We are living in what I consider the second golden era of the .22LR cartridge. The explosion of precision rimfire disciplines like PRS Rimfire and NRL22 has transformed the .22 Long Rifle from a backyard plinking round into a precision tool capable of impressive long-range performance. As rifle manufacturers began producing chassis-based, precision .22s to meet demand, it was only natural that ammunition companies would follow suit—pushing boundaries to deliver match-grade ammo to a broader audience.

A Look Back: The First Golden Era

I’m fortunate to have lived through what many consider the first golden age of .22LR. Back when Federal’s Gold Medal UltraMatch UM1 earned its place on the podium, even winning Olympic gold, right here in the United States. That was an era when rimfire match ammo meant prestige, consistency, and world-class performance.

Between these golden eras, .22LR evolved into America’s funnest and most versatile cartridge—used for everything from teaching kids, to small game, to casual 50-yard club matches. For a long time, Lapua and Eley reigned supreme, controlling the match-grade rimfire ammo market with surgical precision and consistency.

The Rise of Cost-Effective Match Ammunition

But shooters got smart—and the demand for accessible precision started to rise. Brands like SK, Norma, and RWS began offering competitive options that didn’t require a second mortgage. These brands hit a sweet spot, delivering tight groups at a price point that brought thousands of new shooters into the game.

Long Range Explosion

Just when it seemed like rimfire might lose steam yet again, a new trend emerged: pushing .22LR to extreme distances—from 100 to even 350 yards and beyond. This new demand reshaped the market once again, requiring not just premium rifles, but also high-velocity, high-quality match ammunition.

Where Was Eley?

Interestingly, one of the rimfire giants, Eley, was noticeably late to the long-range game. During a period when both Eley and Lapua were making changes to their manufacturing processes, the world was hit by COVID-19. Global logistics came to a halt. Rimfire ammo disappeared off shelves. Chaos seemed to start having an effect on everything we knew as normal.

Eley Ultra Extreme Long Range

Eventually, Eley entered the fray with Eley Ultra Long Range (ULR). But to the surprise of many, their first generation—specifically Lot# 3124-30072—was met with widespread disappointment. Reviews and range reports showed inconsistent performance, a shocking revelation for a brand long synonymous with Olympic-level excellence. It was the first time many heard the words “Eley” and “poor quality” used in the same breath. Eley would go on to make this right I found that in longer barreled rifles the longer the better the performance with Generation 1.

The Redemption Arc: Eley Ultra Extreme Long Range Generation 2

To their credit, Eley didn’t sit on their hands. In response to customer feedback, they offered ammo swaps, refunds, and ultimately went back to the drawing board. What emerged was the Eley Ultra Extreme Long Range Generation 2—a significantly revised product with several big-time changes.

Here’s what stood out to me as I started to test and disassemble the Gen 2 rounds:

• Visual Change: The bullet color changed—a small sign something was different under the hood.

• Powder: Eley moved from a ball powder to an extruded stick-type powder. This seemed to burn slower and more consistently over long distances.

• Crimp & Bullet Composition: The Gen 2 featured a tighter crimp and notably softer lead. I confirmed this with a borrowed Lee lead hardness tester. This softer alloy likely allows for better obturation, helping the bullet seal the bore more efficiently and engage the rifling with greater precision.

Looking Ahead: Stretching It in 2025

With the .22LR scene hotter than ever, and with match-grade ammo options growing in both performance and affordability, there’s never been a better time to be a rimfire shooter. The second golden age of .22LR is here—and it’s only getting better.

Eley, well done. Now if you’ll excuse me, it’s time to order more Gen 2 and see just how far we can Stretch it in 2025.

Technical Items

Lithgow LA101 Eley Ultra Gen1

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Lithgow LA101 Eley Ultra Gen2

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Desert Precision RimX First DP Ever Built Eley Ultra Gen1

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Desert Precision RimX First DP Ever Built Eley Ultra Gen2

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