[Kri]

I'm getting a PA HP22 this month, and I was wondering what ammo do you guys prefer?

Also, what do you think of the HP22?

 

[wastan]

I've had good luck with the bargain Federal Value Pack copper plated hollow points (500 rds under $20 at Walmart). These are probably technically too high a velocity at 1260 fps to meet Phoenix Arms' recommended "standard velocity" round but I've experienced none of the horror stories about cracking frames you hear about (in short, no high velocity). It's a fun gun to shoot, particularly with the 5" barrel. The multiple safeties and no last round hold open are what is most confounding until you develop a routine or mod the safeties. The recoil spring will start to go soft around 1k rounds and need replacing.

 

[bersa2]

Mine didn't like CCI Stingers. Last trip out I shot a bunch of Winchester M-22.

 

[Ranger-6]

Federal: 22lr, 36 grain, copper plated HP, 1260/125 #1GT749
Remington: 22lr, 36 grain, Brass-Plated Hollow Points 1280/131 #1622C

 

[thoricuncle]

Mine was working great. I used federal bulk ammo and really enjoyed it. Everytime I finished a box of ammo, I would swap out the recoil sprint (provided free of charge by Phoenix)

Alas, last time I was cleaning it, I had 3 frame cracks. (not sure if they all developed at once or this was the first time I was cleaning guns with my reading glasses)

Looks like I will be sending it in to get fixed.

 

[osbornk]

I had a few failure to eject with the the Federal bulk packs. As the suggestion of another owner, I started using Remington Golden Bullet. I have show 500-700 rounds with it and there have been no problems of any kind. It might have been a break-in issue so I will try the Federal Bulk again as I still have a few hundred rounds for my Marlin 60 semi-automatic rifle that has no problem with it.

 

[Bitsman]

The HP22A is only rated for standard velocity ammo.. So that is all a feed both mine... CCI Standard Velocity and Sub-Sonics work very well... I have also had very good results using Aguila Sub-Sonic Sniper loads...

 

[zombiekiller]

I like mine. Not crazy accurate with the short barrel but very fun. When I got the spare longer barrel I had to do a little fitting but both work great and I feed it the cheapest ammo I can find.

 

[lcback]

i have been using remmington golden bullet, no issues as of yet. glad i bought the gun, also as other people have said with he springs etc. glad i bought it brand new and sent in the warrenty card. but i would say it might be the happiest 150 dollars has made me. plan on buying the 5in barrel and spare mag later.

 

[TopGas]

I've had my Phoenix HP22a for a bit over 24 hours now so I can't exactly call myself a subject matter expert BUT during my initial range trials I used Remington Target (std vel)40gr LRN and Blazer (no velocity values on pkg) 40gr LRN bullets. I experienced no FTFs, no mis-fires and no FTEs. I'm going to try and follow the mfgr's recommendation to use standard velocity. Is there a reason that the standard velocity ammo generally cost more than the high velocity stuff? TG

 

[paladin1001]

Cheapest ammo I can get worked well in the little gun, never had a problem with any brand.

 

[Bitsman]

I've had my Phoenix HP22a for a bit over 24 hours now so I can't exactly call myself a subject matter expert BUT during my initial range trials I used Remington Target (std vel)40gr LRN and Blazer (no velocity values on pkg) 40gr LRN bullets. I experienced no FTFs, no mis-fires and no FTEs. I'm going to try and follow the mfgr's recommendation to use standard velocity. Is there a reason that the standard velocity ammo generally cost more than the high velocity stuff? TG

Most people want the most BANG for the buck... So most manufacturers turn out far more High Velocity then standard velocity loads... Damn near impossible to find anything but high velocity around here... Gun shows usually have SV loads so when I go a try to get a 1000 rounds or so...

 

[lcback]

yeah everything i find is usually around 1100 fps, i beleive the pheonix manual says 1050 max? im going to keep shooting the 1100 havent hered anyone say they have had problems with it. Though i will not bump it up the the 1200+ FPS rds.

 

[Bitsman]

yeah everything i find is usually around 1100 fps, i beleive the pheonix manual says 1050 max? im going to keep shooting the 1100 havent hered anyone say they have had problems with it. Though i will not bump it up the the 1200+ FPS rds.

Speed of sound is about 1125 fps at sea level. so that 1100 fps loads are still technically sub-sonic rounds.. though it would be close. Out of a short 3 inch barrel I doubt those loads would even reach 1000 fps.

 

[lcback]

Speed of sound is about 1125 fps at sea level. so that 1100 fps loads are still technically sub-sonic rounds.. though it would be close. Out of a short 3 inch barrel I doubt those loads would even reach 1000 fps.

thats very true, how ever its not the velocity thats the issue correct? it is the pressure build up, now they might be directly reltaed im not sure.

so is the pressure from the round instantaneous? or does it build up as more powder burns? therefore making just about anything under 1200FPS an okay round to fire?

Its irritating to me that they list it as velocity instead of pressure, although velocity is a much easyier spec to find then the pressures.

 

[Pancho_Villa]

My son bought a used one with a holster and 3 mags for 50 bucks a few months ago. Short barrel model. It has some issues with the firing pin safety which we corrected. It had not been fired much. It would not feed CCI or Rem bulk pack very well. Fed bulk pack was better, but still some FTFs. Finally got it running with Winch Super X. Probably a bit too hot, but he doesn't shoot much like I do. Guess i will have to check it for cracks at some point.

 

[Branth]

I've been using mostly Blazer, but I haven't had trouble with any of the ammo I've put through it.

 

[HP/C9/45ACP]

Phoenix Arms suggests ammo rated at 1050-1150 fps (subsonic). I've only put about 100 rounds through one of mine so far and the only malfunction has been one FTE, I've been using Federal bulk pack 1260 fps in it. I have two Phoenix Arms HP22A's, one range kit with both the 3" and 5" barrel (black) and one with only the 3" barrel (nickel). Since they have a lifetime warranty I'm going to use ammo rated at 1260 fps in one and subsonic in the other and see if it really makes a difference in longevity. Of the 7 pistols I have the HP22A's are the most fun to shoot and you can shoot for hours on the 525 bulk pack/$20 worth of ammo. I'm not as good a shot as many people, but the HP22A seems to be pretty accurate for such a cheap gun and is easy to keep on target even during fast fire. Well worth the $120 new price I can buy the 3" barrel version for, or $170 for the range kit. I'm going to run a few hundred rounds of Federal HP ammo in the one I use standard velocity in then switch to Remington HP for a few hundred rounds and see which is most reliable. The only subsonic ammo I currently have is Remington.

 

[ericbaker1988]

I'm pretty sure 1150 is standard velocity. I may be wrong. I shoot standard velocity lead nose out of mine no problem

 

[jbopos1]

sorry to get off topic... but...

ive looked at these a bunch of times for a cheap lil .22 pistol. cheap to shoot. im glad im hearing yall talk about yours. been considering it.. i mean.. ya cant beat the price even on new ones. i want a .22 pistol. i know for a fact i REALLY like the walther p22. SO comfortable in ur hand and looks great. but that $300+ price tag sux. but that pheonix is pretty good looking and the price tag makes it even more attractive. really considering one...