Author Topic: 22 Magnum vs CCI Stinger (Read 5931 times)

Roudy · « **on:** February 03, 2007, 10:48:46 AM »

I'm considering ordering a Ruger Single Six Convertible with a 4 5/8" barrel. Is there any significant difference in practical application between a hyper velocity 22 LR and the 22 magnum?

I shoot a 22 LR rifle and a 22 magnum rifle and there is plenty of difference, but will the short barrel and barrel/cylinder gap significantly reduce the difference enough to be a moot point?

Roudy

Keith L · « **Reply #1 on:** February 03, 2007, 11:25:18 AM »

The other consideration is that the barrel on the single six is designed for a LR, so is a little small for a mag. I would think that slows it down even more.

I have never bothered to crono my SS, so I don't know for sure. Mine is a much better gun with the LR cylinder than the Mag.

Camel 23 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 04, 2007, 03:08:42 PM »

Quote from: Keith L on February 03, 2007, 11:25:18 AM

Mine is a much better gun with the LR cylinder than the Mag.

Same with mine.

On the other hand I haven't gotten decent accuracy with Stingers in any gun.

Bullseye · « **Reply #3 on:** February 04, 2007, 04:17:38 PM »

I thought the bore was sized for the magnum and that was why they sometimes do not shoot he lr's well. Mine always shot the mags better.

Keith L · « **Reply #4 on:** February 04, 2007, 04:39:38 PM »

I can hold a tight group with long rifle, but the mags never group worth a hoot. Jacketed bullets are the worst. I didn't slug the barrel, but my experience is that if I bought it to shoot the magnums I would be disappointed.

Zen900 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 04, 2007, 05:24:01 PM »

The lack of accuracy may explain why 22LR semiauto pistols are so popular. Ruger, Browning etc have a wide line of 22LR pistols to choose from but the 22 magnum is strangely ignored by these firearms manufacturers. There's only a couple of companies that make a 22magnum pistol. The 22M doesn't lend itself to short barrel accuracy apparently..

Roudy · « **Reply #6 on:** February 05, 2007, 07:50:23 AM »

Out of curiosity I miked the bullets on several 22 rounds. Three different 22 LR rounds miked .223"-.224". while two different 22 magnum rounds with jacketed bullets miked .221". I don't know if the 22 magnum velocity is enough to upset the bullet enough to fill the difference, but I suspect not.

The 22LR round is a 'heeled" bullet which should make the OD of the bullet the same as the OD of the case; jacketed bullets typically are not 'heeled' and their OD fits inside the case which could account for the smaller diameter of the 22 magnum jacketed bullet.

While I haven't slugged the barrels of my 22LR and 22 magnum rifles I certainly wouldn't be surprised to find the magnum 2-3 thousandths smaller.

Has anyone miked a 22 magnum round with a lead bullet?

Roudy

Keith L · « **Reply #7 on:** February 05, 2007, 08:06:16 AM »

I did a little looking on the web (very little, and not on the most authoritative sources) and so far find the notion that Mag bullets are .224 and Long Rifle bullets are .223. Also that I was wrong on the barrel dimension for a Single Six, that it is made for a mag bullet and Long Rifle bullets work because they being soft lead expand to fit the rifling. I can see that I have more to look up on thisw subject, so will have to do it when I am not at work.

Interesting thread.

Jerry Lester · « **Reply #8 on:** February 05, 2007, 12:44:31 PM »

The original question was about the performance differences between Stingers, and 22 magnums from Single Six barrels. I can shed a little light on that.

Sadly, after my ex-wife found out we were getting a divorce, she trashed quite a bit of my shooting/handloading notes, so I no longer can give you exact figures on this subject.

I did a very extensive test on a 6.5" Single-Six with nearly every kind of ammo I could find. After recording velocity averages from firing X number of rounds, the 22 magnums did edge out the stingers in most cases. The biggest increase in performance was from the newer hyper velocity 22 magnum ammo like the CCI TNT's, or CCI Maxi-mag +V's. Off the top of my head I'm thinking that revolver with Stingers gave me a velocity of around 1250 fps, and the CCI TNT's gave me right around 1600 fps. That's a pretty big jump up in velocity combined with a huge gaping HP.

I've killed tons of small to medium game with a Single-Six, and hands down the CCI TNT's have been the deadliest ammo on medium game like foxes, coons, and groundhogs.

Hope this helps?

Zen900 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 05, 2007, 09:04:39 PM »

But why do gun makers shun the 22 magnum semiauto pistols and make dozens and dozens of 22LR semiauto pistols? I only know of one semiauto 22mag pistol maker but I can't remember who it is. They're not well known.

I do see revolver 22magnums and derriger magnums though.

Duane · « **Reply #10 on:** February 06, 2007, 01:13:41 PM »

The .22 magnum was never actually designed to be used in a handgun .HGunsmiths realized it did give some better velocities than standard .22 rimfire till velocitors and mini mags came out .now that being said my single six loves .22 magnum shells ,but is also accurate with rimfire just have to try alot of ammo .I carry a single six with the .22 magnum cylinder religiously in the marsh and it has never failed me on small game and some larger game

44 Man · « **Reply #11 on:** February 07, 2007, 11:00:26 AM »

I have to agree that the hyper velocity .22lr's have never shot well in any pistol I have owned. Best always seems to come back to Federal or Remington hp. I do have a Marlin bull barrel semi auto that LOVES the hypervelocity .22s! 22 Mags have usually shot well for me in Rugers, but not quite up to the 22lr. I have a full sized Bounty Hunter .22 convertable that shoots exceptionally well with both. That's a real fun gun with absolutely zero recoil. It's the top one. 44 Man

Camel 23 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 07, 2007, 04:13:38 PM »

44 Man, I think that Bearcat is a candidate for some of your scrimshaw work!

44 Man · « **Reply #13 on:** February 08, 2007, 04:15:46 AM »

It would have already but those Bearcat grips have a wood grain pattern molded into the plastic. I'd have to polish them smooth first and I just haven't gotten around to doing that! I do have a set of imatation ivory grips for the Single Six that I will soon scrimshaw, just haven't decided what I would like to put on them. 44 Man

corbanzo · « **Reply #14 on:** February 08, 2007, 04:38:26 PM »

The .22mag is a lot longer round in comparison to other auto pistol rounds, so extraction could be a problem. The other thing is that when you get a semi auto .22, one of the main reasons is you can put a lot of bullets through it. Shooting 10 at a time all day with a lr costs near nothing. shooting all day with a magnum can dig into the pocket book. There is a much larger market for the lr. Plus with the applications of a short barrel .22, the lr can handle most of those, such as plinking, targets, and also small game such as rabbits, small birds, and squirrels.

Del · « **Reply #15 on:** February 11, 2007, 03:23:50 PM »

Here's some chronograph data thought I'd share for those interested in this thread.......

Ruger Single Six w/a 5 1/2" brl. & .22 Mag cylinder

Federal 50 grn JHP 1087 fps
CCI Speer TNT HP 1609 fps
PMC 40 grn JSP 1355 fps
CCI maxi mag +V JHP 1686 fps
Win. Sup. 34grn JHP 1532 fps
Remington 40grn JHP 1261 fps
Remington 40grn JSP 1355 fps
CCI maximag 40 FMJ 1408 fps
Win Supr-X 40 FMJ 1453 fps
Fed 30grn Sierra JHP 1609 fps
Federal 40 grn FMJ 1349 fps
Win. 40 grn FMJ 1440 fps

S&W model 63 w/a 4" barrel:
Stingers - 1230 fps

Most "average" .22 LR ammo from my 4" - 5 1/2" barreled handguns - 1050 fps

I love the .22 LR for plinking & most small game hunting that I intend to eat.
I appreciate the .22 mag when a want a bit more power to anchor a big snowshoe hare quicker or dispatch a squirrel with authority!!

Hope the chrony data is helpful for some of you.....
Good hunting,
Del

Roudy · « **Reply #16 on:** February 11, 2007, 07:27:50 PM »

Del,
Thanks for taking the time to collect and post your velocity information. Much, much better than "I think" or "I feel"! After watching the replies to the original questions it is apparent to me that the Ruger Single Six Convertable makes more sense for me. Your information clearly shows that with the right ammunition there is a significant difference between the fastest 22 LR and the fastest 22 magnum.

Some of the other folks are also having good accuracy with the 22 magnums as well.

Roudy

BTW, I ordered the Single Six with a 4 inch barrel, should arrive this coming week.

Ratltrap · « **Reply #17 on:** February 11, 2007, 09:43:54 PM »

Yeah, I'd say > 25% is a significant increase in velocity. Real jacketed bullets too.

I have an AMT Automag II, which was the first semiauto pistol chambered for 22 WMR. High Standard is still producing them. There have been a couple of others made, but I'm not sure any of those are still in production. As I understand it the chamber of that gun has indentations in it that hold the expanded brass in the chamber long enough to regulate pressure for blowback operation. Anyway, it is a very fun gun to shoot and fairly accurate with the right ammo.

Racer X · « **Reply #18 on:** March 22, 2007, 02:59:05 PM »

Quote from: Del on February 11, 2007, 03:23:50 PM

Here's some chronograph data thought I'd share for those interested in this thread.......

Ruger Single Six w/a 5 1/2" brl. & .22 Mag cylinder

Federal 50 grn JHP 1087 fps
CCI Speer TNT HP 1609 fps
PMC 40 grn JSP 1355 fps
CCI maxi mag +V JHP 1686 fps
Win. Sup. 34grn JHP 1532 fps
Remington 40grn JHP 1261 fps
Remington 40grn JSP 1355 fps
CCI maximag 40 FMJ 1408 fps
Win Supr-X 40 FMJ 1453 fps
Fed 30grn Sierra JHP 1609 fps
Federal 40 grn FMJ 1349 fps
Win. 40 grn FMJ 1440 fps

S&W model 63 w/a 4" barrel:
Stingers - 1230 fps

Most "average" .22 LR ammo from my 4" - 5 1/2" barreled handguns - 1050 fps

I love the .22 LR for plinking & most small game hunting that I intend to eat.
I appreciate the .22 mag when a want a bit more power to anchor a big snowshoe hare quicker or dispatch a squirrel with authority!!

Hope the chrony data is helpful for some of you.....
Good hunting,
Del

I also have a 5--1/2" barrel Single Six. Of those above loads, which ones were the most accurate and what were the group sizes? Also, what 22 LR ammo does your's like. I have not shot any WMR in mine yet, but all LR ammo is mediocre.

Del · « **Reply #19 on:** April 08, 2007, 06:18:18 AM »

Racer-X & anyone else here........

The chrony data that I posted on this thread was gathered during a shooting session with my first ever Ruger Single Six, (a blued New Model with 5 1/2" barrel & adj. sites). That gun was sold and replaced w/a 3-Screw Old model, also blued w/adj. sites & 5 1/2" barrel.

I don't remember the most accurate .22 mag load for that first gun, 'might' have been CCI Maxi Mag 40 grn FMJ. My idea is to shoot my new 'old model' and look for the 2 most accurate .22 mag loads: 1) a FMJ or JSP for bigger critters where I want penetration - ground hogs, fox, coyote etc @ 50 yards or less. 2) a hyper velocity JHP for devastating performance on smaller pests - ground squirrels, pine squirrels, etc.

One .22 LR ammo that I've found to be accurate in most any handgun or rifle is: Winchester Power Points, give them a try.
(Racer-X, how many different types of .22 lr ammo have you tried?)

When I get to the range next, I'll report back w/group sizes for the .22 mag ammo I have on hand.
Keep shooting that Single Six, you & it will get more accurate!!
Del

Racer X · « **Reply #20 on:** April 08, 2007, 02:32:47 PM »

Quote from: Del on April 08, 2007, 06:18:18 AM

Racer-X & anyone else here........

(Racer-X, how many different types of .22 lr ammo have you tried?)

When I get to the range next, I'll report back w/group sizes for the .22 mag ammo I have on hand.
Keep shooting that Single Six, you & it will get more accurate!!
Del

I have tried several (Remington Sub-Sonics, CCI Green Tag, a few different Federals and RWS, which shot the best. Dave Clements told me to try the Winchester Super-X in the gray box. They shot better than most of the others (except RWS). However, after a few cylinder fulls, I get sticky extraction with a couple of the chambers.

I tried the magnum cylinder for the first time this weekend with some CCI Maxi-Mag 40 grain HP. I could not tell an appreciable difference in accuracy between it and the LR cylinder.