M E Morrison
Member
Around here the old timers called woodchucks "pasture grizzlies" and they earned that nick name!!!
How Instantly Lethal is .22?
- Thread starter kbm6893
- Start date
Around here the old timers called woodchucks "pasture grizzlies" and they earned that nick name!!!
M E Morrison
Member
That's too bad - I would have gladly taken them. My TC Contender pistol absolutely loves them - go figure! I do have to clean it a lot more frequently though.
When I shot pistol silhouette I used them out to 50 yds, before the accuracy wasn't good enough. These were the boxes of fifty, so I don't know how well the bulk packs compare.
I grew up and live in hills of SE Ohio. Squirrel & groundhog
hunting was a big deal around here. Groundhogs, coons and
Possum do require a head shot with a 22. Squirrels are shot
in the head or middle of back ( there's not much meat there)
for instant kill. I have seen full grown steers put down with I
shot at 20yds. This doesn't include all the hogs and steers put
down at point blank, for butchering. I have never herd of anyone
having trouble killing small game with a 22 around here. There
are also uncouth guys that hunt squirrel with a shotgun, because
they can't shot a rifle. It's like a thing else, more gun doesn't
make up for a bad shot.
hunting was a big deal around here. Groundhogs, coons and
Possum do require a head shot with a 22. Squirrels are shot
in the head or middle of back ( there's not much meat there)
for instant kill. I have seen full grown steers put down with I
shot at 20yds. This doesn't include all the hogs and steers put
down at point blank, for butchering. I have never herd of anyone
having trouble killing small game with a 22 around here. There
are also uncouth guys that hunt squirrel with a shotgun, because
they can't shot a rifle. It's like a thing else, more gun doesn't
make up for a bad shot.
Rpg
Member
In the early '60's, I would occasionally sit in our backyard concealed from the traffic on the adjacent street and shoot squirrels out of the elm trees that grew along the street.
I used 22 CB caps (the old ones, not the contemporary variety) since shooting in the city was a big no no and CB caps were quiet.
Regularly dropped them with one shot.
I used 22 CB caps (the old ones, not the contemporary variety) since shooting in the city was a big no no and CB caps were quiet.
Regularly dropped them with one shot.
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THE PILGRIM
Member
When I was a kid, a 22 rifle was the standard departure round for steers and hogs.
They were shot in the brain and usually one shot did it.
I have dropped a bunch of small game with the 22. Many dropped stone dead.
Some have gotten away, you never know if it was a non -lethal hit or you just missed.
They were shot in the brain and usually one shot did it.
I have dropped a bunch of small game with the 22. Many dropped stone dead.
Some have gotten away, you never know if it was a non -lethal hit or you just missed.
gman51
Member
IMO the head shot should be first to cause a quick painless death. I do a heart shot second in case the bullet didn't hit the brain. A bb gun and sometimes even a 22 lr will not penetrate the skull to kill the animal. It might only knock out the animal which is why the second shot to the body. I shot a bull in the head with a 22lr from a rifle and it took three shots to kill it. Whether the first two shots were deflected by the skull is only my guess.
A friend shot a big dog in its side and the dog started howling in pain. I told him take a head shot and put the dog out of its pain. I don't ever want to see an animal suffer like that.
A friend shot a big dog in its side and the dog started howling in pain. I told him take a head shot and put the dog out of its pain. I don't ever want to see an animal suffer like that.
Backlighting
Member
Unless one, his loved ones or crops are threatened by an animal, or living in remote areas and needed for food, I just can't see the sense in the killing of them...for the "fun" of it.
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Thanks guys. I was aiming for the head on the woodchuck, but as I said, I had to aim low to adjust for my 100 yard zero. The rifle is now zeroed at 50 yards. I saw the shot to the neck through the scope. Blood splashed. Surprised when my son said he was back. But a second adjustment and I hit the head. Still, by the time I got to him and he died must have been at least 2 minutes.
Squirrel, I was squeamish about such a close head shot and I didn't think it was necessary so close. The last shot to hit head I just pressed the barrel of the rifle to his head and popped him. Guess I figured a .22 would do more. Of course, I wasn't shooting hunting ammo.
But I really like the Quiets. No louder than a .22 short, but I can use them easier in a rifle. Don't have to load one at a time like the shorts.
Next time, the head will be the target.
Squirrel, I was squeamish about such a close head shot and I didn't think it was necessary so close. The last shot to hit head I just pressed the barrel of the rifle to his head and popped him. Guess I figured a .22 would do more. Of course, I wasn't shooting hunting ammo.
But I really like the Quiets. No louder than a .22 short, but I can use them easier in a rifle. Don't have to load one at a time like the shorts.
Next time, the head will be the target.
I forgot to say Thunderbolts may be a contender for worst US
loaded 22s, but the Winchester Wildcats were worse than them.
If you fired them from a hi-cap magazine, it sounded like a posse
of guys firing different guns. Then your barrel looked like a stove
pipe, and group looked like a shotgun pattern.
loaded 22s, but the Winchester Wildcats were worse than them.
If you fired them from a hi-cap magazine, it sounded like a posse
of guys firing different guns. Then your barrel looked like a stove
pipe, and group looked like a shotgun pattern.
DWalt
Member
For a great many years many butchers and slaughterhouses used .22 rifles to stun livestock, even large bulls. One properly placed shot to the forehead will drop a cow instantly. It usually won't kill them, but the practice was to cut their throat and bleed them out before they regained consciousness. Many old-time butchers preferred the .22 WRF as it was a little more certain in its effects than a .22 LR.
I don't think bullet stunning is allowed today for meat animals.
I don't think bullet stunning is allowed today for meat animals.
Me neither. The woodchuck had his hole right next to my driveway. I didn't want him digging underneath it and collapsing it. Plus, my young kids used to look in at him and I figured it was only a matter of time until they got bit. I tried smoke bombs in his hole and he came back. BB to his *** and he came back. He .22 was a last resort.
Squirrel was probably 10'minutes from death when I killed it. Eye was hanging out. Flies already covering him. Just trying to end his suffering.
No problem with hunting for food or population control. But if I wanna have fun shooting something I'll head to the range with some water bottles filled with food colored water.
Old Arkansawyer
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As a teenager, I worked part time in a custom butcher shop. The guy
who did the killing, gutting and skinning used a Winchester mdl 62
with .22 long rifle. One shot behind the ear and they dropped in
their tracks. I never saw him have to shoot but once.
Also a lot of deer have been killed with the .22 and .22mag.
who did the killing, gutting and skinning used a Winchester mdl 62
with .22 long rifle. One shot behind the ear and they dropped in
their tracks. I never saw him have to shoot but once.
Also a lot of deer have been killed with the .22 and .22mag.
357-RevolverGuy
Member
Dang, how big was that squirrel? Out of a 10/22 rifle I've never had to calculate shot placement to bring down squirrels, rabbits, possum, or anything else of that size.
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Leslie Sapp
Member
M E Morrison
Member
I was considering an air rifle.....
I was considering an air rifle for these tasks, but sophisticated ones are as loud as a .22. With the new .22 ammo, noise in places where they don't want shooting is much less of a problem. I used to have a basic .22 cal variable pump that would do a very good job but a relative 'borrowed it' and when it was returned......
I have a critter problem but it's worse at night and these things show themselves at intervals so it would be hard to catch them. SOMETHING killed a very large possum that has been running across our roof about every night. It was like he just knelt down and croaked like he went to sleep.
I was considering an air rifle for these tasks, but sophisticated ones are as loud as a .22. With the new .22 ammo, noise in places where they don't want shooting is much less of a problem. I used to have a basic .22 cal variable pump that would do a very good job but a relative 'borrowed it' and when it was returned......
I have a critter problem but it's worse at night and these things show themselves at intervals so it would be hard to catch them. SOMETHING killed a very large possum that has been running across our roof about every night. It was like he just knelt down and croaked like he went to sleep.
I've never had problem killing squirrels with body shots with a 22 lr, and in my short stint in the butcher shop, indeed the steers went down when hit in the head with the old 22 they had. The big bulls, however, took the 30-30, because sometimes the big boys skulls were too tough for a clean kill. I always shotgunned or centerfire rifled the bigger pests, because head shots with 22 are the only humane option.
As for aggressive woodchucks, i spear them. If you catch them in the open, they don't run, so I fight them. Also have caught them in the big old polebarn where there is too much expensive equipment to damage to use a gun, so my spear, just a big old 15 pound iron crowbar, will do the killing well. One time I impaled one with a wooden spear, a big ole sow, and she had enough strength to turn herself around 180 degrees whilst being impaled to face me. They are not cute, nor cuddly.
As has been stated, heard twice of someone hitting a skunk with a .223 and the skunk being able to run for a bit before death. Saw the damage upclose and was disappointed. Far inferior to the 220 Swift. Sure, the animals went a long way after you hit them, but that was many pieces of them in many directions.
So, to get to the OP's question, 22 lr is a weapon that demands effective shot placement, it works, but you have to work it. You want something that doesn't fail as often due to poorer shot placement, get a centerfire rifle, high power pistol carbine, or good old shotgun. I love my old 22's a lot, killed a lot of things with them, but over time I've come to use shotgun for serious pest work, highly effective and humane.
I have the old Winchester 1906 pump action 22 our family used for slaughter, called the "pig gun", which has done great work and been used to kill countless pests in the yard. But then again, the time when it was built bought, and used, was different; the old farmers and men shot 22 long rifle and short rifle because it was cheap, and things were expensive, and you lived conservatively. Today, many more of us can certainly afford a more expensive weapon with more expensive ammunition for practical purposes.
As for aggressive woodchucks, i spear them. If you catch them in the open, they don't run, so I fight them. Also have caught them in the big old polebarn where there is too much expensive equipment to damage to use a gun, so my spear, just a big old 15 pound iron crowbar, will do the killing well. One time I impaled one with a wooden spear, a big ole sow, and she had enough strength to turn herself around 180 degrees whilst being impaled to face me. They are not cute, nor cuddly.
As has been stated, heard twice of someone hitting a skunk with a .223 and the skunk being able to run for a bit before death. Saw the damage upclose and was disappointed. Far inferior to the 220 Swift. Sure, the animals went a long way after you hit them, but that was many pieces of them in many directions.
So, to get to the OP's question, 22 lr is a weapon that demands effective shot placement, it works, but you have to work it. You want something that doesn't fail as often due to poorer shot placement, get a centerfire rifle, high power pistol carbine, or good old shotgun. I love my old 22's a lot, killed a lot of things with them, but over time I've come to use shotgun for serious pest work, highly effective and humane.
I have the old Winchester 1906 pump action 22 our family used for slaughter, called the "pig gun", which has done great work and been used to kill countless pests in the yard. But then again, the time when it was built bought, and used, was different; the old farmers and men shot 22 long rifle and short rifle because it was cheap, and things were expensive, and you lived conservatively. Today, many more of us can certainly afford a more expensive weapon with more expensive ammunition for practical purposes.
SuperMan
Member
Dang, how big was that squirrel? Out of a 10/22 rifle I've never had to calculate shot placement to bring down squirrels, rabbits, possum, or anything else of that size.
90% dead garden variety squirrel. Guess it showed how tough it was by surviving the hit by a car. As I pulled into my driveway it was sitting to the side, good eye just looking at me. I start inching up. Figuring it's gonna move. It doesn't. I get out to shoo it. That's when I see the flies, blood, and eye. I get a shovel and prod it into the woods next to my lawn, figuring it will die there. 10 minutes later, I feel like I'm being watched as I sit at my computer and turn and it is back on the lawn, staring at me. Very creepy.
Nobody but a mental case shoots animals just for grins. A lot of
people have had no hunting experience, or farming. I guess it
is culture clash. We have Varmits, which cause damage to crops
machinery, and live stock. They are shot for a reason. Then we
kill and process our own Steers and hogs, instead of buying at
the store. Every once in a while we have to shot a animal because of sickness or injury, instead of hauling to vet and paying
him to do it. Then we hunt, never shot anything you don't intend
to eat. All this has been accomplished with the lowly 22, for a
100years. I find it weird that all of a sudden a 22 won't do its
job. Not to PC, but it is fact. The late Jack O'connor said that
anyone who went in woods with a 30/30 and couldn't kill one,
had no business in the woods- same with 22, if you have to
shoot a squirrel 3 times, maybe someone else should be doing
the shooting.
people have had no hunting experience, or farming. I guess it
is culture clash. We have Varmits, which cause damage to crops
machinery, and live stock. They are shot for a reason. Then we
kill and process our own Steers and hogs, instead of buying at
the store. Every once in a while we have to shot a animal because of sickness or injury, instead of hauling to vet and paying
him to do it. Then we hunt, never shot anything you don't intend
to eat. All this has been accomplished with the lowly 22, for a
100years. I find it weird that all of a sudden a 22 won't do its
job. Not to PC, but it is fact. The late Jack O'connor said that
anyone who went in woods with a 30/30 and couldn't kill one,
had no business in the woods- same with 22, if you have to
shoot a squirrel 3 times, maybe someone else should be doing
the shooting.
