.22 LR stopping power

[HathcockProtege]

Greetings,
I'm new to this forum, so I apologize if this is a topic that has been discussed recently, but I would like to hear your thoughts on .22 LR "knock" down power in hunting applications, particularly regarding long range effectiveness.

I've just recently discovered the world of long range shooting, but, as a college student, I have limited funds to invest in shooting. I do have a reasonably accurate .22 LR (Savage MII-FV) on its way to the local gun shop this week, and would like to start learning the basics of wind-doping, bullet-drop compensation by training with this rifle out to perhaps 200 yards.

I have been shooting squirrels with my old .22 LR (Sav MII-G...?) out to 100 yards using CCI std velocity 40g target loads, so I hope this new rig will push my effective range further. But how much further?

How far have "ya'll" taken what game with what loads in .22 LR?

My largest targets here in Central PA will be woodchuck/groundhogs, so any specific advice would also be appreciated. What load(s) have you found to be most effective? How far is too far? Can I ethically shoot my target loads as far as I know I can make a head-shot? What are my limits with the .22 LR?

Also, please share if you have <span style="text-decoration: underline">experience </span>hunting with the 60g SSS Aguila load.

Thanks.

 

[nostyta]

Re: .22 LR stopping power

May want to check this post out.

Lethality of the 22LR- Results!

 

[ticboom]

Re: .22 LR stopping power

Even if we solve the ballistic performance issues, on targets that shoot back, reliability alone disqualifies 22lr.

 

[nostyta]

Re: .22 LR stopping power

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ticboom</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Even if we solve the ballistic performance issues, on targets that shoot back, reliability alone disqualifies 22lr. </div></div>

I don't think he's wanting to take his 22lr to war, he just wants to know if it will effectively kill the small game he's after at longer ranges.

 

[buffybuster]

Re: .22 LR stopping power

The Savage MKII's have a 1-16" twist. I don't know if it will stabilize the 60gr Aguila for good enough accuracy. Try and publish your results.

 

[HathcockProtege]

Re: .22 LR stopping power

Nostyta: Thanks a lot for the link! Very helpful.

 

[HathcockProtege]

Re: .22 LR stopping power

buffy: I'm not getting my hopes up, but for the price of one box of ammo it's worth trying. I shall post results when I get to it.

By the way, I'm not interested in killing anybody with this rifle (Think I have a few better options in my safe anyways

); just wanting to know how it kills small game/varmints at extended ranges.

Thanks for your responses.

 

[TOP PREDATOR]

Re: .22 LR stopping power

NE PA.? me too.

with the .22lr, just as with any cartridge, bullet placement is the key for ETHICAL hunting....but as far as knietic energy and bullets actually designed for the job your describing, you'ld be better off with a .22 mag or .17 hmr. to ETHICALLY harvest game consistantly. as in the "lethality of the .22lr" post shows it can do it, alot of it depends on your ability. i heard alot of good things about the cci segmented round.

i've heard alot of stories from people i know about losing a feathered turkey as close as 75 yards.

sounds wierd, but if you are really concerned, and you want to do a first hand test with the .22lr, there's plenty of roadkilled critters around to do an evaluation

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DFOOSKING</div><div class="ubbcode-body">...its not really ethical shooting. But fucke'm their pests, they don't belong there! I don't advicate game hunting at distance with .22 but varmints are different in my book! </div></div>

....they were there before we were, so i guess that makes us the pests. i give more credit to, and trust, a groundhog more than most people i meet. a slow agonizing death to any animal that doesn't do the same to you shouldn't be advocated. i'm not a PETA person, a treehugger or a hippie or anything like that, but there is no honor in causing a critter to suffer.

 

[TOP PREDATOR]

Re: .22 LR stopping power

this may help you out too...

http://www.brassfetcher.com/22LR.html

ballistic gellatin tests.

 

[frog5215]

Re: .22 LR stopping power

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: nostyta</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ticboom</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Even if we solve the ballistic performance issues, on targets that shoot back, reliability alone disqualifies 22lr. </div></div>

I don't think he's wanting to take his 22lr to war, he just wants to know if it will effectively kill the small game he's after at longer ranges. </div></div>

He SAYS "hunting small game"! Geez, some folks are as bad as the national news media.

 

[HathcockProtege]

Re: .22 LR stopping power

Thanks TOP PREDATOR! Very interesting.

Pardon me; I used to live a little ways north of Carbondale, but moved this last fall. Used to hunt up in Great Bend SGL 35 all the time. Taken a lot of deer off those mountains! Probably be back up there for rifle season this fall. Guess my fingers haven't yet acclimated to the fact they are now Amish country residents.

You mention turkeys. Perfect example of a target that needs extra respect due to heavily feathered bodies and the fact that they are just a tough bird. I once shot a tom straight through the upper chest as he was facing me (Fall hunt obviously so he wasn't strutting)at about 25 yards (36g Fed High-V HP) and he flew off without more than flinching. A friend went back into the area the next day and found him floating in the creek. Made me a little sick, but it seemed like a perfectly ethical shot when I took it!

On the other hand, I have killed prairie dogs out to over 150 and had very clean kills even with 40g Rem T-bolts (which I hate, by the way; too many bad experiences.), but that is perhaps the ideal .22 LR long range target due to the light skin and bone construction. Rabbits sometimes seem to die of fright when they even hear a gunshot they are so fragile, so I would classify them as about the same as prairie dogs for "killability". I know from experience that a solid chest-shot from most .22 loads will kill either of these species out to 200 yards at least, but my concern is tougher skinned, heavier boned targets and specifically woodchucks at 100+ (200+...?) yards.

Perhaps I should phrase my question more specifically: How far have ya'll killed chucks with headshots? Chest shots? (Using the 22 LR, of course) And with what load?

 

[Captain Kirk]

Re: .22 LR stopping power

I have taken medium size rabbits out to 100 yards, but shot placement is critical at that range for the 22LR. Even up close, the 22LR doesnt offer impressive energy by any standard, thats not its strong suit.


Kirk R

 

[Josh Smith]

Re: .22 LR stopping power

A .22LR has a bit more power at 200 yards than a .22 Short has at the muzzle.

Find the furthest you can make good hits repeatedly, shoot and be happy.

As someone said, placement is key. If you're not sure about placement, skip the shot.

I personally have a life-sized prairie dog/chipmunk steel spinner critter set up at 102 yards. I can hit it from a cold barrel on a calm day, and I have taken squirrel out to at least 150 yards.

I devote at least 500 rounds for practice every week, though. And if the wind kicks up, I kick it back to 75 yards; 50 if it's really going.

I do use resized bullets, 40gn hollowpointed, made from CCI Blazers.

Josh

 

[Basher]

Re: .22 LR stopping power

Good thread with some interesting info. I'm not anywhere near what could be called a regular hunter, but I'd like to get in to it, starting with small game.

Josh, how the heck are you shooting 500 rounds of .22LR a week?! Wish I had the budget of both time and money for that!!!

 

[AUJohn]

Re: .22 LR stopping power

It's all about accuracy. At what range can you always hit the vitals from field positions?
Once you can hit past 100 worry about power.

 

[Josh Smith]

Re: .22 LR stopping power

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Basher</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Josh, how the heck are you shooting 500 rounds of .22LR a week?! Wish I had the budget of both time and money for that!!!

</div></div>

Hello,

CCI Blazer, $20/500. Luckily my Savage Mk II likes about anything

Josh

 

[msuhunter]

Re: .22 LR stopping power

If you can get the CCI Velocitor's to shoot accurately it will give you a couple more hundred feet per second and should hold up better out to 200 hundred yards

 

[JL]

Re: .22 LR stopping power

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ticboom</div><div class="ubbcode-body">on targets that shoot back, reliability alone disqualifies 22lr. </div></div>

Russian OMON -troops (with titanium plate vests) who lost plenty of guys in Grosny might disagree with you.
In right environment 22LR is truly diabolic opponent.

 

[HathcockProtege]

Re: .22 LR stopping power

AUJohn:
Very true. However,I've already been routinely making shots on squirrels out to 100 yards using my old rifle (Savage MK II-F..?) w/ a POJ Tasco 3-9x40mm Silver Pronghorn using the sitting position (and no sling). I'm upgrading to the Savage MK II-FV next week and will put a lot more work into it with an eye towards turning it into a tactical trainer. I should hope I improve significantly when I shoot prone from behind a rifle on a bipod! If not...I give up.

I've never attempted anything past 100 yards because I just hadn't shot at the range to know the correct hold-over and didn't feel comfortably stable from sitting/kneeling at any farther than 100 yards. At any rate, a 9x scope really isn't that great for 100+ precision work anyway. (Excuses, excuses...I know!)

A lot of innocent starlings died in the process, but I have worked long and hard at improving my field-shooting accuracy, and feel confident that I know and work within my own limitations. I'm not the kind of hunter that tries shots just for the Hey of it; either I can or cannot make a shot. Time in at the range tells me what the rifle will do and what I can do. Not saying I never miss, but I don't take experimental, "I wonder if..." shots one game or varmints.

The idea is...I know (and continue to apprise myself of) how far I can make a headshot consistently. I know how far I can make a chest shot in various scenarios. The question is: Does my round still have sufficient energy to make even a well-placed shot ethical?

Thanks for all the input so far, gents.

 

[300snipe]

Re: .22 LR stopping power

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Basher</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Good thread with some interesting info. I'm not anywhere near what could be called a regular hunter, but I'd like to get in to it, starting with small game.

Josh, how the heck are you shooting 500 rounds of .22LR a week?! Wish I had the budget of both time and money for that!!!

</div></div>

bulk 22LR ammo is $17-19 for a box of 500 rounds. That's ridiculously cheap. I put 500 rounds through my Ruger MKIII target pistol every time I go out, and another 250+ on my Savage MKII rifle when I practice - typically once to twice a week.

 

[Sidewinder]

Re: .22 LR stopping power

Thats what great about .22. Shoot alot for cheap. And have alot of fun doing it. Get several together for a shoot. Very memorable.

 

[Josh Smith]

Re: .22 LR stopping power

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HathcockProtege</div><div class="ubbcode-body">AUJohn:
Very true. However,I've already been routinely making shots on squirrels out to 100 yards using my old rifle (Savage MK II-F..?) w/ a POJ Tasco 3-9x40mm Silver Pronghorn using the sitting position (and no sling). I'm upgrading to the Savage MK II-FV next week and will put a lot more work into it with an eye towards turning it into a tactical trainer. I should hope I improve significantly when I shoot prone from behind a rifle on a bipod! If not...I give up.

I've never attempted anything past 100 yards because I just hadn't shot at the range to know the correct hold-over and didn't feel comfortably stable from sitting/kneeling at any farther than 100 yards. At any rate, a 9x scope really isn't that great for 100+ precision work anyway. (Excuses, excuses...I know!)

A lot of innocent starlings died in the process, but I have worked long and hard at improving my field-shooting accuracy, and feel confident that I know and work within my own limitations. I'm not the kind of hunter that tries shots just for the Hey of it; either I can or cannot make a shot. Time in at the range tells me what the rifle will do and what I can do. Not saying I never miss, but I don't take experimental, "I wonder if..." shots one game or varmints.

The idea is...I know (and continue to apprise myself of) how far I can make a headshot consistently. I know how far I can make a chest shot in various scenarios. The question is: Does my round still have sufficient energy to make even a well-placed shot ethical?

Thanks for all the input so far, gents. </div></div>

Get a good sling and learn to use it. I'm finding I like the Hasty better than the Hasty Hasty or Deliberate.

Though I have a bipod on my BTVS, it doesn't get used much. Shooting off a pack or bags is preferred.

If you have someone who can get you one, get a sniper's manual for the Army, Navy SEALs, or Marine Scout Snipers. I have the Army version and there are some really good pointers in there.

Josh

 

[Dantrom]

Re: .22 LR stopping power

Really like the participation on this subject. I have been very interested in 22lr long range shooting. just for the pleasure as i get with any caliber when i hit the mark. and until recently never even considered the 22lr. My dad gave me his old heavy barrel stevens rolling block for christmas and it is a tack-driver, and am thinking about mounting my weaver t-24 to it. it has an old weaver 1.5 mag scope on it that i love though, just dont think i could see the target 200 yards away. I dont know that it matters just love reading about what people are doin and usin with what. love the topic love the responses!
makes this sight great.

 

[Louis Corkern]

Re: .22 LR stopping power

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JL</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ticboom</div><div class="ubbcode-body">on targets that shoot back, reliability alone disqualifies 22lr. </div></div>

Russian OMON -troops (with titanium plate vests) who lost plenty of guys in Grosny might disagree with you.
In right environment 22LR is truly diabolic opponent.</div></div>

Hey JL and as we know the Israelis use a suppressed .22 rifle as a counter terrorist system.

Thanks

 

[cinosbus]

Re: .22 LR stopping power

As far as experience with both the 60gr SSS and .22 in general:

All shots mentioned below fired from rifles. The 60gr SSS is not impressive to me. I have never managed to get it stabilized in any 1:16 gun, and don't want to spring for a 1:9 twist barrel and 10/22. (If TACSOL made a threaded Ruger MKII 1:9 upper, I'd be interested then.) With the SSS I shot some squirrels just feet away from the muzzle. The bullet hit sideways through some thin wooden latice on the back porch, where it left a sideways imprint. Hit the squirrel in the upper chest. He left the area and I'm certain died - but he was able to run off and climb a tree afterward. Shot a few others in the heart/lung with other .22s and had some run away to die in the tree (waste of meat). Head shots are the only way to go for 100% DRT with any type of subsonic or standard velocity .22. Stingers tend to kill well with body shots. BUT I shot a racoon one time and he took 20rds of Stingers at 10ft. Both head and vital area shots. He was still hissing and bobbing! 2 shots of Remington Thunderbolts to the vitals ended it. Stingers do not penetrate well.

.22 will kill, but it's just not very powerful.

I agree the best thing on the market right now is the CCI Velocitor - unless you have a 1:9 setup for the SSS. I read somewhere that a little smear of lube on thes Velocitor projectiles will raise velocity enough to make it worth experimenting with - but have not experimented myself.

 

[RTH1800]

Re: .22 LR stopping power

I like many of the above post. I will say that a 22 lr is never a good turkey rifle. It will work fine for a long string then fail to kill within recovery distance for a long string. Just better to use a larger rifle. The 22 mag with solid bullets will loose most of them not head shot.

 

[HathcockProtege]

Re: .22 LR stopping power

Thanks for the advice! What's a good sling though? Do you shoot with carry slings, military style or position competition style "shooting-only" slings that attach to the bicep area of the supporting arm? I have enough friends in the Marines and Army that I'm sure I can get my hands on a manual if I try.

Just for the record, I love my bipod for field use, but I'm open to learning other styles for when it's not the best option.

As to the SSS; I've heard way to much good and bad about it to do anything but try it myself. I'm curious now, I guess.

Still waiting for my local gun shop to get it in stock; severely back-ordered right now...guess there's some people around here that like it!

 

[HathcockProtege]

Re: .22 LR stopping power

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cinosbus</div><div class="ubbcode-body">As far as experience with both the 60gr SSS and .22 in general:

All shots mentioned below fired from rifles. The 60gr SSS is not impressive to me. I have never managed to get it stabilized in any 1:16 gun, and don't want to spring for a 1:9 twist barrel and 10/22. (If TACSOL made a threaded Ruger MKII 1:9 upper, I'd be interested then.) With the SSS I shot some squirrels just feet away from the muzzle. The bullet hit sideways through some thin wooden latice on the back porch, where it left a sideways imprint. Hit the squirrel in the upper chest. He left the area and I'm certain died - but he was able to run off and climb a tree afterward. Shot a few others in the heart/lung with other .22s and had some run away to die in the tree (waste of meat). Head shots are the only way to go for 100% DRT with any type of subsonic or standard velocity .22. Stingers tend to kill well with body shots. BUT I shot a racoon one time and he took 20rds of Stingers at 10ft. Both head and vital area shots. He was still hissing and bobbing! 2 shots of Remington Thunderbolts to the vitals ended it. Stingers do not penetrate well.

.22 will kill, but it's just not very powerful.

I agree the best thing on the market right now is the CCI Velocitor - unless you have a 1:9 setup for the SSS. I read somewhere that a little smear of lube on thes Velocitor projectiles will raise velocity enough to make it worth experimenting with - but have not experimented myself. </div></div>

Coon are another animal that's just insanely tough though. Once trapped a coon, knocked him out (thought I'd killed him) with a length of rebar. Came back in five and he was up ready for round 2. Knocked out again, and then stuck his head under water for a timed five min after he quite blowing bubbles. Threw him in my pack, went home...and opened my pack 15 min later, he was ready for round 3! In my basement. Shot twice in the head with .22 shorts, once down the throat into the chest. Finally went down, but still breathing. Set a deep cycle marine battery on his chest. Went back over an hour later and he had stopped breathing, but I could still feel his pulse, via the femoral artery. Weighed in at 26 lbs...not huge; just tough.

Once they decide they don't wanna die they can be hard to convince otherwise.

Not sure I'd even tangle with a coon when using the .22 LR unless I had a close headshot on a calm animal.

 

[kdelnort]

Re: .22 LR stopping power

The .22 long rifle is a great round for hunting. It's most likely killed more animals than any other round. Learn it's limits (and your own) and your good to go.

As to the comment "its not really ethical shooting. But fu..." . Regardless of your reason to kill, try to be ethical in doing so. If not, it tells more about the shooter than it does about the varmit.

As for the .22Lr's capabilites a great book to read on the subject is The Book Of The Twenty-Two: THE ALL AMERICAN CALIBER by Sam Fadala (stoeger publishing company)

 

[Short-bus]

Re: .22 LR stopping power

The .22lr round is deadly no matter what, and should never be taken lightly. When you start thinking of the .22 as a "toy", that's when people get hurt, or die. My take on the subject is that the .22lr will kill anything, and I mean anything, so long as the proper shot placement is used, and as long as you are close enough on larger things.

The best thing you can do is shoot, shoot, and shoot some more. Get to know everything little thing about your choice round, and the rifle itself. The Savage Mark II FV is a good rifle, you picked the right barrel contour for your start, you're headed in the right direction.

Branden

 

[Mag 300]

Re: .22 LR stopping power

I was shooting Wolf match into paper at 200 yds and there is real good accuracy more than enough for small game , then for the hell of it I switched to the CCI high velocity 1600 area and WOW that shit was a lot faster?? for what its worth I would use the CCI hunting stuff its amazinly fast comapered to Wolf Match

 

[shawn57nomad]

Re: .22 LR stopping power

22lr seems to be good for me. Got six of seven coons(Old butt feed 22 rifle), must have been a family, coming out of the feed bin for my father in laws cattle. Got the first six consecutively one shot through the ear of eye cavity and the seventh put three or four in him, climbed up a tree bout 50 yds away and died in the nest. My father in law saw them the following morning, as he works the night shift, and said "Damn! You put all those there after you shot 'em?" No way, all dead where they lay! He scratched his head and said later that, maybe my military experience was good for something after all. LOL! Little did he know that I shot expert and held highest shooting quals for five years for my battalion at range...Can't wait til spring!

 

[TOP PREDATOR]

Re: .22 LR stopping power

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HathcockProtege</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks TOP PREDATOR! Very interesting.

Pardon me; I used to live a little ways north of Carbondale, but moved this last fall. Used to hunt up in Great Bend SGL 35 all the time. Taken a lot of deer off those mountains! Probably be back up there for rifle season this fall. Guess my fingers haven't yet acclimated to the fact they are now Amish country residents.

You mention turkeys. Perfect example of a target that needs extra respect due to heavily feathered bodies and the fact that they are just a tough bird. I once shot a tom straight through the upper chest as he was facing me (Fall hunt obviously so he wasn't strutting)at about 25 yards (36g Fed High-V HP) and he flew off without more than flinching. A friend went back into the area the next day and found him floating in the creek. Made me a little sick, but it seemed like a perfectly ethical shot when I took it!

On the other hand, I have killed prairie dogs out to over 150 and had very clean kills even with 40g Rem T-bolts (which I hate, by the way; too many bad experiences.), but that is perhaps the ideal .22 LR long range target due to the light skin and bone construction. Rabbits sometimes seem to die of fright when they even hear a gunshot they are so fragile, so I would classify them as about the same as prairie dogs for "killability". I know from experience that a solid chest-shot from most .22 loads will kill either of these species out to 200 yards at least, but my concern is tougher skinned, heavier boned targets and specifically woodchucks at 100+ (200+...?) yards.

Perhaps I should phrase my question more specifically: How far have ya'll killed chucks with headshots? Chest shots? (Using the 22 LR, of course) And with what load?</div></div>

hathcock protege, sorry to hear your from the carbondale area

i'm from down the valley about 9 miles from your stomping grounds.

obviously, there are better woodchuck rounds, i had a savage .223 that was insanely accurate out to about 400 yards, and the chucks and paper got alittle too boring with it. i went to a .22 mag, which offered more of a challenge as you have to stalk up on whatever it is your hunting, which offered a better time.

if you have another option to go with, go with it (not saying a .22lr can't do it), but there are better tools that offer more punch than the .22lr for what your looking to do.

if all you have is a .22lr i'm sure with the right ammo and a steady hand, and good bullet placement, you'ld be good to go. i would pick out something else.

dfoosking....a "victor" sign.....mousetrap, a lead sinker attached to the arm, and a 12 guage shell.

high and mighty - i'm sure those holes where there before. sorry about your cows and equipment, and sorry to ruffle your feathers, but there is no honor in preaching that you allow animal to suffer. i'm sorry that my ethical hunter instinct offended you, i gotta go now to pull some wings of some flys.

 

[HathcockProtege]

Re: .22 LR stopping power

Top Predator: Not as sorry as I am to have to claim the area! Guy could get buzzed just driving through some parts of that town, I swear...seediest place this side of New Jersey! But I was from far enough away from the town I never claimed it.

Thanks for the input. I'll be using several of your ideas from your Mark II project and see what I can damage can be done. Basically, I'm in college and don't have time/money to shoot anything but .22 rimmy very much these days, so I'm trying to stretch myself and learn about long range shooting using this system.

Bidding on a new BSA mil-dot 4-16x40 right now. If I don't win it for a reasonable price I'll see about a CenterPoint like you used on yours, but I'm not thrilled about the idea.

Rifle came into the local Gander Mountain today, so I'll be posting damage reports soon I hope.

 

[bohem]

Re: .22 LR stopping power

I've shot/killed groundhogs with my 22 Marlin out past 200y, I've never tried to hit a squirrel at that range because trees and long distance aren't usually 2 things I find at the same time.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: buffybuster</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The Savage MKII's have a 1-16" twist. I don't know if it will stabilize the 60gr Aguila for good enough accuracy. Try and publish your results. </div></div>

It will not stabilize them. They require a 1:10t at least, 1:9 is better.

 

[TOP PREDATOR]

Re: .22 LR stopping power

unless the BSA is "free", i would stay away from them. i have bought three over the years, and had to replace 6 (the original and the replacement ones, gave one away for a present) after about 2.5 - 3 years of use.

1 on an ar
1 on a .22lr
1 on a muzzleloader

all three had nice options but started clouding up about 2 years in, and all three lost "return to zero" without even adjusting turrets. shoot one, the crosshairs moved, next shot they moved somewhere else.

spent too much time wasting ammo, remounting the replacement scope, resighting, only to have them crap out again. 2 were platinum target dots, 8-32x, 1 was a mildot 6-24x. do what you want, but that was my experience.

i have good luck with the centerpoint on my .22 mag, that's why i got one for my mkii f. have really good luck with a simmons 6-24x pro hunter side focus on my mkii bv, 135.00 through natchez.

 

[shawn57nomad]

Re: .22 LR stopping power

My appologies about the incident posted above. I was not trying to gloat or mame an animal just get rid of pests that intefere with cattle production here in rural Iowa. My appologies to TP and others if I offended I am sorry. Thanks.

 

[TOP PREDATOR]

Re: .22 LR stopping power

all is cool. i've done my share too, and there is a need for it to be done. my point was referring to another earlier post.

although we know about varmints, their diseases, and the impacts they have on agriculture (and how to handle them), unfortunately in today's society a certain amount of tact has to be exercized so as not to give "anti hunters" ammo to persecute or put the hunting / shooting enthusist in a "bad light".

sometimes our 1ST amendment rights hurts our 2nd amendment rights, and sometimes we are our own worst enemy.

thanks for being man enough to be tactfull, that takes guts, IMO.

 

[species0113]

Re: .22 LR stopping power

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HathcockWannebe</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cinosbus</div><div class="ubbcode-body">As far as experience with both the 60gr SSS and .22 in general:

All shots mentioned below fired from rifles. The 60gr SSS is not impressive to me. I have never managed to get it stabilized in any 1:16 gun, and don't want to spring for a 1:9 twist barrel and 10/22. (If TACSOL made a threaded Ruger MKII 1:9 upper, I'd be interested then.) With the SSS I shot some squirrels just feet away from the muzzle. The bullet hit sideways through some thin wooden latice on the back porch, where it left a sideways imprint. Hit the squirrel in the upper chest. He left the area and I'm certain died - but he was able to run off and climb a tree afterward. Shot a few others in the heart/lung with other .22s and had some run away to die in the tree (waste of meat). Head shots are the only way to go for 100% DRT with any type of subsonic or standard velocity .22. Stingers tend to kill well with body shots. BUT I shot a racoon one time and he took 20rds of Stingers at 10ft. Both head and vital area shots. He was still hissing and bobbing! 2 shots of Remington Thunderbolts to the vitals ended it. Stingers do not penetrate well.

.22 will kill, but it's just not very powerful.

I agree the best thing on the market right now is the CCI Velocitor - unless you have a 1:9 setup for the SSS. I read somewhere that a little smear of lube on thes Velocitor projectiles will raise velocity enough to make it worth experimenting with - but have not experimented myself. </div></div>

Coon are another animal that's just insanely tough though. Once trapped a coon, knocked him out (thought I'd killed him) with a length of rebar. Came back in five and he was up ready for round 2. Knocked out again, and then stuck his head under water for a timed five min after he quite blowing bubbles. Threw him in my pack, went home...and opened my pack 15 min later, he was ready for round 3! In my basement. Shot twice in the head with .22 shorts, once down the throat into the chest. Finally went down, but still breathing. Set a deep cycle marine battery on his chest. Went back over an hour later and he had stopped breathing, but I could still feel his pulse, via the femoral artery. Weighed in at 26 lbs...not huge; just tough.

Once they decide they don't wanna die they can be hard to convince otherwise.

Not sure I'd even tangle with a coon when using the .22 LR unless I had a close headshot on a calm animal. </div></div>

Wish I would have been there with a couple beers in me for that one. I'm gonna drink a few now. Can you tell this story again in 45 minutes.

 

[species0113]

Re: .22 LR stopping power

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HathcockWannebe</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Greetings,
I'm new to this forum, so I apologize if this is a topic that has been discussed recently, but I would like to hear your thoughts on .22 LR "knock" down power in hunting applications, particularly regarding long range effectiveness.

I've just recently discovered the world of long range shooting, but, as a college student, I have limited funds to invest in shooting. I do have a reasonably accurate .22 LR (Savage MII-FV) on its way to the local gun shop this week, and would like to start learning the basics of wind-doping, bullet-drop compensation by training with this rifle out to perhaps 200 yards.

I have been shooting squirrels with my old .22 LR (Sav MII-G...?) out to 100 yards using CCI std velocity 40g target loads, so I hope this new rig will push my effective range further. But how much further?

How far have "ya'll" taken what game with what loads in .22 LR?

My largest targets here in Central PA will be woodchuck/groundhogs, so any specific advice would also be appreciated. What load(s) have you found to be most effective? How far is too far? Can I ethically shoot my target loads as far as I know I can make a head-shot? What are my limits with the .22 LR?

Also, please share if you have <span style="text-decoration: underline">experience </span>hunting with the 60g SSS Aguila load.

Thanks.
</div></div>

A while back I was where you are now. I know you said you are limited in funds but if there is any way in hell to get you a .17 HMR, by all means do so. I went from a .22 lr and a .22 mag to a NF heavy barrel .17 HMR. I think I died and went to heaven. That thing will tear up some meat. Don't be scared to use those Wally World Center Points either. I have one on a Rem 581s I set up for drills shootin .750 at 100, and a few on some high end air rifles that can stack pellets at 50 yards and beyond. Nice equipment is a plus but if you have what it takes you can do it with equipment others can't. My buddy has an old bolt action 12 gauge his grandfather gave him. That thing has like a 40" barrel on it. I took him with me to shoot clay birds a while back. 25 birds, $3. I can usually bust 24 or 25 outta 25 but I'm hittin em at 25-35 yards max. He was bustin em no closer then 50 and sometimes just before they hit the ground some 60-70 yards out. The guy would pull and us other 4 guys would wait. Seemed like forever before Billy would pull the trigger and that bird would bust and we'd all laugh.