Hey all, I've got a SR22 as a GF's carry gun/ my house carry.
I'm just wondering which is better, Mini-mags or Stingers?
I'm just wondering which is better, Mini-mags or Stingers?
CCI stingers V.S. Mini-Mags
- Thread starter CoyoteSix
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Stingers will offer a greater velocity, but they are only made as hollow-points. Most here agree that, for defensive use, a solid round will offer more penetration, which is key in such a small caliber. The ultra-zippy, ultra-light Stinger just might not get in that far before it spreads out.
Though I don't use a .22 as a carry gun (and will not disparage anyone who does!), the .22 caliber guns I do keep loaded, including a Taurus PT22 and a Tapco-modified Ruger 10/22, are loaded with MiniMag solids.
Under normal conditions, MiniMags are about half the cost of Stingers. They are plenty hot enough to cycle the small blowback pistols that frequently fail with "lesser" loads.
Though I don't use a .22 as a carry gun (and will not disparage anyone who does!), the .22 caliber guns I do keep loaded, including a Taurus PT22 and a Tapco-modified Ruger 10/22, are loaded with MiniMag solids.
Under normal conditions, MiniMags are about half the cost of Stingers. They are plenty hot enough to cycle the small blowback pistols that frequently fail with "lesser" loads.
The more reliable one.
Stingers aren't magic, they are mostly formulated for rifles, so you probably won't see a huge advantage out of a short handgun barrel.
Now I want to test out Stingers in my 8.5" mkIII and compare to other barrel lengths over a chronograph - anyone have a chronograph I can borrow? (I promise not to shoot it on purpose)
Stingers aren't magic, they are mostly formulated for rifles, so you probably won't see a huge advantage out of a short handgun barrel.
Now I want to test out Stingers in my 8.5" mkIII and compare to other barrel lengths over a chronograph - anyone have a chronograph I can borrow? (I promise not to shoot it on purpose)
the solids/HP factor reminds me that CCI makes a good small game load in a solid marketed under the name "SGB" (small game bullet)
They run fine in all the semiauto handguns and rifles I've stuck them in and have a nice flat point
if you pick minimags, don't expect much expansion from the HP version - I'd use solids
They run fine in all the semiauto handguns and rifles I've stuck them in and have a nice flat point
if you pick minimags, don't expect much expansion from the HP version - I'd use solids
Any opinions on the remington high velocity stuff?
I got a few boxes. I think they're called viper or hornet.
I got a few boxes. I think they're called viper or hornet.
As mentioned already, stingers are for rifles. You are just wasting money shooting them out of a pistol. A rep from the manufacturer told me that a few years ago. Before that, I was shooting stingers out of a pistol because I thought they were better.
F-111 John
Member
My wife uses CCI Minimags in her SR22. For all intents and purposes, it doesn't matter if you use solid or hollow point Minimags, because as tnoutdoors9 has demonstrated, you don't get enough velocity out of the SR22 to get the hollow points to expand. You need a rifle length barrel to open up the hollow points.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbVY4gT5P20
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbVY4gT5P20
Neither. Use the 40 grain Velocator.
It provides more ft lbs energy then the stinger, and the heavier weight is better for a man sized target when it comes to penetration.
It provides more ft lbs energy then the stinger, and the heavier weight is better for a man sized target when it comes to penetration.
.22LR semi automatic pistols have always been problematic as to functioning. Not all for sure. My wife bought a .22LR pistol and after doing the research, she decided the SR22 was not what she wanted and bought a Ruger Mark III. It too had it problems, but a little magazine tweaking with a Dremel tool fixed that.
You need to buy a couple of hundred rounds of the ammunition you're considering and see for yourself which works best in her gun. They all might; they all might not.
If it were me, I choose the solids. You have to get through the clothing and such to get to an attacker's vital organs and I don't even want to think about the possibility of bullet breakup, nose shedding and etc. The .22LR is already marginal enough; don't exacerbate the situation with hollow points.
You need to buy a couple of hundred rounds of the ammunition you're considering and see for yourself which works best in her gun. They all might; they all might not.
If it were me, I choose the solids. You have to get through the clothing and such to get to an attacker's vital organs and I don't even want to think about the possibility of bullet breakup, nose shedding and etc. The .22LR is already marginal enough; don't exacerbate the situation with hollow points.
Skylerbone
Member
For penetration and reliability, the MiniMag every time. If used for SD, practice ammo dumps frequently.
As I understand it, Stingers aren't really intended for semi-auto firearms. Most firearms manufacturers say NOT to use them if you ask. In a Ruger Mark III, they'll beat the hell out of the back end of the recoil spring assembly.
Mini-Mags, however, work just fine in semi-autos, and, in fact usually work better than standard-velocity ammo. Their copper washing helps them feed better and their extra power gives them more positive ejection.
Mini-Mags, however, work just fine in semi-autos, and, in fact usually work better than standard-velocity ammo. Their copper washing helps them feed better and their extra power gives them more positive ejection.
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The Bushmaster
Member
I would choose CCI Mini-Mags. But you have to look closely at the ones you pick up. The CCI Mini-Mags in 36 grain are hollow points If you can find them get the 40 grain Mini-Mags. They are solids.
The case of a Stinger is a wee bit longer than normal,,,
The case of a Stinger is a wee bit longer than normal,,,
For that reason I choose not to use them in any of my semi-auto pistols.
A local gunsmith told me that he has seen chamber damage from people using them in nice semi-auto pistols.
I can't verify what he told me,,,
But I can see how it might be possible.
I use CCI Mini-Mags in solid point in my:
Bersa Thunder 22.
Beretta 87 Cheetah.
Taurus 22-PLY Mouse-gun.
Aarond
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The case of a Stinger is a wee bit longer than normal,,,
For that reason I choose not to use them in any of my semi-auto pistols.
A local gunsmith told me that he has seen chamber damage from people using them in nice semi-auto pistols.
I can't verify what he told me,,,
But I can see how it might be possible.
I use CCI Mini-Mags in solid point in my:
Bersa Thunder 22.
Beretta 87 Cheetah.
Taurus 22-PLY Mouse-gun.
Aarond
.
CCI 40 grain velocator > CCI 40 grain mini-mag. The velocator is a hyper velocity round, the mini mag is a high velocity round. If you choose to use a .22 pistol to defend yourself, you need all the extra velocity and performance you can get.
I agree as well. Better the Mini Mags if they cycle reliably. No need to beat the frame with higher energy loads. It also helps to check the manual. Rimfire pistols often come with a recommended (or not recommended) ammo list. One advantage the Stingers may have is less wax on your hands.
mgmorden
Member
Mini-mags. As stated the short barrel won't develop the Stinger to its full potential. Mini-mags will be just as good out of that barrel length and outside of some very, very specialized target ammo they pretty much set the bar for rimfire reliability.
Fired from a rifle stingers do expand. Stingers are meant to be fired from a rifle. I really doubt the powder fully burns when a stinger is shot from a 4" barrel. Even if the powder does burn the gases don't expand in 4".
Far and away the mini mag with it's solid bullet is the best self defense cartridge. Even from a 2" barrel most of the powder burns when a mini mag is fired.
Far and away the mini mag with it's solid bullet is the best self defense cartridge. Even from a 2" barrel most of the powder burns when a mini mag is fired.
amd6547
Member
My 1970's Ruger Standard model has fired 100's of stingers without issue. I have also used them in a Beretta Bobcat and a Ruger SR22. In every case, they have functioned perfectly without apparent harm to the firearm and given good accuracy.
Is some of the powder wasted in a short barrel? Sure. At the same time, I enjoy the bright white muzzle flash in the little Bobcat.
MiniMags are my overall favorite 22lr ammo, and as has already been said, solids are best for SD use.
I am also a fan of Aguila rimfire ammo.
Is some of the powder wasted in a short barrel? Sure. At the same time, I enjoy the bright white muzzle flash in the little Bobcat.
MiniMags are my overall favorite 22lr ammo, and as has already been said, solids are best for SD use.
I am also a fan of Aguila rimfire ammo.
Some people suggest Mini Mag because they are solids, but can anyone show me just one gelatin test where a Stinger expanded from 4" or less pistol barrel?
From my experience Stingers and Mini Mags both work just fine in the SR22 so if you must use a 22lr for self defense I doubt it makes any difference which you use.
From my experience Stingers and Mini Mags both work just fine in the SR22 so if you must use a 22lr for self defense I doubt it makes any difference which you use.
F-111 John
Member
Mini-Mags come in 36 gr hollow points as well as 40 gr solids. They still won't expand from an SR22 pistol, therefore they penetrate like a solid.
http://www.cci-ammunition.com/products/detail.aspx?use=1&loadNo=0031
http://www.cci-ammunition.com/products/detail.aspx?use=1&loadNo=0031
Sorry, I didn't read all of this thread, but if you haven't shot Stingers in a handgun do it first before you decide. The flame ball rivals a 357 magnum. For handguns I'd go for the heavier bullet.
MarshallDodge
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