what .22 round to use in .22 snubby

The excellent Ballistics by the Inch page has velocity figures for a variety of .22lr cartridges out of 2" barrels.

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/22.html

wleggart said:

Until they meet a 60 grain pill at about 800 FPM.

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FPM....Feet Per Minute?

Those are slower than I thought!

.

No, that's about right out of a 2" revolver.

You can see them in the air when the light is right!!

rc

The BBTI pages gives a nominal velocity for the 60gr Aguila of 663 fps. That is hardly the hammer of Thor.
Better that a short sharp stick I reckon.

And even better if they didn't tumble at that velocity out of a short barrel and stayed point on to penetrate like a sharp stick.

But they don't.

rc

Some excerpts from "Cartridges of the World" from Chapter 10, 438, Rim fire cartridges, current and obsolete black and smokeless powders, "22 Stinger, Spitfire, Viper, Yellow Jacket, Super-Max, Xpediter, Etc.

" These cartridges do provide increased velocity and energy for 22 rim fire rifles. They probably extend the effective range on varmints or other small game by a few yards."

" They certainly have a place in the 22 line up, but their increased performance is most pronounced when they are fired from a rifle rather than a handgun."

" In some instances, particularly in short barreled pistols and revolvers or any revolver with a large barrel-cylinder gap, these loads can generate much less energy than standard 22 Long Rifle high-velocity loads. These bullets actually exit the muzzle slower."

" In some instances, particularly in short barreled pistols and revolvers or any revolver with a large barrel-cylinder gap, these loads can generate much less energy than standard 22 Long Rifle high-velocity loads. These bullets actually exit the muzzle slower."

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that doesn't show to be the case when a chronograph is used instead of guessing.

I'd recommend the CCI Velocitor or CCI SGB, mostly due to the characteristics of their bullets (in addition to the relatively good reliability of their priming). The Velocitor uses a hollow-point bullet, but it has controlled expansion and good integrity (exemplary for .22 LR), and will not expand significantly, if at all, at handgun velocities. The SGB has a flat nose and should have a similar effect, which if anything may be a slightly wider wound track than a round-nose bullet would create. Between the two, perhaps the Velocitor would be slightly more effective in a full-sized handgun, but with a really short barrel mostly it would be louder, I think (which may or may not be an advantage, depending on what you believe).

Slower, heavier loads like the Aguila SSS may work in some handguns, but then again they may not be as consistent--hardly ideal for defensive purposes. Lighter, faster loads like the CCI Stinger may work just fine for defensive purposes in some handguns, but there is a greater risk of bullet fragmentation and the underpenetration of large targets as a result; I've seen various gelatin tests that indicate good and poor performance, and personally I see no reason to take unnecessary risks. In my opinion, stick with quality 40-grain loads, like the ones mentioned above, in this caliber for defensive handgun use.

CCI mini mags-900 FPS with a Smith Escort

Its my load in this 2" semi auto. 22 short and 25 auto were only getting in the 700 FPS range with 29 and 50 grain bullets. 900 FPS with a 40 grain had more punch for sure and it functioned perfectly. A chronograph is cheap these days and is your friend. Often ammo doesn't preform as stated.

I cant speak about from a snubby but I can say that a CCI Velocitor from a S&W 22A is straight nasty on an armadillo.

JERRY said:

the fastest, heaviest solid bullet you can find. Remington vipers are good.

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Vipers are fun to shoot. Good luck finding any!

Here is actual data of several .22 rounds in a whole slew of barrel lengths. The first table was made by cutting an 18" test barrel down an inch at a time, so there is no difference except length. The second table used various actual guns.
http://ballisticsbytheinch.com/22.html

edit: Now I see somebody beat me to it!

CCI Velocitors all the way and twice on Sunday. Skip the light bullet, hyper velocity stuff. The Velocitor's heavier weight will definitely make up for the Stinger's extra 100fps and then some. I would still definitely stick to hollowpoints or the flat nose SGB. Roundnose just will not provide enough tissue disruption. I don't use it on rabbits.

If a 36gr HP at 1025fps will do the job on foxes at 35yds, a 40gr Velocitor at 900fps should do a fair job on coyotes up close.