Forget 9mm?! Top 5 Rimfire Loads That Are Actually Deadly!

Published on April 23, 2025
Duration: 16:32

This video reviews five high-performance rimfire ammunition loads, challenging the notion that rimfire is only for plinking. Host Ted from Line 45 details the ballistic capabilities of CCI Stinger, Aguila Super Maximum, Hornady V-Max, CCI Gamepoint, and Winchester Varmint HV, comparing their velocities, energies, and terminal effects to centerfire rounds like 9mm. The review highlights their effectiveness for varmint hunting and pest control, emphasizing their surprising power and flat trajectories.

Quick Summary

High-performance rimfire ammunition like CCI Stinger, Aguila Super Maximum, Hornady V-Max, CCI Gamepoint, and Winchester Varmint HV offers surprising ballistic capabilities. These loads achieve velocities and muzzle energies that rival or exceed lighter centerfire pistol rounds, making them effective for varmint hunting and pest control with flatter trajectories and potent terminal effects.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes CCI Stinger 22 LR ammunition stand out?

CCI Stinger 22 LR stands out due to its 32-grain copper-plated hollowpoint bullet, achieving a high muzzle velocity of 1,640 ft/s and approximately 191 ft-lbs of muzzle energy, significantly outperforming standard 22 LR loads for varmint hunting and pest control.

How does Aguila Super Maximum 22 LR compare to other rimfire loads?

Aguila Super Maximum 22 LR is notable for its extreme velocity, pushing a 30-grain copper-plated bullet to 1,700 ft/s and delivering around 193 ft-lbs of muzzle energy. This makes it one of the fastest and most energetic rimfire rounds available.

What are the advantages of Hornady V-Max 22 WMR for varmint hunting?

Hornady V-Max 22 WMR offers a potent combination of speed (2,200 ft/s) and energy (322 ft-lbs) with its 30-grain polymer-tipped bullet. The V-Max design promotes rapid fragmentation upon impact, ensuring effective terminal performance on varmints and small predators.

Can high-velocity 22 Magnum rounds compete with 9mm in terms of energy?

Yes, some high-velocity 22 Magnum loads, such as Winchester Varmint HV (337 ft-lbs) and Hornady V-Max (322 ft-lbs), can achieve muzzle energy levels comparable to standard 9mm loads (around 330-365 ft-lbs), offering a lightweight, low-recoil alternative for certain applications.

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