Jim Taylor
Pellets vs. Balls in the Bearcat Shopkeeper
Monday, February 05, 2024, 08:23

I loaded round balls in the primed .22 Long rifle Russian cases ... and I loaded some pointy pellets. I set up my .22 bullet trap and then stacked 14 sheets of cardboard. Shooting into them I compared the round ball, the pellets and the .22 Colibri loads by Aguila.

I fired 2 of each from about 5 feet.

The .22 round balls ... 1 penetrated 5 sheets and was stopped by the 6th. 1 penetrated 6 and was stopped by the 7th.

I fired the Colibri loads. A loud CLANG told me one had penetrated all 14 sheets and was stopped by the bullet trap. I penetrated 13 sheets and was stopped by the 14th.

I then loaded the .22 caliber pellets. I had to deform the base to get them into the .22 Long Rifle case.

I fired the pellets and 1 penetrated 4 sheets and was stopped by the 5th. 1 penetrated 5 sheets and was stopped by the 6th.

Recovered pellets.

Recovered ball.

I would say the Colibri loads have more priming compound as they are also louder when fired.

The pellets are a pain to mess with not have a "heel" .. the balls are much easier.

The .22 Round Ball weighs 15 grains.
The .22 Pointed Pellet weighs 14 grains.
The Colibri Pellet weighs 20 grains and is rated at 420 fps by Aguila.