The propellant is not faster burning than their rifle line.
Based on what Esterline said, biathlon shooters should use Long Range Match, as it is more accurate. The cartridges that do not perform the best become Biathlon Sport, then Pistol Match.
The same can also be said for pistol shooters. Rifle Match is the best. Pistol Match is a couple of notches down, with respect to accuracy.
How they Rate
First – SK Rifle Match – 1073 fps
Second – SK Standard Plus – 1073 fps
Third – SK Pistol Match – 1073 fps
Last – Magazine – 1073 fps
Long Range (a little more velocity)
First – Long Range Match – 1106 fps
Second – Biathlon Sport – 1106 fps
Pistol Match Special – 1106 fps