22 mag for sd

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WheelGunMan said:
I raised hogs for years. When I took them to slaughter, a single .22 LR shot was used to put them down. Shot placement is everything.
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I think, when I was little, they probably used the same for the same thing. One hog. One shot. Placement and skill no doubt had a lot to do with ending the suffering and that godawful sound.
 
Thibaut said:
I think, when I was little, they probably used the same for the same thing. One hog. One shot. Placement and skill no doubt had a lot to do with ending the suffering and that godawful sound.
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Placement and skill was everything. My processor would have me back my trailer (horse hauler) up to his processing door. He had an electric winch which he would then go into the trailer and lasso one of the hogs around the waist and pull it out of the trailer. The hog would be free to walk around the confines of the kill room with the winch cable still attached and the processor following it around with his .22 single shot. When the hog got comfortable with him and would stop and look at him he would put one right in the eye socket from about 6" away. The hog would go down and he would immediately slit the jugular so it would pump all its blood out as he moved the cable down to the rear hoofs and raised the carcass into the air to begin the skinning process. The hog never touched the floor again after that. He had a couple of modified vise grips attached to a floor grate that he would latch on to the hide he had half cut off and raise the winch to finish the skinning. The hog was skinned, eviscerated and hanging to cool in a matter of minutes from the kill. It was quite a site to see.
 
Yep, if you carry a J frame, you need to be sure you can shoot it efficaciously. Not the easiest gun to shoot.
 
JFrame said:
Some time ago, the NRA conducted a test of various .22 WMR loads, and at a number of barrel lengths (which makes the comparative performance interesting).

It seems the one thing you wouldn't have to worry about, with most .22 mag loads, is lack of penetration... :eek:

View attachment 861903
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That Winchester 40 grain PDX1 is a bodacious load in the LCR.22WMR! ;)
 
In my opinion there are times where it may become necessary to rely on a rimfire handgun for self defense and a 22 magnum is a very adequate and lethal round and a slight more reliable than a 22lr which is also a lethal round. In most cases those of you that are young and strong may feel that a larger caliber would be a wiser choice and that is true. But I have also witnessed people carry a large caliber firearm that in their hands is unreliable because they are unable to handle the recoil and literally miss their target at close range. Also because the caliber is to large their practice with their firearm is limited to due to budgetary constraints and recoil. In my town in west Texas lived a very well known Texas Ranger, his name was Joaquin Jackson and he carried a 22 magnum as a back up gun. He told me years ago when I was a young pup that he would rather hit something with a small gun than miss with a big one.

I have been in many scary situations in my lifetime where it does not matter what you carry, for me it was just not big enough and it would be nice if my 1911 had a 300 round magazine or my .357 revolver had a 30 round cylinder. Working in a level one Trauma Center and in the medical field for more than 30 years I saw more fatalities in the Trauma unit from rimfire wounds. But still you will have the reliability issue everyone will bring up about rimfire which is valid, and on this note I very very seldom experience a reliability issue with 22lr from a revolver as I do from a semi auto pistol like the Browning Buckmark or the Ruger but I use premium ammo like eley or lapua for self defense if I am carrying a 22lr.

I occasionally carry a Kel-Tec PMR30 during the summer days if I am wearing shorts or light clothing. Fully loaded it weighs 19 ounces and since I load it with 25 rounds instead of 30, I don't experience feeding issues others might , or I carry the NAA 5 shot which is better than nothing. But the truth of the matter is that there will always be something "BETTER" than a 22 magnum but most of us fail to realize that there are those that can only handle a rimfire due to physical limitations from disease or trauma. One's perception of recoil with a .32 or a .380 which seems petty to one without physical limitations or pain could be the equivalent of someone firing a 44 mag or 454 casual or larger caliber with arthritis.
 
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ms6852 said:
In my opinion there are times where it may become necessary to rely on a rimfire handgun for self defense and a 22 magnum is a very adequate and lethal round and a slight more reliable than a 22lr which is also a lethal round. In most cases those of you that are young and strong may feel that a larger caliber would be a wiser choice and that is true. But I have also witnessed people carry a large caliber firearm that in their hands is unreliable because they are unable to handle the recoil and literally miss their target at close range. Also because the caliber is to large their practice with their firearm is limited to due to budgetary constraints and recoil. In my town in west Texas was a very well known Texas Ranger, his name was Joaquin Jackson and he carried a 22 magnum as a back up gun. He told me years ago when I was a young pup that he would rather hit something with a small gun than miss with a big one.

I have been in many scary situations in my lifetime where it does not matter what you carry, for me it was just not big enough and it would be nice if my 1911 had a 300 round magazine or my .357 revolver had a 30 round cylinder. Working in a level one Trauma Center and in the medical field for more than 30 years I saw more fatalities in the Trauma unit from rimfire wounds. But still you will have the reliability issues everyone will bring up about rimfire which is valid, and on this note I very very seldom experience a reliability issue with 22lr from a revolver as I do from a semi auto pistol like the Browning Buckmark or the Ruger but I use premium ammo like eley or lapua for self defense if I am carrying a 22lr.

I occasionally carry a Kel-Tec PMR30 during the summer days if I am wearing shorts or light clothing. Fully loaded it weighs 19 ounces and since I load it with 25 rounds instead of 30 I don't experience feeding issues other might or I carry the NAA 5 shot which is better than nothing. But the truth of the matter is that there will always be something "BETTER" than a 22 magnum but most of us fail to realize that there are those that can only handle a rimfire due to physical limitations from disease or trauma. One's perception of recoil with a .32 or a .380 which seems petty to one without physical limitations or pain could be the equivalent of someone firing a 44 mag or 454 casual or larger caliber with arthritis.
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This is so well written and for me, so true. I started shooting on a regular basis somewhat late and my first gun was my dad's (inherited) Beretta Puma. It bit me so bloody that I had to leave the range. I realized the hard way that I should not have been there in the first place. I started over and tried to do it right. I am comfortable now but know my limits and even though I see some guns I would love to own and shoot, I know in my heart that they are for others; not for me. I was taught to be as good as I can be with the gun in my hands and the gun in my hands will be one with which I am able to handle the recoil. For all the right reasons.
 
"One's perception of recoil with a .32 or a .380 which seems petty to one without physical limitations or pain could be the equivalent of someone firing a 44 mag or 454 casual or larger caliber with arthritis."

No offense intended, but I'm not convinced that a 22 magnum revolver and a 32 S&W long revolver are much different in recoil. It might depend more on the size and weight of the revolvers than the caliber.
 
Tallball said:
"One's perception of recoil with a .32 or a .380 which seems petty to one without physical limitations or pain could be the equivalent of someone firing a 44 mag or 454 casual or larger caliber with arthritis."

No offense intended, but I'm not convinced that a 22 magnum revolver and a 32 S&W long revolver are much different in recoil. It might depend more on the size and weight of the revolvers than the caliber.
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It is understandable that you may feel this way, and would never try to convince you otherwise since it is perception we are talking about.
 
film495 said:
yup, any gun is better than no gun for self defense. I don't know that I'd want to carry a barrel that long, but - like for something to have at the home, as opposed to a kitchen knife, it would do pretty good IMHO // if they make speed loaders for that, a couple of those and you are pretty well set up IMHO.
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If 22 is a preferred option for home defense for whatever reason, I would get a Ruger 10/22 rifle as they point really nicely and function pretty reliably. Accuracy is not their strength, but they are certainly a great plinker or if you want, perhaps a home defense gun. You can fire off a lot of rounds very quickly and accurately.
 
22-rimfire said:
If 22 is a preferred option for home defense for whatever reason, I would get a Ruger 10/22 rifle as they point really nicely and function pretty reliably. Accuracy is not their strength, but they are certainly a great plinker or if you want, perhaps a home defense gun. You can fire off a lot of rounds very quickly and accurately.
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I'm curious as to where you came up with that analogy. I've owned a Ruger 10/22 for nearly a half century and it's one of the most accurate rifles I own. Many squirrels and rabbits have been taken with it with one shot kills.
 
I guess it depends on how you define good accuracy with a stock 10/22 and your expectations. If your objective is 2" precision/accuracy at 50 yds with basic HV 22 ammo, it is a good choice and it will put meat on the table as they say.

I have also owned a 10/22 for years (only one). I bought it when Weatherby stopped making their Mark XXII semi. My 10/22 does a bit better than 2" groups or I wouldn't have kept it. It does about 1" groups at 50 yds with non target grade 22 ammo. Have not shot it in a good while. But I have read many reports concerning the accuracy of many of them. Maybe you just have a good one!! I hope so.

For small game hunting, it is not my first choice unless I want quick pointing and the rapid fire capability of a semi-auto rifle. A good example of a circumstance where I would choose it is rabbit hunting with dogs.

I think the 10/22 (in 22LR) would make a very good little house gun if you choose a 22 for this purpose. There are some 22 mag versions around as well.
 
The 22 mag gets a bad rep for accuracy, but in the right barrel they are tack drivers with 40 gr bullets. My MGM barrel for my Contender Carbine will shoot 1/2" groups at 100 yards off the bench every day. Unlike a 22 lr, the mag requires cleaning of the barrel on a more frequent basis in order to keep it's accuracy.
 
Fyrstyk said:
The 22 mag gets a bad rep for accuracy, but in the right barrel they are tack drivers with 40 gr bullets. My MGM barrel for my Contender Carbine will shoot 1/2" groups at 100 yards off the bench every day. Unlike a 22 lr, the mag requires cleaning of the barrel on a more frequent basis in order to keep it's accuracy.
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I have a Marlin 883SS that's a tack driver. I can't say that for my LCR22WMR , maybe it's the short barrel. My LCRx 3" 22WMR is much improved because I have adjustable rear sights that help me dial it in. That and another 1-1/8" of barrel length probably helps too.
 
I have a Marlin 983 that does okay too. It only has a 4x scope on it, so I am not eeking out every bit of precision at 100 yds. It is mostly a 50 yd rifle for me, like my 22's. Been wanting a CZ 22 mag with nice wood for a few years now. But I won't order one. The 3" LCRX appeals to me.
 
I have a Ruger convertible with the .22 magnum cylinder. When it was new in '73, I ran a few rounds through the magnum cylinder to see what it was like. The ballistics on the little round are interesting, although perhaps more so in the rifle, but I haven't shot that cylinder since.
Performance isn't what I object to. For a small cartridge, I imagine it would do well. The problem is that with cast bullets I can shoot 45 Colt, 44 Special, 44 WCF, 38 WCF, 32 WCF, and .38 Special cheaper. If I can track down the fired case, 45 ACP is cheaper as well.

If you can afford to pay that much every time you decide to pot something, I think .22 magnum would be an interesting cartridge. I find myself especially drawn to the idea of the NAA with the swing out cylinder, a gun intended not to be shot a lot but strictly last ditch.
 
I also have been drawn to the little NAA revolvers. Have not seen one with a swing out cylinder. May have to look into that.

Added: Do you mean the break top version? That one has appeal to me in a rimfire caliber. Hadn't seen one. I always loved the H&R break top 22 revolvers, but hated their overall QA/QC. So, I don't own any H&R's anymore.
 
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Paul Harrell et al. have multiple videos testing .22 magnums from rifles to full sized revolvers, to small revolvers and even a semiauto. the .22 magnum bullet for bullet is a better option than the .22lr in any platform.
 
JERRY said:
Paul Harrell et al. have multiple videos testing .22 magnums from rifles to full sized revolvers, to small revolvers and even a semiauto. the .22 magnum bullet for bullet is a better option than the .22lr in any platform.
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I don't deny that but it comes with a BIG BANG.
 
22-rimfire said:
I also have been drawn to the little NAA revolvers. Have not seen one with a swing out cylinder. May have to look into that.

Added: Do you mean the break top version? That one has appeal to me in a rimfire caliber. Hadn't seen one. I always loved the H&R break top 22 revolvers, but hated their overall QA/QC. So, I don't own any H&R's anymore.
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NAA calls it the Sidewinder...The current version of their break-top is the Ranger II.

Here's the link for both, in case you're interested. :)

https://northamericanarms.com/product-category/firearms/sidewinder-ranger-ii/

(Pic of the Sidewinder)
p-976-sidewinder2.jpg
 
Thanks. I am interested to learn more and handle both the top break and swing out models. I have always wanted to get a little NAA mini revolver. This might be just the change that gets me to spend money.
 
I handled the Sidewinder a few times. Very neat little gun. For me, the strength of the NAA, besides it being so tiny, is the robust size to build ratio. They just are built so well with so few moving parts an pieces (if you don't take them apart to look at the lockwork). I don't mind the slow reload. I carry one knowing that 5 is all I get. The Sidewinder just feels a bit fragile.

The Ranger is a pretty slick little set up though. Not many top breaks out there.

I'd have them all if I could. Once you get one with some good sights on it and spend a little trigger time, they really aren't any worse than a .22 j frame in terms of accuracy.
 
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