ELEY Ammo

Eley Ammo: In Depth

Eley Ammunition has been a leading name in the world of precision shooting since 1828. Based in Birmingham, England, Eley is renowned for its high-quality rimfire ammunition, particularly .22 caliber cartridges, which are favored by competitive shooters around the globe. With nearly two centuries of experience, Eley has established itself as a pioneer in the development and manufacturing of superior ammunition.

Eley's product range includes match-grade and target ammunition designed for competitive shooting sports, such as the Olympic Games, World Championships, and national competitions. Their products are meticulously engineered to deliver exceptional accuracy, consistency, and performance, making them a top choice for shooters who demand the best.

One of Eley's most notable achievements is their contribution to the success of countless shooters, with over 125 Olympic medals won using Eley ammunition. This impressive track record is a testament to the brand's commitment to quality and innovation. Eley employs advanced manufacturing techniques and rigorous quality control processes to ensure that each cartridge meets the highest standards.

In addition to their focus on competitive shooting, Eley also offers a range of ammunition for hunting and recreational shooting. Their products are trusted by hunters and sports enthusiasts for their reliability and precision in the field.

With a rich heritage and a dedication to excellence, Eley Ammunition continues to set the benchmark in the industry, providing shooters with the tools they need to achieve their best performance.


Eley Ammo History

Eley Limited, commonly known as Eley, has a rich history that dates back to 1828. Founded by William and Charles Eley in London, England, the company originally specialized in producing percussion caps. Over the years, Eley became renowned for its high-quality ammunition, particularly in the field of rimfire cartridges.

By the mid-19th century, Eley had established itself as a leading manufacturer of ammunition, expanding its product line to include a variety of cartridges. One of their early innovations was the "Eley-Boxer" primer, which significantly improved the reliability of centerfire ammunition. This development was crucial in enhancing the performance of firearms during that era.

In 1863, the company underwent a significant change when it was acquired by Nobel Industries, a major player in the explosives and ammunition industry. This acquisition helped Eley expand its manufacturing capabilities and reach a broader market. Nobel Industries later became part of Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) in 1926, further integrating Eley into a larger conglomerate.

Throughout the 20th century, Eley continued to innovate and produce high-quality ammunition. Their focus on precision and reliability made them a favorite among competitive shooters, particularly in the realm of Olympic and international shooting competitions. Eley’s .22 LR cartridges, known for their accuracy and consistency, became the ammunition of choice for many top shooters around the world.

In 1988, Eley was acquired by IMI (Imperial Metal Industries), which later became part of BAE Systems. Under this new ownership, Eley maintained its reputation for producing world-class ammunition. In 2014, Eley was acquired by LDC, the private equity arm of Lloyds Banking Group, which has supported the brand in furthering its research and development efforts.

Eley is particularly known for its Tenex line of .22 LR ammunition, which has been a staple in competitive shooting for decades. This line is renowned for its exceptional accuracy and performance, contributing to numerous world records and Olympic medals. Eley’s dedication to quality and innovation has kept them at the forefront of the ammunition industry.

Today, Eley remains a leader in the production of premium rimfire ammunition, supplying products to both civilian and professional markets. They work closely with various military and law enforcement agencies, providing reliable and precise ammunition for training and operations. Eley’s commitment to excellence ensures that they continue to set the standard in the ammunition industry.


Eley Products

Eley Tenex

  • Use Case: Professional and Olympic-level shooting.

  • Unique Features: Known as the world’s most accurate .22LR round, Eley Tenex offers exceptional consistency and precision, making it the preferred choice in top global competitions. This cartridge ensures unparalleled performance for elite shooters.

Eley Match

  • Use Case: High-level competitive shooting.

  • Unique Features: This .22LR ammunition provides superior accuracy and reliability for national and regional events. It delivers consistent performance, making it a favorite among serious competitors aiming for top results.

Eley Team

  • Use Case: Aspiring competitive shooters and teams.

  • Unique Features: The .22LR Eley Team cartridge offers reliable performance, balancing cost and precision. It is ideal for training and intermediate competitions, helping shooters develop their skills and achieve competitive accuracy.

Eley Club

  • Use Case: Club-level competitions and training.

  • Unique Features: This .22LR round provides enhanced performance for regular practice, making it a cost-effective and reliable choice for club shooters who need consistent accuracy without high costs.

Eley Target

  • Use Case: Training and practice.

  • Unique Features: The .22LR Eley Target cartridge delivers outstanding accuracy, perfect for shooters aiming to improve their skills with consistent performance in various training scenarios.

Eley Ultra

  • Use Case: Extreme long-range competitions (PRS22, NRL22).

  • Unique Features: Optimized for .22LR, the Ultra Extreme Long Range round features a round-nose bullet designed for dynamic chambering and operation, providing high accuracy at distances beyond 100 yards. It is crafted to meet the demands of precision long-range shooting.

Eley Force

  • Use Case: High-velocity shooting in semi-automatic firearms.

  • Unique Features: This .22LR supersonic round offers powerful performance, ideal for both target shooting and recreational use. The high velocity ensures stronger impact and higher energy for effective shooting.

Eley Contact

  • Use Case: Subsonic shooting in semi-automatic firearms.

  • Unique Features: The .22LR Eley Contact ensures reliable cycling and reduced noise, making it ideal for quiet, accurate target practice. It offers superb accuracy with minimal recoil, enhancing quick sight picture recovery for competitive shooters.

Eley Subsonic Hollow

  • Use Case: Small game hunting and pest control.

  • Unique Features: This .22LR subsonic round has a hollow-point design for effective expansion upon impact, providing a humane hunting experience. It combines accuracy and low noise, making it perfect for discreet pest control.

Eley High Velocity Hollow

  • Use Case: Hunting.

  • Unique Features: The .22LR supersonic hollow-point round offers high energy and stopping power, perfect for effective pest control and hunting. Its design ensures a high impact, making it ideal for hunting small game.

Eley Biathlon

  • Use Case: Biathlon competitions.

  • Unique Features: Includes .22LR Eley Tenex Biathlon for top-tier events and Biathlon Club for club-level competitions. Both are optimized for straight-pull biathlon rifles, providing superior performance in cold conditions and rapid-fire scenarios.

Eley Tenex Air

  • Use Case: Competitive air rifle shooting.

  • Unique Features: Premium .177 flat nose air pellets available in 4.49mm, 4.50mm, and 4.51mm diameters. These pellets are designed for exceptional accuracy and weight control, ensuring top performance in competitive air shooting.

Eley Benchrest

  • Use Case: Benchrest shooting.

  • Unique Features: This .22LR round is designed for extreme accuracy and consistency, ideal for precision benchrest competitions where every millimeter counts.

Eley Minor9

  • Use Case: Practical Pistol and Pistol Caliber Carbine (PCC) competitions.

  • Unique Features: 9mm competition-specific rounds designed for safety, accuracy, and reliability in practical shooting events. They are engineered for consistent performance and minimal recoil, enhancing competitive performance.



Where is Eley Ammo Made?

Eley Ammunition, known for its premium rimfire ammunition, has a rich history and a dedicated production process. The company is renowned for producing some of the best .22LR ammunition in the world, frequently used by competitive shooters.

Eley Ammunition Factory Locations

Birmingham, England

Eley Ammunition is manufactured primarily in its state-of-the-art facility located in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, England. This factory is the heart of Eley's production, where the majority of their rimfire ammunition is crafted. The Sutton Coldfield plant is known for its rigorous quality control and innovative production techniques, which ensure the highest standards of precision and reliability.

  • Factory Size and Capacity: The Birmingham factory employs over 150 skilled workers dedicated to producing top-tier ammunition. This facility is capable of producing millions of rounds annually, ensuring that shooters worldwide have access to Eley's premium products.

  • Specialty Lines: The Birmingham facility is particularly noted for producing Eley's Tenex, Match, and Club lines of ammunition. These lines are highly regarded in the shooting community for their consistency and performance.

In addition to the main production facility, Eley has a dedicated research and development team that works on-site in Birmingham. This team is focused on innovating new products and improving existing lines to meet the evolving needs of shooters.

Eley Ammunition's primary manufacturing takes place in Birmingham, England, specifically in Sutton Coldfield. This location is key to the brand's reputation for high-quality rimfire ammunition, with dedicated employees and state-of-the-art production facilities. Eley's commitment to excellence is evident in their meticulous manufacturing process and their constant pursuit of innovation through research and development.



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