Suppressed .22 LR shooting can be one of the most enjoyable and informative ways to understand how ammunition, barrel length, and firearm platform all work together. While many shooters look at the name on the box when choosing a load, real-world performance can vary depending on the firearm being used.
That is why Triumph Sporting Arms created the Triumph Test Bench.
For this comparison, we tested selected standard-velocity and suppressor-focused .22 LR loads through two suppressed Ruger platforms: an 18-inch Ruger Precision Rimfire rifle and a 4.4-inch Ruger MKIV pistol. Both were paired with the same CGS Hydra SS suppressor so we could focus on how the ammunition performed across two very different barrel lengths.
This test does not attempt to declare one load as “the best.” Instead, it provides a practical side-by-side look at velocity, consistency, and cartridge behavior across two common suppressed .22 LR host platforms.
One of the clearest takeaways from this test is that barrel length can make a noticeable difference.
Several standard-velocity loads produced significantly higher average velocities in the rifle than they did in the pistol. That is not surprising, but it is important. A load that performs one way in a short pistol barrel may behave differently in a longer rifle barrel.
For example, CCI Standard Velocity averaged 1,103 feet per second through the 18-inch rifle, but averaged 961 feet per second through the 4.4-inch pistol. Eley Match showed a similar pattern, averaging 1,101 feet per second in the rifle and 922 feet per second in the pistol. That’s a big difference.
For shooters comparing suppressed .22 LR loads, those differences matter. The same ammunition may produce a very different shooting experience depending on the platform.
A few results stood out immediately.
First, standard-velocity loads were noticeably faster in the rifle platform. This supports the practical idea that some standard-velocity .22 LR loads may move closer to the sound-barrier question when fired through a longer barrel, while staying more comfortably below that range in a pistol-length barrel.
Second, Federal Suppressor performed with surprising consistency across both platforms. It averaged 873 feet per second in the rifle and 879 feet per second in the pistol. In this test, those nearly identical averages suggest that the powder charge may be largely expended within the first few inches of barrel travel.
Third, Eley Match produced excellent consistency in the rifle. In the Ruger Precision Rimfire, it delivered a 5.1 fps standard deviation and a 17 fps extreme spread, making it the most consistent rifle load in this particular dataset.
That kind of consistency can be useful information for shooters who are evaluating ammunition for accuracy, repeatability, or general range performance.
To keep the comparison as clear as possible, each .22 LR load was tested through two suppressed firearms.
Ruger Precision Rimfire
18-inch barrel
CGS Hydra SS suppressor
Ruger MKIV
4.4-inch barrel
CGS Hydra SS suppressor
Each load was tested using a 15-round sample. Bullet weights were measured in grains. Velocities are shown in feet per second. Kinetic energy is shown in foot-pounds.
Power factor was calculated using the following formula:
Bullet weight × velocity ÷ 1,000
Before we continue, we should define Power Factor, why it is important and how it differs from Kinetic Energy. Power factor is best understood as a momentum-based comparison. It is useful for understanding recoil impulse, firearm cycling, and competitive shooting classifications. Kinetic energy is best understood as an energy comparison. It helps describe how much work potential a projectile carries, although real-world performance also depends on bullet construction, expansion, penetration, shot placement, and the firearm being used. In simple terms: power factor tells us about push; kinetic energy tells us about energy.
Ruger Precision Rimfire — 18-inch barrel — CGS Hydra SS suppressor
| Manufacturer / Load | Weight | Avg. Velocity | Std. Dev. | Minimum | Maximum | Extreme Spread | Avg. KE | PF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CCI Standard Velocity | 40 gr | 1,103 fps | 16.3 | 1,070 | 1,125 | 55 | 108 ft-lbs | 44 |
| Eley Match | 40 gr | 1,101 fps | 5.1 | 1,092 | 1,109 | 17 | 108 ft-lbs | 44 |
| Eley Contact | 42 gr | 1,062 fps | 11.7 | 1,040 | 1,081 | 41 | 105 ft-lbs | 45 |
| Eley Bench Rest Outlaw | 42 gr | 1,104 fps | 6.9 | 1,094 | 1,120 | 26 | 114 ft-lbs | 46 |
| Federal Suppressor | 45 gr | 873 fps | 8.5 | 861 | 890 | 29 | 76 ft-lbs | 39 |
| CCI Suppressor | 45 gr | 982 fps | 19.4 | 932 | 1,010 | 78 | 96 ft-lbs | 44 |
Ruger MKIV — 4.4-inch barrel — CGS Hydra SS suppressor
| Manufacturer / Load | Weight | Avg. Velocity | Std. Dev. | Minimum | Maximum | Extreme Spread | Avg. KE | PF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CCI Standard Velocity | 40 gr | 961 fps | 16.2 | 927 | 999 | 72 | 82 ft-lbs | 38 |
| Eley Match | 40 gr | 922 fps | 11.8 | 899 | 951 | 52 | 76 ft-lbs | 37 |
| Eley Contact | 42 gr | 869 fps | 8.9 | 849 | 884 | 35 | 70 ft-lbs | 37 |
| Eley Bench Rest Outlaw | 42 gr | 944 fps | 16.3 | 904 | 963 | 59 | 83 ft-lbs | 40 |
| Federal Suppressor | 45 gr | 879 fps | 8.5 | 866 | 900 | 34 | 76 ft-lbs | 40 |
| CCI Suppressor | 45 gr | 853 fps | 12.7 | 826 | 865 | 39 | 73 ft-lbs | 38 |
Velocity is only one part of the story. When comparing rimfire ammunition, consistency can be just as important.
Standard deviation shows how tightly the velocities are grouped around the average. A lower number generally means the load produced more consistent shot-to-shot velocity.
Extreme spread shows the difference between the slowest and fastest shot in the sample. Again, a smaller number generally indicates more consistent performance.
Kinetic energy provides another point of comparison, but with .22 LR suppressor testing, many shooters are just as interested in consistency, reliability, and how the load behaves in a specific firearm.
That is one of the reasons real-world testing is useful. A load that looks good on paper may perform differently once it is fired through a specific rifle, pistol, suppressor, or barrel length.
This first Triumph Test Bench comparison shows why suppressed .22 LR performance should be evaluated across more than one platform.
Some loads changed noticeably between the rifle and pistol. Others remained surprisingly consistent. Federal Suppressor stood out because it produced nearly identical average velocities in both firearms. Eley Match stood out because of its excellent consistency in the rifle platform.
The larger lesson is simple: the host firearm matters.
Ammunition selection should not be based only on the product name, the box label, or general reputation. Barrel length, firearm design, suppressor pairing, and the shooter’s intended use all play a role in how a load actually performs.
The Triumph Test Bench is designed to provide practical, real-world information for responsible firearm owners and shooting enthusiasts. This first comparison focused on velocity performance, consistency, and cartridge behavior across two suppressed .22 LR platforms.
Future Test Bench reports may include additional loads, other host firearms, and sound measurements where appropriate.
As always, shooters should follow all applicable laws, use proper hearing and eye protection, and handle every firearm with care and respect.
Remember: “The best gun you shoot, is the gun you shoot best.” Stay Safe.
