Best .22lr penetration

C

Chalupa

New member
I didn't want to hi-jack the other thread running
about .22's but it did get me thinking.

The OP mentioned a .22lr going through four phone books
and a board before stopping.

Two questions..

What is the best a .22lr can penetrate in a rifle? and
handgun?

I used to be one of those people who classified the
.22lr along with air rifles...
 
What is the best a .22lr can penetrate in a rifle? and
handgun?
Click to expand...

I would say distance to target will determine penetration.:confused:

I used to be one of those people who classified the
.22lr along with air rifles...
Click to expand...

What changed your mind? :(

Just the facts mam, both are deadly weapons, nuf said:rolleyes:
 
I would say distance to target will determine penetration
Click to expand...

The OP said a .22lr would penetrate 4 phone books. I just didn't
think the little round was that powerful.

Long ago when I was a kid I had a Ruger 10\22 and I would shoot
this metal barrel in my backyard. It never penetrated the sides of
said barrel. I shot other things and never got much penetration.

I will say the 4 phone books impressed me. Maybe they make better
ammo now? :eek:
 
Penetration has to do with both velocity and bullet construction.

Even if a bullet is driven to a velocity which would penetrate "a given object" if the bullet is to fragile of malleable it will not penetrate.

On the other hand even if you have a steel core bullet (hypothetically speaking) that is not driven at a sufficient velocity to generate enough energy then it will not penetrate "a given object".

I once encountered a feral washing machine in the swamps of Louisiana. ;) I shot it with some brand of .22 lr from a rifle and from a handgun. The bullets fired from the rifle all penetrated one side of the washer. The bullets fired from the handgun dented the side and sometimes chipped the paint but did not penetrate.

I think that most 22lr bullets are soft lead. So your best bet for penetration on hard objects is to find the highest velocity rounds and hope the bullet holds together. On soft objects like the muscles of mammals I'd choose the heaviest bullet.
 
In another forum "snipershide" a test was done by a man shooting at 300 yards using an 18lb frozen turkey wrapped in 3 layers of cloth as the target. Intersting read and if his data was accurately taken the results were very impressive. Give it a look.
 
I don't know if it is true. But I have seen a straw stuck in a telephone pole about 2 inches in. Granted it was after a tornado, but still.

My point is that we all can not predict the outcome of a given scenario. I have seen 2500 lb bulls dropped where they stand with a 22 short, not a 22lr but a short. And I have also seen several 44 mags bounce off a hogs head too.

So the long and the short of it. I believe anything is possible.
 
Should have never noted something about the .22 short dropping the 2500 lb. bull. Now someone will start a thread asking which brand of .22 is best for bears! :) Maybe one of the brands with the high velocity and the conical pointed type bullets would penetrate a bit better than a round nose lead bullet, but they are still both lead, at least at impact, maybe the pointed one has the energy concentrated at a smaller point, therefore breaking down the resistance of the target a bit before the end deforms? Someone should try RN versus conical on phone books and see if it works.
 
Soft tissue penetation.

.22 LR, 37gr, LHP, 1300 fps: (5 cm = 2 in)

22LR%2037gr%20HP%20Wound%20Profile.jpg


.22 LR, 40gr. LRN, 1100 fps:

22LR%2040gr%20RNL.jpg
 
Part of the beauty of a .22 round is that when is does penetrate it also does some other things like break-up, tumble and bounce. This causes major tissue damage.
 
I am in no way gonna say anything bad about a .22 but it would be much more effective in penetration with a nice hard jacket.
This is one reason i like the .25 auto better for penetration,fmj is hard to beat.

Ive bought some 1750 fps Aguila Super Max 30gr. Hyper Velocity Solid Point
http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/catal...id-point/cName/22-long-rifle-ammo-solid-point
Thats $3 a box of 50 so its cheap to try also.
You can tell this stuff is no joke when you shoot it,i have a 7" barreled S&W .22a and i wouldnt doubt it would drop many medium sized game.
Im sure im not getting velocities as high as it could with even 7" of barrel,but in a rifle i have no doubt it would reach 1750.

I also picked up the super Colibri powderless which will be taking out my tomato plant eating squirrels in the spring,since i live on the edge of a small town a normal round cant be used.
Anyone know if powderless .22 rounds like this illegal in city limits or looked at like an air rifle?
 
Part of the beauty of a .22 round is that when is does penetrate it also does some other things like break-up, tumble and bounce. This causes major tissue damage.
Click to expand...
This is myth that's partly based in reality.

The soft lead round nose of a penetrating .22 LR bullet, combined with its relative low velocity riding the curvature/contours of human bones (much like a car will ride against a guard rail in a curve). The bullet isn't going to dramatically change course in soft tissue unless it hits bone or it impacts an intervening obstance and is deformed. Tough tendon can also alter the bullet's course, given the right conditions.
 
I have a friend that works as a crime seen investigator. She has been present for a number of autopsies where a 22 was used. Apparently the bullet can do a lot of damage if it hits a bone or other part and defects. Also knew a government trapper who used a 22 revolver to dispatch trapped bears. The 22lr is not a toy and while it is not the best chose it will will kill.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top