Suppressed Varmint .22LR & Aguila SSS

[Mike1234567]

Hi All,

I searched and found several threads about Aguila SSS ammo but not too much info that answered my questions.

I bought a Ruger 10/22 and an E.R. Shaw 1:9 twist 16.5" barrel. This is a dedicated setup for Aguila SSS ammo with sound suppressor. I'll have the bolt polished and head spacing corrected. I may also add a bolt lock. Other than adding a decent scope and mounts I'll not confuse the issue by mentioning other mods. I'll be modifying the bullets (Acu'rzr) with pronounced deep hollow points. I'll be careful to not go too far with bullet modification to avoid compressing the bullets into the cases. This is for varmints no larger than possums, jackrabbits, racoons, etc. and at 50 yards or less.

Are my statements below correct?

1. If I want to retain all the energy possible from Aguila SSS ammo (900+ fps) then the optimum barrel length is 10" (from what I've read) so it seems I'll need to have the barrel cut and re-threaded... or just buy a different 1:9 10" barrel. From what I understand the Aguila SSS powder is very quickly burnt so longer barrels slow the bullet too much.

2. Correcting the head spacing (perhaps specific to this ammo) will minimize effects of dirty ammo and increase accuracy.

3. Using a bolt lock further minimizes powder grunge in the action in addition to eliminating the sound of auto cycling.

Thanks!!
Mike

 

[Magoo]

Not expert advice here, but I'll chime in.

1) only comment I have here is that you'd now have an SBR, adding up to $400 in tax stamps including your suppressor. Unless you permenantly attached your suppressor to get the "barrel" length up to 16".

2) correct headspacing will definitely increase your accuracy. Associated bolt work will also increase function and reliablilty. There are several good folks I know of that do this service for <$50.

3) reduction of grunge in the action makes sense and it will certainly quiet things down. Changing out the bolt buffer (for ~$5) takes out a lot of the cycling noise.

As soon as my job situation turns around I'll be shipping my 10/22 barrel off for threading. It's killing me now to only have one host for my can .

 

[m0par]

EDIT: Ooops. Pretty much echoes everything Magoo posted.

Maybe someone with actual experience and knowledge will chime in. Until then...

1. That's what I understand too. I don't have a copy of Mark White's The Ultimate Ruger 10/22, but it is my understanding that he includes a writeup of 22LR ammo vs barrel length, including the SSS.

You're probably already aware, but (assuming you're in the USA) you'll have to get a tax stamp for a SBR before you cut it down to 10".

2. It certainly won't hurt accuracy. I don't see how it will do much regarding minimizing the effects of dirty ammo though.

3. Yes. In addition, you might as well use a bolt lock. Seems its a crap shoot as to whether the SSS will cycle and properly eject with a certain 10/22 or not. Additionally, the bolt lock will keep the action cleaner. Most importantly, if you're shooting suppressed, the SSS emits a relatively loud pop from the action when not using a lock due to its short brass being extracted from the chamber while there's still significant pressure.

Using the shorter barrel will help to reduce, and possibly even eliminate the noise though when not using the bolt lock, since chamber pressure will drop off faster (fast enough? I don't know).

FWIW, I was going to build a 1:9 10/22 for shooting the SSS suppressed too. After hearing about the noise due to the short cases, and the numerous reports of the SSS failing to cycle or not properly ejecting, I decided to go the 77/22 route instead. With my luck, if I did a 10/22, I'd never get it to run well.

 

[Mike1234567]

Thanks, guys. I'll look into the 77/22 option before spending any more money. Whichever firearm I decide to use I'll "probably" opt for permanent attachment of the suppressor to avoid the SBR tax stamp but I'll ensure it can still be dismantled for cleaning. By the way, I'm sure the shorter barrel will also minimize the possibility of a squib since barrel friction is'nt a factor at 10 inches unless there's no powder in the cartridge or it fails to ignite.

 

[JTW Jr.]

or go integral...
http://www.fullysuppressed.com/ruger1022.html

or better yet:
http://www.fullysuppressed.com/ruger7722.html

 

[Mike1234567]

I like the idea of integrally suppressed barrels but not all manufacturers publish complete specs...

1. Rifling twist rate?

2. Length of rifling?

3. Are gasses stripped while the projectile is still within the rifling?

4. If #3 is true then for how far?

 

[mineralman55]

A quick question first... does the Aguila SSS actually function the 10/22? It is very low powered ammunition and it only functions in some semi-auto actions. It won't function a S&W M41 or an AR15 with the CMMG conversion reliably, but it will function a Marlin 60.

BTW, I found it to be very accurate, and has a pleasant banana smell!

 

[Mike1234567]

Yes, from all I've read the 10/22 actions perfectly with Aguila SSS but "some rifles" may need bolt polishing to be 100 percent... something I'll be having done anyway. Although SSS has little powder charge the bullet is very heavy which makes up for it. Most of the time, if not always, I'll be cycling manually anyway (adding a bolt lock) to minimize spent powder grunge in the action and avoid the pop through the action that's often reported with SSS when used in the 10/22... apparently caused by the short casing being ejected before all the gasses leave the barrel. The latter stated, I've also read this isn't an issue.

I like bannanas!!

 

[NG VI]

It is very low powered ammunition and it only functions in some semi-auto actions.

No it isn't, it's a 60 grain at (Aguila's numbers) 950 feet per second. That's pretty stout for .22, I know it was about the most significant feeling .22 load I felt through a Taurus PT-22 and a CZ Kadet (no problems feeding or extracting from either of those, though my 452 didn't like extracting them very much).

I like the SSS a lot, I think if you're going to be picking a .22 load for animals and this one is accurate in your gun, which it should definitely be in a 1:9 barrel, you could do a lot worse. Pick almost anything and it would probably be worse. I know squirrels hate it.

 

[Mike1234567]

NG... my thoughts too after doing much research. Best estimate for max effectiveness on little critters is a 10" 1:9 barrel. Plus, as I originally stated, I'll be modding the tips to fairly substantial hollow points with an Acu'rzr and their NastiNose bar. I've seen a couple of tests with the SSS modded like this and they expand every bit as good as the best HV and HPV factory HPs... likely due to the very soft lead Aguila uses with SSS. That stated I wouldn't use any .22LR on anything larger than possums or jack rabbits... maybe a coyote if I really "had to" (doubtful) and if that's all I have with me.

What I'm looking for is advice regarding whether I have my data correct. It's very difficult for a noob like me to sort through all the forums.

The last hurdle will be to decide precisely how I want to go about it... pistol vs. SBR... integrated suppressor vs. front-mounted... removable vs. welded (saves $200 tax stamp)... ready-built vs. my build. Ehh... more reading and then those pesky decisions.

Again, the Aguila is for shots well within 100 yards and most within 50. For farther shots I'll use a standard 10/22 with 16.5" 1:16 barrel and HPV fragmenting bullets (CCI Quik-Shok).

EDIT: I've read a bit more and some claim highest velocity from an 8" barrel with Aguila SSS. My guess is this is temperature dependent... very cold temps cause somewhat slower powder burn rate so a bit longer barrel may be slightly better. I live in south Texas right now so the shorter barrel may be optimal but someday I might move to a colder climate. I'm thinking I'll stick with the 10" because surely 2" won't make that much difference.

Please keep the advice coming, folks!!

 

[halogrinder]

my supressed intergal 10/22 doesnt like the SSS. it shoots WAY low @ 50. like 10+ inches.
it also wont cycle the bolt worth a damn.

i use federal match ammo with great (quiet and very accurate) results.

 

[Mike1234567]

I just purchased an 11.5" 1:9 twist barrel with standard taper so no mods are necessary to the 10/22 factory stock. I've decided to keep the rifle and pay the SBR tax stamp instead of opting for the Charger Pistol. The barrel length isn't optimal as a 8-10" barrel would be but it's close enough and saves having a custom barrel made or having a longer one cut and re-threaded.

I'll be saving some cash by purchasing a .223 can and using it double-duty with the .22LR and a 5.45... or I might even buy a 7.62/.308 can and share between several rifles. I know the 7.62 can isn't as effective as a .223/.22LR on the smaller calibers but it saves a LOT of cash in both hardware and tax stamps.

 

[NG VI]

I bet it'll be fine. Are there any chrono results out there that really proved the 8-10" length was best?

 

[Mike1234567]

NG... no chrono results I've seen but reading (weeding) through many hundreds of posts and websites this is the consensus of those who seem to know the most about the subject. Apparently, .22LR accuracy is not usually enhanced by barrels longer than 10-12" and few (if any) "subsonic" cartridges gain velocity either. This has to do with barrel length and rifling only... not sight radius. The Aguila SSS powder is so little and so fast-burning that 8-10" seems to be the optimal length for velocity. I'm guessing the barrel length varience is due to extreme ambient temperature but I don't know. My best guess for optimal bgarrel length for SSS ammo is 10" in extreme cold and 8" in hot weather. I'll be happy enough with the 11.5". I may buy a chrono and test but, being the cheapskate I am, I may not.

 

[halogrinder]

So what do you need chrono'ed? SSS in my regular .22 vs my supressed one?

 

[NG VI]

Halogrinder if you haz some, DO IT!!!


And then thanks for your efforts. I'm interested to see what the SSS actually puts out. If you've got a .22 pistol you could try it in too, that would be tops.

 

[halogrinder]

K.

Be a while but I can get that done. Just don't like/want to pay 3 range fees for a few numbers to appease teh internets friends lol

 

[Mike1234567]

HALO... I'll happily throw in a few bucks for range fees and help with ammo costs if you want to chrono some SSS in your rifles/pistols.

Personally, I'm most interested in barrels ranging from 8" to 16" with 1:9 twist rates, both suppressed and not, but any/all info is welcome and appreciated.

What combos do you have?

 

[halogrinder]

SIG skeeter (pistol)
or glenfield marlin bolt action 22 (barrel cut down 16" with muzzle brake)
or coastal guns passport II intergal 10/22 (18 1/2")
or a henry lever .22 (20")
or my .22 conversion in my 16" AR15
or a savage .22
or a couple other .22's im forgetting....

 

[Mike1234567]

HALO... I assume the AR has something between 1:7 and 1:9 twist rifling??

Rifling twist rates of the others are between 1:14 to 1:16, if I'm not mistaken??

 

[halogrinder]

1:9

 

[jtamulis]

I've been thinking about building an AR15 designed for 5.56 AND .22LR using a swappable kit (long distance, and silenced close range).

Certainly in for the "info" on speed of the SSS. I was gonna go 20" barrel, but now I'm thinking either 16, or SBR, I dunno. It'll have to be a compromise on being able to shoot BOTH ammo effectivelty.

I already have a .22LR AR (dedicated upper), and I love it. I'd likely not use the 5.56/223 often, just sighting it in and having it "ready" just in case.


Jeff

 

[Mike1234567]

I completely forgot about this thread. I'd still chip in some cash for ammo and range time.

Halogrinder, are you still in for chrono testing? Do you have any .22LR firearms with barrels in the 8-12" range? You'd be testing near the muzzle?

 

[halogrinder]

crap- sorry man totally forgot about this thread too lol


i now have a threaded .22 suppressor for my glenfield marlin


ill bring a .22 along for the ride next time i go chrono some stuff. i think i have some SSS here........ ill have to look around.


smallest thing i have in 8-12" is my 'skeeter. next biggest is (obviously) 16" (sorry no SBR .22's......... yet )

 

[Mike1234567]

Hey halogrinder... sorry for my ignorance but what's the barrel length of your 'skeeter and what's the action?

What's a far amount of cash to send for ammo and range time? It seems I may be one of the "very" few willing to "pitch in", LOL!! I do intend to buy a nice chrono outfit soon but am currently busy adding upgrades to a new property.

I'm not terribly worried about accuracy at this time as I'm sure a 1:9 twist will provide that. I do want to know muzzle velocity from 8", 10", 12", and 16" barrels though... both bolt action and semi-auto.