The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - how much muzzle energy does a 22lr pistol produce?

tipoc · November 3, 2012, 02:34 AM

What's the point of this thread?

Does someone want to hunt bear with a snubby .22 handgun? Or walk up and shoot them in the head? Bear, including Brown bear have been killed with a 22 from a rifle and well placed shots to the head. Bear have also been killed with spears and arrows. Few people today, if any, hunt bear with a .22 or deer or hogs, etc. It's not that it can't be done it's that the likelihood of taking game cleanly with a 22 is far less that with a suitable caliber.

A good many people have died from being shot with the .22. In part because it is the most common caliber in the U.S. and has been for a very long time. Also because a good many people consider it so small as to be almost a toy round. Children and young folk have often played with it and shot themselves and others. A good many die a day or two after being shot from complications and infections. President Reagan was shot with a 22 and almost died on the way to the hospital. Brady suffered permanent brain damage as a result of being shot.

The 22 has little energy compared to other rounds and is very light weight, but due to it's small diameter, resistance to penetration is slight so it can go deep enough to do damage. It is a very good round for hunting small game, target practice, plinking and fun. Due to it's slight recoil it's a good round to practice with.

No military or police agencies use the round as a duty round. There are better rounds for self defense.

tipoc

November 3, 2012, 02:34 AM	#11
tipoc Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2004 Location: Redwood City, Ca. Posts: 4,114	What's the point of this thread? Does someone want to hunt bear with a snubby .22 handgun? Or walk up and shoot them in the head? Bear, including Brown bear have been killed with a 22 from a rifle and well placed shots to the head. Bear have also been killed with spears and arrows. Few people today, if any, hunt bear with a .22 or deer or hogs, etc. It's not that it can't be done it's that the likelihood of taking game cleanly with a 22 is far less that with a suitable caliber. A good many people have died from being shot with the .22. In part because it is the most common caliber in the U.S. and has been for a very long time. Also because a good many people consider it so small as to be almost a toy round. Children and young folk have often played with it and shot themselves and others. A good many die a day or two after being shot from complications and infections. President Reagan was shot with a 22 and almost died on the way to the hospital. Brady suffered permanent brain damage as a result of being shot. The 22 has little energy compared to other rounds and is very light weight, but due to it's small diameter, resistance to penetration is slight so it can go deep enough to do damage. It is a very good round for hunting small game, target practice, plinking and fun. Due to it's slight recoil it's a good round to practice with. No military or police agencies use the round as a duty round. There are better rounds for self defense. tipoc Last edited by tipoc; November 3, 2012 at 02:40 AM.