22lr speed

What is considered maximum standard velocity for 40 grain bullets

1080 and an unspecified tolerance.
Usually measured in rifle barrels

So I guess 1130fps would be upper end of sv ammo

onlylead wrote:So I guess 1130fps would be upper end of sv ammo

1087 is the speed of sound in standard (elevation, temp, humidity) conditions. So maybe you're right, assuming speed tested is from a longer barrel and cartridge is assembled with a powder that uses the extra barrel length, so from our pistols won't exceed 1080fps+

For some numbers on how velocity changes from the number on the box (rifle barrel tested) velocity to shooting in a pistol.

CCI Mini Mag: box velocity 1235 FPS. Pistol velocity 1030-1040 FPS. This would be considered high velocity, albeit not hyper-velocity, .22 ammo.

Norma Tac 22: box velocity 1082 FPS. Pistol velocity 840-840 FPS. This would be considered standard velocity .22 ammo.

SK Pistol Match Special: box velocity 955 FPS. Pistol velocity 950-960 FPS. Tricky one, this one the box velocity was actually tested out of a pistol length barrel unlike most .22!


I routinely shoot CCI Mini-Mag as my match ammo in my Model 17 6" barrel and I do not get supersonic velocities. I think it's hard to end up supersonic out of a pistol barrel unless you are shooting the really hyper stuff like Velocitors or Stingers.

SK, Lapua and RWS show test barrel length for the pistol specific ammo.

Lapua Pistol King and Pistol OSP 4.7" barrel.
RWS P25 Rapid Fire, Pistol Match SR, Pistol Match and Target pistol are out of a 5.1" barrel.
SK Pistol Match and Pistol match Special are measured from a 5.9" barrel.

CCI gives and 'estimated handgun velocity" in the ballistics section of the Online Catalog.
(no mention of semi auto or revolver or the barrel length)
The CCI 1070 fps Std velocity ammo shows an estimated 940 fps from a handgun, also the same the for Pistol Match and Green Tag. That is very close to measured velocities I've seen online for CCI Standard Velocity from a 5 1/2" Model 41.

Catalog (cci-ammunition.com)

Rifle barrel box measurement is 1200 FPS for HV 

1130 FPS ammo from Aguilla and Sk I consider SV. 

Most target pistols cannot handle HV ammo.