WHAT IS THE BEST .22 LR AMMUNITION FOR SELF DEFENSE?

[Erich]

Bummer, you raise a significant issue. I can't say that I've had primer-related misfires in every box, but I've certainly noted that rimfire ammo is less reliable in ignition than is centerfire.

We discussed this a bit on the Rimfire Forums - there appeared to be a strong feeling that more expensive match grade ammo was more reliable in ignition than the "regular stuff." Ultraman, you might do well to consider this. Of course, you could just use Aguila 40-grain Interceptors (the fastest 40-grainer .22 LRs I've ever chrono'd, albeit with enormous spreads from handguns) which use Eley priming (second to none).

Nice thing about Ultraman's 8-shot J-frame is that a misfired round is quickly bypassed by a natural second tug at the trigger.

 

[Ultraman]

Originally posted by Erich:
Nice thing about Ultraman's 8-shot J-frame is that a misfired round is quickly bypassed by a natural second tug at the trigger.

Yep, revolvers rule!!!!!!!!

 

[spearcrow]

I can't believe no one has mentioned sub sonic rounds yet...don't want em to hear ya. Some really good information on 22 rounds going on here..very helpful.

 

[Erich]

There exists no .22 LR that is anything other than subsonic from Ultraman's gun, Spearcrow.

 

[makeminestainless]

Some data for you.

North American Arms speed tests

 

[GatorFarmer]

Supposedly, at least according to the gun rags at the time it was introduced, one of the reasons that the 317 had (has? Mine was an earlier one, so maybe it changed) a relatively hard trigger pull was in order to guarantee more reliable ignition with rimfire ammo.

QC on match loads is probably better then bulk pack, with bulk pack split casings, squib loads, and other problems can be observed, some of which can bind up even a revolver. (I shot that 317 a lot...)

(Now back to: "Should I drink this cup of bleach or this one of Drano?" where "Buy a Pepsi" has been taken off the table...and we attempt to arrive at the best brand of bleach.)

 

[Ultraman]

Thanks for all the input.
so now I'm thinking... CCI Velocitor if I can find any!

 

[RDak]

Interesting discussion.

If you don't mind me asking the same question except make it about .22 magnum.

I have a S&W 351PD that a police Lt. and my CPL instructor both said is very adequate for concealed carry.

I've always been torn about .22 mag being enough but the handgun is so light!!

Any thoughts about what kind of .22 mag shells to buy.

Both of the "pros" who said it was a good cartridge for self-defense said get hollow points.

Thanks for any opinions.

I'm thinking it might be a good gun for concealed carry in the warm months. Of course, up here in Michigan, this lasts for about 2 weeks!!

 

[Erich]

Yeah - I suspect neither of these "pros" had a great deal of experience shooting people with .22 Magnums.

Same advice: fastest heaviest solid that balances out from your gun.

 

[makeminestainless]

Is the Velocitor going to work more or less as a solid at such slow speeds? It seems to be a pretty tough HP for a 22. BTW, I chronyed a few from a Ruger MkII with the 6 7/8" (why can't they just say 7") barrel and I got about 1200 fps. They only just break 1400 fps from my 581 rifle (24").

 

[flop-shank]

Velocitors will not expand from a 2" gun.

Originally posted by RDak:
Interesting discussion.

If you don't mind me asking the same question except make it about .22 magnum.

I have a S&W 351PD that a police Lt. and my CPL instructor both said is very adequate for concealed carry.

I've always been torn about .22 mag being enough but the handgun is so light!!

Any thoughts about what kind of .22 mag shells to buy.

Both of the "pros" who said it was a good cartridge for self-defense said get hollow points.

Thanks for any opinions.

I'm thinking it might be a good gun for concealed carry in the warm months. Of course, up here in Michigan, this lasts for about 2 weeks!!

I tested CCI maxi-mag +V hollowpoints and .30 gr TNT Gold Dots from my 2" Black Widow. The results are in the Perma-Gel test thread in the ammunition forum. The TNTs expanded impressively, even through four layers of denim, but failed to yield even 8" penetration as I recall. The +Vs seem to use a powder that yields higher velocities from short barrels, but do not expand from my 2" gun. They penetrate about 16" in Perma-Gel, and are what I load my Black Widow with.

 

[RDak]

Yes Erich and Thomas, I was afraid that would be the general concensus but read this article if you have the time.

http://74.125.47.132/search?q=...&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

Erich, in the .22 magnum wounds you've seen, was it ineffective?

Thanks for any further info.

Here's a brief excerpt but please read the article if you have the time:

(By M. Ayoob) - I haven’t run across that many .22 Magnum shootings in my career. It’s not that popular a cartridge and therefore doesn’t get used very often in shootouts. However, I do recall two cases in which it was used, both times out of miniature revolvers with two-inch or even shorter barrels. In both cases, the result was an instant one-shot stop after a single round to the chest, and both incidents proved quickly fatal. Hmm…maybe Bill Jordan was onto something with that “wicked” stopping power comment.

 

[Erich]

RDak, I've only seen one that I can recall, and it was from a rifle - which worked fine. Mas has more experience re: the way it performs from a handgun.

BTW, I have a Bearcat at Hamilton Bowen's right now, getting converted to .22 Mag. I've asked him to sight it to be "on" with 40-grainers, which I'm thinking are likely to do 1300-1400 fps from the 4" barrel.

 

[RDak]

Thanks for the quick response Erich!

What do you plan on using the converted handgun for?

I'm still torn on this one Erich because of the larger caliber guns I have and the general opinion of .22 calibers for self-defense.

But that darn 351PD is so light and easy to shoot. Perfect weight and size for summer pocket carry. Lighter than a set of keys for pete's sake!

 

[Sneezer]

I don't have a problem with the 22. I have a problem with the amount of lead you can release towards the bad guy.
I would carry at least two revovlvers or one auto with several full magazines.
The idea being, if you can't knock him down then cut him in half with volume.

 

[Erich]

RDak, I just wanted to have a Bowen gun, and I have enough .22 LRs so I thought a Mag would be fun. Make a nice little hike gun, I guess.

I've carried .22s from time-to-time: it might be that I'll carry the .22 Mag sometimes. It's pretty with the Sack Peterson stocks, and I expect it'll be a work of art when it gets back from Mr. Bowen's.

 

[Guest]

The idea being, if you can't knock him down then cut him in half with volume.

Ah, the "Spray & Pray Generation" is heard from!!! Volume will never replace good shot placement in a gun fight.

 

[flop-shank]

Originally posted by KKG:

The idea being, if you can't knock him down then cut him in half with volume.

Ah, the "Spray & Pray Generation" is heard from!!! Volume will never replace good shot placement in a gun fight.

I don't know if that's so much a spray and pray mentality as a realization that bullet sponges are out there. Cutting someone in half implies that the shots are hitting, but one or two just aren't enough sometimes.

 

[jeep]

hi-speed copper plated solids

 

[RDak]

Ok, thanks for the replies guys. (Yes Thomas, I'm afraid at most, it will provide lightweight protection.)

Nice gun Erich!! It will even be more of a beauty when it is done.

Edit: Btw, here's a link to the revolver I have:

http://www.smith-wesson.com/we...nt_category_rn=15704