.22 mag-HP or FMJ?

[Bob79]

I just got a NAA mini-revolver. Its the magnum version and I have zero experience with the .22 round.

I'm assuming that with it being such a small round and being shot out of this gun that expansion is non-existant?

Please let me know your opinions because everthing you read from the manufacturers say they expand great

 

[fds5116]

Bob79,
there's one way to find out: get a deep bucket, fill with water, and shoot straight down. You'll get wet. Probably ought to use a 2 to 3 foot deep bucket (60 to 90 cm).

Water testing usually gives somewhat better expansion than testing on critters.

I've seen someone on the web (McCumpston?) who tests in beef brisket, before cooking.

If you do any testing, post results.

 

[Jim March]

There's actually another issue here: how much raw power (muzzle energy) can you get out of the available holllowpoints versus the solids, in minirevolver barrel lengths.

Turns out the difference is huge - in favor of the hollowpoints.

The CCI MaxiMag +V and it's TNT/+V cousin are by far the most potent loads from short barrels. And CCI's 22Mag rimfire ignition is second to none - the only round that comes close to those two is the Winchester Supreme 33grain and in my personal experience across three guns, it's *not* as reliable as the CCIs. CCI 22Mags are as reliable as quality centerfire or if there's a difference, I haven't seen it in over 1,000 rounds.

Those two CCI rounds are so good, I believe they're the sole thing making minirevolvers and other short-barrel 22Mags worthy self defense items. Many of the other 22Mags perform little better than a 22LR from a short tube.

The MaxiMag +V has a small hollowpoint cavity and from a 2" or under minirevolver is either not going to expand, or it'll punch pretty deep first if it does.

If you're still worried about expansion at the sake of penetration: fill in the cavity with epoxy. You'll get hardball effects but with more raw energy on tap than the various available FMJ profile factory rounds.