WB
About talked myself out of it again...
Saturday, October 14, 2023, 15:20

I really like the idea of a .22 WMR trail semi-auto. The Kel-tec is really attractive with its super light weight. Plus with two mags you have about $25 worth (60 rnds.) at your quick disposal. I DO think the .22 WMR is more reliable than the .22 LR rimfire, also the bullet, being actually a jacketed slug, is more effective. But reading some late SIG and S&W tests on their versions I was let down by the actual performance. For a foundation, my old M63 S&W 4" kit gun revolver clocks Winchester Super-X 40 gr. .22 LR right at 1100 fps. These .22 WMR were pushing 45 gr. at 1200 fps. The lighter pointy .22 WMR can hang a semi-auto mag and render it dead. I also note that they were only about 100 fps faster to boot. I have shot .22 WMR from a Single-six at an average of around 1300-1350 fps for the 45 gr. loading (6.5" barrel).

With .22 WMR running around $20/50 it just doesn't seem that much of a boost in performance to justify. In a rifle things are different! The 45 gr. runs about 1900-1950 fps. The .22 LR usually pushes the nominal 40 gr. at 1300 fps or so.