.22 Ammo for Maximum Damage

[WoodlandShooter]

I have shot many a Holstein cows with a 22  between the eyes and I can tell you that the stingers or hollow points do not penetrate like a solid.

That’s what I was going to say.

I think farmers use 22lr to slaughter animals all the time. I’d find out what they use and get that.

Most guys that slaughter our critters use a 22 Mag!!

and well, even they will bounce off a cows forehead and hit the barn wall if you are a little off on the shot...

22's require excelent shot placement to be effective....and in a self defence scenario, shot placement is going to be a problem...

[Kittman]

Find yourself some .22 LR 40 grain CCI Velociter loads.  Not quite .22 Mag, but getting close.

http://www.cci-ammunition.com/products/detail.aspx?use=2&loadNo=0047

[b23]

I've shot thousands of sage rats with CCI Stingers and if the damage they do to sage rats is any indication of what they could do to human tissue, all I can say is, YIKES, because they flat blow them little buggers up!  I've used a lot of Rem. Yellow Jackets and they do a good job of carnage too.  I've used Rem. Vipers and other solid tipped 22lr ammo and they certainly will kill sage rats with no problem but they don't do nearly as much damage as the stingers and yellow jackets.

Granted, a sage rat is certainly not comparable to human tissue but I am only comparing the damage done with both types of bullet.

A good debate could be had as to which would be more affective with regard to using a 22lr with a 36gr. HP or a 40hr RN and if the possible penetrating ability of the 40 RN would be more affective versus the greater wound channel that a 36 HP could/would potentially create. 

I'd bet shot placement, with either of these, would be more of a determining factor than which bullet worked better.

[thinkingman]

Aguila SuperMaximum 22lr is rocking along at 1750fps.
Available in hp and solid.
I have shot plenty of Stingers and the Aguila has more recoil and sharper report.

[Fl0und3rz]

Here is a decent infographic comparing the various SD cartridges including .22LR.



Re: solids versus HV hollowpoints:  If I were to rely on .22 LR as an SD round, I would go with solids.  The HV HPs rely on velocity and expansion based on an opening in the front of the cheaply manufactured bullet (low QC).  In my mind, I would rather have a bullet that relies on penetrating clothes/flesh than introduce another effectiveness variable into the SD equation and risk a surface wound or failure due to too raid expansion. 

[CP]

I wouldn’t put too much stock into a chart that lists a 40 gram .22 long rifle.

[Fl0und3rz]

I cannot post the link due to language standards.

Google this:

    Gunshot wounds infographic from Medical College of Wisconsin Department of Surgery and University of Utah Health Sciences Library

So yeah, while obviously a typo, I think they can be forgiven that in light of their obvious interest and dedication regarding documentation/compilation of wound channel information.

[huntingfool7]

It looks like either 22 bullet penetrates more than a 38 in that chart. 

[Fl0und3rz]

It looks like either 22 bullet penetrates more than a 38 in that chart. 

Penetration is not only about weight and kinetic energy (weight and velocity^2) but about sectional density and bullet construction. 

That said, although it attempts to show relative scale of penetration, I am not sure that everything is to scale, although I expect it should be to be of use. 

But it also does not list bullet construction details, either.

 

[huntingfool7]

In any case, my biggest concern with a rimfire for self defense is an increased likelihood for a misfire. 
In particular, a semi auto .22 can be difficult (or impossible depending on the model) to clear a dud round under stress.

[Fl0und3rz]

In any case, my biggest concern with a rimfire for self defense is an increased likelihood for a misfire. 
In particular, a semi auto .22 can be difficult (or impossible depending on the model) to clear a dud round under stress.

Excellent point.

[Mike450r]

In any case, my biggest concern with a rimfire for self defense is an increased likelihood for a misfire. 
In particular, a semi auto .22 can be difficult (or impossible depending on the model) to clear a dud round under stress.

Excellent point.

    The best counter argument to be made for sure.  If something needs killing and all I had was a .22 I have no worries about it being dead when I am done.  But those misfires in a self defense situation would by far be my biggest worry now that it has been pointed out.

[Band]

Thanks for the good discussion.

Next question. After being on a waiting list for a year i finally got my 2 bricks of standard .22lr ammo.  Are you guys hoarding the "hot loads" too or am i going to find them more readily available?

[sticky]

Fill his chest full of round nose Mini Mags and his cavity will be like a lead popcorn machine.


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