.22 mag suggestions

[Ozark75]

I am looking for some 22 mag ammo suggestion. I recently got a sidewinder 4 inch barrel mag only. Every round I fired popped the cylinder out the side. I called NAA. They asked what ammo I was using. I told them CCI maxi mag. They told me not to use varmit rounds, that max fps should be 1860. Maxi mags are 1875. I'd be suprised if 15 fps would make a difference causing my problem. They sent me a label so they could take a look at it any way.

I also just bought another Sheriff (already had one). This one is mag only, my other has both cylinders.

Took the new sheriff to the range today. After two cylinders of maxi mag, it started binding up. Not sure if there is a problem with the gun or if the problem is the maxi mags at 1875 fps.

I would like to try some good ammo at 1860 fps before I send the sheriff back also.

Never had any problems with the maxi mags in my original sheriff, but it is about 3 or 4 years old. Maybe it is just a better gun.

Any suggestions?

[coppertop]

Federal Premium Punch 45 grain ammo
Winchester Silvertip 40 grain ammo
Hornady Critical Defense 45 grain ammo

I lean towards the Critical Defense but all three are withing NAA's parameters.

[Rick_Jorgenson]

I have shot the higher velocity ammo with my NAA's... on rare occasions when I've bought a box by mistake. I've been lucky? No ill effects.

When shopping for ammo, I'll buy the standard velocity. Because thats what is factory recommended. 

I believe the higher velocity ammo can never achieve that stated speed because there is not enough barrel length on an NAA for the gun powder to get a full burn. I think I've read that somewhere...?

I'm not an expert at this information so I may be incorrect. Someone else can jump in and do a better explanation 

I look at it this way... The people that made these know a whole lot more than I do about them, so I stick with what they suggest.

JMHO

[bearcatter]

Only 22 mag I ever owned was Single-Sixes. The only mag ammo I ever shot was 50 grain Federal.

When I could get it, I preferred 45 grain .22 WRF. Falls between LR and WMR in performance and recoil, shoots flatter than either.

[coppertop]

I have shot the higher velocity ammo with my NAA's... on rare occasions when I've bought a box by mistake. I've been lucky? No ill effects.

When shopping for ammo, I'll buy the standard velocity. Because thats what is factory recommended. 

I believe the higher velocity ammo can never achieve that stated speed because there is not enough barrel length on an NAA for the gun powder to get a full burn. I think I've read that somewhere...?

I'm not an expert at this information so I may be incorrect. Someone else can jump in and do a better explanation 

I look at it this way... The people that made these know a whole lot more than I do about them, so I stick with what they suggest.

JMHO

You are correct the high velocity or varmit loads need a longer barrel that what's on our NAA minis to allow the powder to burn and the bullet to achieve max velocity.

In the NAA minis that energy has nowhere to burn and can come back into the cylinder and cause all sorts of irritation. It's not a guarantee and that extra energy could just be a neat fire ball out the muzzle instead. Or you could have both. You could say it's like shooting +P ammo in a handgun not rated for +P ammo (cracked a cylinder once doing that).

I've heard others experience no ill effects from shooting high velocity rounds through their NAA minis. Me... the first round I tried my chances with would result in the cylinder being blown out.

[top dog]

I have found that the CCI standard hollow point rounds work the best for me.

Most of the magnum ammo is basically geared for the longer barrle rifles to achieve the high velocity.

Yes,there is some specialty ammo out there but it is difficult to find it.

                                                                               Top Dog

[Canoeal]

Still using my stockpile of Gold Dots...

[bleak_window]

Me too on the Gold Dots.  My Black Widow hasn't had anything else in years.  I may try some Federal Punch 45gr.  I have .22 mag guns with 4 and 10 inch barrels, so I do use other ammo in those longer barrels.

[Canoeal]

Same here. The Gold Dots are reserved for my NAAs (BW and 1 5/8" Wasp). My Charter Arms 4" gets the Hornady Crtitical Defense. That is how they are set up. My Henry Small Game Carbine gets a mix of 40 grain, but really likes the gamepoints. I am sure, if I absolutley need to, I could use what ever is handy, when needed...

[Ozark75]

Ugh..I didnt realize how hard it was to find 22 mag ammo under 1860 fps. The search is on though......

[chutethemall]

Ugh..I didnt realize how hard it was to find 22 mag ammo under 1860 fps. The search is on though......

You might consider spending a little more for .22 WRF instead of .22 WMR if you want a milder option.

Reportedly WRF is 1300 fps for 45 grains, while .22 WMR Win. Dynapoint 45g did 1550 fps.
Just some numbers I found on the Internet, posted a decade ago, and certainly thru a rifle, not a NAA.

[bearcatter]

Seven posts back, I mentioned WRF. I liked it in my Single-Sixes.

[Ozark75]

I have considered wrf. The problem is I bought two new mini's chambered in .22mag. Now NAA is saying dont use varmit rounds, and the listed velocity should be 1860 fps or less. Start to limit the ammo you can run in the 22 mags. Never had any issues in the past.