How Instantly Lethal is .22?

[kbm6893]

I know it all depends on the bullet, and I am not a hunter, but last year I had to dispatch a pesky groundhog and I put a squirrel out of its misery thst must have been hit by a car. It's eye was hanging out and flies were already on it. It was sitting on my lawn staring at me.

So the groundhog was shot from about 60 feet with my 10/22. I was using Remington Thunderbolts that I was trying to get rid of. Rifle was zeroed st 100 yards so I had to hold low. First shot to the neck and it dropped into its hole. I was putting the rifle away and my son said "dad, he's back". So I shot him again and saw the head shot. Went to look at him to make sure and he was still breathing, but died a minute later.

Squirrel was very weird. Same ammo. Shot from about 6 feet. I'm squeamish about a close up head shot so I shot him in the side. Jumped but didn't die. Second shot underneath his armpit. Curled up and was surely dying, but still breathing. 3rd shot to the head and he was done.

So I got a brick of the new CCI Quiet ammo. Man, is it quiet! Sounds like a BB gun. I was reading the new John Sandford Prey novel. He's usually very meticulous about his gun details. One of the villains used the CCI Quiets to dispatch another bad guy. Took 4 head shots and the bad guy commented to his partner that the ammo wasn't as powerful as he hoped.

So do I need a head shot on a critter to put them down fast? I'm not looking for anything to suffer. And I know Thunderbolts suck, but they're still a .22 bullet and I figured would be enough to put a groundhog and a squirrel down with one shot. They're all shot up by now, but he majority of my shooting is the bulk pack stuff.

[fr3db3ar]

I try for head shots on everything 22. It's hard to get them to expand and they're not fast enough to hydrostatic shot so you need to destroy the nervous system.

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[Kanewpadle]

Head shots are usually better but sometimes harder to make. Animals are tougher than we think sometimes.

Hunted small animals when I was a kid. Dad always told me to follow up with a quick head shot if needed.

[hkcavalier]

Sounds like you're using plinking ammo to kill critters. Maybe try a high velocity/low weight HP instead? Of course those will shoot even lower.

[arjay]

Put it between the eye and ear

[Ballistic147]

IMO, a 22 is pretty iffy on any type of small varmint outside of a good solid head shot. As already said, little to no expansion even with 22lr hollow points.

One thing I found years ago that makes them much more deadly is to cut the tip off completely flat so it's basically a full wadcutter. Pretty much cut the tip off back to the knurled bearing surface. I can tell you this makes them very devastating with a decent head shot on any small varmint. With the CCI quiets you mentioned you will actually hear the bullet hit your target with a loud slap.

[kbm6893]

Originally Posted by hkcavalier

Sounds like you're using plinking ammo to kill critters. Maybe try a high velocity/low weight HP instead? Of course those will shoot even lower.

I know there is more effective ammo, but I'm trying to keep it as quiet as possible, and high velocity is gonna make thst harder. It's not like I shoot critters very often. Maybe I'll just stick to double or triple tapping anything I have to shoot. The Quiets won't cycle the bolt so I have to manually work the action.

[MichiganScott]

Depends on where you hit them. I once saw a deer hit between the eyes at 75 yards with a HVHP and it went down as fast as anything I've ever seen. I've also seen squirrels hit through the lungs make it to their nest unrecoverable.

I always try for a headshot and have never seen a squirrel require a second one regardless of distance. Any hollowpoint, including subsonic, should work close up if placed properly.

[kbm6893]

So basically it's a headshot or don't take the shot?

[Mike, SC Hunter]

I saw my Dad drop a big cow with one shot from his .22 rifle to the flat spot above her eyes....Dead when she hit the floor.....Its all in where you put it.

[M E Morrison]

I'm not surprised at the woodchuck not staying down - they are incredibly tough. I have seen the badly mangled (almost torn in half) by a 25-06 hollow point - and the front half was still trying for the hole.

[ParadiseRoad]

[armadillo]

I started using Winchester Hyper Velocity 40 gr. HPs for squirrels. It is advertised at 1435 fps. It is as accurate in my CZ rifle as any ammo I have tried and very effective when it hits them. I have shot 7 squirrels off of deer feeders with this ammo this summer at ranges from 30 to 70 yards.

[Brasky]

I've had very similar results as you. Takes a head shot a lot of times to put a squirrel down. Don't know why so many people carry 22lr for self defense

[Arik]

Next time go with a 10mm, 44mag or 45-70

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

[2ffat]

Maybe you're in the Twilight Zone and they were coming back to haunt you. As mentioned, you have to hit them in the head or squarely in the heart (tough to do).

On a side note, when I was younger, my Dad and I would hunt Rock Chucks across the Snake River canyon to zero in our deer rifles prior to hunting season (30-06 and 7x57). It they were on our side of the canyon, there wasn't anything left when we hit them.

[REM 3200]

"How Instantly Lethal is .22?"

Might work for an overly aggressive cockroach.

[robertrwalsh]

I have heard that .22lr is also very effective against hamsters, if you get a CNS hit of course.

[ArchAngelCD]

Groundhogs are very tough critters. I have seen them hit with a .223 and practically take off a shoulder and they run away. Squirrels should be easier to kill but unless you hit something important they will not die quickly, like anything else. With a .22LR I would not aim for anything other than a head shot on Groundhogs. They will die quickly even with .22 Quiet ammo. (don't ask how I know)

[Narragansett]

Originally Posted by kbm6893

I know it all depends on the bullet, and I am not a hunter, but last year I had to dispatch a pesky groundhog and I put a squirrel out of its misery thst must have been hit by a car. It's eye was hanging out and flies were already on it. It was sitting on my lawn staring at me.

So the groundhog was shot from about 60 feet with my 10/22. I was using Remington Thunderbolts that I was trying to get rid of. Rifle was zeroed st 100 yards so I had to hold low. First shot to the neck and it dropped into its hole. I was putting the rifle away and my son said "dad, he's back". So I shot him again and saw the head shot. Went to look at him to make sure and he was still breathing, but died a minute later.



Squirrel was very weird. Same ammo. Shot from about 6 feet. I'm squeamish about a close up head shot so I shot him in the side. Jumped but didn't die. Second shot underneath his armpit. Curled up and was surely dying, but still breathing. 3rd shot to the head and he was done.

So I got a brick of the new CCI Quiet ammo. Man, is it quiet! Sounds like a BB gun. I was reading the new John Sandford Prey novel. He's usually very meticulous about his gun details. One of the villains used the CCI Quiets to dispatch another bad guy. Took 4 head shots and the bad guy commented to his partner that the ammo wasn't as powerful as he hoped.

So do I need a head shot on a critter to put them down fast? I'm not looking for anything to suffer. And I know Thunderbolts suck, but they're still a .22 bullet and I figured would be enough to put a groundhog and a squirrel down with one shot. They're all shot up by now, but he majority of my shooting is the bulk pack stuff.

Always try for head shots. Also IMO, Remington Thunderbolts are the worst 22 cal ammo ever loaded. I got rid of mine in 200 feet of salt water off of my boat

[M E Morrison]

Originally Posted by ArchAngelCD

Groundhogs are very tough critters. I have seen them hit with a .223 and practically take off a shoulder and they run away. Squirrels should be easier to kill but unless you hit something important they will not die quickly, like anything else. With a .22LR I would not aim for anything other than a head shot on Groundhogs. They will die quickly even with .22 Quiet ammo. (don't ask how I know)

Around here the old timers called woodchucks "pasture grizzlies" and they earned that nick name!!!

[M E Morrison]

Originally Posted by Narragansett

Always try for head shots. Also IMO, Remington Thunderbolts are the worst 22 cal ammo ever loaded. I got rid of mine in 200 feet of salt water off of my boat

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.

[Drm50]

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.

[Rpg]

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.

[THE PILGRIM]

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.

[gman51]

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.

[Backlighting]

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.

[kbm6893]

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.

[Drm50]

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.

[DWalt]

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.

[kbm6893]

Originally Posted by Backlighting

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.

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]

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.

[357-RevolverGuy]

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.

[Leslie Sapp]

Note the Remington 552. And the air rifle.....

That wasn't just a fluke, that young lady has killed several hogs while out squirrel hunting with that .22 rifle.

[M E Morrison]

Originally Posted by kbm6893

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.

An injured animal is commonly much harder to put down - adrenaline is powerful stuff.

[rwsmith]

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.

[Duckford]

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.

[SuperMan]

My life with CBs | Rimfires | 24hourcampfire

[kbm6893]

Originally Posted by 357-RevolverGuy

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.

[Drm50]

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.

[kbm6893]

Originally Posted by Drm50

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.

Did you not read my post? I don't kill anything for grins. The first shot to the squirrel was mid section on his right side just because I figured that would do it and I didn't want to blow the brains out of an innocent creature. Once I saw he wasn't dead, I shot higher, and I'm sure he would have died in seconds, but I didn't want him to suffer anymore so I head shot him

Maybe it was the Thunderbolt, but it wasn't a lack of marksmanship that made those first 2 hits. IF I ever have to put an animal down with a .22, I'll aim for the head. Not because I enjoy it, but to end it quick.

If you're insinuating I couldn't hit a head of a squirrel at 6 feet with a scoped rifle, I assure you you're wrong. It wasn't a miss of what I was aiming for, it was me aiming for the wrong spot due to my inexperience in shooting squirrels. I have shot exactly 3 animals in the last 25 years, and those were the two animals mentioned and a pissed off pitbull who was trying to bite me. All of them needed the bullets they took, and I took no joy in any of them. Matter of fact, my kids made me bury the groundhog and they made a little cross for the hole.

[Drm50]

You misunderstood my post, I was not thinking you shot it for
fun, I was not saying you were a bad shot. To put it down it
should have been shot in the head. I could tell by the way you described the squirrel that you are a soft hearted guy, and would
not like to shoot it at all. I have had to shoot deer that have been
hit by vehicles, the deer is suffering with its guts hanging out.
It's not something you like to do, but it is best for the animal to
end its suffering.

[Texas Star]

Originally Posted by kbm6893

I know it all depends on the bullet, and I am not a hunter, but last year I had to dispatch a pesky groundhog and I put a squirrel out of its misery thst must have been hit by a car. It's eye was hanging out and flies were already on it. It was sitting on my lawn staring at me.

So the groundhog was shot from about 60 feet with my 10/22. I was using Remington Thunderbolts that I was trying to get rid of. Rifle was zeroed st 100 yards so I had to hold low. First shot to the neck and it dropped into its hole. I was putting the rifle away and my son said "dad, he's back". So I shot him again and saw the head shot. Went to look at him to make sure and he was still breathing, but died a minute later.

Squirrel was very weird. Same ammo. Shot from about 6 feet. I'm squeamish about a close up head shot so I shot him in the side. Jumped but didn't die. Second shot underneath his armpit. Curled up and was surely dying, but still breathing. 3rd shot to the head and he was done.

So I got a brick of the new CCI Quiet ammo. Man, is it quiet! Sounds like a BB gun. I was reading the new John Sandford Prey novel. He's usually very meticulous about his gun details. One of the villains used the CCI Quiets to dispatch another bad guy. Took 4 head shots and the bad guy commented to his partner that the ammo wasn't as powerful as he hoped.

So do I need a head shot on a critter to put them down fast? I'm not looking for anything to suffer. And I know Thunderbolts suck, but they're still a .22 bullet and I figured would be enough to put a groundhog and a squirrel down with one shot. They're all shot up by now, but he majority of my shooting is the bulk pack stuff.

Thanks for the info on the Sandford book. I enjoy those. What's the title of this one? Is it a Lucas Davenport book or about Vrgil Flowers?

Have you read Donald Hamilton's Matt Helm series of spy thrillers? Matt liked a prewar Colt Woodsman .22 for killing people until his agency told him to start carrying S&W snub .38's. Initially a Bodyguard, then a Model 60. Matt did still sometimes use a Hi-Standard on rarer occasions. But he was usually tying to assassinate enemy spies, not doing defensive shooting. He said once that it took awhile for a man who was knifed to die, so you had to stay out of reach.

The author was also a writer for gun and hunting title, inc., "Gun Digest." He knew more about guns than did almost all other thriller writers. But Sandford hunts and knows some things about guns, despite being a MN liberal journalist before becoming an author.

Thomas Harris also knows guns, based on his books.

An unsuspecting, non-adrenalized man can often be dropped easily with a .22. Witness Hinckley's shooting of Reagan and James Baker. Similar hits on a violent felon who may be on drugs may not work as well.

I favor HP's and head shots with .22's, even on squirrels. I think the .22 is marginal on woodchucks, porcupines, and even big jackrabbits, certainly on coyotes, bobcats, and raccoons.

I liked the idea of S&W's M-34 Kit Gun .22, but sold mine after it exhibited VERY poor extraction. On reflection, I decided that it lacked power for the intended role, and replaced it with a M-60-4 .38.

The late gun writer Don Zutz chronographed some .22 ammo out of a Kit Gun, and the velocity was much lower than expected. Autos lack the barrel/cylinder gap and give better velocity. But a .22 is marginal on animals of any size. Jeff Cooper found his .38 Super okay on western marmots, but I think he used JHP bullets, and he also used a .357 a lot. I doubt that he'd have relied on a .22 in that role.

I would certainly have head-shot that injured squirrel, especially with solid bullets. The body hits just prolonged its agony.

[kbm6893]

Originally Posted by Drm50

You misunderstood my post, I was not thinking you shot it for
fun, I was not saying you were a bad shot. To put it down it
should have been shot in the head. I could tell by the way you described the squirrel that you are a soft hearted guy, and would
not like to shoot it at all. I have had to shoot deer that have been
hit by vehicles, the deer is suffering with its guts hanging out.
It's not something you like to do, but it is best for the animal to
end its suffering.

Ah. Sorry for the misunderstanding. I agree shooting animals for fun is sick. If they gotta go for a good reason, that's one thing. If I wanna shoot something for fun it doesn't need to be breathing.

I shot a deer a long time ago. We hit it with our car and it's guts were hanging out. Pressed the barrel of my gun to its head and looked away as I shot it.

[kbm6893]

Originally Posted by Texas Star

Thanks for the info on the Sandford book. I enjoy those. What's the title of this one? Is it a Lucas Davenport book or about Vrgil Flowers?

Have you read Donald Hamilton's Matt Helm series of spy thrillers? Matt liked a prewar Colt Woodsman .22 for killing people until his agency told him to start carrying S&W snub .38's. Initially a Bodyguard, then a Model 60. Matt did still sometimes use a Hi-Standard on rarer occasions. But he was usually tying to assassinate enemy spies, not doing defensive shooting. He said once that it took awhile for a man who was knifed to die, so you had to stay out of reach.

The author was also a writer for gun and hunting title, inc., "Gun Digest." He knew more about guns than did almost all other thriller writers. But Sandford hunts and knows some things about guns, despite being a MN liberal journalist before becoming an author.

Thomas Harris also knows guns, based on his books.

An unsuspecting, adrenalized man can often be dropped easily with a .22. Witness Hinckley's shooting of Reagan and James Baker. Similar hits on a violent felon who may be on drugs amy not work as well.

I favor HP's and head shots with .22's, even on squirrels. I think the .22 is marginal on woodchucks, porcupines, and even big jackrabbits, certainly on coyotes, bobcats, and raccoons.

I liked the idea of S&W's M-34 Kit Gun .22, but sold mine after it exhibited VERY poor extraction. On reflection, I decided that it lacked power for the intended role, and replaced it with a M-60-4 .38.

The late gun writer Don Zutz chronographed some .22 ammo out of a Kit Gun, and the velocity was much lower than expected. Autos lack the barrel/cylinder gap and give better velocity. But a .22 is marginal on animals of any size. Jeff Cooper found his .38 Super okay on western marmots, but I think he used JHP bullets, and he also used a .357 a lot. I doubt that he'd have relied on a .22 in that role.

Lucas Davenport. The latest Prey novel. I mix up the titles since they all have Prey in them. It's about a hit on a presidential nominee. Sandford is great. The Virgil Flowers books are great, but Lucas Davenport has gotta be the coolest cop there ever was. He was much cooler before he married Weather, but he's still got it. I used to work with this retired FBI guy who reminds me of Davenport.

[oldfart64]

Originally Posted by rwsmith

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.

when I was a teenager (about 50 years ago) I used to have a marlin single shot bolt action. I shot CB caps out of it and had a baby bottle nipple on the muzzle. Mom's fig tree was right outside her kitchen window and if the window was not open too much, you could not hear the shot. I shot many a squirrel one shot to the head with that setup and no one ever called the cops.

[susieqz]

sometimes, when a 22 hits a bunny in the body, he leaps in the air n falls to the ground n spasms.
i'm sure he is dead at this point but i tend to shoot again out of kindness.

[rwsmith]

I don't even like killing anything. Something has to be destructive in some way for me to consider shooting it. That old possum could have run across my roof for years, but he wasn't hurting me. SOMETHING hurt him though. Not a mark on him. His head was lying on top of a 2X4 garden frame like he used it for a pillow. My wife thinks he choked on something, but he looked awfully placid for that or for being poisoned.

As far as hunting goes I would consider doing in some wild pigs because I've seen how destructive they are. If I thought a coyote was being too threatening, I'd shoot that. I hardly see them here, but NE of the Great Lakes apparently they have bred with wolves and act more like wolves than coyotes. I take into consideration that we are crowding animals out of their habitats and just 'being there' isn't a cause for killing.

[686-380]

I dispatched a squirrel last week. I used a .22 Gamo pellet gun. It took one shot, to the chest. I take no pleasure from it, although I'm relieved it's not pestering us anyore.

I wish people wouldn't feed them...

[41]

I like the Stinger ammo and seems to be most effect on raccoons.

Gary Reeder makes a 22 LR die to cut the bullet nose off for a blunt bullet which is more effect and has greater shocking power. Does any have one of his 22 LR dies?