For me right now it's a toss up between CCI Sub-Sonic HPs and the CCI Sub-Sonic Segmented HPs. The segmented rounds have edged out the "regular" CCI S/S HPs in the accuracy department in the one rifle that I've tried them in.

 

SK Subsonic HPs have always worked well for me, but they’ve gotten hard to find... not sure if SK discontinued them or not. I ran a quick net search and found them still available from a few sources, BUT the price ($80-90 a brick) was higher than I paid last year, around $60-65 a brick. Accuracy is comparable to SK STD or SK Magazine, not as good as SK RM. I went to SK’s site and they’re not currently listed so either they do production runs or they’re no longer made-

Hope this helps-

DrGunner

 

CCI Segmented hp, RWS hp, Eley hp, with Eley being the longest time in use. I likes all 3 for rats and foxes. For pure *clean kills on small thin skinned game, the Segments @ 1,050fps are DRT.

*clean being no run-offs or floppers.

 

Eley sshp and Fiocchi sshp

 

For me a hollow point is a hunting round for varmints. I have used all the ones mentioned above and the CCI subsonic segmented 40gr @ 1050fps has proven itself time & time again to have best terminal performance.

 

Sadly Lapua-SK discontinued all hollowpoints a good while ago. The SK's were tops in accuracy out of my Kimber Hunter. From others that are available, RWS and CCI are the best, with the RWS being more accurate. The CCI is readily available in north Alabama and much less expensive than the RWS, so CCI is what I'm currently shooting. Terminal ballistics from either of them is excellent. A couple of montha back I found some of the Eley for $4 a box so I got some of it to test. Accuracy was not as good as the CCI and a couple of squirrels I shot both required a second shot to kill and the terminal performance wasn't very impressive. Might be harder lead, might be the size and shape of the hollow cavity, might be superpowered alien squirrels, but so far the CCI has been a one shot stopper round, so I've been satisfied with them for squirrel hunting. I would buy the RWS again too, as money allows; it has always done well for me.

I miss the combination of SK Subsonic and Standard Plus, as those two delivered excellent accuracy. The CCI is good but not near as accurate as the SK. The worst drawback for using SK and other European made ammo for hunting is the tacky bullet lube which dirt readily sticks to. CCI (and most if not all American made rimfire) has dry hard wax lube that stays clean.

I like to use a combination of ammo from one company, to keep POI and barrel fouling consistent with a solid bullet target load and a hollowpoint hunting load. CCI Standard Velocity works well with the Subsonics, as did SK Subs and Standard Plus or RWS Subsonic and Rifle Target or Match. RWS isn't exactly cheap, but it is very good quality if you like European ammo,

 

Sadly Lapua-SK discontinued all hollowpoints a good while ago. The SK's were tops in accuracy out of my Kimber Hunter.

I miss the combination of SK Subsonic and Standard Plus, as those two delivered excellent accuracy. The CCI is good but not near as accurate as the SK. The worst drawback for using SK and other European made ammo for hunting is the tacky bullet lube which dirt readily sticks to. CCI (and most if not all American made rimfire) has dry hard wax lube that stays clean.

I like to use a combination of ammo from one company, to keep POI and barrel fouling consistent with a solid bullet target load and a hollowpoint hunting load. CCI Standard Velocity works well with the Subsonics, as did SK Subs and Standard Plus or RWS Subsonic and Rifle Target or Match. RWS isn't exactly cheap, but it is very good quality if you like European ammo,

Phil- Thanks for the info- Sad to hear about the SK SSHPs being D/Ced. I'll have to ration the 2 bricks I thankfully have left.

Ditto on the SK ammo in general- it shoots well in all of my rifles and exceptionally well in 3 of them.

I, too mix ammo to keep the SK lube. I'll often stack SK alternating with CCISV and often see the CCI shoot on par with the SK. If I were to load only CCI, accuracy would fall off noticeably. I'm not talking a horrendous change, just a .1" increase @ 50.

I have 2 kids that shoot with me, so it's become apparent at times that I need to be budget conscious given the rate that they can go through ammo- but they're also learning to chase accuracy and work on their skill and consistency.

With this in mind, there's one thing that works well for me that you may want to try- SK Magazine is inexpensive compared to STD or RM, often available @ $45 a 500 round can. The SK Magazine itself can often shoot as well as STD, occasionally will run with RM. The benefit is in the amount of lube in the canned version- they're soaked in it. I'll decant 1/2 a can into an empty can, then top both off with CCISV, mixing both as I combine them. Getting the $25 a brick CCI to shoot as well as the $45 SK pays off and keeps the kids shooting and interested.

To the OP- sorry for the topic drift, hope I didn't detract from your search too much-

Regards,

DrGunner

 

Eley SSHP in the 452 American
RWS SSHP in the 452 SuperMatch and 10/22 LVT.

CCI SSHP have been solid for me in testing, as was WIN(40G) SSHP, but the Eley/RWS, were the most accurate and consistent out of my rifles.
I have taken 23 squirrels this year and no crawl offs with Eley SSHP .

 

Eley or RWS here.

 

Fiocchi SSHP work the best in most of my rifles so that is was I have settled in on for squirrel hunting. My Cooper actually shoots RWS just a shade better but I like to be able to keep one brand in my hunting pack since they are so close.

 

LOL not exactly what I was expecting, Thought one might shine through, but out of the 10 responses by my count

3 CCI segmented
3 RWS
3 Eley
And one for CCI SS HP if mixed with European lube.
Since the ELey, RWS, and CCI Seg. are the same price at midway. Well guess its just pick and hope.

Will be shot in 2 sporters a CZ452 American older model 2008 if remember stamp.
Winchester 52c,
And one varmint a Anschutz 1416 HB BT.
Most shooting will be done from 25-100yds, on Starlings, crows, gophers(small), prairie dogs and the occasional skunk, Jack Rabbit, or fox.

If anyone else has an opinion please chime in the more the merrier.
Thanks Guys
Rick

 

WC's comments re segmented vs non-seg CCI sub accuracy interest me. Have not tried the seg subs, because the seg HS stuff was not as accurate as minimags IME. Hmmm...something else to try.

Anyway, have used CCI and Eley sub-HPs. At 50 yds the Eleys group slightly better, but at 75 yds the CCI is slightly better. At 100 yds the CCI subs more clearly win. Repeated the test several times using two 64 sporters. Odd, but there it is.

Beyond 75 yds don't get expansion. I don't mind walk/fly-offs as this is pest control, not small game hunting.

 

I don't mind walk/fly-offs as this is pest control, not small game hunting.

Really?

 

RWS Subsonics for me also. The Norma subsonics shoot excellent in both Kimbers I have. The Norma subs usually are cheaper the RWS so they are what I use the most.
I have hunted the RWS subsonic starting around the late 70's. They are a superb Squirrel round.

 

CCI Segmented subs @ 1050fps went sonic on me in 9˚F air yesterday.

 

A winged crow on ground usually attracts a crowd for some time, it makes great shotgun shooting.

They learn pretty quick though to stay out of range ...........

Giz

 

CCI 40 grain SSHP's shoot very well out of my stock Ruger 10/22 Target. It's my favorite ammo for squirrel hunting. Terminal performance is excellent, it functions perfectly and shoots penny size or smaller groups consistently at 50 yards. It can be hard to find in concrete stores but I find it from time to time and buy it when I see it. I have 4000 rounds on hand at the moment.:bthumb:

 

Tom, I should have given greater detail at the outset.

CFs prevent fly-offs, sure. But problem with CFs - or even HS .22rf - is noise. Not so much about scaring animals and neighbors, but crows will dial in your location real quick. Just one mistake, one time. So best wait to take single birds.

Using .22 subs crows never got my hide. Hence, they're forced to give a wide berth...really the goal.

Pigeons at dairy farms steal feed. Try to spine/anchor them, but shots are often more hurried than when playing head games with crows.