Best 22lr ammo for short barrel revolver BUG

[spotch]

Let me start by saying that I already own a 357 snub, and I bought a 22lcr for cheap practice and fun plinking. NOT for use as a primary defensive weapon. In fact, it probably wouldn't ever be used in a defensive capacity, as I've got a 9mm S&W M&P as well. I'd rather this thread not turn into a 10 page re-hashing of the internet's oldest gun discussion ("22lr, is it good for personal defense?" lol). I realize 22lr is far less than optimal as a defensive round unless its THE ONLY ROUND YOU CAN POSSIBLY CARRY. But, as a fun thought exercise, let's say my 357 snub fails, and my 9mm semi auto fails, and the only gun left in my safe is the 22 snub revolver lol.

In that instance, what would you have in it (other than CCI, since some people apparently have had trouble with CCI ammo in their LCR... even though I know some version of a CCI 22lr is going to be a lot of peoples' first selections, probably better to not risk the possibility that mine is one of the CCI-sensitive ones for a smidge more muzzle energy).

Seems like Jeff @ gunblast has great luck with remington yellow jackets.
Smith & Wesson Model 317 .22 Kit Gun
Ruger's New LCR 22 Revolver

Another thing that came to mind was the Remington viper, with the thinking that the velocity loss from the short barrel might necessitate a solid point to get any kind of half decent penetration?

(and yes, I know I'm asking about a 22lcr on a S&W forum, but I figured this would be a great place to go because there are a lot of knowledgeable people who have a ton of experience with short barreled revolvers here, and the info that gets shared should be relevant for the 43c/317/etc owners )


Anyway, thoughts? Give me your insight and wisdom!

 

[Tyrod]

CCI Velocitors or Stingers. When I have to, I'll load up alternating chambers with Velocitors and Remington Vipers. Check your POA vs POI it will be different from other hi velocity rounds.

P.S. I recently saw a youtube video where a guy shot a roast beef at 300 yards with Velocitors in a 10/22 and the round penetrated 5". Naturally, I wouldn't expect anywhere near that performance in any handgun, but it does illustrate the performance of the velocitors.

 

[Doug M.]

Raw or cooked? Frozen? I ask that in seriousness, since raw would be tougher than cooked, and frozen even more so. I am not sure of the velocity off hand, but I would not be surprised to find that the velocity from the 10/22 at 300 yards is not much different from that provided by a 2" revolver at 3-5 yards.
I suspect I would want a good solid point, as much like a SWC as possible, so that there is a real chance of penetration to the vitals. A lot of the target zone on a human is covered by bone.

 

[gmiller0737]

My choice would definetely not be anything from Remington! I have had more duds in Remington than all other brands,My 1st choice in a defensive round would be CCI's Stingers,If no CCI's it would likely be something from Federal.

 

[BlackTalonJHP]

I would find someone who bought a bunch of Rem Golden Bullet .22LR and found that it was horrible in their semi-auto, and try and get it cheap for practice. I shoot mostly Win followed by Fed.

As far as carry load, I would probably go with a 40 gr Target load or similar. The most important quality is not penetration, but reliable ignition with the rimfire. I would find the most reliable .22 LR and then see which of those hits to POA. With bulk .22LR, the duds seem to be of a higher ratio.

 

[lscocoa]

I carry a 3" m317 or a2" m34 as defensive / small game getter while trout fishing . Two snake loads followed by the 36gr. Federal classic. The ammo works excellent in my622 and
22a.

 

[SixGunHunter]

Sorry OP, You made your point clear that your .22lr choice was Not for Defensive purpose...

OK, I have a Colt New Frontier 4" and 2 pistols. They all shoot something better than the next. For example my Colt really likes standard velocity CCI. My Wife's SIG hates them. Her Walther P22 will eat everything and give you results.
Go to Walmart and pick yourself up a bunch of brands and see what shoots best for your firearm. Best advice I can give. It's not like it's going to break your bank.

 

[kcub]

Aguila SSS 60 grain

Unstable, the long bullet tumbles making it the next best thing to a .38

 

[KarmannGhia]

I use CCI Stingers when all I've taken into the woods is my Mod 34 or SP101 in LR. However, I also like the Remington Yellow Jacket and it functions well in some of my more finicky semi-autos (Iver Johnson TP22).

As mentioned already, the Remington does have a higher DUD rate than other brands, but I find that is with the bulk packs and not with the more premium stuff (only from my personal experience).

Try several different loads in your gun and see what you can trust in THAT gun and what you can't (that's the great thing about the LR, you can afford to shoot a lot of it)

 

[revolvergeek]

Personally I would go with whatever sort of flat pointed solid shot best in it. Expansion will likely be very iffy, so accuracy and reliability is key. Maybe some CCI SGB or Remington Vipers? The Aguila SSS has a definite charm if it will stabilize enough to be somewhat accurate.

 

[Stick895]

A .22 that hits does more good than a .44 that misses!

 

[spotch]

thanks for the responses so far y'all!

Personally I would go with whatever sort of flat pointed solid shot best in it. Expansion will likely be very iffy, so accuracy and reliability is key. Maybe some CCI SGB or Remington Vipers? The Aguila SSS has a definite charm if it will stabilize enough to be somewhat accurate.

Yeah, I was actually wondering about Aguila... not just the SSS but the interceptor and supermax as well.

 

[noah228]

The most powerful 40 grain 22LR ammo is Aguila Interceptor. Out does the Stinger and Velocitor.

Accurate out of my S&W 63.

 

[AveragEd]

Put this in your "for what it's worth" drawer. I bought a Kimber Rimfire Target conversion kit for my Kimber Stainless Gold Match II. Kimber recommends CCI MiniMags, a 36-grain or 40-grain copper-plated bullet at 1,260fps. I have several bricks of Federal load #712, a 38-grain copper-plated bullet at 1,260fps on hand, so I used that. The slide would not travel rearward enough to eject empties and feed fresh rounds, so I called Kimber. They thought my ammo should work fine in the kit and asked that I send it to them.

I did and they called to tell me it worked fine for them. We discussed ammo again and they said if it still didn't work right, I was to return my gun with the kit installed.

It didn't function any better but before returning it again, I bought a box of CCI MiniMags to try. They work flawlessly! I can only assume, and Kimber agrees with the logic, that the CCI ammo uses a faster-burning powder that generates enough pressure in a 5" barrel to cycle the action while the Federal ammo with identical ballistics might use a slower-burning powder more suited for rifles.

Long story short, a consistently complete powder burn usually yields more consistent velocity and better accuracy.

Ed

 

[Lobster Picnic]

CCI SGB is a good choice for reliable ignition and good penetration.

 

[Clean Break]

My Ruger Super Single Six is not picky but it really shoots Federal American Eagle 36 gr. Hollowpoints accurately. Though this is a cheaper round and it burns dirtier than some, it shoots very accurately and has been my go to .22 lr. for twenty years or more and has accounted for more dead creatures than any gun I have over a variety of ranges and conditions. When that revolver comes out, things die. That kind of performance builds confidence... Clean Break

 

[BobR1]

I think we are on the same sheet of music.

I have both an LCR-22 and an LCR-357.

My LCR-22 works fine with Federal 550 PAK, and comparible ammo. Easy Ejection, and no function issues.

With CCI Stingers which I carry in my LCR-22, Ejection takes more effort. You need to wrap the ejector rod briskly, as the cases are stuck in the cylinder fairly tight. Not a big problem, and they function fine.

CCI Velocitors lock the cylinder up tight on the first shot. Experimenting with them is Over.

So far I have not tryed any other loads.

NOTE: I am practicing Speed Strip reloads with the LCR-22, as well as getting in Economical Quality Trigger Time.
I am using Tuff Products Model 1022 Quick Strips in Orange. I am loading the speed strips in pairs leaving a shell out between pairs for cylinder clearance. Note: The Orange Quick Strips are easier to find on the ground after a Practice reload.
This is how the ammo looks in the Speed Strip: OOxOOxOOxO
As you can see the Model 1022 Speed Strip loaded in this manner will only hold 7 rounds. I index the cylinder with the empty chamber under the hammer when I close the cylinder.
Loading your LCR-22 or 43C with speed strips is great practice for reloading your J Frame 38/357 or LCR 38/357.

Bob

 

[Stainz]

I'll stick with CCI Stingers in my 3" 63. They have been reliable and eject easily - at least the first three or four cylinders full. By the time you get a box of fifty through it, ejecting gets more deliberate - and subsequent Federal bulk 36gr HP use loads a bit harder than usual, too. CCI Velocitors and Stingers just leave residue. I've shot 400+ rounds of those Federals between cleanings with no problems. I love my 3" 63 - great revolver. I got to A-B it with a friend's new .22 SP-101 last fall - no thank you! I replaced my Rugers years ago with S&W. Super happy... but what would you expect on a S&W forum?

If you cannot use Stingers, I'd opt for the heaviest solid nosed ammo you know will work reliably with your .22 revolver.

Stainz

 

[stantheman86]

The Aguila SSS are pretty deadly, they hit like low velocity .32's. But I want reliability, which I wouldn't trust from Aguila, so I would go with one of the premium brands that come in the 50-packs like Stinger.

 

[Tyrod]

Raw or cooked? Frozen? I ask that in seriousness, since raw would be tougher than cooked, and frozen even more so. I am not sure of the velocity off hand, but I would not be surprised to find that the velocity from the 10/22 at 300 yards is not much different from that provided by a 2" revolver at 3-5 yards.
I suspect I would want a good solid point, as much like a SWC as possible, so that there is a real chance of penetration to the vitals. A lot of the target zone on a human is covered by bone.

Raw & unfrozen.

.22LR LETHALITY - 300 Yard Ballistics Test - YouTube