Aguila .22 Rimfire 60 gr. SSS LRN

[David Sinko]

Any opinions or experiences on how well the Aguila 60 gr. .22 Rimfire load would perfom in a Beretta 21A? This is the semiauto pistol that has the tip up barrel and no extractor. This is the heaviest bullet I can find and despite the low velocity (purported 950 FPS) I figure this might be the optimum load for this pistol. Some of the 40 gr. stuff (even high velocity) seems borderline for proper cycling and the lightweight hyper-velocity loads are even worse. Are there any other heavy bullet loads on the market?

Dave Sinko

 

[Ironhand]

I've never been able to get this ammo to cycle in any semi-auto rifle I've owned. It throws a lot of unburned powder around when the action tries to cycle. I love to shoot this ammo out of my Mossberg bolt-action, however! Out of my rifle it sounds like a big air rifle. Never tried it in a handgun, though...

 

[APS]

I'd be curious as to how far the bullet got before it started to tumble. Also, it never functioned any of my semis either. Perhaps CCI Velocitors would be better, heavy bullet weight and higher velocity (at least from a rifle)

 

[m1gunner]

The SSS needs a fast twist in order to stabilize. It is doubtful they would work in your pistol.

 

[K.38]

Amazingly enough my Beretta 21A loves this stuff. I can only see the sights and target from about 15 yards and closer but the 21A shoots the heavy stuff great.

I wasn't expecting it to even hit the paper the first time I tryed it, but it did great. It functioned fine no problems what so ever. After 50 rounds of the SSS and another 50 of mini-mags the little gun was still going strong.

It can't hurt to give them a try.

 

[m1gunner]

Amazingly enough my Beretta 21A loves this stuff. I can only see the sights and target from about 15 yards and closer but the 21A shoots the heavy stuff great.

I wasn't expecting it to even hit the paper the first time I tryed it, but it did great. It functioned fine no problems what so ever. After 50 rounds of the SSS and another 50 of mini-mags the little gun was still going strong.

It can't hurt to give them a try.

It doesn't work in my Ruger rifle, but this sounds like the experience you were looking for.

Try it and give us a report.

 

[Seaark1660]

I've tried them out of a 10/22 and a Remington pump.... The stuff was keyholing at 25 yards out of both rifles with non-existant accuracy.

 

[Erich]

From mine (range 5950' above sea level, 75% humidity, c73° F):

M 606.0 fps/ES 47.34/SD 21.07

Worked flawlessly and was decently accurate.

 

[JohnnieB]

..........Some of the 40 gr. stuff (even high velocity) seems borderline for proper cycling and the lightweight hyper-velocity loads are even worse...........

Sounds like your Beretta 21a might need a little TLC.
IE: The recoil springs/spring housings are full of pocket lint, rust, gunk or something similar causing the need for more recoil to cycle action.

I've got a Taurus PT22, which is a Beretta clone (more or less) that cycles okay on anything from a standard velocity .22lr up, including the light weight/hyper velocity stuff. I'm inclined to believe your Beretta ought to do about the same, but I don't own one, so I might be wrong.

At 25 ft, the 60gr stuff is as accurate as anything else out of a Taurus PT22 and a 4" M94 as well as a 3" S&W and a Ruger MKII Target 678.

At 25 yd, I get nice round holes with the PT22, a few slightly egg shaped ones from the M94 and an occasional keyhole with the Ruger. I haven't shot any through the S&W at the outdoor range yet.

I haven't looked into why it is (for me at least) less stable out of longer barrels (twist rate?), but my main reason for using it is low noise so I don't scare the cats as much when shooting in the basement.

One of the things that I have noticed with both the PT22 and Ruger is more blowback than usual when the case ejects, so be sure to have wraparound eye protection when shooting this ammo.

 

[David Sinko]

Thanks for all the replies. I will try the SSS and Velocitor. As for the reliability, it seemed to work fine the last time I had it out. It did appear to be in new condition when I bought it and maybe it's breaking in now. I never choose an auto as a carry gun but ammo is cheap enough that I'll play around with this and see how well it works.

Dave Sinko