Ammo test: Aguila Interceptor vs. CCI MiniMag

[Chuck Dye]

Aguila Interceptor .22LR is advertised as launching a 40 grain bullet at 1470 feet per second.  I finally found a brick for $54.  Today at the range I did a comparison with CCI MiniMags at 100 yards.  The tested difference in drop is roughly equal to, perhaps slightly better than, that predicted in my ballistics software output.  OK, neato, but that does not compensate for the price or the accuracy in my rifle.  Point of aim was the center of the target, and windage was later adjusted for the MiniMags.

CCI MiniMag 100 yards


Aguila Interceptor 100 yards

[Boomhauer]

I think trying to push a .22 round is just not really worth it. After all, it's still a .22, even if it's a little hotter load.

Minimags are a tried and tested round with good power, good accuracy, and good reliability, I really see no reason to look much farther than them unless you are going for match ammunition.

[Chuck Dye]

Given the individuality of rifle-ammo combinations, I can only conclude that I needn't buy more Interceptor for my rifle.  On our next trip to the formal range we will repeat the comparison with other rifles.

[French G.]

Aguila is very good .22 ammo. But that rifle does not like it. My most interesting observation so far is that the 60gr sub-sonic stuff they make is not typically stabilized by standard barrels. But the micro-groove on my Marlin 925 does just fine. Pretty quiet even without a can, hear it hit a tree 15 yards away.

[MechAg94]

The thing I always liked about CCI versus some other bulk pack is the consistency of the powder load.  I always felt the shot sounded and felt the same every time where other cheap ammo brands seemed to vary a bit.

[230RN]

Which group was fired first?  I have a sneaking hunch that at +1400f/s, the Aguilas deposited some metal fouling, plating or lubing notwithstanding, thus affecting their accuracy.  How'd the CCIs group after you adjusted the sights and after the Aguilas?

As a general rule, seems hard to beat Minimags anyhow.  Again, as stated, unless  you're going with target-grade standard velocities.

100 yards is really pushing .22 rimfire anyhow for hunting effectiveness.  In general, I won't shoot anything larger than a squirrel with .22s.  My point here being that the grouping for Aguilas shown is adequate for closer ranges on game slightly larger than a squirrel.  And if you're just plinking at beer cans, you don't need all that velocity.

Mere velocity ain't everything.

Terry, 230RN

[Chuck Dye]

The photos are of groups fired at clean targets after some preliminary messing about.  About 20 rounds each of the Interceptor and MiniMags.  Of the groups I photographed, the Interceptor was shot first.  Both the Aguila and the CCI seemed to maintain their respective group size and shape throughout. 

Next time out, we will run similar tests with the honorary nephew's Savage MkII and his Dad's 50+ year old Remington 514.

I bought the Interceptor largely out of curiosity.  It has been years since I hunted rabbits (at ranges much less than 100 yards) or had access to any silhouette course, much less a rimfire course.  I suppose that, with acceptable accuracy, the Interceptor would make sense on the silhouette range.

[230RN]

Actually, if all you have (or can shoot) is a .22LR, that's about the best defensive .22LR round I can think of, though.

[Chuck Dye]

Aguila also makes it as a 40 grain hollow point.  I'll leave that testing to others.

[Hutch]

MiniMags shooting < 2.5 inches at a hunnert, for a 20-shot group??  Damned fine shooting, sez I. 

[Chuck Dye]

Sandbags. 

If you ignore a called flyer, the group is near enough 2".  I'll try to remember to post an update when we have shot the Savage and Remington. 

I am a bit disappointed I did not pay enough attention to wind and other conditions to say whether the horizontal spread is me, the ammo, or the weather.  Perhaps the next shoot will tell.  (I suspect the Savage, bought for less than a third the purchase price of my Ruger 77/22, will shine. *sigh*.)