Taurus PT-22 and the Aguila SSS

[Dolomite_supafly]

So I picked up a Taurus from a fellow member here. After working on it to get it reliable with other types of ammo I decided to try some of the SSS in it. It is 100% reliable. And even though a 22 isn't ideal as a carry gun at least the 60 grain bullets give it a bit more punch. I will chronograph it in the next few days to see where the velocity is out of the short barrel.

I do know that Hyper velocity ammo like Stinger's and Expediter ammo rarely reach 1,000 fps out of a 3" barrel. Most people think they are the best but they are too light and are too slow out of pistols. They do create a large muzzle blast but not much more.

I'll post results.

Dolomite

[R1100R]

I have found out of a Beretta 21 at 10 feet I had a lot of keyhole's on paper. On spinners it would be a solid hit but not spin the target at 25 yards shooting through a CZ 452. I also like this round but have never gotten around to chronograph it. I had a hard time keeping it zeroed beyond 50 yards on paper. I have always used it for close in work with a rifle. I feel you would need a dedicated rifle for this round. I know it is due to the twist rate of the .22. My friend has a 1/9 twist barrel on a 10/22 and it works out on 1" at 50 yards and past that he still experianced the same issue.

I do carry it in a NAA mini revolver and it tumble like crazy out of a 1 and 5/8's barrel at 7 yards.

I look forward to your report.

[Dolomite_supafly]

Ok I did some testing today here are the results:

All velocities are in FPS with the chronograph at 10 feet. Temperature is 40 F. It is clear with little wind.

Round: Aguila SSS 60 grain

Low: 686

High: 704

Avg: 698

ES: 17.7

SD: 8.12

Reliable

Energy: 65

Note: The velocity is comaprable to that in the video above to the performance should be similar. The video shows 9" of penetration.

Round: Winchester "333" 36 grain HP (same as "555")

Low: 815

High: 899

Avg: 844

ES: 83.6

SD: 34.1

Reliable

Energy: 57

Round: CCI Minimag 40 grain solid

Low: 815

High: 846

Avg: 832

ES: 31.3

SD:15.3

Reliable

Energy: 61

Round: Remington Subsonic 40 grain HP

Low: 469

High: 646

Avg: 548

ES: 177

SD: 77.9

Reliable

Energy: 27

Round: Winchester Expediter 32 grain HP

Low: 892

High: 909

Avg: 901

ES: 16.9

SD: 8.54

Unreliable

Energy: 58

Note: The listed velocity is 1640 FPS but it needs a long barrel to do this. I have tested this round in rifle length barrels and it does get into the 1600 FPS range. But out of short barrels it is a lot of smoke and blast.

Based on energy alone the SS has the others beat. It also tumbles creating a larger wound channel. Now 22 lr is hardly a defensice round in my eyes but it is better than nothing and can be effective if loaded correctly.

I do plan on chronographing some Velocitors out of this little pistol. They might prove to more effective although the SSS bullet tumbling is going to create a much larger wound channel.

Dolomite

[TNWNGR]

graycrait did some testing on pocket sized .22 pistol's a few week's ago that was good, your post goes into some really good detail. I have a PT22 as well and will purchase the Poly frame model soon because it's such an improved pistol. The pocket 22's are great for plinking and exercise walk's to keep feral dog's off of you.

[graycrait]

A friend and I have been shooting PT22s vs Beretta Bobcats vs Taurus PLY22s with all sorts of ammo. I shot some 60 grainers a few weeks ago and at 5 yards I had some hit sideways on a Shoot N See. I have fired about 250 rds of 60 grn SSS out of my PLY22 with nary a hiccup. I can't wait to get to the range with my two new to me 1:9 twist .22 rifles and fire some 60grainers. Next up for the 60 grainers will be out of a 8-shot Ruger LCR "Lead Slinger" as soon as mine gets in, hopefully this week. My buddy has about 5-600 rds of Hyper Velocity ammo out of his PLY 22. He also has a pair of Berettas and a PT22. My PT 22 slide blew apart during our experiments.

[Dolomite_supafly]

A friend and I have been shooting PT22s vs Beretta Bobcats vs Taurus PLY22s with all sorts of ammo. I shot some 60 grainers a few weeks ago and at 5 yards I had some hit sideways on a Shoot N See. I have fired about 250 rds of 60 grn SSS out of my PLY22 with nary a hiccup. I can't wait to get to the range with my two new to me 1:9 twist .22 rifles and fire some 60grainers. Next up for the 60 grainers will be out of a 8-shot Ruger LCR "Lead Slinger" as soon as mine gets in, hopefully this week. My buddy has about 5-600 rds of Hyper Velocity ammo out of his PLY 22. He also has a pair of Berettas and a PT22. My PT 22 slide blew apart during our experiments.

Please tell me it wasn't a polymer gun.

I spoke to Taurus about the slide issue and they said it has been resolved with the polymer guns. I have probably 300 rounds thorugh it so far without any issues. I did polish the chamber because it did seem to jam up quicker with lead bullets. It is better but no completely resolved.

Dolomite

[graycrait]

The two polymer PLY 22s have been working 100% with nearly a 1000 rds of mostly hot or heavy stuff through them. The one that blew apart was an older all metal PT22, the really old ones with the half decent wood slabs that don't split apart.

I grade the PLY 22 (polymer) Taurus tip-up pistols as reliable as does my shooting partner.

[MacGyver]

I machined a Ruger 10/22 from an 80% receiver earlier this year and put a 1:9 barrel on it specifically to use with the SSS rounds. You don't really need a suppressor, but with it the thing really does approach "spooky quiet". Oh, and Tony Kidd's triggers really are worth the money!

I need to post some pictures.