What is the difference between ELEY tenex, match, team, club, sport, force, contact, pistol, biathlon and long-range ammunition?
ELEY’s .22LR range divides into two families. Statistically graded competition products — tenex, match, team, club and sport — are manufactured from common components and separated according to measured accuracy during factory testing. Purpose-designed products — such as force, contact, pistol, biathlon, hunting and long-range cartridges — are individually engineered for a specific discipline rather than graded from a common stream.
If you are new to ELEY, or even an experienced competition shooter, you may wonder why there are so many different products. Some are statistically graded for precision competition; others are purpose-designed for disciplines such as hunting, semi-automatic rifles, pistol shooting or long-range rimfire. Understanding these differences lets you select the right ammunition for your firearm, discipline and performance goals.
The Triangle of Success
The most accurate .22LR setup is determined by three equally important factors:
- The firearm
- The ammunition
- The shooter
Even the highest-performing ammunition cannot achieve its full potential without a rifle capable of precision and a shooter who can consistently execute each shot. Likewise, an exceptional rifle cannot overcome unsuitable ammunition. The objective is always to find the production lot that performs best in your individual firearm.
Two different types of ELEY ammunition
The ELEY product range falls into two distinct categories.
Statistically graded competition products
These products are manufactured using common components before being separated according to measured performance during factory testing.
Flat-nose competition range: tenex, match, team.
Round-nose competition range: club, sport, target (U.S. branding of sport).
Purpose-designed products
The remaining products are individually engineered for specific shooting disciplines. These include force, contact, bullseye pistol X, tenex pistol, match pistol, team pistol, tenex rapid fire pistol, match rapid fire pistol, tenex biathlon, biathlon club, semi-auto benchrest precision, semi-auto benchrest outlaw, high velocity hollow, subsonic hollow and ultra extreme long range.
Understanding the competition range
ELEY tenex
ELEY tenex represents the highest-performing flat-nose production lots following factory statistical testing. It is the ammunition of choice for many Olympic, World Championship and international shooters. Maximum RSD: 3.75 mm. Typical shooter: Olympic, World Championship, elite international.
ELEY match
ELEY match is manufactured identically to tenex before being graded according to factory performance. It offers exceptional consistency and is widely used at international and national competition level. Maximum RSD: 4.74 mm. Typical shooter: international, national.
ELEY team
ELEY team completes the flat-nose competition range. Although graded below match, it still delivers outstanding consistency and is used extensively by club and county competitors. Maximum RSD: 5.50 mm.
ELEY club
ELEY club begins life alongside sport before statistical grading. The highest-performing round-nose production lots become club. Maximum RSD: 5.50 mm.
ELEY sport
ELEY sport represents the second statistical grade within the round-nose family. It provides excellent performance for club competition and general target shooting. Maximum RSD: 7.00 mm.
ELEY target
ELEY target is not a different product. It is simply the U.S. branding of ELEY sport.
Semi-automatic ammunition
ELEY force
Force is engineered specifically for shooters using semi-automatic rifles requiring higher operating velocity. Unlike competition ammunition, force prioritises reliable cycling while maintaining excellent accuracy. High velocity. Maximum RSD: 7.00 mm. Ideal for practical shooting, semi-automatic rifles and club competition.
ELEY contact
Contact is designed for reliable cycling in subsonic semi-automatic platforms. It combines dependable function with reduced noise. Maximum RSD: 7.00 mm.
Pistol ammunition
Precision pistol shooting places different demands on ammunition compared with rifle disciplines. ELEY therefore manufactures dedicated pistol products.
tenex pistol
tenex pistol — Olympic-level precision pistol competition. Maximum RSD: 4.40 mm.
tenex rapid fire pistol
tenex rapid fire pistol — purpose-built for ISSF Rapid Fire disciplines. Performance is measured by group size. Maximum group: 27 mm.
bullseye pistol X
Bullseye pistol X is designed specifically for precision bullseye competition. Maximum RSD: 7.00 mm.
Biathlon ammunition
Cold temperatures affect every aspect of rimfire ammunition. ELEY manufactures dedicated products engineered to deliver consistent ignition and ballistic performance in winter conditions.
tenex biathlon
tenex biathlon — Olympic biathlon. Maximum RSD: 4.50 mm.
biathlon club
biathlon club — club-level biathlon competition. Maximum RSD: 5.50 mm.
Long-range rimfire
ultra extreme long range
Ultra extreme long range has been engineered specifically for extended-distance .22LR shooting. Unlike traditional competition ammunition optimised around 50 metres, ultra is designed to maintain excellent consistency over substantially greater distances. Maximum RSD: 4.00 mm. Typical shooter: international long range.
Hunting ammunition
high velocity hollow
Purpose-designed hunting ammunition. Provides rapid expansion with increased impact energy. Performance standard: 30 mm group.
subsonic hollow
Designed for quieter hunting applications where reduced report is desirable. Performance standard: 43 mm group.
ELEY product comparison
| Product | Bullet type | Grade | Max RSD / Group | Typical shooter / application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELEY tenex | Flat nose | Highest | 3.75 mm RSD | Olympic rifle |
| ELEY tenex pistol | Round nose | Highest | 4.40 mm RSD | Olympic pistol |
| ELEY tenex rapid fire pistol | Round nose | Highest | 27 mm Group* | Olympic rapid fire pistol |
| ELEY tenex biathlon | Flat nose | Highest | 4.50 mm RSD | Olympic biathlon |
| ELEY ultra extreme long range | Round nose | Highest | 4.00 mm RSD | International long-range rimfire |
| ELEY match | Flat nose | Second | 4.74 mm RSD | International competition |
| ELEY team | Flat nose | Third | 5.50 mm RSD | Club competition |
| ELEY semi-auto benchrest precision | Round nose | Highest | 4.90 mm RSD | International semi-auto benchrest |
| ELEY club | Round nose | Highest graded | 5.50 mm RSD | Developing competitor |
| ELEY sport | Round nose | Second graded | 7.00 mm RSD | Club shooter |
| ELEY target | Round nose | US branding of sport | 7.00 mm RSD | US market |
| ELEY force | Round nose | High velocity | 7.00 mm RSD | Club & semi-auto shooting |
| ELEY contact | Round nose | Subsonic | 7.00 mm RSD | Club & semi-auto shooting |
| ELEY biathlon club | Round nose | High | 5.50 mm RSD | Club biathlon |
| ELEY high velocity hollow | Hollow point | High | 30 mm Group* | Hunting |
| ELEY subsonic hollow | Hollow point | High | 43 mm Group* | Hunting |
| ELEY semi-auto benchrest outlaw | Round nose | High | 7.00 mm RSD | Semi-auto benchrest |
| ELEY bullseye pistol X | Round nose | High | 7.00 mm RSD | Club pistol |
*Group size is used when statistical precision is not required.
Which ELEY ammunition should you buy?
Choose your ammunition based on the discipline you shoot rather than simply selecting the most expensive product.
- Olympic rifle events — tenex may be the appropriate choice.
- Regular club-level competition — team or club may provide outstanding performance.
- Hunting — consider high velocity hollow or subsonic hollow.
- Semi-automatic rifles — look at force or contact.
- Long-range competition — evaluate ultra extreme long range.
The best ammunition is ultimately the production lot that performs best in your firearm.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between tenex, match and team?
They are manufactured using the same components before being statistically graded according to measured performance.
Is target different from sport?
No. Target is the U.S. branding of ELEY sport.
What is force designed for?
Semi-automatic rifles requiring higher operating velocity.
What is contact designed for?
Reliable cycling in subsonic semi-automatic platforms.
Which ELEY ammunition is best for hunting?
High velocity hollow and subsonic hollow have been purpose-designed for hunting.
Why are there so many ELEY products?
Each product has been engineered or graded to meet the requirements of a specific shooting discipline rather than attempting to provide a single cartridge for every application.
Summary
The ELEY product range has been developed to meet the needs of every rimfire shooter, from Olympic competitors to hunters and recreational shooters. The statistically graded competition products separate production lots by measured accuracy, while purpose-designed products are engineered specifically for disciplines such as semi-automatic shooting, pistol events, biathlon, hunting and long-range competition. Selecting the right ammunition begins with understanding your discipline, then identifying the production lot that delivers the best performance in your individual firearm.