Posted on 12/10/2006 10:43:49 AM PST by Bear_Slayer
I've recently begun purchasing bulk .22 ammo and thought that Freeper input would once again be helpful in getting the most bang for my buck.
What do you recommend for .22 caliber ammunition?
What various grain do they come in? What brand of .22 is the most deadly?
"So we tried to remove his tusks but they wouldn't budge.
We had to take him to Alabama...where the Tuscaloosa."
It is often said that .22's have killed more people than any other caliber. They may not stop a person determined to do you harm, but they may eventually kill them. Israeli execution teams used .22's after Munich.
How deadly depends on what you are hoping to kill. The smaller the varmint, the lighter the bullet. Hollowpoints are deadly but they make a mess of the meat. For larger varmints the Aguila Sniper Subsonic, which I have used, does nicely IF you are a darn good shot (head or other vital organ). The heavier bullet penetrates better -- but only if shot from a rifle (a revolver does not due justice to any .22 LR).
If you are set on .22LR, then the above suffices. If you want a .22 rimfire (especially if your local, state or other government has rules or regulations against centerfire), then the .22 magnum (WMR) is the best way to go. There have been lots of poachers of deer which have used .22 magnums because they are quiet. But they're not as quiet as .22 Sniper Subsonics. Close stalking and acccurate shot placement are crucial. If you're good at those skills then maybe archery would be the way to go (but you can't stuff a bow in a holster under a jacket).
.... quite.
That looks to be where I will concentrate my purchases.
I dont think I want to be a member of any club that would have me for a member. :~)
Their like we will never see again.
WHen I was a kid I remember going to my aunts farm in upstate NY and shoot woodchucks with 22's. Really never used it for much more than that. just a lot of (CHEAP) fun.
When I was about 18 or so myself and some friends wanted to go bear hunting in Montanna so I bought a Marlin 45/70 lever action. I just didn't think the 22 would do.
The smallest caliber I know of that was used by a professional elephant hunter was the 7 mm mauser, or the 7X57, used by "karamojo" Bell, and only when stalking in close and taking head shots with solids. Even he abandoned that one after several near deaths on his part and moved up to larger calibers.
I vaguely remember that too, but it was one of the CF .22s; .22 Savage Hi-power, maybe? It must be forty years since I read it.
Another vote for CCI Stingers and they are accurate.
"...in a shtf scenario, traded 1 at a time or by handful to the hungry soul."
Bingo to the many who are taking a dump on the mighty .22;
Didn't your scoutmasters ever give you the 'it's the most dangerous cartridge' lecture?
My prefered SHTF rifle is a .30/06. But I'd bet my a$$ on my 10/22 loaded with CCI stingers close in if that was all I could grab. And it would put meat on my table from rabbit to venison to birds of any feather.
If there is one old gun in the closet, it probably eats that. In time of trouble, .22 ammo is a great (and almost universal) barter item. Like plastic ziploc bags, utility knife blades, ziptie's, etc. We take them for granted but they are all-but impossible to make yourself or improvise.
And very cheap to stockpile now.
Whatever you stockpile, I'd buy name brand and buy a variety: .22 doesn't ALWAYS age very well. Buying one kind is too risky down the road. I like CCI, but Winchester is still good. Current (since the 1980's) Remington .22 ammo is not good from what I've seen.
Their older match-grade 42 gr stuff was very good.
(This I don't get as their center fire is very good).
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Please excuse my earlier sarcasm. As for .22...if the intention is personal defense then a low power, fragmenting LR is the way to go but, as with any small caliber, the target is the pelvic bone to the rib cage (the soft tissue protected organs) or else your target may make you eat your gun. In the seventies I knew a street guy in Harlem who took seven hits from a .22 and didn't go down. His street name was Champ.
.22 LR is more likely to encourage stamping ruin, than to kill an elephant.
.22 Magnum is an oxymoron.
Good to use calibers that start, in inches, with "4". In Africa, strongly consider calibers that start with "5", "6", or "7".
For example, 12 gauge is .729 inches.
870 with a sidearm, but a home armory should not be limited to these alone and should, among others, include at least one 22. A solid .22 and plenty of ammo will be invaluable in certain situations.
If there is one old gun in the closet, it probably eats that. In time of trouble, .22 ammo is a great (and almost universal) barter item . . . And very cheap to stockpile now.
Agreed. It amazes me the number of guys that turn up their noses at the .22 for other than their kids plinking.
Whatever you stockpile, I'd buy name brand and buy a variety: .22 doesn't ALWAYS age very well. Buying one kind is too risky down the road.
Sound advice. I shall heed it.
I think he's referring to legendary Great White Hunter Caramojo Bell who hunted african elephant in the early 1900's with a .243... approx a 6mm. He was a renowned shot and never fired unless he was certain of a shot thru the beast's EYE. One shot....one kill.
.600 nitro express comes to mind. However, on a more modern plane the .458 and the .460 are probably better. 12 gauge with slugs is always a great stopper at close range!
I think Karamojo used a .257, but the extra .014 wouldn't have helped us mere mortals. He was using solids though, so given his extreme accuracy and shot placement they would reach the brain.
He also used up a case of questionable .375 ammo wing shooting cormorants.
Quite a guy.
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