Here is a picture of the original Stinger box and the new Stinger box.
![]()
Nothing on the old box tells bullet weight or velocity.
Nothing on the old box tells bullet weight or velocity.
CCI Stingers...Then & Now - Pictures
Back in 1976 when CCI (Omark Industries at the time) introduced the Stinger, I decided I had to have some. They were touting velocities around 1650 fps and I could see that turning my 22 into a 22 mag! I had just gotten a 39A for Christmas 1975, and I was really anxious to try the Stingers as soon as I could find some. I was living in WV at the time, and as usual, it really hard to find anything new around here. Finally, I located them at our local ACE Hardware. At the time, ACE had the best sporting goods/gun department around.
Well, the first thing that disillusioned me was the price of the Stingers. They were about twice as expensive for 50 rounds as the 100 round packs of CCI Mini-Mags that I had been using. But I bought 2 boxes of 50 because I was going to use them to shoot groundhogs and squirrels. Interestingly, CCI didn't tell you anywhere on the box that the bullet was only 32 grains. But I had my hyper-velocity 22 rounds and it was off to the range.
My 39A has always preferred Mini-mags. They give me one hole groups at 25 yards, and under 1" at 50 yards. So I was expecting the same from Stingers. Boy was I wrong! They were giving me shotgun like patterns out of the 39A at 25 yards, and were basically useless at 50 yards. I shot up one box and the other box was relegated to my ammo cabinet.
Fast forward to 2011. I recently bought a Ruger Single Six Convertible and am in the process of trying to find what ammo it likes best. In 22 LR I have shot Mini-mags, Federal, Winchester, and Remington. Again, the Mini-mags 40 gr HP shot the best during my first range outing. This past Saturday I took the Single Six back to the range, and while I was scrounging around for 22 ammo (I have a ton of the stuff in all kinds of brands), I ran across the unopened box of Stingers. I thought I may as well give them a try and see if they'll shoot in the Ruger. So off to the range I went.
I set my target at 20 yards and shot a cylinder with the Mini-mags - pretty good, the Federal, acceptable, not quite as good as the CCI, and the Winchester, about like the Federal. These were all HP rounds. The CCI's and Winchester's were 40 gr. The Federals 36 gr.
I then got the Stingers out, and wow, 6 shots in the 10 ring that I can cover with a quarter. Gotta be a fluke. I tried it again, same result. I ended up shooting 36 of the 50 rounds and basically ended up with the center shot out of the target. I was shooting from the bench with a rest.
I also shot them through the Chrony, and this was telling to me. The Ruger has a 5.5" barrel
Federal LR - 980 fps. (Federals out of my 39A 1230 fps)
CCI 22 Mag - 1360 fps
CCI Stingers - 1225 fps. (This just about matches the Federals out of the 24" 39A)
Wow, that was a considerable increase over the LR, and approaching the 22 mag velocities out of the 5.5" barrel. Also, I have shot CCI, Remington and Winchester 22 mags out of the Ruger and none of them group as well as the LR ammo.
So, this morning on my trip to Wally-World I picked up 2 boxes of the new Stingers. Price - $5.25/50 Still pricey compared to 22 LR. But if these group the same as the 1976 version (they do look a little different, the case is made differently), I'll use these for hunting and trying to bag some squirrels.
Now, I just have to see if the new ammo is the equal of the 35 year old ammo.
Well, the first thing that disillusioned me was the price of the Stingers. They were about twice as expensive for 50 rounds as the 100 round packs of CCI Mini-Mags that I had been using. But I bought 2 boxes of 50 because I was going to use them to shoot groundhogs and squirrels. Interestingly, CCI didn't tell you anywhere on the box that the bullet was only 32 grains. But I had my hyper-velocity 22 rounds and it was off to the range.
My 39A has always preferred Mini-mags. They give me one hole groups at 25 yards, and under 1" at 50 yards. So I was expecting the same from Stingers. Boy was I wrong! They were giving me shotgun like patterns out of the 39A at 25 yards, and were basically useless at 50 yards. I shot up one box and the other box was relegated to my ammo cabinet.
Fast forward to 2011. I recently bought a Ruger Single Six Convertible and am in the process of trying to find what ammo it likes best. In 22 LR I have shot Mini-mags, Federal, Winchester, and Remington. Again, the Mini-mags 40 gr HP shot the best during my first range outing. This past Saturday I took the Single Six back to the range, and while I was scrounging around for 22 ammo (I have a ton of the stuff in all kinds of brands), I ran across the unopened box of Stingers. I thought I may as well give them a try and see if they'll shoot in the Ruger. So off to the range I went.
I set my target at 20 yards and shot a cylinder with the Mini-mags - pretty good, the Federal, acceptable, not quite as good as the CCI, and the Winchester, about like the Federal. These were all HP rounds. The CCI's and Winchester's were 40 gr. The Federals 36 gr.
I then got the Stingers out, and wow, 6 shots in the 10 ring that I can cover with a quarter. Gotta be a fluke. I tried it again, same result. I ended up shooting 36 of the 50 rounds and basically ended up with the center shot out of the target. I was shooting from the bench with a rest.
I also shot them through the Chrony, and this was telling to me. The Ruger has a 5.5" barrel
Federal LR - 980 fps. (Federals out of my 39A 1230 fps)
CCI 22 Mag - 1360 fps
CCI Stingers - 1225 fps. (This just about matches the Federals out of the 24" 39A)
Wow, that was a considerable increase over the LR, and approaching the 22 mag velocities out of the 5.5" barrel. Also, I have shot CCI, Remington and Winchester 22 mags out of the Ruger and none of them group as well as the LR ammo.
So, this morning on my trip to Wally-World I picked up 2 boxes of the new Stingers. Price - $5.25/50 Still pricey compared to 22 LR. But if these group the same as the 1976 version (they do look a little different, the case is made differently), I'll use these for hunting and trying to bag some squirrels.
Now, I just have to see if the new ammo is the equal of the 35 year old ammo.
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
I don't remember the case length of the old Stingers, but the new ones are a little longer than standard LR casings...they are advertised at 1640 FPS. It may be my imagination, but although they cycle fine as well as shoot straight, it seems that sometimes they feel like they are trying to "stick" as I work the lever to eject the empties...probably I read that somewhere and I am thinking about it when I shoot,,,
The CCI Velocitor is a 40-grain HP (vs. Stinger's 32-gr. HP) and is advertised as having 1435 FPS velocity...I've shot only a box of them and have no definitive comparison, but the case length is shorter than the Stinger, and they shoot and cycle well in my Mountie as well...waiting on a target-aperture insert for my Skinner sight and I will do my own "clinical trial" to see how they compare accuracy-wise to Stingers, Federals,etc.
The CCI Velocitor is a 40-grain HP (vs. Stinger's 32-gr. HP) and is advertised as having 1435 FPS velocity...I've shot only a box of them and have no definitive comparison, but the case length is shorter than the Stinger, and they shoot and cycle well in my Mountie as well...waiting on a target-aperture insert for my Skinner sight and I will do my own "clinical trial" to see how they compare accuracy-wise to Stingers, Federals,etc.
The case is 1/10" over standard with a OAL that is just slightly longer than normal. The original Stingers were advertised at 1687 fps. I guess they felt that was a little overly optimistic.marlinmounter said:I don't remember the case length of the old Stingers, but the new ones are a little longer than standard LR casings...they are advertised at 1640 FPS. It may be my imagination, but although they cycle fine as well as shoot straight, it seems that sometimes they feel like they are trying to "stick" as I work the lever to eject the empties...probably I read that somewhere and I am thinking about it when I shoot,,,
The CCI Velocitor is a 40-grain HP (vs. Stinger's 32-gr. HP) and is advertised as having 1435 FPS velocity...I've shot only a box of them and have no definitive comparison, but the case length is shorter than the Stinger, and they shoot and cycle well in my Mountie as well...waiting on a target-aperture insert for my Skinner sight and I will do my own "clinical trial" to see how they compare accuracy-wise to Stingers, Federals,etc.
Interesting.
Last weekend, I did a little shooting too. While rooting around in the bottom of the safe for ammo I came out with a box of stingers that had a Kmart price tag of three dollars and some change on it.
I don't know how old they were, but the Kmart stores are all long gone around here and the price makes me think they were quite a while back.
Like you, I remembered them as being useless at longer ranges, but fairly exciting up close.
I tossed them in the ammo pouch and took them along.
We were standing at the edge of a little pond plinking at targets of opportunity with them. They make a pretty dramatic splat when you shoot them into the mud at the water's edge.
So, I had some in my model 39 when this big cotton tail steps out in the open 75 or 80 yards out.
I didn't expect to do anything but make the rabbit jump and run back into the woods because of the poor accuracy at that range with the stingers.
Wrong.
The shot caught the rabbit in the shoulder and went through him. Exited behind the off shoulder and took most of the rabbit's wind with it when it came out the other side.
It was your bang flop kind of kill. He kicked his feet a couple times and was stone dead by the time I walked over there.
I was shocked. Sure, it was a lucky shot.
So I messed around with them a little bit and my 39 seems to shoot those stingers quite a bit better than the model 60 I was shooting way back when I bought those.
I don't know why, maybe it's because the model 60 starts opening the bolt too soon with the hot stingers, and the 39 fires with a locked bolt.
Who knows?
I'll shoot some for-real groups with them next time I go to the range and see.
Last weekend, I did a little shooting too. While rooting around in the bottom of the safe for ammo I came out with a box of stingers that had a Kmart price tag of three dollars and some change on it.
I don't know how old they were, but the Kmart stores are all long gone around here and the price makes me think they were quite a while back.
Like you, I remembered them as being useless at longer ranges, but fairly exciting up close.
I tossed them in the ammo pouch and took them along.
We were standing at the edge of a little pond plinking at targets of opportunity with them. They make a pretty dramatic splat when you shoot them into the mud at the water's edge.
So, I had some in my model 39 when this big cotton tail steps out in the open 75 or 80 yards out.
I didn't expect to do anything but make the rabbit jump and run back into the woods because of the poor accuracy at that range with the stingers.
Wrong.
The shot caught the rabbit in the shoulder and went through him. Exited behind the off shoulder and took most of the rabbit's wind with it when it came out the other side.
It was your bang flop kind of kill. He kicked his feet a couple times and was stone dead by the time I walked over there.
I was shocked. Sure, it was a lucky shot.
So I messed around with them a little bit and my 39 seems to shoot those stingers quite a bit better than the model 60 I was shooting way back when I bought those.
I don't know why, maybe it's because the model 60 starts opening the bolt too soon with the hot stingers, and the 39 fires with a locked bolt.
Who knows?
I'll shoot some for-real groups with them next time I go to the range and see.
JohnnyLoco used to say that you can't kill a rabbit with a 30-30. It shoots right through them.
Wow. Never tried a .30-30 on rabbit before.Halwg said:JohnnyLoco used to say that you can't kill a rabbit with a 30-30. It shoots right through them.
I shot a squirrel with one once. Pretty much turned him inside out.
I'm guessing that Johnny Loco was missing the rabbits he shot at. ;D
I have used Stingers now and then, in fact, I have 2 boxes for the next round of ammo tests with the .22's.
If I recall, they performed very well in my Buckmark, I'm hoping they do well in my trusty Marlin model 15.
If I recall, they performed very well in my Buckmark, I'm hoping they do well in my trusty Marlin model 15.
I remember the Stingers going for like $2.50 a box - that's when CCI Blazers were $1 a box. Bricks of 500 could be had on sale for under $8!!! Man oh Man.....................I'm getting old. My dad used to buy packs of Lucky Strikes out of the vending machine at Lyons restaurant for $.75
My son and I did a 'ballistic test' for one of his school science projects. We shot phone books at 25 yards. The Velocitor had the deepest penetration but the Stinger had the best mushroom.
I chrono'd Velocitors at an average of 1370 out of my 39A. You should try the Aguila Interceptors. It's a 40 grain solid at an honest to goodness 1450+ fps. The high in the string was 1490!!! They cost $36 a brick (Cabelas) vs. $70 a brick for Velocitors. The Aguilas have a small meplat on the nose. The jackrabbits I have shot with them went down, but I think the bullet is just blowing through them like a hard cast and not expanding. Should be a good bullet for things you want to eat.
The Stingers are great for blowing up critters and varmints. I would only hunt the edibles with them if I took head shots - too explosive.
My all time favorite 39A hunting round is a CCI 40 grain solid - standard velocity. I have so many I could open my own ammo site.
My 10/22 eats Interceptors and CCI tacticals.
My son and I did a 'ballistic test' for one of his school science projects. We shot phone books at 25 yards. The Velocitor had the deepest penetration but the Stinger had the best mushroom.
I chrono'd Velocitors at an average of 1370 out of my 39A. You should try the Aguila Interceptors. It's a 40 grain solid at an honest to goodness 1450+ fps. The high in the string was 1490!!! They cost $36 a brick (Cabelas) vs. $70 a brick for Velocitors. The Aguilas have a small meplat on the nose. The jackrabbits I have shot with them went down, but I think the bullet is just blowing through them like a hard cast and not expanding. Should be a good bullet for things you want to eat.
The Stingers are great for blowing up critters and varmints. I would only hunt the edibles with them if I took head shots - too explosive.
My all time favorite 39A hunting round is a CCI 40 grain solid - standard velocity. I have so many I could open my own ammo site.
My 10/22 eats Interceptors and CCI tacticals.
450 Sniper,
I'm s big fan of the Aguila Super Colibris 'cause they make no noise (only primer-powered, no powder) yet they allow me to kill backyard pests at 500 FPS without disturbing the neighbors. Will definitely try the Interceptors when I go out in the woods, though. Just have not seen the in the store...will order a brick from Cabellas. Thanks for the heads-up on their performance and great price compared to Velocitors.
I'm s big fan of the Aguila Super Colibris 'cause they make no noise (only primer-powered, no powder) yet they allow me to kill backyard pests at 500 FPS without disturbing the neighbors. Will definitely try the Interceptors when I go out in the woods, though. Just have not seen the in the store...will order a brick from Cabellas. Thanks for the heads-up on their performance and great price compared to Velocitors.
The Super Colibris chrono at 672 out of a 39A and strike 1" below line of sight at 30 feet ;D I LOVE THEM!
Make sure it's the 'Supers' and not just the 'Colibris' - you will be knocking a 20 grainer out of your barrel.
Just to note: CCI CB Longs chrono at 682 avg and hit 3" low at 25 yards. Not as quiet as the Super Colibris, but pack more punch.
Make sure it's the 'Supers' and not just the 'Colibris' - you will be knocking a 20 grainer out of your barrel.
Just to note: CCI CB Longs chrono at 682 avg and hit 3" low at 25 yards. Not as quiet as the Super Colibris, but pack more punch.
The Super Colibris are advertised as 500 FPS (glad to know they will chrono at 685 and still be whisper-quiet...I have killed possums and one **** in my back yard using them, quieter than a pellet gun but certainly have more wallop. The Colibri regulars are advertised as 375 FPS and pack a real can of whup-ass at the muzzle (6 foot-pounds of energy!) Probably great for killing those pesky cockroaches.
Here is a little bit older box of CCI Stingers.
Have a few 1000 of them, been using them for years.
They feed in the Marlin 60 flawlessly.
I have a brick of the Aquilla super magnums. Tho rated higher than the Stingers, do not live up to the hype. I use those for practice.
They feed in the Marlin 60 flawlessly.
I have a brick of the Aquilla super magnums. Tho rated higher than the Stingers, do not live up to the hype. I use those for practice.
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Marlin Firearms Forum
MarlinOwners.com is a community of Marlin Firearm Owners - Dedicated to discussing Marlin Firearms, Marlin Rifles and more. Pictures, help, discussions and more.
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
