Can A 20 Grain Bullet Go Boom?

Published on November 13, 2025
Duration: 1:00

This video tests if a 20-grain Aguila Super Colibri .22LR bullet can ignite a Firebird M50 reactive target, which typically requires a rifle-caliber hit. The subsonic, low-velocity round failed to detonate the target, only punching through. A full-power .22LR from a suppressed handgun eventually succeeded after multiple attempts, highlighting the limitations of very light, slow projectiles for explosive targets.

Quick Summary

A 20-grain Aguila Super Colibri .22LR bullet traveling at 590 FPS is too light and slow to detonate a Firebird M50 reactive target. While extremely quiet, it only punches a hole. Full-power .22LR ammunition eventually succeeded after multiple precise hits, indicating the target requires significant energy transfer.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Intro: Reactive Targets & Low-Grain Ammo
  2. 00:15Aguila Super Colibri Specs (20 Grain, 590 FPS)
  3. 00:27Test 1: Super Colibri vs. Firebird M50 Target
  4. 00:41Test 2: Full Power .22LR vs. Reactive Target

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the specifications of the Aguila Super Colibri .22LR ammunition tested?

The Aguila Super Colibri .22LR ammunition features a 20-grain bullet weight and a velocity of 590 feet per second (FPS). It is known for being extremely quiet, even without a suppressor, due to its subsonic and low-power characteristics.

Can a 20-grain bullet reliably detonate a Firebird M50 reactive target?

No, a 20-grain Aguila Super Colibri .22LR bullet is generally insufficient to detonate a Firebird M50 reactive target. The test showed it only punched a hole, failing to ignite the explosive powder inside, which typically requires higher energy.

What type of ammunition eventually detonated the Firebird M50 target?

The Firebird M50 target was eventually detonated using full-power .22LR ammunition fired from a suppressed Bersa handgun. Even with this ammunition, it required several precise hits to achieve the desired explosive reaction.

What is the Firebird M50 reactive target?

The Firebird M50 is a 50mm reactive target designed to detonate when struck by sufficient projectile energy. It typically requires a rifle-caliber hit to function correctly and has an age restriction of 18+.

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