Aguila 60gr SS keyholes from Walther P22. Is that bad?

[Kokopelli]

I went shooting yesterday and took my Walther P22CA. I shot some Aguila 60gr Sub Sonic Sniper ammo through it for the first time. The Walther cycled it well with no FTF or FTE. It grouped about 2.25" at five yards.

However, it keyholed. In your opinion, would terminal ballistics like this make this ammo better or worse than more common rimfire ammo for emergency self defense? There is a ballistic gelatin video of it on Brassfetcher but that is fired from a rifle.

Thanks!

Ten shots...

[Jimi Jah]

That ammo does the same thing with my little NAA pistol. A 1 1/2" barrel isn't much to stabilize.

40 grain stuff shoots fine.

[Kokopelli]

Thanks Jimi. Think it would work for self defense?

[Catch]

5" Nelson Custom 1911 conversion, cycles and keyholes.

I've seen some 22lr testing on youtube, but not with this ammo.

[ojisan]

I think that the 60g bullets are more for AR15 type rifled barrels (1-7, 1-9, 1-12)...which are faster twist than rimfire .22 barrels.
Rimfire barrels are usually 1-16 twist, not fast enough to stabilize the heavier bullets.

[Pofoo]

While the keyhole effect may do more damage, the subsonic speed may negate any advantage.

[Kokopelli]

While the keyhole effect may do more damage, the subsonic speed may negate any advantage.

Thank you. This is exactly what I'm wondering about. From the Walther P22, you can sure tell you're launching a heavier chunk of lead.

[plumbum]

I went through a lot of ‘informal testing’ with my assault weapon Walter P22 (had a makeshift indoor range and lots of time) using water jugs and fabrics. Mine would also keyhole with SSS - which, I was fine with for summer carry. I also shot a lot of HP’s of various weights, brands and styles - almost none of them expanded. I finally settled on plain old 40 gr RN Mini-Mags (I wanted Velociters to work, but I never could scrounge up more than 2 boxes).

[Kokopelli]

@PB

How many water jugs did the 60gr and 40gr penetrate from your P22?

[AO3]

Nice shooting!

[Sutcliffe]

My impression that keyholing is very common with that load

Not just in super short barrels either.

Getting it to function reliably in your gun is a positive though.

[Mystery_Milk]

I'm surprised those even cycled in your Walther. I imagine the rate of twist and short barrel is what's causing it. It's probably not good news for penetration and will probably lose speed quicker. But if you're resorting to a 22 handgun for self-defense it's probably going to be at close distances anyway.

Personally I would rely on something a bit more proven. Pretty much anything from CCI gets the nod from me.

[plumbum]

@PB

How many water jugs did the 60gr and 40gr penetrate from your P22?

I recall it was going through one and a half consistently, and sometimes into the third, and that was with two cotton shirts (4 layers) on the front. It wouldn’t go in a straight line either. The MiniMags would make it into the third jug more often, and in a straight line. I think my Ruger MkI 6” did much better with the SSS than the 3.5” of the Walther.

Either way, I lost faith in using a .22 as an everyday carry gun when I had an incident with a large, mental, intoxicated, heavily clothed individual. I still believe that a .22 ‘can’ work, but sometimes the odds aren’t in your favor. I moved up to a 5 shot .38, and kept 158 gr FMJ +P’s in it. Thankfully, I’m not as exposed to people anymore.

[FeuerFrei]

I think that the 60g bullets are more for AR15 type rifled barrels (1-7, 1-9, 1-12)...which are faster twist than rimfire .22 barrels.
Rimfire barrels are usually 1-16 twist, not fast enough to stabilize the heavier bullets.

This is it. It took lots of massaging to get my 10/22 to run this load.
My P22 hates it and won't cycle it. Didn't buy the ammo for that tho.
Green Mountain makes a 1/9 barrel that dials in nicely. Very accurate and hits like a brick. Ballisticaly it drops like a rock passed 80-100yds.
Niche load for sure. Not a great choice for self defense IMO, but is great on ground squirrels.


Sent using a long string and 2 Dixie cups

[JTROKS]

I think that the 60g bullets are more for AR15 type rifled barrels (1-7, 1-9, 1-12)...which are faster twist than rimfire .22 barrels.
Rimfire barrels are usually 1-16 twist, not fast enough to stabilize the heavier bullets.

^This!^. Unless you have a pistol with a fast twist rate.