Author Topic: RIFLE AMMO CHOICES??? (Read 2663 times)

Merle · « **on:** October 11, 2010, 05:28:00 PM »

Greetings,

Declining health (and opportunities) are pushing me away from big game hunting and toward small game. I will have the most chances at rabbits & squirrels, with very little opportunity for birds.

I have not seriously hunted with a 22LR for at least 40 years, and am quite sure what I used to know is out of date due to advances in guns, scopes, ammo, etc.

What I am wondering is, do you prefer to use standard velocity / match grade non Hollow Point ammo (for better accuracy) and take mostly head shots? I would expect this to be more of an issue with squirrels than rabbits due to the differences in body size & meat damage.

Or do you use high velocity hollow points and take the easier body shots? Again, I would expect meat damage to be more of an issue with squirrels than rabbits.

I was brought up to only take head shots, but fading eyesight & less steady hands put this ability in doubt. I do want to be humane, but still able to bring home some meat.

And finally, there are a few coyotes & coydogs around. Anybody have any experience with a 22LR on these critters?

Opinions, observations, personal preferences?

Thanks

saddlebum · « **Reply #1 on:** October 11, 2010, 09:08:17 PM »

I feel the same way about head shots only, unless distance or something else changes my mind.

I only use high velocity hollow points for everything. The ones that work best for me are CCI Mini Mags. The Federal 555 hollow points from Wal Mart are the same ballistics and are just about as accurate, in my guns. They are much cheaper too. I don't spend much time on paper targets. The other day I consistantly hit a 4"x7" rock at a little over 175yds with the Federals in my Ruger 10/22 with a scope. That might not be a head shot, but it's a dead rabbit. I'm sure that outfit is good to 200yds, but the wind has not let me prove it yet.

I have killed a couple of badgers and a couple of mid-sized dogs with the Mini Mags. The dogs will die, how fast depends on shot placement. The badgers only needed one from a revolver. I have never got a shot at a coyote with a .22.
Most all my small game hunting is for cottontails and jackrabbits. I usually don't care about head shots on the jacks cause I don't eat them.
I always have a .22 rifle or revolver with me when I shoot prairie dogs. When I walk out to check my kills, I can sometimes get one or two if I carry a .22 and they give me a shot. I have taken a couple of grouse for the pot with a .22, but I don't go hunting them that way.

I might mention that the few bullets that I have recovered, from the ammo mentioned, has always been a picture perfect mushroom of about .30cal or so (shots within 40 yds). They are the most reliable hollowpoints I have tried with the CCIs being the best. The Feds are probably just as reliable for expansion, but I haven't used them enough yet to tell for sure.

Mini-Mag HP #0031
   Caliber    Bullet Weight (gr)   Bullet Type   Box Count
   22 Long Rifle    36    GLHP    100

Velocity, ft/sec
   Muzzle    50 yards    75 yards    100 yards
   1260    1104    1048    1003

Energy, ft-lbs
   Muzzle    50 yards    75 yards    100 yards
   127    97    88    80

Trajectory if sighted at 100 yards
   25 Yards    50 yards    75 yards    100 yards
   1.4    2.8    2.4    0.0

Federal's ballistic chart reads exactly the same.

Get yourself a decent rifle and scope and enjoy! Good luck and God Bless!!

FourBee · « **Reply #2 on:** October 12, 2010, 01:34:01 PM »

Hello Merle: Winchester 22 Long Rifle SubSonic 40 grain Hollow Points.

That said; It was hard for me to change over from the standard .22 high velosity cartridge that we old timers are so used to grabbing at the sporting goods stores for so many years. But testing with various supersonics, high velosities, targets, and finally subsonics (which are the latest nomenclature of what I knew of as target range ammo), those .22 subsonics are highly accurate in Aquilla, RWS, and Winchester Brands.

Now days people hear the crack of a high velosity .22 in disposing of a oppossum or skunk, and first thing you know the sheriff deputies are crawling all over the place. But the pop of a Subsonic is similar to that of a good pellet gun. No one hears it and all is well.

Most my squirrel shots are less than 40 yards. In the summer you can't see 15 yards thru the tree leaves, and 40 to 60 yards in the winter time. These subsonics will easily take care of a squirrel with a well placed shot in the shoulder or head. Body shots? Well we do make them occasionally, and that's makes for a difficult situation no matter what .22 ammo is used.

saddlebum · « **Reply #3 on:** October 12, 2010, 02:23:00 PM »

I re-read your post Merle and thought I'd make another suggestion. Since it sounds like you may have to opt for body shots on squirrels and you have the dog issue. If discreetness, as 4B mentioned, is not an issue you might take a look at these CCI Small Game Bullets. They have a flat nose. They might even be better for the dog sized critters. They will hammer a squirrel or rabbit without the meat damage of the hollowpoints. I don't endorse round nose bullets after I shot a skunk 4or5 times with them and it kept on going. I reloaded with the CCI Mini Mags and anchored it with one shot. I have had similar experiences too. Squirrels may not make a difference.

http://www.cci-ammunition.com/products/detail.aspx?use=2&loadNo=0058

FourBee · « **Reply #4 on:** October 12, 2010, 02:54:30 PM »

While I was posting, my son came over to get my .22 to dispose of some pesky Coyotes in town. There is a field behind his house from where they enter town and trot right down the streets. Says they come within 30 yards of him and don't pay him any mind. So if all goes well we'll see how subsonics do on these critters.

I've killed coyotes with my .22 and standard bullets, but only one was an instant kill.

williamlayton · « **Reply #5 on:** October 12, 2010, 03:19:24 PM »

I am going thru the same process as you-----it has been a long time.
I have a several boxes in a number of flavors.
So far---reliability wise---CCI Mini Mag----but the judge is still waiting to see all of the evidence.
I will give you a heads up when I am closer to a decision.
Blessings

FourBee · « **Reply #6 on:** October 12, 2010, 03:54:11 PM »

william; I took a 1991 BRNO 452 bolt action rifle, mounted it with a Weaver 16 pwr Variable Scope, bought the best foreign brand ammo, and all the domestic brands I could find. All my tests were outdoors from 50 - 75 - and 100 yds. All tests were recorded on site. I was surprised to find that Federal Lightning, outshinned all but a few brands at all ranges. The best 100 yd results came from 10 rounds of the Winchester 22T target brand. Many shooters say .22 rifles prefer particular brands over others, so what does well in my rifle may not be the choice of another. JMTC.
4B

saddlebum · « **Reply #7 on:** October 12, 2010, 04:39:59 PM »

This could be an informative thread for me. You guys let us know what you come up with, please. My experience is limited to high velocity stuff. Be nice to learn more about how good the sub-sonic ammo works.

I got my attitude about round nose bullets after some failures. I know full well that they have been taking game for a hundred years. I just get hollowpoints all the time cause they cost the same and I use them for everything.

Anybody have any experience with the CCI SGB bullets? I haven't.

You know what? I forgot about CCI Velociters for the dogs. Anyone used them? 175fps faster than the mini mags.
http://www.cci-ammunition.com/products/detail.aspx?use=2&loadNo=0047

Bigeasy · « **Reply #8 on:** October 12, 2010, 05:02:44 PM »

I tested quite a few brands of .22's in my two main hunting rifles - a Kimber and a CZ bolt action. I found the Eley and the Federal Gold Match was the most accurate. Among the high velocity hunting ammo tested, the CCI Velociters were the most accurate, especially in the Kimber. They do a lot of damage on body shots, however. I did not try the standard velocity Winchester hollowpoints, but plan to, so as to strike a happy medium between accuracy and bullet performance on edible game. My hunting with a 22 is pretty much limited to squirrels and rabbits with a rifle, and the same along with pheasant with a 22 handgun. The Velociters do seem to strike a happy medium on edible game when fired out of a 4 inch or so handgun length barrel.

Larry

saddlebum · « **Reply #9 on:** October 12, 2010, 06:25:05 PM »

Other reports I've heard about Velociters said they got real good accuracy too. Veral Smith raves on them. Good thought on using them in a revolver.
I hope Merle chimes in here soon. I feel like I'm taking over his thread. $:-\$

tacklebury · « **Reply #10 on:** October 12, 2010, 07:25:55 PM »

In my semi-auto Model 60, I like Federal lightnings and CCI Mini Mag HP's. In my bolt I like CCI Stingers for bigger stuff like coon, rabbits etc. and CCI HV Short HP's for squirrel. In my pistol I typically use CCI stingers with good performance.

moorepower · « **Reply #11 on:** October 13, 2010, 02:04:18 PM »

WW Powerpoints are accurate and hit hard.

Merle · « **Reply #12 on:** October 14, 2010, 07:27:19 AM »

Quote from: saddlebum on October 11, 2010, 09:08:17 PM

I feel the same way about head shots only, unless distance or something else changes my mind.

I only use high velocity hollow points for everything. The ones that work best for me are CCI Mini Mags. The Federal 555 hollow points from Wal Mart are the same ballistics and are just about as accurate, in my guns. They are much cheaper too. I don't spend much time on paper targets. The other day I consistantly hit a 4"x7" rock at a little over 175yds with the Federals in my Ruger 10/22 with a scope. That might not be a head shot, but it's a dead rabbit. I'm sure that outfit is good to 200yds, but the wind has not let me prove it yet.

I have killed a couple of badgers and a couple of mid-sized dogs with the Mini Mags. The dogs will die, how fast depends on shot placement. The badgers only needed one from a revolver. I have never got a shot at a coyote with a .22.
Most all my small game hunting is for cottontails and jackrabbits. I usually don't care about head shots on the jacks cause I don't eat them.
I always have a .22 rifle or revolver with me when I shoot prairie dogs. When I walk out to check my kills, I can sometimes get one or two if I carry a .22 and they give me a shot. I have taken a couple of grouse for the pot with a .22, but I don't go hunting them that way.

I might mention that the few bullets that I have recovered, from the ammo mentioned, has always been a picture perfect mushroom of about .30cal or so (shots within 40 yds). They are the most reliable hollowpoints I have tried with the CCIs being the best. The Feds are probably just as reliable for expansion, but I haven't used them enough yet to tell for sure.

Mini-Mag HP #0031
   Caliber    Bullet Weight (gr)   Bullet Type   Box Count
   22 Long Rifle    36    GLHP    100

Velocity, ft/sec
   Muzzle    50 yards    75 yards    100 yards
   1260    1104    1048    1003

Energy, ft-lbs
   Muzzle    50 yards    75 yards    100 yards
   127    97    88    80

Trajectory if sighted at 100 yards
   25 Yards    50 yards    75 yards    100 yards
   1.4    2.8    2.4    0.0

Federal's ballistic chart reads exactly the same.

Get yourself a decent rifle and scope and enjoy! Good luck and God Bless!!

Thanks for the feedback. As I suspected, I'm way out of date about current ammo performance so your info is much appreciated. Back then the Remington Golden Bullet was king, at least in my area. Wasn't all that many brands / loads to choose from, unlike today. For quite a few years now, all I have shot was target or match grade, so I am not sure about HP's any more.

I have only tested my daughter's Stevens Favorite falling block so far, and it clearly preffered CCI Mini-Mag HP's. I've only made one trip to the range with it, and I usually insist on three trips to confirm it wasn't a fluke the first time. Bitter lesson from the competition days!

I figured since it was iron sights only, I'd keep it to 25 yards, due to my eyesight limitations. Once I settle on the ammo, I'll give it back to her & confirm the sights are OK for her.

She doesn't go out much any more, so I volunteered to do it for her.
Pretty flimsy excuse to do some extra shooting, eh?

After I finish with the Stevens, I'll try some other long neglected 22's, then try to put them to work this Fall.

Thanks.

Merle · « **Reply #13 on:** October 14, 2010, 07:34:04 AM »

Quote from: FourBee on October 12, 2010, 01:34:01 PM

Hello Merle: Winchester 22 Long Rifle SubSonic 40 grain Hollow Points.

That said; It was hard for me to change over from the standard .22 high velosity cartridge that we old timers are so used to grabbing at the sporting goods stores for so many years. But testing with various supersonics, high velosities, targets, and finally subsonics (which are the latest nomenclature of what I knew of as target range ammo), those .22 subsonics are highly accurate in Aquilla, RWS, and Winchester Brands.

Now days people hear the crack of a high velosity .22 in disposing of a oppossum or skunk, and first thing you know the sheriff deputies are crawling all over the place. But the pop of a Subsonic is similar to that of a good pellet gun. No one hears it and all is well.

Most my squirrel shots are less than 40 yards. In the summer you can't see 15 yards thru the tree leaves, and 40 to 60 yards in the winter time. These subsonics will easily take care of a squirrel with a well placed shot in the shoulder or head. Body shots? Well we do make them occasionally, and that's makes for a difficult situation no matter what .22 ammo is used.

WW subsonics, eh? I'm completely unfamiliar with them. I haven't seen any in the area, so will probably have to try the internet. This is shotgun country, so both centerfire & rimfire rifle ammo seem to be less common - not much to choose from.

I have already given up on the hypervelocity loads, as none of them have shown me very much accuracy.

Thanks for the tip.

Merle · « **Reply #14 on:** October 14, 2010, 07:47:53 AM »

Quote from: saddlebum on October 12, 2010, 02:23:00 PM

I re-read your post Merle and thought I'd make another suggestion. Since it sounds like you may have to opt for body shots on squirrels and you have the dog issue. If discreetness, as 4B mentioned, is not an issue you might take a look at these CCI Small Game Bullets. They have a flat nose. They might even be better for the dog sized critters. They will hammer a squirrel or rabbit without the meat damage of the hollowpoints. I don't endorse round nose bullets after I shot a skunk 4or5 times with them and it kept on going. I reloaded with the CCI Mini Mags and anchored it with one shot. I have had similar experiences too. Squirrels may not make a difference.

http://www.cci-ammunition.com/products/detail.aspx?use=2&loadNo=0058

You are correct - I fear I may have to take body shots on squirrels, as my eyesight is fading. I'm positive I will have to go for a scope for squirrels, but can possibly still manage iron sights for rabbits. I'll have to do a lot more shooting before I decide - don't want to bungle a shot on a live animal. Paper tagets don't suffer, and that's all I have shot for a long time.

I will be out in the woods, noise won't be a problem. I do understand about "urban" varmints, but have a pellet rifle for them.

I'll give the Small Game Bullets a try. I quite agree about RN solids. I don't believe they are humane enough for my abilities.

Thanks.

Merle · « **Reply #15 on:** October 14, 2010, 07:51:57 AM »

Quote from: FourBee on October 12, 2010, 02:54:30 PM

While I was posting, my son came over to get my .22 to dispose of some pesky Coyotes in town. There is a field behind his house from where they enter town and trot right down the streets. Says they come within 30 yards of him and don't pay him any mind. So if all goes well we'll see how subsonics do on these critters.

I've killed coyotes with my .22 and standard bullets, but only one was an instant kill.

So standard 22's did the job on coyotes, eh? I presume you were using HP's? I've never shot at a coyote, as they were not around back then. Since then, they have moved in.

I'd like to hear how the subsonics do.

Thanks.

Merle · « **Reply #16 on:** October 14, 2010, 07:54:41 AM »

Quote from: williamlayton on October 12, 2010, 03:19:24 PM

I am going thru the same process as you-----it has been a long time.
I have a several boxes in a number of flavors.
So far---reliability wise---CCI Mini Mag----but the judge is still waiting to see all of the evidence.
I will give you a heads up when I am closer to a decision.
Blessings

So far I have 10 different loads to try, but this string has added several more.
How awfull - I'll have to go shooting more!!!

Merle · « **Reply #17 on:** October 14, 2010, 08:00:16 AM »

Quote from: saddlebum on October 12, 2010, 04:39:59 PM

This could be an informative thread for me. You guys let us know what you come up with, please. My experience is limited to high velocity stuff. Be nice to learn more about how good the sub-sonic ammo works.

I got my attitude about round nose bullets after some failures. I know full well that they have been taking game for a hundred years. I just get hollowpoints all the time cause they cost the same and I use them for everything.

Anybody have any experience with the CCI SGB bullets? I haven't.

You know what? I forgot about CCI Velociters for the dogs. Anyone used them? 175fps faster than the mini mags.
http://www.cci-ammunition.com/products/detail.aspx?use=2&loadNo=0047

Velocitors, eh? My list is getting longer!

Merle · « **Reply #18 on:** October 14, 2010, 08:02:53 AM »

Quote from: saddlebum on October 12, 2010, 06:25:05 PM

Other reports I've heard about Velociters said they got real good accuracy too. Veral Smith raves on them. Good thought on using them in a revolver.
I hope Merle chimes in here soon. I feel like I'm taking over his thread. $:-\$

Not to worry - I just don't get a chance to log in every day.

Merle · « **Reply #19 on:** October 14, 2010, 08:05:13 AM »

Quote from: tacklebury on October 12, 2010, 07:25:55 PM

In my semi-auto Model 60, I like Federal lightnings and CCI Mini Mag HP's. In my bolt I like CCI Stingers for bigger stuff like coon, rabbits etc. and CCI HV Short HP's for squirrel. In my pistol I typically use CCI stingers with good performance.

Thanks for the feedback.

Merle · « **Reply #20 on:** October 14, 2010, 08:06:45 AM »

Quote from: moorepower on October 13, 2010, 02:04:18 PM

WW Powerpoints are accurate and hit hard.

Thank you.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #21 on:** October 14, 2010, 08:49:24 AM »

When I was a kid I thought the fastest was the best and only shot the stingers.
My two uncles that are close to me in age were using the Remington Yellow Jackets.
WOW did they make a mess of the animals. Head shots sure but if you hit a body shot it was a jig saw puzzle.
Later when I was broke and was hunting with what I could afford I found that the 40 grain cheap solid round nose bullets by either Win or Remington or Federal or other just put a nice hole in the tree rat or rabbit and that was all. The Rabbit or Tree rat just fell over.
Since moving to CA I have been using the CB longs to clean rabbits and ground squirrels out of the yard and the garden.
The bullets work well and make little noise and work in most of my bolt action rifles.
They do not feed in my 10/22 Rifles.
After all look at the size of the bullet to the size of the critter.
At best we are talking about a 2 pound animal and shooting them with a 40 grain bullet would be like shooting a 150 pound deer with a 3,000 grain or almost 1/2 pound bullet.
You may be way over thinking this. Grab a box of something, and go sight in your rifle for 25 yards. Most small game will closer than that.
I really do not think you are going to see a difference in accuracy between brands at 25 yards. But if it makes you feel better try out a bunch of brands, bullet shapes and speeds.
I own 9 rifles and 6 handguns all in 22LR and can not tell when I change brands due to a cheaper bulk pack.

Merle · « **Reply #22 on:** October 14, 2010, 04:56:31 PM »

Quote from: mcwoodduck on October 14, 2010, 08:49:24 AM

When I was a kid I thought the fastest was the best and only shot the stingers.
My two uncles that are close to me in age were using the Remington Yellow Jackets.
WOW did they make a mess of the animals. Head shots sure but if you hit a body shot it was a jig saw puzzle.
Later when I was broke and was hunting with what I could afford I found that the 40 grain cheap solid round nose bullets by either Win or Remington or Federal or other just put a nice hole in the tree rat or rabbit and that was all. The Rabbit or Tree rat just fell over.
Since moving to CA I have been using the CB longs to clean rabbits and ground squirrels out of the yard and the garden.
The bullets work well and make little noise and work in most of my bolt action rifles.
They do not feed in my 10/22 Rifles.
After all look at the size of the bullet to the size of the critter.
At best we are talking about a 2 pound animal and shooting them with a 40 grain bullet would be like shooting a 150 pound deer with a 3,000 grain or almost 1/2 pound bullet.
You may be way over thinking this. Grab a box of something, and go sight in your rifle for 25 yards. Most small game will closer than that.
I really do not think you are going to see a difference in accuracy between brands at 25 yards. But if it makes you feel better try out a bunch of brands, bullet shapes and speeds.
I own 9 rifles and 6 handguns all in 22LR and can not tell when I change brands due to a cheaper bulk pack.

That has not been my experience over the years. I have already made a trial run with my daughter's Stevens 22 at 25 yards, using 12 different loads. Group sizes for five rounds varied from a ragged hole (CCI Mini-Mag HP) to about 2" (RP Viper) and the POI varied by as much as 2" high / low & left / right. Sadly only two of the 12 loads hit to the same POI so most would not be interchangable for squirrels. Some of them would not even be acceptable for body shots on rabbits without moving the sights.

I learned a long time ago that each rifle or pistol is a law unto itself, and there were no guarentees. I have even had to adjust the sights when changing lots of ammo, so learned to buy a case of anything that worked well.

Guess my guns are pickier than yours - my first 30-30 would shoot anything pretty much the same, but my second one wasn't so agreeable.

Thanks for the feedback.

FourBee · « **Reply #23 on:** October 14, 2010, 05:12:38 PM »

Quote

by Merle: I have even had to adjust the sights when changing lots of ammo, so learned to buy a case of anything that worked well

Right on; With my best rifle, I took (3) of the best brands that proved their accuracy. Set a target at 40 yards. Sighted in with brand #1, a ragged hole in the bull. Next brand gave me a ragged hole between 12 o'clock and 1 at an inch from the bull. Final brand gave me a ragged hole at 7 o'clock off the bull. Each sighted in by themselves were consistant, but were not tolerant with one another.

williamlayton · « **Reply #24 on:** October 15, 2010, 03:18:25 AM »

YUP---and YUP.
Blessings

Merle · « **Reply #25 on:** October 15, 2010, 06:28:14 AM »

Quote from: FourBee on October 14, 2010, 05:12:38 PM

Quote
by Merle: I have even had to adjust the sights when changing lots of ammo, so learned to buy a case of anything that worked well

Right on; With my best rifle, I took (3) of the best brands that proved their accuracy. Set a target at 40 yards. Sighted in with brand #1, a ragged hole in the bull. Next brand gave me a ragged hole between 12 o'clock and 1 at an inch from the bull. Final brand gave me a ragged hole at 7 o'clock off the bull. Each sighted in by themselves were consistant, but were not tolerant with one another.

It was quite a change at 25 yards & I have really been impressed by the changes at 100 yards.
Sometimes I had to back up to 50 yards just to get on paper.
Like I said before - bitter lessons!

Merle · « **Reply #26 on:** October 15, 2010, 06:39:34 AM »

Quote from: williamlayton on October 15, 2010, 03:18:25 AM

YUP---and YUP.
Blessings

Perhaps I am "overthinking" the situation by using the same process for hunting as for competition, but like I said before paper targets don't suffer.

I don't see why I shouldn't use the same lessons learned from those days, even though me & my old Model 52 are pretty much retired these days.

If I wasn't so cheap (and unwilling to carry that much weight)

I'd buy a Unertl and take it out. Luckily I have several other sporters & one of them will end up being my squirrel gun.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #27 on:** October 15, 2010, 07:39:10 AM »

HALT
FULL STOP!
I did NOT say all 22 LR were interchangeable at 25 Yards.
I understand that changing speeds, bullets weights, and designs will move bullets all over the target.
WHAT I said was. I did not see a difference in standard velocity impact with the same bullet design. The cheap Bulk box of Remington or Winchester or Federal 36 or 40 grain bullets when comparing the hollow points to other hollow points and 40 grain lead dome to other 40 lead domes reguarless of coatings or lubes on the outside.
Trust me I have purchased EVERY 22 round out there and tried all of them.
I used to take the 100 round trays from CCI and stick 10 of each type of bullet in them from Stingers to the 42 grain Winchester Sillohuette loads and try all of them in order when I got a new 22. Up until a few years a go I still did the same thing replacing the long gone 42 grain WW sillohuette round with the Aguilla 60 grain SSS round.
I have tried every round for accuracy as well as effects on various items on the range from water mellons to potatos to see what will work for what I want in terms of function in the gun or dependability. And out of every rifle and handgun I have owned from the tiny Walther TPH to my 10/22T.
So far I have found that about 3% of the Remington ammo will fail to fire (mover the rim to another spot and it goes Bang)
about 2% of the Winchester will fail.
I have not had any CCI or Aguilla stuff fail. I so far have not had any federal, RWS, Eiley, or Wolf but I do not shoot enough of it to call it.

FourBee · « **Reply #28 on:** October 15, 2010, 08:17:17 AM »

Hey mcwoodduck; when I read that part about Aquilla Sniper SubSonic 60 grain. I had to search my ammo stock, and sure-nuf I found a partial box. I thought the Remington Thunderbolts were the sorriest round for my rifles until I tried the SSS. Those things not only couldn't hold a pattern, they would even keyhole the paper. Those were my 1st experience with sub sonics. It was awhile before I went that route again. But Eley, RWS, and Winchester changed my mind. I stuck with Winchester because they are about $5 cheaper per box of 50 than the other two brands.
4B

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #29 on:** October 15, 2010, 10:53:05 AM »

Quote from: FourBee on October 15, 2010, 08:17:17 AM

Hey mcwoodduck; when I read that part about Aquilla Sniper SubSonic 60 grain. I had to search my ammo stock, and sure-nuf I found a partial box. I thought the Remington Thunderbolts were the sorriest round for my rifles until I tried the SSS. Those things not only couldn't hold a pattern, they would even keyhole the paper. Those were my 1st experience with sub sonics. It was awhile before I went that route again. But Eley, RWS, and Winchester changed my mind. I stuck with Winchester because they are about $5 cheaper per box of 50 than the other two brands.
4B

Yep same thing I had shooting them. Most 22LR guns are not a tight enough twist for them. They may work well in a 1 in 9 twist in a 223 adapter.
I did get them to feed and shoot out of the Ruger 10/22 stainless I model I have and thought they would be good for yotes in the back yard. Figured the large bullet pitching an yawing would be good. They do evil things to a water mellon, but no worse than the hyper velocity stuff out of a rifle. But My thinking was the small flash and lower noise was going to be good in the middle of the night. The pattern was tight enough for a snap shot at coyote body leaving the hen house. Never killed a Yote with them but did end a few rats in the barn. You are right the WW hollow point Sub sonics are good.
Also tried the SSS out of the Walther TPH thinking the heavy bullet would be good up close for Dogs and coyote (2 and 4 legged) on my walks in very rurral neighborhoods of Southern CA.