Aguila's Rimfire Range - An Outstanding Selection Keeps the Hits Coming

When did you fire your first round of Aguila Ammunition? Were you introduced to the brand during the great rimfire ammo blight that occurred a few years ago? Perhaps you're a rimfire aficionado and Aguila is a familiar name. But if you say that you've never fired Aguila ammunition that's probably not entirely accurate -  at least if you've shot many rimfires lately.

The factory where Aguila produces rimfire, centerfire and shot shell ammunition in Cuernavaca, Morales, Mexico, was once owned and operated by Remington. When Big Green pulled up stakes to head back north, Aguila continued to produce ammunition for the company. So, you're likely more familiar with Aguila ammunition than you realize.

Today, Aguila's facility is state-of-the-art and the company is the largest ammo manufacturer in Mexico. Texas Armament & Technology in Houston currently imports Aguila ammunition, and the company produces some of the most accurate, affordable and innovative loads you'll find on store shelves today. Here's a look at four of Aguila's best rimfire offerings.

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.22 Colibr­i

The Colibri, Spanish for "hummingbird", is a .22LR loaded with a 20-grain lead bullet and no powder. The bullet is propelled down the barrel by the force of the primer alone, and the pint-sized projectile leaves the barrel traveling at a sluggish 400 or so feet per second (fps).

For training, plinking or vermin eradication, this mild cartridge is ideal. Report is barely a whisper, noticeably quieter than that of most subsonic .22 rounds, and just as quiet as a pellet rifle. I tested the round in a Winchester Model 75 with a Leupold scope and was happy to report that the bullet had enough oomph to clear the Winchester's barrel.

This is hardly a 50-yard round but at 25 paces it was capable of roughly three-inch groups. There was an unmistakable lapse between firing and bullet strike and the bullet dropped roughly six inches at that distance.

Velocity at 10 feet averaged 375 fps, well below most subsonic .22 loads, and muzzle energy was in the double digits. Firing a few of these rounds is the perfect prescription to learn trigger control and reduce flinching, just don't expect them to cycle your favorite semiautomatic.

Aguila .22 Colibri­ Performance

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Load	Velocity (fps)	ES	SD	Best Group (in.)	Average Group (in.)
Aguila .22 Colibri­ 20 gr.	375	64	21	1.19	2.91

Notes: Accuracy is the average of five, five-shot groups at 25 yards from a rest. Velocity is the average of 10 shots recorded at 10 feet from the muzzle using a ProChrono chronograph.

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Aguila Sniper SubSonic

There are a number of .22-subsonic loads on the market but there's only one Sniper SubSonic (SSS). It's the most obvious departure from standard rimfire ammunition we've seen. The SSS utilizes a half-sized brass case and fires a 60-grain lead projectile. Once you've seen these rounds there's no mistaking them.

Average velocity at 10 yards from the muzzle was 877 fps, and this round was a functional and surprisingly accurate 50-yard load. Given its outside-the-box design, I wasn't sure just how well this round would perform, but if you're looking for a quiet, zero-recoil round for target shooting, taking small game or a vermin control round out to 150 paces, then this cartridge is certainly worth a look.

My main concern was that the lead from the cartridge's oversized projectile would shave off during cycling and gum up the rifle but that didn't happen. Report is quite mild, and this round proved perfect for tipping over wobble targets and sending spinners into action. Is it a great choice for your semiauto? Not likely, but for just about anything else it's a great option.

Aguila Sniper SubSonic Performance

Load	Velocity (fps)	ES	SD	Best Group (in.)	Average Group (in.)
Aguila .22 Sniper SubSonic 60 gr.	877	49	17	.54	.92

Notes: Accuracy is the average of five, five-shot groups at 50 yards from a rest. Velocity is the average of 10 shots recorded at 10 feet from the muzzle using a ProChrono chronograph.

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Aguila .22 Supermaximum

The name says it all. With an average muzzle velocity of 1,637 fps, the Supermaximum is one of the hottest .22 rimfires around.

The cartridge utilizes a 30-grain, copper-plated lead bullet and it's by far the loudest cartridge in the Aguila .22LR lineup. It's also extremely accurate, shooting a group that measured just .4 inch at 50 yards, which makes this a superb choice for those who like to hunt small game with a .22LR and are not worried about keeping the noise level in line with regulations. Trappers and fur hunters will appreciate its power and minimal pelt damage, and there shouldn't be any issues with cycling semiautos.

If you're looking for an affordable, fast .22LR for target and hunting applications, then be sure to pick up a few boxes of Supermaximum.

Aguila .22 Supermaximum Performance

Load	Velocity (fps)	ES	SD	Best Group (in.)	Average Group (in.)
Aguila .22 Supermaximum 30 gr.	1,637	44	16	.42	.62

Notes: Accuracy is the average of five, five-shot groups at 50 yards from a rest. Velocity is the average of 10 shots recorded 10 feet from the muzzle using a ProChrono chronograph.

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Aguila Silver Eagle .22 Win. Mag.

For those who like a little more speed and power behind their rimfire loads, allow me to introduce the Silver Eagle .22 Win. Mag. The jacketed soft-point bullet leaves the muzzle at roughly 1,850 fps and strikes with considerably more authority.

The bullet design makes this round a good option for varmint and predator hunters in areas where shots are typically less than 250 yards. Compared to other centerfire .22s, the Aguila ammo is also dirt cheap.

At 50 yards using a CZ 455 rifle topped with a Nikon Monarch 3 scope, five-shot groups averaged just over .6 inch. There were no cycling or feeding issues with the Aguila ammunition, and every one of the five, five-shot groups measured under .8 inch.

If you shoot small game at extended ranges — especially if you shoot a lot of it — and favor the .22 Magnum, you should score a few boxes of Silver Eagle.

Aguila Silver Eagle .22 Win. Mag. Performance

Load	Velocity (fps)	ES	SD	Best Group (in.)	Average Group (in.)
Aguila Silver Eagle .22 Win. Mag. 40 gr.	1,852	77	28	.53	.63

Notes: Accuracy is the average of five, five-shot groups at 50 yards from a rest. Velocity is the average of 10 shots recorded 10 feet from the muzzle using a ProChrono chronograph.

To learn more, visit aguilaammo.com.