Back in my OP that began this thread I indicated I was going to shoot Mini Mag HP. I based that decision on ballistics tests done at brassfetcher.com. While most 22 HP out of a 3.5 inch barrel at 10 feet failed to expand, the Mini Mag expanded into the classic mushroom shape. However it only penetrated ballistic gel to 9.3 inches. Meanwhile The CCI Velocitor only expanded slightly but penetrated 15 inches.

I decided on the expansion figuring that successive expanding rounds would do enough damage to make up for the modest penetration. But I do not give up researching when I still have question. My question was why did the Velocitor with its greater velocity and bullet mass did bnot expand nearly as much as the Mini Mag. It took a month to get that answer.

By being Marine persistent I got to ask that question of a knowledable ballistics person at CCI. He asked not to be identified, and he cautioned me that CCI did not recommend 22 for SD.

Then he explained the differences in expansion between Mini Mag and Velocitor. Paraphrasing his comments, the Mini Mag HP well is drilled much deeper than that of the Velocitor. The Velocitor well is really shallow by comparison. I bought some yesterday and the difference is quite noticeable.

He continued that the Mini Mag was designed to mushroom but the Velocitor was designed to only slightly expand without mushrooming. Here is the rational. The Mini Mag is a lighte bullet (34gr) at lower velocity than Velocitor and so needs greater expansion to do its damage. The Velocitor has greater mass at 40gr and greater velocity. While the Mini Mag will make a greater permanent wound cavity during its lesser penetration, the Velocitor will make a lesser permanent wound cavity but over more penetration. So the trade off is wider PWC with less penetration or narrower PWC with greater penetration.

Of course he would not make a recommendation. I do not blame him. I did ask about the hyper velocity Stinger a 32 grain bullet with an extra dose of powder in its longer casing. He said the aim of the Stinger was to achieve faster velocity and longer range using a rifle. At short distances out of a handgun it will not achieve the characteristics of either the Mini Mag or Velocitor.

So I have 150 rounds of Velocitor now, and I am going to do some non paper target testing of it and Mini Mag HP and RN. I have setup a blog titled 22defense but have not published it yet. I will publish the results of my testing later this month, and I will announce the publication and results here.