Years back, decades actually, someone wrote that the .22 L.R. round has
likely killed more people than any other. Over the years this somehow became, or morphed into,
it for sure has killed more than any other round. No one has kept any figures on it. No one actually knows for sure, but it is quite possible that it has.
For two reasons I think; it is the most common round used internationally and particularly here. The other reason being that people underestimate it. It is extremely common to hear of people being shot while "fooling" around with a .22. Cuz it's "just a .22". Another factor involved is that the paraffin lube used on the .22 now and in the past, promotes infections like nobodies business and for many, many years a good many folks died of these infections particularly in places where doctors were scarce and in the years before antibiotics. It often took and takes days to die. Another factor is this....22 handguns are about the cheapest gun out there. It's been that way for years. A good many folks, who know no better, get a .22 cuz it's cheap and go and shoot someone with it.
The .22 is a useful round for many things but is not so good at self defense. Oh in a pinch it'll do. An ice pick can be handy in a fight but most knife fighters would take something heavier and longer with them to a fight. Somehow with the .22 some folks think it'll do ya, but ask yourself this...
Why do no law enforcement agencies anywhere issue it for carry in a standard sidearm for their officers?
Why do no armies anywhere on earth issue it to line troops as their sidearm or in a rifle? After all if the .22 is good for defense in a handgun ain't it even better for that in a rifle? and if so why not give it to all the soldiers?
If, as a former "big game guide" says...
Quote:
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I shot many deer and elk each year that had been wounded and was suffering. Most shots were at 10 yards or under. The 22 will completely penatrate an elks skull when shot broadside. Death was instantanious in nearly all cases after one shot.
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If the above is true why not recommend that we all hunt elk with a .22?
If only the "well placed shot" can guarantee a stop than why the .45acp? or the .357 Mag? or the .38 Spl.? Why the 30-06? Or the 30-30?
Could it be that there is something to the idea that a larger, heavier round can do more damage?
Just a few questions for those who feel the .22 is as good as anything else in a fight.
tipoc