.22 Rimfire Specialty Ammunitions

[Geno]

I did some searching for similar topics and was unable to locate this specific concept, at least as a title, specifically, .22 Long Rifle Specialty Ammunition. My question is this: Which specialty brands and configurations of .22 LR, or other .22 rimfires do you use? I personally use several different specialty .22 LR and .22 WMR ammunitions. This thread is my reaction to the on-slot of .17 caliber specialty ammunitions that hit the market a few years back. It seemed that every sporting store that I entered was pushing the new .17 caliber rimfires, and saying, “…the .22LR is dead; game over!” That was actually stated.

I have repeatedly stated here at THR, that the .22LR is my all-time favorite caliber to shoot. The .22LRs are inexpensive (usually), are powerful enough to bring down even deer in an emergency (SHTF) situation, are still used as snipping rifles for military application, and are basically within the financial reach of nearly every employed person. But, this thread deals the specialty applications, not with the mundane or daily run-of-the-mill .22LR rounds. What Specialty rounds are or have been on your shelf?

The following brand and configuration is my personal favorite: Aguila, Super Colibri .22LR, 20 grain projectile (no gunpowder). These rounds propel by the rimfire primer only. This ammunition is advertised as being as-quiet-as an air rifle. In fact, when fired through a bolt-action rifle, is quieter than a pellet rifle. This brand ammunition is also advertised that it is to be used in pistols. They do indicate that it can be used in autoloaders, but that because these rounds do not contain any gun powder, they will not actuate the bolt, and will necessitate manual operation.

I have used the Aguila, Super Colibri .22LR, 20 grain projectile ammunition in my Contender pistol, in my Savage Mark II bolt rifle, and in my NAA Mini-revolver. In the Contender, the ammunition is the same loudness as a pellet rifle. In the Savage Mark II rifle, is sounds like a Red Ryder BB gun firing. In the NAA Mini-revolver it is as-loud-as any other .22 rimfire (with powder). In closing, I bought this ammunition for night-time hunting, and for dispatching vermin at 25 yards and closer, and for use in noise-sensitive areas, and for indoor shooting.

The Aguila, Super Colibri .22LR, 20 grain projectile is accurate, in fact quite accurate! I did not expect this degree of accuracy and consistency. I fired 10 rounds, standing off-hand, with no benefit of a rifle sling, no scope and using plain black iron sights at 15 yards firing at a post-it. Given my less-than perfect eyesight, I was pretty impressed with the ammunition’s performance. Without a doubt, it qualifies for my uses:

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Other specialty .22LR on my shelf include:

MPB Quik-Shok .22LR 32 Gr.
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CCI .22LR Shotshells

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CCI WMR Shotshells

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CCI .22 WMR Maxi-Mag, Gold Dot HP

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[jmorris]

.22 CB cap if you want to be really quite or Eley subsonic (runs in autos) if you want to be quite(r) and reach out there (it’s accurate at 100yds). Federal gold match or Tenx works if you want one hole. Winchester dynapoint (Wal-Mart bulk) has been the best cheap ammo I’ve found (it’s more accurate than many “target” offerings. 22 shot shells, in my experience are all but useless. Unless you want to show off your hip shooting while shooting helium filled balloons (up close).

 

[eliphalet]

I much prefer the CCI CB's over the Super Colibri for a couple of reasons. First the Aquila ammo doesn't have the power to make it but a few inches into the rifling on my 452, but will shoot out of my other 22's. I have chronographed both and the CCI's are about 100 FPS faster and I think a heaver bullet, plus just as quiet.

The shot in a 22 shot shell is very tiny, called dust I believe. I use to carry them for in the first chamber for snakes but of the several rattlers I shot I was always able to use a solid bullet. If you shoot them into a cardboard box you can see how tiny the shot is and the patterns you get. Not very impressive or at least not to me.

Never used the Quickshok but CCI Stingers work as good or better on small game than anything I ever used.

 

[trueg50]

I have used those 22LR shot shells, great fun to shoot dragonflies with, but not much else.

I also use Aguila Sniper SubSonics ( aka Aguila SSS) 60 grain 22LR, they are so large that they have to use a 22 short case to fit the bullet (kind of like a reverse CCI Stinger, instead of the case being lengthened to fit a smaller bullet, this case is shortened to fit a larger bullet). I use them on chipmonks and red squirrels who love raiding my bird feeder.

They are nice and quiet, quieter than a pop-gun in fact. 22LR barrels don't twist fast enough to stabilize these large bullets, so they "keyhole" ie they hit the target sideways, not penetrating much but doing massive damage.

 

[Geno]

Wow, great feedback guys! Thanks. I will have to look into some of these. I wonder if that CZ has a really tight barrel? I fired the Super Colibris through my Savage Mark II rifle, and they have some really impressive penetration. I fired through both sides of my daughter's old, discarded, steel lunch box. The projectile penetrated through poth sides of the steel, and about 1/2" into a pine board. That was out of a rifle. Perhaps the difference between a long or long rifle? Interesting point, all.

Doc2005

 

[Aries-]

my dad has a 30 year old box of .22 shot shells (so old the ends of the cases are crimped over) from what he said they are for is for shooting snakes. rattlers and such if you have a .22 pistol.

i cant see a .22 shot shell being much use for anything else.

 

[Geno]

I was told (back about 30 years ago) that these shells were designed for farmers who needed to shoot mice, rats, birds and bats inside of their barns and other buildings without risk of poking bullets holes in the walls and roofs.

Marlin manufactures a "smooth bore" rifle for these shells. They are still manufactured today. At present, there are two basic models of shot-shell .22 rimfires: plastic encased shot (as I presented) and crimped end shot as you describe.

I fired one of the .22LR shot shells at an old discarded metal roller-brush, paint pan, and at about 15 feet. About 80% of the shot completely penetrated the pan. The remaining shot put seriously deep pocks into the pan! I did the same then with a load of the WMR shot shells at 15 feet. It appears that 100% of the shot completely penetrated the pan. I carry the .22 MWR shot shells in my NAA Mini revolver. It is my 2nd back-up.

Doc2005