I got some new respect for the .22LR some years ago in Maine when I was attacked by a pack of feral dogs one evening when coming off a archery stand deep in the woods during hunting season. I was waist deep in saw grass moving out and had just picked up my Ruger 10/22 rifle that I keep about 100yds from the stand for use as a escort gun while walking the two miles back to the road and my vehicle.
During my walk I started hearing something running all around me and since it was dusk and my short range red beam light only allowed me to see a few yards for navigation I stopped and jacked a round of 40gr. Aguila .22LR Interceptor copper coated solids into the chamber.
After about 30 seconds the first of what appeared as a dog made a short charge and then rolled to the left as I fired six rounds at close range and then the dog moved out of view. I continued to slowly walk and every time I heard the dogs close the distance on me I fired rounds at the flashes of movement in the grass.
I had two 25rd magazines and on inspection had eight rounds left in my second magazine once I was out. Now all this occurred in less then 20yds of travel and the whole event took little more then a minute but it had me thinking what could have happened if I did not have my Ruger a long. The following day was Sunday so at high noon I returned to my walk in point with a AR and slowly walked back to my stand where I found two dead dogs and blood trails for two more.
These dogs were completely wild and had no issue with challenging a human without fear. I'M glad I had a walking gun that trip and never go in the woods without being armed.
So that day I found what a .22LR can do to a 50 to 100lb predator in less then ideal conditions as some of the Aguila Interceptors were able to completely penetrated some of the dogs.
So with this in mind I always wondered what a Aguila .22LR Interceptor copper coated solid could do penetration wise if it were used on a two legged threat during a self defense situation. A 40gr. solid at 1450FPS from a 10/22 barrel should be able to penetrate to a decent depth unless heavy bone is hit. Impact range would also be a consideration but if one had nothing else to use or needed it for a elderly, very small framed female or youth its better then throwing rocks.
So without getting into a caliber war and trying to stay true to the theme of the thread what merit if any do you think a .22LR rifle could have as a SHTF weapon and what configuration and loading would be most beneficial.
Here is some not very scientific utube video's which show penetration of different .22 caliber rim-fires in water and sim.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o25ie...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6exXX...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAkOzr6cDx0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoU99SpCFQY
Bookmarks