SK Standard Plus .22lr; worth the hype?

In today's video, we'll be running SK Standard Plus through my Bergara B14R. This is a very popular cartridge, and many people praise it highly, but I have never had outstanding results with it. Normally, I've done better with CCI Standard, which is also a cheaper cartridge. However, in this test, SK Standard surprised me with good results.
The setup on the Bergara B14R includes an MDT Oryx chassis, Meopta Optika 6 5-30x56 MIL scope, Audere rings, and an MDT bipod. I've found this to be a good combination. Again, there were some ejection issues, but to a lesser extent than before. It seems like it's starting to break in a bit.
SEO Keywords: SK Standard ammunition, vintage ammo test, Bergara B14-R, MDT Oryx chassis stock, Audere scope rings, 30MOA base, Meopta scope, 50-yard shooting, precision shooting, rifle technology, prs, long range shooting, rimfire
Disclaimer: By watching this channel and participating in the activities presented, you acknowledge and agree to the following terms:
1. Risk: The activities featured on this channel, including but not limited to shooting activities and ammunition testing, involve risk. It is important to understand that shooting activities can be hazardous, and participation is at your own risk.
2. Disclaimer of Liability: The channel owner and all participants in the activities on the channel disclaim any liability for injuries, losses, or consequences arising from watching or participating in the activities. This includes, but is not limited to, personal injuries, property damage, or loss of property.
3. Personal Responsibility: It is the viewer's responsibility to ensure that they have adequate knowledge, experience, and skills to participate in similar activities in a safe and responsible manner. Furthermore, it is the viewer's responsibility to comply with applicable laws, rules, and regulations related to shooting activities and the use of firearms and ammunition.
4. Advice and Guidance: The information presented on this channel, including any advice or guidance, is intended for entertainment and informational purposes only. It should not be considered as professional advice or instruction. Viewers are encouraged to consult qualified professionals or instructors before engaging in similar activities themselves.
By continuing to watch this channel and participate in the activities presented, you consent to accept these terms and release the channel owner and participants in the activities from any liability for injuries, losses, or consequences that may arise.
Disclaimer; This video is for entertainment purpose only. It's not an instruction film to be followed. I'm just a happy hobbyist, and not an expert on reloading or shooting by any means. Remember, reloading and shooting is inherently dangerous, and can cause injury and/or death. You do everything at your own risk! If you keep watching videos on my channel you agree to the fact that I have no responibility for any damage to property or person.
Always use eye and ear protection when on the range, reloading or handling weapons. And first and foremost use your brain!

[@LyndonH-zm1or]

For any .22lr ammunition the lot number has a lot to do as to how it will shoot in your rifle. If you can get different lot numbers of SK Std+ and test them you will probably (but not not guaranteed) find that one lot will shoot much better than the others. That is the frustration and challenge of dealing with .22 rimfire, but when you do find what works, it is very gratifying. I tried for years to shoot a quarter inch group at 50 yards and appropriately enough it happened on my birthday. Two other SK products you might try in your rifle are SK pistol match and SK pistol match special with the special having a slight edge in my rifle, but then I may have been lucky on the lot number. I enjoy your videos. Thanks.

[@thegunviking]

So fun that it happened on your birthday! That was a great birthday gift! Regarding lot numbers, I agree that there can be significant differences between them. This is especially true for the more affordable variants in my experience. The problem is often that retailers usually have the same lot in stock. With expensive match ammo, it's more common to be able to buy different variants. I have tested both of the variants you mentioned. I even think I have raw footage for a video where I tested one of them in a Ransom Rest with a pistol

[@TheHide]

Rimfire is so relative to gun its being used from. You can take the same lot of ammo with two exact same rifles with the same shooter. One will shoot it like complete trash and the other will shoot it great. Ive seen it on more than one occasion. Very nice overview of the ammunition. Thanks for sharing.

[@thegunviking]

I completely agree with you. You MUST test the ammo in your own firearms. There are large variations in results with the same ammo when tested in different firearms.

[@geordiegeorge9041]

I use SK Standard Plus for training, and SK Rifle Match for competition.

[@thegunviking]

The Rifle Match has been one of my favorites.

[@joshbrekke6374]

I was only able to get this ammo once in small amount. It did do well for me however now it is always sold out. I have better results with ELEY Contact at a better price even, it’s very consistent and available. All my 22,s like it & Federal Gold Medal Target. I really enjoy your videos, keep up the great job! Thanks!

[@thegunviking]

I have a couple of packs of Contact in the cabinet. They will be tested at a later time. But Contact is far too expensive in Norway. We're talking almost double the price of Standard Plus. Eley generally delivers good results, but you have to pay for them. Thank you for liking my videos!

[@joshbrekke6374]

@@thegunviking wow, that’s tough to learn ELEY is so expensive for you there. Here in Minnesota I got it shipped by the brick from a great place in Texas for $5.25 a 50box, ELEY Force too. You are most welcome 🤗. SK is usually $8.50 or more per 50box here

[@buncha5651]

Great review Viking, it appears as your rifle warmed up accuracy deminished. SK Standard Plus seems to be inconsistent batch to batch.

[@thegunviking]

Yes, that was an interesting theory. I hadn't considered that possibility before. I often see the groups widen a bit as the test progresses

[@palpedersen7515]

Sk standard plus is the only brand that shoot very thight groups in my cz 455 varmit at ranges longer than 50 meter

[@thegunviking]

I was pleasantly surprised, so I'm going to test it again in the other .22lr rifles I have.

[@stevenxindaris1477]

You might want to watch Pursuit of Accuracy as he tests bolt shims and how they effect accuracy on the Bergara with different ammo.

[@thegunviking]

I really enjoy his channel. I have been a subscriber for some time. There is so many rests I'd like to do, but there is never enough time to do everything. I've also bought gelatine for expansion testing, but again time...

[@brandon1910]

nice video. I've used it a lot. I have one rifle that seems to love it, others not so much. Similar to you I've got mixed feelings on it. Overall its a very good non-match ammo. It does come at a higher price than say CCI standard, it's a bit better but not sure if it's worth the extra cost for something that you would call practice ammo.

[@thegunviking]

If you're lucky to get five cartridges that are consistent in the same group, you’ll get very good groupings. Unfortunately, there are a bit too many flyers among them

[@CountryRimfire]

I love SK Standard Plus! It shoots pretty good in all my rifles. Lots do matter, buy beggars can't be choosers 😊 Pistol Match shoots best for me ... go figure 🤔 I don't think your rifle likes this ammo, definitely not this lot Thanks for sharing! 😊

[@thegunviking]

Results were better than what I've gotten before. I'll test it in some other rifles to see if it performs well in them. However, I have many other types of ammo to test first

[@chrislang5659]

After getting some CCI SV I thought I was on to something, then I got the SK Standard Plus, it took my rifle to a different level again!

[@thegunviking]

So good to hear! SK generally makes good ammo.

[@MrOlgrumpy]

I've found it shoots well if I weigh it out into batches and use the heavier and lighter ones for foulers

[@thegunviking]

I` ll have to do the same and do another test.

[@WayneShoemaker-r9g]

Could have been me sitting at the shooting bench turning in the same results. I’ve shot a few different lots of this ammo with mediocre results. I know lots of people swear by SK Standard Plus ammunition but I can’t say I’m one of them. The SK Rifle Match and Long Range seem to be in a different league out of my Anschutz’s. The discontinued SK Flat Nose Basic shot very well out of my CZ 457 American though but it never duplicated those results with SK STD +.

[@thegunviking]

SK Long Range is one of my favorites. I've achieved incredible groupings with them. But every now and then, a flyer sneaks in as well...

[@andyjohnson6855]

I like SK SV but it seems to be out of stock all the time. 🥺

[@joshbrekke6374]

I find that to be the case as well so I tried ELEY Contact & Force. It is good stuff at $5.25 a 50box.

[@thegunviking]

SK has normally been easy to get here in Norway, but in the past year, it has been almost sold out. I hope the situation improves.

[@dave-767]

sk standard plus shoots pretty decent in both of my rifles. Especially for the price. Its just weird to me that your velocities are so slow for this ammo from that rifle

[@scwazrh]

Been testing SK myself lately in my cz455 .The red SK seems to work best in my cz.About €1.50 a box more then yellow here so no cost issue but I would like something a bit more consistent

[@thegunviking]

The last red box, I guess you mean Rifle Match, was very inconsistent. A lot of fliers. They are ususall good ammo.

[@scwazrh]

Yes the rifle match.I believe it’s supposed to be more consistent than the standard ? At least that’s how they market it

[@thegunviking]

@@scwazrh Yes, it is normally a very good cartridge, well worth its money. But I was unlucky with my last lot. You will most likely be very happy with it.

[@scwazrh]

@@thegunvikingDid you ever do a direct comparison between the two ? Would be interesting to see.

[@thegunviking]

@@scwazrh It`s an idé for a video, but I have to get another lot before I can do such a test. The ones I have now is not accurate enough

[@stevenxindaris1477]

Really enjoy your testing, especially when you are testing ammo we can’t get here in the USA. Can you get Russian match ammo? Would really like to see how it compares.

[@thegunviking]

Hi! Thank you for watching my videos! I do have some older russian ammo, but none of them are match ammo. Actually, I'm not sure what, .22lr are made in russia these days. I haven't seen new russian ammo in stores in Norway for years. Now it's also an embargo on russian goods due to the russian/ukrainian war.

[@roseybut]

You get the same inconsistent, mixed results as me with this Ammo. Its OK as practice ammo. Unfortunately if you want consistent repeatable results you have to pay for it. You often get what you pay for.

[@thegunviking]

Yes, you're absolutely right. You can find cheap ammo that delivers good results 80-90 percent of the time, only to completely fail at times. To avoid that last 10-20 percent, it costs money.

[@shygirl-qu3ms]

i have only used one type of sk unfortunatly i do not remember which one, It was ok but i have done better with other brands to be fair to sk ammo thought it was harder to find at the local sporting stores so i never persued it any futher

[@thegunviking]

SK Long Range is one of my favorites. I've achieved incredible groupings with them. But every now and then, a flyer sneaks in as well...

[@shygirl-qu3ms]

@@thegunviking ok when i find them i will give them a try again if my memory is correct the box i had was in a black and blue box thank you

[@thegunviking]

@@shygirl-qu3ms It might have been the Biathlon sport, although they have changed the boxes through the years.

[@johnhermsen6456]

No not whith my guns they always make 2 groeps

[@thegunviking]

Funny how that happens. I often have the same results with rimfires.

[@pointyshineygreentip8718]

This SK is not good for ARA competition. SK Pistol Match(green) is far better in my CZ457 Pro

[@thegunviking]

As a practice ammo the Standard suffice, but as you correctly state it's not a match cartridge. I shot it only 30 minutes ago, and the velocity(and impacts) was all over the place.

[@beyondtwominutes]

Those numbers are terrible.

[@thegunviking]

There was some variables, thats for sure.