22 ammo question

by markgrabowski 3/13/2019, 9:34 pm

Ok, quick question. How important is it to use 22 ammo labeled pistol vs traditional 22? I’ve only used traditional stuff like Wolf Match Extra or Federal match. Any difference in performance or recoil?

by desben 3/13/2019, 9:55 pm

It's not important. If what you're using is accurate and RELIABLE, keep that.

Sometimes, what's labeled "pistol" may be different, but not necessarily better. You have to find what works best for you and your gun.

by markgrabowski 3/14/2019, 4:22 am

Does “pistol “ ammo shoot any softer?

by kidneyboy 3/14/2019, 5:45 am

markgrabowski wrote:Does “pistol “ ammo shoot any softer?

No.
Standard velocity shoots softer than high velocity. Otherwise it's not important what the box says, it's what runs the best in your particular gun.

by TonyH 3/14/2019, 6:21 am

Does “pistol “ ammo shoot any softer?

This depends on the manufacturer and the easiest way to know is to look up the published specifications for the ammunition you are using. Below are a couple of examples, one from CCI and one from SK. If you look at CCI, only the mini-mag shows a higher velocity for a 40 grn. projectile. For SK, the published velocities are different depending on the type of ammunition you pick. Like the posters said above, find ammunition that works reliably and is accurate in your pistol and have at it. If using HV ammo in a 22 semi-auto, the weight of the recoil spring probably should be higher to prevent battering of the slide. In the end, experiment a bit to find the correct combination of reliability and accuracy, then work on your fundamentals (way more important than the type of ammo you shoot).

by desben 3/14/2019, 7:59 am

You have to be careful when looking at the numbers in these charts. For example, SK Pistol Match Special is 955 fps, whereas Standard Plus is 1073 fps. So you may expect Pistol Match Special to be a lower recoil version, when in fact it is the opposite. SK Pistol Match Special is loaded slightly hotter to provide sure functioning in fussy pistols. The lower velocity comes from the shorter barrel used for testing (5.9") vs Standard Plus which is tested in a rifle (26").

I can't tell the difference between SK Standard Plus and Pistol Match, except in price. They shoot and feel the same. In the end, I went with the cheaper one.
22 ammo question 15263382356_15c022bca0

Experimentation in your pistol is key. Find something that you like and then shoot a bunch. Don't sweat it.

by TonyH 3/14/2019, 8:21 am

True dat. Look at charts carefully and compare apples to apples. If important, chronograph ammo out of your pistol.

by David R 3/14/2019, 10:11 am

It also depends on what you are shooting it from.

High Standard recommends only Standard Velocity for their pistols.

What are you shooting?

by dronning 3/14/2019, 10:29 am

desben wrote:You have to be careful when looking at the numbers in these charts. For example, SK Pistol Match Special is 955 fps, whereas Standard Plus is 1073 fps. So you may expect Pistol Match Special to be a lower recoil version, when in fact it is the opposite. SK Pistol Match Special is loaded slightly hotter to provide sure functioning in fussy pistols. The lower velocity comes from the shorter barrel used for testing (5.9") vs Standard Plus which is tested in a rifle (26").

Just an FYI .22LR velocity reaches peak at 16-17 inches, and is slowed by barrels longer than this length. CF rifles the load can be with fast or slow powders. Slower powders will accelerate longer but there is always an optimal length.
- Dave
I found this out the hard way when I built a 10/22 with a 28" Green Mountain barrel and could never get it to shoot well even after re-crowning, twice. After doing some chrono work I had it cut down to 18" and it was dead accurate.

by SMBeyer 3/14/2019, 7:45 pm

From the SK Rep. at Camp Perry "Wolf Match Target, Wolf Match Extra, SK Rifle Match, SK Standard Plus, SK Pistol Match and sometimes SK Magazine (if there was enough rejected aforementioned ammo to fill the need) is all the exact same ammo."

by Aprilian 3/15/2019, 12:38 pm

SMBeyer wrote:From the SK Rep. at Camp Perry "Wolf Match Target, Wolf Match Extra, SK Rifle Match, SK Standard Plus, SK Pistol Match and sometimes SK Magazine (if there was enough rejected aforementioned ammo to fill the need) is all the exact same ammo."

You have to assume that whatever is at the bottom was originally meant to be something of a higher quality. That's why I buy Magazine instead of STD+. My targets don't seem to show a difference between it and STD+ - but my wallet does.

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