.22 LR going supersonic

[Drew 3]

Hi all, my .22 is only a 16” barrel but I still get quite a few supersonic cracks from CCI subs. I currently use RWS and Fiocchi and they seem to behave themselves. I am looking to try Eley team (Tenex and Match re graded) and before buying a whole brick, wondered weather anyone has had any similar issues with them going supersonic?

 

[Smellydog]

Hi all, my .22 is only a 16” barrel but I still get quite a few supersonic cracks from CCI subs. I currently use RWS and Fiocchi and they seem to behave themselves. I am looking to try Eley team (Tenex and Match re graded) and before buying a whole brick, wondered weather anyone has had any similar issues with them going supersonic?

They are standard velocity. There WILL be a supersonic crack.

 

[Drew 3]

Thanks for the reply. They’re quoting 1040 - 1085 fps which is just below the sound barrier but that’s what CCI claim too. Do you have 1st hand experience of them cracking the sound barrier?

 

[Overlay]

I had the odd crack with CCI segmented, jamming also wouldn't load in one rifle, after a few guest makes I’ve ended up with Eley subs and a nice surprise Norma NT coppper segmented groupings were excellent on both
I use the lead Eley in one 22 rimmy and the NT segmented in another both are really good, here are some pics that shows the Norma HP and the segmented NT in relation to the CCI the Norma hollow point in copper were a complete waste of time
Good luick

 

[Andy RV]

I found with CCI subs that’s perhaps 1 in 10 would go supersonic.

 

[Heym SR20]

Thanks for the reply. They’re quoting 1040 - 1085 fps which is just below the sound barrier but that’s what CCI claim too. Do you have 1st hand experience of them cracking the sound barrier?

Speed of sound varies with air density which in turn will vary with air temperature, altitude and barometric pressure. Speed of sound varies from about 1050 fps up to 1150 fps.

Add in normal variation in velocities from one cartridge to the next of perhaps 25 to 50fps and thats why you will get some cracking and others not so much. Short barrels probably also give wider variation as you may or may not get full powder burn, whereas long barrel you get full powder burn.

If you want true silence with no supersonic cracks you need a cartridge which is below the minimum speed of sound - probably 975 fps plus or minus 25fps.

 

[Smellydog]

Thanks for the reply. They’re quoting 1040 - 1085 fps which is just below the sound barrier but that’s what CCI claim too. Do you have 1st hand experience of them cracking the sound barrier?

Yes. I recently shot some eley match and they were going super.
Altitude plays a roll too.
CCI are good performers and are close to the edge of supersonic .
I've just tried the much maligned new Winchester subsonic in my Sako this afternoon. To my delight they are grouping well but right on the edge of supersonic but I'm ok with it. Compared to the loopy Norma's these seem much flatter.

 

[Pellet Pinger]

CCI are buggers for going bang.

 

[AHPP]

Recently tested Eley Sport, Club and Contact, all supposedly subsonic. I need to dig a chrono out because my ears tell me Eley’s specs are nonsense.

 

[Smellydog]

Recently tested Eley Sport, Club and Contact, all supposedly subsonic. I need to dig a chrono out because my ears tell me Eley’s specs are nonsense.

I'm not aware of them saying they are subsonic. Only that they are standard velocity.
I understand that standard velocity 22 ammunition is or can be just above the speed of sound.

Do bare in mind that a: all barrels are different and b: a short barrel rifle will give higher velocity than some, not all but some longer barreled 22's. A 22 standard peaks at around 9-10" of barrel. After that the barrel is in effect slowing the bullet down again.
If you have 16" barrel a standard will, not always but often, leave the muzzle quicker than say a 24" barrel.

Sounds like you have what I call a fast barrel.

 

[Drew 3]

Hmmm, thanks for the reply’s gents. Looks like I’ll be better off staying with the Fiocchi. My thoughts were trying out some more target oriented stuff for the best accuracy possible as they would still kill rabbits just the same as a hollow point put in the right spot.

 

[AHPP]

Hmmm, thanks for the reply’s gents. Looks like I’ll be better off staying with the Fiocchi. My thoughts were trying out some more target oriented stuff for the best accuracy possible as they would still kill rabbits just the same as a hollow point put in the right spot.

Same as you. I was trying to go to a round nose for better consistency, ie not having the nose jammed with wax or not and not having the edge of the hollow dented feeding. Quietness was most important though. Ended up back on Eley subs for now. One day I’ll find the grail.

 

[AHPP]

I'm not aware of them saying they are subsonic. Only that they are standard velocity.
I understand that standard velocity 22 ammunition is or can be just above the speed of sound.

Do bare in mind that a: all barrels are different and b: a short barrel rifle will give higher velocity than some, not all but some longer barreled 22's. A 22 standard peaks at around 9-10" of barrel. After that the barrel is in effect slowing the bullet down again.
If you have 16" barrel a standard will, not always but often, leave the muzzle quicker than say a 24" barrel.

Sounds like you have what I call a fast barrel.

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Sport (green box) is meant to be 1000-1090. Speed of sound is about 1100 usually. I shot something like 20 of them. All seemed supersonic.

16” barrels between two rifle brands.

Need to chrono to be sure.

 

[Doctorken]

Have several boxes of cci subs still sat in my cabinet as about half are supersonic out of my 452 short and my mates rifle with longer barrel.

I was curious but only had my air rifle chrono to check. There was a large spread on velocity 960 to 1113 (3 SD) , rest were supersonic, too fast for the device so spread probably more. Pretty obvious as those were bloody noisy even through the mod..... also not particularly accurate even at 50 yards

Just a bad batch maybe?

Definitely 22 ammo I have used recently doesn't seem to be as consistent as in the past, I don't get through loads and only stock up every few years. I have had to try several brands due to what was available at the time. Obviously for pest control sensible ranges not a huge issue but still....

Winchester used to be reliable but not any more, RWS a bit better and CCI awful as above. Guess it's a QC issue and if you find a good batch of any brand fill your boots?

 

[Smellydog]

As it happens I run a 22 ammo disposal service and the good news is that it is totally free!
Just send it to my local RFD and I'll do the rest

 

[Martes]

Had same issue with CCI newer batches. 1 in 5 cracking and poorer grouping. RWS significantly slower and seems to be consistent in 14" barrel. Ammunition batches are a joy.

 

[DesG]

I'm not aware of them saying they are subsonic. Only that they are standard velocity.
I understand that standard velocity 22 ammunition is or can be just above the speed of sound.

Do bare in mind that a: all barrels are different and b: a short barrel rifle will give higher velocity than some, not all but some longer barreled 22's. A 22 standard peaks at around 9-10" of barrel. After that the barrel is in effect slowing the bullet down again.
If you have 16" barrel a standard will, not always but often, leave the muzzle quicker than say a 24" barrel.

Sounds like you have what I call a fast barrel.

I was going to say the same thing. I get more 'crackers' from my 16" CZ455 than from my 20" 452 with some standard vel ammo.

I just ran a few Rem pistol rounds through both and they are virtually the same on the chrono at just shy of 1000fps. I suppose the powder must all be burnt in the first six inches with that.

Same thing with aquilla standard (Wife's at the hairdresser so I have free time!); I'm getting around 1030 from the 20" and 1080 from the 16".

 

[Drew 3]

Thought I was settled on Fiocchi 38 grain but had a good session in the woods yesterday and the RWS field line (silver and black box) 40 grain just piped them in the accuracy department so going to stick with them. If I can find someone selling them!

 

[Drew 3]

Marsh farm Country Supplies, brick of 500 purchased today with the same batch number I already have, happy days

 

[Kyte]

I bought a brick of cci subs a few years ago, 50% we’re running too hot, have been using eley 38gr since , absolute tack drivers out of my cz455 and all stay subsonic even in cold weather