LAS VEGAS, Nevada –-(Ammoland.com)- CCI has brought out a new round in their quiet series. This is the second. This cartridge is designed to be as quiet as possible while reliably working the action of semi-automatic .22 rifles and pistols. From vista outdoors, CCI:
New Quiet-22 Semi-Auto drastically reduces the volume of standard 22 LR rounds, while cycling flawlessly through semi-automatic rifles and handguns. The accurate, low-velocity loads provide the sensation of shooting through a suppressor—without the suppressor—and are perfect for new shooters.
I think the idea of quiet .22 cartridges is a wonderful concept. The quiet .22 was introduced just before the .22 bubble hit in late 2012-early 2013. I had obtained some cartridges, but I did not write about it.
A very rare and unusual occurrence happened with one of those early lots of Quiet-22. A bullet stuck in the barrel of my CZ ultra lux. It not only stuck, it stuck half in and half out of the barrel! This almost never happens. The picture below was taken on 28 August, 2012. The barrel of the ultra-lux CZ is 28.65 inches long. It is harder to find a longer barrel on the market.
I contacted CCI. They changed the wording on their packaging, warning people not to shoot the Quiet-22 out of a barrel longer than 24 inches.
The new Quiet-22 has had several changes to make it reliable in semi-auto rifles and handguns. The bullet weight has been increased to 45 grains. The bullet shape has been changed. The nose has been altered to provide reliable feeding with the reduced velocity cartridge. In the picture below, you can see the difference with the Quiet-22 Semi-auto cartridge and a 40 grain .22 LR bullet.
Justin Ruegsegger was kind enough to point out the difference and provide specimens at the CCI booth.
To provide the 12.5%, five-grain increase in weight, the bullet extends further into the case. The heel of the bullet has been reshaped to provide for reliable obturation at the lower pressures of the Quiet-22. This helps the base to expand and fill the bore. Obturation also helps use all the energy available from the limited powder charge.
It takes about a16-inch barrel to notice a significant change in the noise from the Quiet-22 Semi-auto. It will still sound fairly loud out of a pistol or revolver.
CCI does not tout the Quiet-22 Semi-auto as a hunting round. They put it in their target and plinking category.
I believe it would be a very capable and useful hunting round for small game and small varmints out to 50 yards.
Accuracy is said to be excellent at 25 yards. I have not tested it. If it reliably stabilizes at 25 yards, it should be good to 50 yards. Sighted in at 40 yards, with a scope, It would be .7 inches high at 25 yards, .55 inches low at 45 yards, and 1.3 inches low at 50.
There is considerably more energy in a 45 grain bullet at 735 fps, (706) at 50 yards, than there is out of most air rifles used for hunting small game, at the muzzle. At 50 yards, the Quiet-22 Semi-auto retains 50 foot-pounds of energy.
The Quiet-22 Semi-auto has about 20% more energy than the Quiet-22. That is because of the increased bullet weight and the increased velocity.
The Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the Quiet-22 Semi-Auto is about $5.95 for a 50 round box. That puts it in the same range as inexpensive 9mm ammunition. It is a specialty cartridge. If it becomes popular, the price will likely come down.
About Dean Weingarten:
Dean Weingarten has been a peace officer, a military officer, was on the University of Wisconsin Pistol Team for four years, and was first certified to teach firearms safety in 1973. He taught the Arizona concealed carry course for fifteen years until the goal of constitutional carry was attained. He has degrees in meteorology and mining engineering, and recently retired from the Department of Defense after a 30 year career in Army Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation.
Sounds like big chipmunk medicine to me. I’ll try it.
Cool! I use the old Quiet-22 in my lever action, now I’ll be able to use it in my 10/22, also.
I’ve used the Quiet-22 ammo to kill over a dozen ground hogs (close range, head shots). They make less noise than many pellet guns, but I have to manually work the action of my 10/22. I can’t wait to try these semi-auto variants.