22 Magnum: HP or Solid for Self Defense?

A

Aristides

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I just bought a Ruger Single Six with 5 1/2" barrell. I plan to use the 22 LR cyclinder primarily for target practice and small game. But when stored in my drawer at home, I will have the Magnum cylinder in place, and it will serve as home defense backup. Yes, I have heavier weapons as primary self defense, so don't go down that road. I just want to know your opinion on the most effective 22 magnum self defense ammo for this revolver, and my primary question is whether I should use HP or Solid.

Taking CCI as an example, they have a Solid Flat Nose and an HP in the same loading. Will the HP give adequate penetration from a 5 1/2" revolver barrell? Or should I go with the Solid Flat Nose to ensure enough penetration? I'm a believer that penetration is most important, and in my pocket gun (Tomcat 32 acp) I use FMJ for that reason. But maybe 1400 fps is fast enough to give adequate penetration with the HP, so I don't need solid...? What do you think?

Also...edit...if you have an opinion, please explain your reasoning as best you can...I'm curious to know WHY you think one is better than the other. Thanks.
 
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maybe 1400 fps is fast enough to give adequate penetration with the HP, so I don't need solid...? What do you think?
Click to expand...

Is 1400fps tested or claimed? I wouldn't have expected 1400fps from a 5 1/2 inch barrel revolver.

Use solids.
 
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When my Ruger was the "primary" go-to gun, I kept it loaded with three HP and three FMJ, alternating them in the cylinder.
 
I have seen the effects of older CCI Mag HP on soft tissue from a 4.75" bbl at close range. It had good penetration and expansion. However, both should be fairly close in performance with an edge in penetration to the solid IMHO.
 
22 mag

Brassfetcher.com has several ballistic gel tests using a 2 inch barrel .22 mag revolver. Both solid and HP penetrated between 14" and 15". The HP expanded/fragmented and the solid stayed essentially intact. FBI considers 12" is minimum desirable ballstic gel penetration for SD purposes, so the 22 mag seems quite adequate in that regard, at least.
 
The following is an opinion, and should be taken as such - I've shot a lot of coyotes with a .22 Magnum, sometimes from a rifle and other times from a pistol. Now, a coyote is not a human being, so it's not exactly a 1-to-1 comparison here, but after slugging coyotes and watching them drop DRT from a center hit with a 40 grain JHP from a 4 3/4 revolver makes me really not want to get shot with a .22 Magnum. For what it's worth, in leaner times I once carried a .22 Magnum SAA clone as my primary carry.
 
Yeah, I would agree that the .22Mag out of a 4" pr more barrel will fight well out of it's apparent weight class.

CCI's 30gr original MaxiMag+V hollowpoint appears to be more able to stay together than the "TNT" variety of the same load. So I'd consider the non-TNT flavor first. Both of these 30gr loads put out big power, and both WILL cross 1,400fps from a Single Six barrel - they've been clocked at 1,400 out of a 4" NAA MiniMaster barrel.

From a 5.5" Single Six expect over 1,500fps and some serious hurt on whatever it hits.
 
People often hear the ".22" in the .22 Magnum and dismiss it as a puny cartridge. This is far from the truth. The .22 Magnum will certainly work as a defensive handgun simply because it is able to penetrate deeply and create some impressive damage for so small a projectile.

I've seen a pig's liver hit with a .22 magnum and the results were educational. The pig was put down for its aggressive acts and the bullet slipped between the ribs. The bullet struck the upper portion of the organ and turned the upper half into liver patè. A reminder to stay behind the muzzle of these guns.

Being a believer in penetration, I'd lean towards the FMJ. However, with 1400+ fps behind it, the JHP's seem to reliably expand and fragment. Since I'd never suggest my marksmanship will be perfect under stress, I'd take all the help I could to increase the diameter of the bullet and go with the JHP designs.
 
Best .22 mag ammo for SD?

I would suggest that you try and find the Federal .22 mag (50 grains). It packs quite a wallop and is a good self defense round. Heavier than most .22 mag bullets and I have two boxes on hand at all time for my Marlin .22 mag rifle and S&W model 51 in .22 mag. Good luck.
 
I'm of the light n' fast school of terminal ballistics.

40 gr. Winchester JHP is what I use in my Brno ZKM 611 semi-auto with a red-dot sight. Sweet.

This post touches upon the essential stopping power debate. From what I've read and my anecdotal experience, I want a round that will dump all its energy into the meat. The JHP does this better, IMHO. I respect the solid school, but in handguns I would always choose hollowpoints for stopping power, other considerations aside.
 
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