.22 Magnum Defense?

JayFramer · Mar 6, 2019

Anyone know of the various self defense loads out for the .22 magnum?

Out of a 5 1/2” bbl revolver, energy levels are in the neighborhood of the .32 ACP and in the tests I’ve seen they expand well and penetrate at or beyond the 12” minimum FBI protocol designation in gel.

I have a Ruger Single Six convertible and have thought of carrying one of these defensive loads for use when hiking and camping just in case I run into some unfriendly two-legged threats out there.

How do you think these would do for that, gang?

-Jay

The_Truth · Mar 6, 2019

Using 22mag for self defense is like digging a footing for a foundation with a shovel when you have a back hoe at your disposal.

IMO YMMV

rollingthunder · Mar 6, 2019

A 22 mag on your hip is better than a 357 or 44 at home. It will pack all day a little easier too. I can see it being a great camp gun for varmints and plinking. I would pick something else for personal protection however. Of course, like I said, it's better than not having a gun.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

dockmurgw · Mar 6, 2019

If there's one thing I learned in my time here, is that asking what you asked will generate more differing opinions than any other question imaginable. So here's another one that at least 1/2 the folks here wont agree with; you said 2 legged critters, not grizzly bears, so if your comfortable with it and like it, use it. I carry one myself occasionally, I sure wouldn't want to be shot by one.

Kurusu · Mar 6, 2019

No stopping power (except for an head shot) and over penetration.

That makes it a negatory in my book.

ISCS Yoda · Mar 6, 2019

It's not my choice for woods walking but it is my choice for a derringer-in-the-pocket-of-my-robe-at-home carry.

Then, again, any gun when you need it, etc.............

Univibe · Mar 6, 2019

Kurusu said:
No stopping power (except for an head shot) and over penetration.

That makes it a negatory in my book.

There is no such thing as stopping power; the real problem with all these small rounds is under-penetration. Little bullet can bounce off rib, sternum, skull and not penetrate to the vitals.

If I had to run .22 Magnum for self-defense, get a solid bullet.

I think this is true of all mouseguns, e.g. .25 ACP, .32 etc.

10ring · Mar 6, 2019

I don't think there is much in the way of reliable testing or information on that caliber in a defense role. Anything you can find is likely to be anecdotal or speculation. I don't put much stock in energy figures for defensive handgun ammunition. I would not choose the caliber if anything else was available, but no one wants to be shot with anything and a properly placed round could incapacitate an attacker, so if there is a reason to limit yourself, then the choices you listed are what I would pick from, settling on the one that shot best in my gun and seemed to have reliable ignition, as rimfire rounds tend to be less reliable than centerfire.

My limited exposure to the caliber leads me to to think it is going to be horrendously loud in a short barrel gun.

Kurusu · Mar 6, 2019

Univibe said:
There is no such thing as stopping power

Beg to differ. There is stopping power. Maybe just not in an handgun.

What I mean is. One can get shot with a .22 Magnum in the torso area and not even realize he has been shot, he even may die from that wound later on, but it won't help you none.

And no. I'm not volunteering to get shot with anything, not even a bb.

About the overpenetration. One can shoot through a fellow and hit someone behind him at close range.

.

dockmurgw · Mar 6, 2019

10ring said:
My limited exposure to the caliber leads me to to think it is going to be horrendously loud in a short barrel gun.

You are 101% correct with this statement. Here's my toy, it feels like my my ears are going to bleed when I shoot it.

daddio202 · Mar 6, 2019

Who wants to get hit by up to 6 rounds of any caliber?? Nobody!! I think the whole topic of self defense caliber, bullet, expansion,penetration is just overly thought out and advertising by ammo manufacturs is designed to get people to buy their
latest products. To me shot placement is the most critical factor. A well placed shot of even a 22lr will stop most threats. Now if I was going to war and shooting people before they shoot me on a constant basis then the caliber and weapon in general becomes a different subject. If 22 mag works consistently (which they do for me) and you can shoot it well and the carry gun is comfortable then that is all you need. Just my humble opinion.

noshow · Mar 6, 2019

Worse than 357 Mag

Unless you enjoy woods walking or hiking while wearing hearing protection, I say choose another cartridge. I made the mistake of discharging a CCI WMR Shotshell without ear protection just ONCE! The pain and ringing were beyond imaginable! The pitch and tone were more offensive than it's loud volume, It's very hard to describe the experience, please avoid it!

jimmyj · Mar 6, 2019

Single Action and only six shot ?

If that is all you have-Ok
If you have something bigger and more rounds- Carry that

kaaskop49 · Mar 6, 2019

attn OP

One of your photos shows the Hornady Critical Defense round. Be advised that this round has keyholed at ranges as close as 6 feet from the bbls of 3 H-S Derringers and one NAA Mini Revolver in my experience.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

Highhawk1948 · Mar 6, 2019

Go ahead and use that single six, 22 magnum. for a camp/woods gun. I use to carry one all the time in the woods. Never shot a human with it but shot some hogs thru the ears with it. I used both hollow points and solids.
Now that our swamps and woods are full of black bears I carry a single action .45 Colt.

Imissedagain · Mar 6, 2019

I’d get the heaviest solid bullet for short barreled guns.
I thought someone made a 50 gr.
Anyone who can take two to the body and not feel it.... wins a cookie and two wine bottle corks for plugging those holes.

TomkinsSP · Mar 6, 2019

Kurusu said:
No stopping power (except for an head shot) and over penetration.

That makes it a negatory in my book.

Um, no pistol caliber is a sure thing unless you disconnect or seriously disrupt the CNS. I EDC a .38 S&W Spl. but hold no prejudice against my brothers in arms who have different caliber identities (love her legs IYKWIM).

So if you carry a mouse gun, practice, practice and practice. Hit that inverted triangle of eye-eye-mouth.

I am a revo and a heavy to caliber guy. In LR l like Aguila's 60 grain SSS, but it doesn't stabilize in every firearm. I like Gold Dots in .22 Maggie, but I know folks who prefer Horny's 45 grainers.

FWIW a .32 Maggie has 6 shots in the same size package as 7 .22 Maggie's or 8 LRs. It is a (more reliable) CF round and 85 to 110 grains vs. 36 to 60 grains, like I said I am a heavy weight to caliber guy, especially in a snubby (since I am also a revo guy) for EDC.

Groo01 · Mar 6, 2019

Groo here
If that is what you have or all you can handle [kick]
It easy beats a sharp stick.
That being said, the 22mag is a much under rated round.
To stop a person you need to hit the CNS or cause much bleeding.
But to make a person give up Pain is the operator.
I have read that many DR.'s say the 22 mag causes much more pain
than one would expect.[Usually compared to being hit with in the guts with a club]
That , loud blast, and flash [from rifle loads ] many times does
the trick,

BAM-BAM · Mar 6, 2019

According to "Ballistic by the Inch"....... a .22 mag out of a 16-18 inch barrel has the ft lb of energy of a 9mm...... so my choice is a Ruger American compact rifle .....9 rounds of .22 magnum for 4 and 2 legged varmints ..... for walking in Penn's Woods

Ackley1952 · Mar 6, 2019

If I was going to damage my hearing anyway why not take some knockdown power to go with all that noise.

.22 Magnum Defense?

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