Pellets vs. Balls in the Bearcat Shopkeeper

Jim Taylor
[subject]
Monday, February 05, 2024, 08:23 (301 days ago)

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.

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I fired 2 of each from about 5 feet.

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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.
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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.
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Recovered ball.
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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.

I think I will buy some of the 22 round balls. I have some

Sean Harper
[subject]
Monday, February 05, 2024, 13:36 (301 days ago) @ Jim Taylor

primed cases and will see how they shoot with 1- 1.5 gr unique
I might try 2 in a 22lr case.


Sean

I'm happy there are true nuts out there...

WB
[subject]
Monday, February 05, 2024, 15:51 (301 days ago) @ Sean Harper

I'm glad you tried that. I note that...

WB
[subject]
Monday, February 05, 2024, 15:48 (301 days ago) @ Jim Taylor

Shogun pellet sizes T = 0.20" and F = 0.22 for reference. I wonder if you could use a .20 cal. airgun pellet inside the case and it would fill the void, bump up?

It might also be fun to find some pill capsules for vitamins etc. that would work with #11-12 shot like CCI shotshells. Have you priced them lately? .22 RF shot rounds?!! Not really good for anything but wow!

You did get one of those heel .22 Molds and crimp tools? I remember you tinkering with it a while back. Bullseye or such would be interesting. FFFFg too, but what a mess.

Answers .. sort of

Jim Taylor
[subject]
Monday, February 05, 2024, 16:43 (301 days ago) @ WB

wonder if you could use a .20 cal. airgun pellet inside the case and it would fill the void, bump up?

I don't think the priming charge would be enough to bump them up. Add a grain of Bullseye maybe.

You did get one of those heel .22 Molds and crimp tools?
My son-in-law got me a .22 Magnum reloading kit for Christmas last year I think it was ... the crimp tool works for Long Rifles also.

I pick up lost and thrown away .22's on the range. I pull the bullets to melt down later or reuse and save the powder. I get enough powder to reload quite a few .22's.

You might find this interesting. Never saw before.

WB
[subject]
Monday, February 05, 2024, 17:15 (301 days ago) @ Jim Taylor

Had not seen that ....

Jim Taylor
[subject]
Monday, February 05, 2024, 17:24 (301 days ago) @ WB

I have another ... what I've tried, powders slower than 231 can be really sketchy. Weird ignition. Heel bullets just don't crimp as well as standard in my opinion and that can make a LOT of difference.

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