.22 vs .223 – Home Defense – Drywall Penetration

thefirearmblog.com ^ | 5/9/2016 | Nathan S.

[rktman]

While I am sure that most would opt to select .223/5.56 NATO over .22LR for home defense, but I have heard the argument that .22 would be “better” for home defense since its reduced energy would mean that it would penetrate through fewer walls. On the flip side, others argue that the 5.56 would be better as the round would tumble dissipating its energy and thus penetrate less.

[rktman]

Okay, you asked for it. Well, maybe you didn't but here it is anyway. :>)

[Vermont Lt]

For the average non military CQ Combat trained shooter, neither is good for home defense.

The .22Lr would feel like a bee sting in just about every part of your body (except the head.)

Using a long rifle in the home is unwieldy.

We use a double barreled shot gun for that. If it comes down to using it in the house for defense, I don’t give a shit about the walls.

[Mouton]

Same here RT. 20 gauge double Ithica circa 1920 with 3 buck.

[SkyDancer]

#6 shot in a 12ga. perfect for apartments. Noisy but won’t penetrate dry wall.

[wrench]

Look up the Reagan shooting.

IIRC, 5 shots fired, 4 grown men taken to ground, one almost permanently, one left a paraplegic. Not one thought it a be sting.

Not the best, but only hits count. A hit with a 22 short is better than a miss with a 44 mag.

[bicyclerepair]

And a pump saves a lot of ammo. When the d-bag hears KACHUNK, he’ll run away.

[SkyDancer]

I share a room in a house with three other girls and I have my dad’s Winchester 12ga. pump. That along with my .40Smith Shield.

[Blueflag]

IF .223 THEN frangible ammo for home defense.

ELSE your rounds can perform a full house penetration.

.22LR can also over penetrate and aint terribly lethal unless you place a lot of rounds in your target.

If you are rightfully concerned about drywall penetration, then consider getting a Remington 870 Tactical shotgun, and load it with NON-magnum 2 3/4” shells and #8 shot.

My two cents.

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

I would never compare the two. Other than bullet diameter they have nothing in common. I go 9mm + 12ga + 00 buck. That’s naught - naught buck to the media.

[Vermont Lt]

I can put a lot of .22 LR down range and chew up a target. I have no doubt that my target pistol with its red dot would mean a hit with every trigger pull.

But I am trained and practiced. My wife and daughters are not. They are familiar with the guns. They are trained with safety and usage.

In a home defense situation, I am trading a little accuracy for some confidence in execution.

And the guy that shot Reagan was crazy.

[b4its2late]

Shot gun is the way to go. 12 gauge with #3 or #4 shot.

[lacrew]

I believe .22lr leads the pack in murders in this country. Very deadly - never understood the mythology that it can be stopped by a heavy coat, etc.

[TexasRepublic]

Using a rifle or shotgun indoors could be unwieldly. Consider using a larger caliber pistol instead. You should research frangible bullets, such as the GLASER SAFETY SLUG. They are designed not to penetrate sheetrock walls but also provide much better knockdown power than a .22 bullet.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glaser_Safety_Slug

[MileHi]

False dilemma.

12 gauge

[Snowybear]

I agree with the shotgun comments. Love my Pardner and it was cheap.

[Sasparilla]

...#6 shot in a 12ga. perfect for apartments. Noisy but won’t penetrate dry wall...

I’ll bet it will at most any distance in any room in an apartment.

Nothing scientific. I’ve just seen what it’s done up close range to critters such as nuisanc! woodchucks. It blows their heads clean off at short range.

[SpinnerWebb]

Thank you, Mr. Biden

[Jim Noble]

When the d-bag hears KACHUNK, he’ll run away

Or shoot you, since you just disclosed your location.

[mad_as_he$$]

Not sure where you got the idea that #6 won’t penetrate drywall but that is wrong.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uERIjpiBvog

[pleasenotcalifornia]

I remember talking to a Sheriffs Deputy who lost a friend and fellow officer to a felon.

The felon on drugs was shot three times in the chest with three 45ACP rounds, one round even nicked his heart. The felon although mortally wounded was still able to shoot back and kill the police officer.

I wouldn’t depend on a .22lr to stop an attacker quickly.

Instead use a .223(5.56) with a forty grain hollow point bullet. It will still have tremendous knockdown power (traveling 3300 feet per second) at short range and the hollow point design of the bullet should minimize the penetration of the projectile through walls.