Ruger Single 6 in .22 Magnum

C

Chesster

New member
I just got a Ruger Single Six 5.5" with mag cylinder only. I have read old threads from a year or so ago and many decry the inadequacy of the .22 Mag for defense or even starting a foot race for that matter. Not interested in those responses, opinions or arguments. However, if I was at the range shooting this Ruger with my cheapie Armscor range ammo and spotted a pack of wild dogs at a distance, what currently manufactured "performance" ammo do I need to have in my range bag for such critters. Lets call them German Shepards for those who need "specifics" and say I plan to open up at around 25 yards. If it works good in the revolver, I may want to try them in my Ruger 96/22M or old bolt Marlin.
 
I think Winchester's Super X .22 Magnums are pretty hot. But Speer and Hornady both make loads more appropriate for shorter barrels.

Also, .22 magnum isn't a terrible defensive round.
 
I would think that CCi Maximag HP's would do the trick. BTW the
.22mag is one of my favorite rounds. I have a 6-1/2" Single Six.
 
Winchester

My Single 6 .22M gets Win SuperX 40 gr HP. Conveniently, it shoots their FMJ slug to the same POI, but I do not use the FMJ's as a field load.

The .22M is noticeably more cartridge than the .22lr in my observations. Even from a revolver (mines the 6.5 variety) the wounding seems more pronounced. I've not shot any German Shepards, but a coyote, a bunch of 'dillos, pidgeons and other pests, all seem pretty convinced.
 
There are some .22M loads with bullets in the 30-grain range. They are very accurate in my Single Six and Marlin rifle, but they might be light for something like a large dog. Has anyone ever tried these of varmints or game?
 
I have killed coyotes with mine single six and 40 gr CCI solids. German Shepards can be considerably bigger than a coyote. Even the big northern variety.
 
I have found the Winchester Super X 40 grn. HP in .22mag out of a 5.5" Single Six to be a much better stopper of big desert jackrabbits and coyotes on body shots than 9mm ball out of a Browning HP or Beretta 92, both with nearly 5" barrels.
 
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Lower Michigan, 1957, Pack of " wild " dogs had already killed three sheep before we were aware of what was happening. 4 shots, 22 LR from a rifle dropped 4 dogs , two got a way ( one carryng a bullet ). By the way, of those 4 "wild" dogs, three had collars and tags. Turned them over to the sheriffs deputy just to avoid any complications.:mad:
 
Armscor 22mag cheap range ammo? I don't think so. The 40gr Armscor shoots to the same POA as 40gr Winchester ammo at 100 yards for me. And Armscor ammo has never split a case or misfired like Winchester ammo. The case for a 22 mag is a compromise between being soft enough for rimfire work and tough enough for the pressure without splitting.

Did you know Armscor makes 22 mag ammo for Fiocchi? And this is considered premium ammo.

THe 22mag from a revolver is a big step up in power from a 22LR. I was shoooting my SS last weekeng with my buddy and he couldn't find his 22 lr cylinder so he shot 22mag and I shot 22lr. There was no doubt the 22 mag was a more powerful round.

I wouldn't take for my Ruger 22/22 mag single six. And in a rifle its just that much better.
 
I decided to stick with a 40gr hp and ordered 500 each of Armscor and CCI Maxi Mags which averaged around $100 brick. I can use them in rifles, NAA Minis, Colt Peacemaker, CA Pathfinder, High Standard revolvers and the new to me Single 6. Thanks for the input.
 
At 25 yards a 22LR would do the job from a revolver. You will have no problem with any magnum bullet no matter what flavor.
 
My old Single Six with the .22 mag cylinder seemed to like plain old CCI maxi-mags. What I didn't like was it was so LOUD, shooting it was worse than shooting my 1911. Something about that high pitched "crack' that went through my eardrums like a knife. As long as the ammo you choose is accurate it will be fine.
 
The velocity of 22mag out of a 5.5" bbl is about the same as 22lr out of a rifle. I have velocity data for my 5.5" Ruger using 22mag and 22lr if you want it.
 
A 40gr .22mag bullet exists a 6.5" barrel at about 1400fps. A 40gr .22lr exits a 16" barrel at about only 1200 fps.

I've shot coyote with both .22lr and .22wmr before, out of the same pistol (6.5" Ruger Single Six) and the .22mag had both a louder report and definitely made a difference when it hit the yote. I shot 6 yote with a .22mag. All six died almost right away. 4 dropped where they were shot and died. 2 ran about 50yds and and maybe 75 yds then died. All shots were to the vitals and all shots were taken within 25yds.

On the flip side I've shot over a dozen yote with .22lr from the same gun. All died from being shot but NONE of them dropped where they were shot and ALL of them ran for at least 50 yds. All shots were also to the vitals.

In my mind a .22mag is a superb varmint round. In regards to something the size of a German Shepherd I'd make sure my shot placement was impeccable.
 
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