Jim Taylor
Chronographing Handloaded .22 Rimfires
Thursday, August 05, 2021, 09:01

Well, I finally got out to the range to chronograph the handloaded .22 rimfire stuff. I had the 40 gr. FP loaded with 1.5 gr. Bullseye and the 36 gr. HP loaded with 1.6 gr. Lil' Gun. All were shot out of my Ruger Single Six.

The 40 gr. with 1.5 gr. Bullseye averaged 1045 fps. I only had 5 which ain't a lot to get a good average. I kinda wonder if the bullets were pulling the crimp because the first two loads were over 1100 fps then it dropped into the middle 1000 and the last 2 were middle 900's. Will need to test more to make sure.

Next I tried the 36 gr. HP with 1.6 gr. Lil' Gun. I had 15 of these loaded. The first shot went "piffle" and the bullet stopped halfway down the barrel. I got that cleared up, started again and "piffle" .. but a little louder. I pushed a rod down the bore and no obstruction. I fired the last 3 and all went "piffle" and if I watched close I could see the bullet go. Probably 300 or so fps. I reloaded and fired the next 5 and the 3rd one stopped in the bore. I fired all 15 and all went "piffle" about 300 fps except the two that stopped in the bore. I am not sure why because the first one I fired in the shop really demonstrated some power!

I had the single shot Winchester .22 rifle and am glad I did not start with that as I did not have a rod long enough to remove a stuck bullet with me.

Next I will try 231 and Unique and see how they do.