Low Power Rimfires

.22 Super Colrbri & CB Short

When I say low power rimfires I'm talking about some which I consider useful or interesting and will work in the  common .22 long rifle firearms  Note: None of these rounds have enough power to make a semi-auto action cycle, and the shorter rounds are more likely to jam in other actions.  Also note that I almost always go for head shots even when using the full power Long Rifle.  Most of these rounds I've used extensively, some only a little, some not at all.

• Anguila Colrbri or Super Colrbri: are very interesting low power rimfire cartridges INTENDED FOR HANDGUNS ONLY.  But I've carefully fired almost a brick (500 rounds) of Super Colrbri through an 18 inch barreled single shot rifle with no problems.  (The greatest danger, as I see it, would be having one of these low power rounds get stuck in the longer barrel then following with a more powerful load.  That could potentially cause some serious injury to the shooter.)
• At less than 600 fps with a 20 grain bullet it's not very powerful.
• Fired from a longer barrel it is quieter than many air rifles or pistols. 
• The bullet's impact often makes more noise than the round's report. 
• It uses a longer case like the CB Long and it should feed fairly well in any manually operated action.
• It is more expensive and hard to find locally.
• It's not accurate, but still useful at very short range for plinking and some pest.
• I've shot two skunks with the Super Colrbri.  One skiunk, hit between the eyes at 15-20 yards simply dropped, the other was hit in the upper back just behind the head (he dropped his head as I shot) managed to get out of sight, but he was in bad shape.
• I haven't tried the regular Colrbri round, but feel sure that it would only work in a handgun for target practice.  I believe it fires the same bullet at only about 375 fps.

• CB Short or Long: for years before the Super Colrbri I shot a lot of CB's.  When I needed a quiet low powered round it was a CB Long most often. The CB's push a 29 grain bullet (almost 50% bigger and heavier) at a little over 700 fps. When comparing these two low powered rounds the CB's are:
• Considerably more capable of taking small critters at slightly longer range.
• Considerably more accurate at all useful ranges.
• Considerably louder in report from the same gun, the neighbors may hear this one.
• Still quiet enough outside that you may get another shot at the same or a second critter.
• Considerably more dangerous, more likely to shoot through something...
• I've used CB's to take most every critter I've taken with the long rifle rounds, head shots.
• Easier to find in a local store than the Super Colrbri.
• The CB Long is the same load but less likely to jam in a pump, lever, or bolt action.

• Short: I've always been attracted to this little round for some reason, maybe because I think it's cute.  But what the short can do is not cute, I believe this little round can do about 90% of what we use the long rifle cartridges for most often.  A squirrel, rabbit, or similar size pest shot in the head will not know the difference at common rimfire ranges. Shorts are available in several different configurations. Solid bullets and hollow points, standard velocity are a quieter than the high velocity... But seldom use the short:
• It is less available than the long rifle in many stores.
• It usually cost more than the long rifle.
• It is not that much quieter or safer than a long rifle round.
• It won't cycle easily through the action of many guns.

So what's the bottom line if you need a round with less power.  

• I choose the Super Colrbri or my slingshot in town or in a structure, especially for smaller  pest like mice, rats, snakes... because of the low noise, lack penetration power... Best at 15 yards or less.
• I choose CB's when I'm in a less populated area, outside, and especially where I need a little more range and accuracy.  CB's are fairly quiet outside and are very capable of taking rabbits, squirrels, and similar size pest with head shots. Best at 25 yards or less.
• Shorts, as much as I like them I can't see much advantage over the long rifle. They are a little quieter, maybe slightly safer...  Best 35 yards or less.

These low power rounds may allow you to do more shooting and even hunting in marginal situations. Test and learn their capabilities for yourself first.  They are very capable of doing harm to buildings, pets, people... and they could easily get you in trouble with the neighbors and the law.