What magnum ammo do you guys like?

tinhorn · May-19-22 11:05

The manual for my 1860 tells me to avoid Varmint ammo. Oops. I have CCI Varmint as well as Target loads on the shelf and I see the specs are the same for both. Not all my Earls have LR cylinders, plus the magnum rounds are just plain fun to shoot. The shortest magnum barrel I have is 3".

What are you guys using?

bearcatter · May-19-22 12:05

When I had my 5.5 inch Single-Six, I used 50 grain ammo from Federal. Seemed to shoot flatter than the usual 40 grain. YMMV with a mini barrel length.

You guys should try .22WRF, Winchester Rim Fire, also known as .22 Remington Special, if you can find it. WMR case size, but shorter. It's in-between LR and WMR in length and power.

https://www.chuckhawks.com/22WRF.htm

Bigbird48 · May-19-22 15:05

I use CCI Maxi Mags

Anvil · May-19-22 18:05

I've had good results with
22 Winchester Mag jacketed hollow points
It works well in my pug at 15 feet and my Ruger Single Six at 50 yds.

Canoeal · May-19-22 20:05

I have a lot I could shoot TMJ; Gamepoints, in 35 and 40 gr; Fiocchi, Federal, since I also have the Henry SG in .22 mag. However the house mouse and my BW and Wasp, my carries, all have either Hornady CD, or Gold Dots. I may shoot some lesser rounds at the range, but not for carry...

Texduk3 · May-22-22 08:05

Hornady Gold Dots.........

Uncle_Lee · May-23-22 06:05

What ever is available .

OV-1D · May-24-22 13:05

Quote from: uncle_lee on May-23-22 06:05
What ever is available .

I'm with Unc on this issue and the most reliable to boot .

Gnomie · June-07-22 16:06

I finally found some Hornady Critical Defense.

Still searching for Speer Gold Dot, Winchester PDX1, and the new Federal Punch WMR!

tinhorn · September-15-22 17:09

Quote from: bearcatter on May-19-22 12:05
You guys should try .22WRF, Winchester Rim Fire, also known as .22 Remington Special, if you can find it. WMR case size, but shorter. It's in-between LR and WMR in length and power.

https://www.chuckhawks.com/22WRF.htm

I bought some from a Gunbroker seller so I could go super-blasto without using MaxiMags (which NAA says are a no-no). They were fun. So today I was at the gun store where I put a Single Six on consignment, and I asked the nice lady if she had any WRF. Turns out she'd bought a bunch by accident a long time ago and had 13 boxes on the shelf. Said she rarely sells any. I bought two, and when that SS sells, I'm gonna help solve her obsolete inventory problem. I'm nice like that.

bearcatter · September-15-22 18:09

What I've heard, two companies do a run of WRF a couple of times a year. IIRC, Winchester and CCI.

grayelky · September-20-22 04:09

For carry, Hornady Critical Defense or Speer Gold Dots. So far I have found none of the new Federal Punch in magnum, and not enough of the Winchester PDX1 to make a fair decision. For just shooting, I?m not very critical. Whatever is handy is next.

OLD and GRUMPY · September-20-22 05:09

PUNCH IN STOCK NOW 5:30 AM west coast https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1025277483?pid=340454

OLD and GRUMPY · September-20-22 05:09

If it's gone click notify me. They have been getting it replaced fast.

GKPbang · September-21-22 20:09

For me, only ammo made for short barrels and reliable.
1 Federal Punch. 2 Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel Personal Protection Rimfire 22 WMR. 3 22 WMR 45 gr FTX? Critical Defense?.
All have a muzzle velocity of over 1000 fps with a 2" barrel. I have had the Speer cases expand into the notches of the NAA Mini, requiring more pressure to turn the cylinder. Punch uses a stronger case.
I hope this is helpful.

Texron · October-17-22 12:10

Speer Gold Dots

Xmedic24 · October-22-22 08:10

I'm new to Minis (but not to .22 WMR), so my opinion is worth what you paid for it.

Until I was able to find some short-barrel rounds, I kept my Mini loaded with Federal Champion FMJ FP rounds.

The solids seemed a good choice to ensure decent penetration, and I think the flat point bullets can do more damage than an unexpanded hollow-point or soft point.

Midway finally got some Federal Punch in stock, so that's what I'm using now.

OK, I have to try posting again. Apparently I really can't read the verification letters even when I zoom in.

I understand the need to ensure I'm human, but couldn't I just give some DNA or something?

Texduk3 · November-05-22 07:11

Finally!! found Hornady Critical Defense WMR,
and .357 Mag.

Obsolete · November-16-22 08:11

These lovely guns require fast-burning powder. There are several brands designed for max velocity from such short barrels, but impact/penetration is at least as important as velocity. Some of the best self defense geometries/materials are not made with fast burning powder, so it's a compromise. My experiments show that Punch is overall somewhat superior to the others, but the casing is apparently made of unobtainium.

My Ranger II is EDC (not a BUG), so I welcome any advice on other and more available rounds.

tinhorn · November-16-22 21:11

Quote from: Obsolete on November-16-22 08:11
These lovely guns require fast-burning powder. There are several brands designed for max velocity from such short barrels, but impact/penetration is at least as important as velocity. Some of the best self defense geometries/materials are not made with fast burning powder, so it's a compromise. My experiments show that Punch is overall somewhat superior to the others, but the casing is apparently made of unobtainium.

My Ranger II is EDC (not a BUG), so I welcome any advice on other and more available rounds.

Welcome, friend.

So far, my Scientific Research indicates that 2" is the minimum barrel length for maximum performance from these short-barrel rounds, and that Punch was the most consistently effective performer.