Triumph Test Bench

Comparing selected standard-velocity and suppressor-focused loads in a rifle and pistol platform

Real-World .22 LR Suppressor Testing

Suppressed .22 LR performance can vary noticeably depending on the load, barrel length, and host firearm. To get a clearer picture, we tested a selection of standard-velocity and suppressor-focused .22 LR loads through two suppressed Ruger platforms: an 18" Ruger Precision Rimfire and a 4.4" Ruger MKIV.

For shooters comparing loads for suppressed use, those differences can matter more than the product name on the box might suggest.

Close-up of a .22LR rifle barrel held in a green adjustable bench rest.

.22 LR Suppressed Load Performance

Close-up of a black semi-automatic pistol on a gray fabric surface, showing the textured grip, trigger, and rails along the top.

Testing Scope:
This comparison focuses on velocity performance, consistency, and cartridge behavior across two barrel lengths. Sound measurements may be added in future Triumph Test Bench testing.

What Stood Out

As expected, standard-velocity loads were much faster in the rifle.
CCI Standard Velocity averaged 1,103 fps in the 18" rifle but 961 fps in the 4.4" pistol. Eley Match showed a similar drop from 1,101 fps to 922 fps.
Barrel length may matter more than the box label suggests
The results support the idea that some standard-velocity loads may edge toward the sound-barrier question in a rifle-length barrel, while the same loads are far more comfortably below that range in a pistol-length barrel.
Federal Suppressor stayed very consistent across both platforms
Federal Suppressor averaged 873 fps in the rifle and 879 fps in the pistol — nearly identical average velocities in this test. This may suggest that much of the load’s velocity potential is realized within the first few inches of barrel length.
Eley Match was exceptionally consistent in the rifle
In the Ruger Precision Rimfire, Eley Match produced a 5.1 fps standard deviation and 17 fps extreme spread, the tightest consistency figures in that rifle dataset.

TEST SETUP

To provide a clear comparison across platforms, Triumph Sporting Arms tested each .22 LR load through two different suppressed firearms: a Ruger Precision Rimfire with an 18-inch barrel and a Ruger MKIV with a 4.4-inch barrel. Both firearms were paired with the same CGS Hydra SS suppressor, allowing the results to focus on how the selected loads performed across a rifle-length barrel and a shorter pistol-length barrel under a consistent suppressor setup.

Each load was tested using a 15-round sample, with the results recorded to show average velocity, velocity consistency, kinetic energy, and power factor. Bullet weight is listed in grains, velocity in feet per second, and kinetic energy in foot-pounds. Power factor is calculated by multiplying bullet weight by velocity and dividing by 1,000, providing an additional point of comparison between loads.

Testing Notes
15-round samples
Bullet weights measured in grains
Velocities shown in feet per second
Kinetic energy shown in foot-pounds
Power factor = grain weight × velocity / 1,000

RIFLE PLATFORM

Ruger Precision Rimfire
18" barrel
CGS Hydra SS Suppressor

PISTOL PLATFORM

Ruger MKIV
4.4" barrel
CGS Hydra SS Suppressor

velocity results

Suppressed Rifle Results

Ruger Precision Rimfire — 18" Barrel — CGS Hydra SS Suppressor

Velocity and performance results for selected .22 LR loads tested through a Ruger Precision Rimfire with an 18-inch barrel and 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

Suppressed Pistol Results

Ruger MKIV — 4.4" Barrel — CGS Hydra SS Suppressor

Velocity and performance results for selected .22 LR loads tested through a Ruger MKIV with a 4.4-inch barrel and 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

Testing notes: Each load was evaluated using a 15-round sample. Bullet weight is shown in grains, velocity in feet per second, and kinetic energy in foot-pounds.

Abbreviations: Std. Dev. = standard deviation; Extreme Spread = difference between the lowest and highest recorded velocity; KE = kinetic energy; PF = power factor, calculated as grain weight × velocity ÷ 1,000.

What These Results Suggest

This first Triumph Test Bench comparison highlights why suppressed .22 LR performance is worth evaluating across more than one host firearm. Some loads changed noticeably between the rifle and pistol platforms, while others remained surprisingly consistent. Federal Suppressor, in particular, produced nearly identical average velocities in both test guns, while Eley Match stood out for exceptional consistency in the rifle.

As Triumph Sporting Arms continues refining this testing process, future Test Bench reports may expand into additional loads, host firearms, and sound measurements where appropriate.