CCI Mini Mags

NeilB · June 7, 2001, 06:25 PM

I know that my Taurus pt22 says not to use extremely high velocity ammo. My question is this: do CCI Mini Mags qualify as ammo that I can't shoot in my gun or are they safe? Thanks in advance for your replies.

GSB · June 7, 2001, 07:29 PM

This is a question you might want to ask the manufacturer directly. Seriously.

I shoot CCI Blazers in my Buckmark with no problem, but that's a heavier pistol.

tubeshooter · June 7, 2001, 10:27 PM

GSB's advice is good.

I just went and did a search to see what Mini Mags were listed at ballistically. I found a page, but it's not like it's CCI's official page or anything like that (I'm pretty sure). Just a conglomeration of various CCI loadings, I guess...

Anyway, they have the solid listed at 1255 fps, and the HP listed at 1280. Not Stinger-level hot, but certainly more than the average on-sale bulk-pack low-end stuff.

This same page had the Stinger listed at like 1640 fps, and they claim 1410 fps on a box of Remington Vipers, just for comparison. Naturally, these are rifle numbers....

In considering getting a pocket .22, I looked around for what people had to say about their choices and reasons ammo-wise who had went that same route. People seem to consistently like the Mini Mags as a good balance between power, price and reliable feeding/cycling. The 'affordable' hot load, if you will. Also nice and easy to find. I like them, myself.

I won't make any recommendations as far as what I think you should do, because in looking around I think I saw some testimonials of these little Tauri cracking slides and such with hot loads. It just depends; do you want the power to help cycle the action (some people really like to run a .22LR mousegun hot for this reason)? Or do you want the increased performance? And if so, do you deem it worth the risk to the gun mechanically?

I personally would probably do half Mini Mags and half softer loads, if I was worried about it... for carry, at least. A lot of practice rounds of stuff this hot or any hotter will probably compromise some of the long-term life of the pistol. A few shouldn't hurt anything, though. YMMV.

-tubeshooter

MatthewM · June 8, 2001, 01:59 AM

Here is a site that lists all the ballistics.
http://www.22ammo.com

The MiniMag at 1280 is the hollowpoint with a lighter slug. The 40gr is 1255. Standard velocity is under 1180.

The MiniMag is only MAG in name. It is no hotter that all the other High Velocity 22LR ammo. Anything over 1280, such as the "stinger" is a specialty ammo that is very high velocity and likely what they are recommending you don't use.

Check out the Winchester Super-X "Power-Point". (X22LRPP)
These are no more money, accurate, have a large hollow point, and may be the only hollow points with a full 40gr slug. That is full 40gr, hollow point, 1280fps. Good hunting load or self defense.

A brick of those, and several bricks of el cheapo .89c Federal American Eagle hollow point copper plate: FAAE22

June 7, 2001, 06:25 PM	#1
NeilB Junior Member Join Date: June 7, 2001 Posts: 1	I know that my Taurus pt22 says not to use extremely high velocity ammo. My question is this: do CCI Mini Mags qualify as ammo that I can't shoot in my gun or are they safe? Thanks in advance for your replies.

June 7, 2001, 07:29 PM	#2
GSB Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 939	This is a question you might want to ask the manufacturer directly. Seriously. I shoot CCI Blazers in my Buckmark with no problem, but that's a heavier pistol.

June 7, 2001, 10:27 PM	#3
tubeshooter Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2000 Posts: 231	GSB's advice is good. I just went and did a search to see what Mini Mags were listed at ballistically. I found a page, but it's not like it's CCI's official page or anything like that (I'm pretty sure). Just a conglomeration of various CCI loadings, I guess... Anyway, they have the solid listed at 1255 fps, and the HP listed at 1280. Not Stinger-level hot, but certainly more than the average on-sale bulk-pack low-end stuff. This same page had the Stinger listed at like 1640 fps, and they claim 1410 fps on a box of Remington Vipers, just for comparison. Naturally, these are rifle numbers.... In considering getting a pocket .22, I looked around for what people had to say about their choices and reasons ammo-wise who had went that same route. People seem to consistently like the Mini Mags as a good balance between power, price and reliable feeding/cycling. The 'affordable' hot load, if you will. Also nice and easy to find. I like them, myself. I won't make any recommendations as far as what I think you should do, because in looking around I think I saw some testimonials of these little Tauri cracking slides and such with hot loads. It just depends; do you want the power to help cycle the action (some people really like to run a .22LR mousegun hot for this reason)? Or do you want the increased performance? And if so, do you deem it worth the risk to the gun mechanically? I personally would probably do half Mini Mags and half softer loads, if I was worried about it... for carry, at least. A lot of practice rounds of stuff this hot or any hotter will probably compromise some of the long-term life of the pistol. A few shouldn't hurt anything, though. YMMV. -tubeshooter

June 8, 2001, 01:59 AM	#4
MatthewM Senior Member Join Date: April 9, 2001 Posts: 1,003	Here is a site that lists all the ballistics. http://www.22ammo.com The MiniMag at 1280 is the hollowpoint with a lighter slug. The 40gr is 1255. Standard velocity is under 1180. The MiniMag is only MAG in name. It is no hotter that all the other High Velocity 22LR ammo. Anything over 1280, such as the "stinger" is a specialty ammo that is very high velocity and likely what they are recommending you don't use. Check out the Winchester Super-X "Power-Point". (X22LRPP) These are no more money, accurate, have a large hollow point, and may be the only hollow points with a full 40gr slug. That is full 40gr, hollow point, 1280fps. Good hunting load or self defense. A brick of those, and several bricks of el cheapo .89c Federal American Eagle hollow point copper plate: FAAE22