"Best" .22LR Defensive Ammo?

[556A2]

I know its a oxymoron. Let me explain before the inevitable flaming, and beat-down occurs.

I'm seriously debating on getting a .22LR pocket pistol like a Beretta 21A as a BUG. The reason is at our workshop, I am 99% more likely to be a victim of a Copperhead, Cottonmouth, or Timber Rattlesnake bite than a human attacker due to it being by a heavily wooded (and secluded) lake. Plus it would be quieter than a centerfire cartridge as not to disturb the only local resident near our shop. I ALWAYS have a M9 or G17 on me, and my business partner normally has his G17 on him. So this will NOT be a primary defensive firearm.

So a .22 would actually be ideal to be in my pocket over a .380 for the intended use. I am in no way thinking a .22 is near ideal for defensive use, and this would pretty much only be in use at work.

However, assuming that I expended all my 9mm (and my business partner expends all his), and I'm only left with a .22LR...... what would be the "best" load to reach 12" of penetration?

[usmcvet]

Stingers would be my choice. I've used them racoon hunting .

[Bruce in WV]

Check out this tool to improve the terminal performance of whatever cartridge you choose.

http://www.gunblast.com/Paco2.htm

[NWPilgrim]

Anyone have experience with that Paco Tool for forming the bullet? Looks pretty interesting since I have thousands of rounds of round nose .22LR. But I wouldn't drop $125 on it unless there was independent confirmation that it really improved accuracy and terminal effectiveness on critters.

[Plan]

I would opt for a decent quality solid with a flat/truncated nose if possible to ensure penetration. CCI Velocitor is the only common hollowpoint that comes close as far as adequate penetration is concerned (as far as I know). In my mind, penetration and adequate ignition/cartridge quality are going to be the two major areas where the .22 is consistently lacking.

[5pins]

The only ammo that works 100% in my M21 has been CCI Mini Mags.

[Bruce in WV]

http://www.leverguns.com/store/acurizer.htm
http://www.levergunscommunity.com/vi...hp?f=1&t=11376
http://www.gunblast.com/Paco.htm
http://www.gunblast.com/Paco_Scorpn.htm
http://www.gunblast.com/Paco2.htm
http://www.gunblast.com/Paco-Flatface.htm

Also, do a search at the leverguns.com site (which Paco owns and where he has the order form for the tool) and search on "ACU'RZR" for a years worth of archived threads, including hunting results, but not actual use in SD.

[481]

I know its a oxymoron. Let me explain before the inevitable flaming, and beat-down occurs.

I'm seriously debating on getting a .22LR pocket pistol like a Beretta 21A as a BUG. The reason is at our workshop, I am 99% more likely to be a victim of a Copperhead, Cottonmouth, or Timber Rattlesnake bite than a human attacker due to it being by a heavily wooded (and secluded) lake. Plus it would be quieter than a centerfire cartridge as not to disturb the only local resident near our shop. I ALWAYS have a M9 or G17 on me, and my business partner normally has his G17 on him. So this will NOT be a primary defensive firearm.

So a .22 would actually be ideal to be in my pocket over a .380 for the intended use. I am in no way thinking a .22 is near ideal for defensive use, and this would pretty much only be in use at work.

However, assuming that I expended all my 9mm (and my business partner expends all his), and I'm only left with a .22LR...... what would be the "best" load to reach 12" of penetration?

Given that your "back-up" gun is going to have, at most, a three inch barrel, muzzle velocity will likely not exceed 950 fps and depending upon the expansion threshold of the JHP you use (should you select one), the JHP will probably not expand. I'd ask the ammo manufacturer if they can provide you with that number and use that to determine whether or not your pistol can produce the velocity (time for a chronograph session ) necessary to initiate expansion.

When it comes to "back up" guns in miniature calibers, I'd go with the heaviest LRN (40 gr. LRNs seem to be the "standard" without getting into the one 60 gr. "novelty load" that I am aware of) at the highest velocity possible to guarantee penetration to the vitals and plan on dumping the entire magazine into the threat.

Stay safe.

[Jake'sDad]

When it comes to "back up" guns in miniature calibers, I'd go with the heaviest LRN (40 gr. LRNs seem to be the "standard" without getting into the one 60 gr. "novelty load" that I am aware of) at the highest velocity possible to guarantee penetration to the vitals and plan on dumping the entire magazine into the threat.

Stay safe.

Good advice. If someone insists on using a .22 for defense, one of the lightweight hyper velocity hollow points would be the last thing you'd want. They're designed to fragment in squirrel size targets.

OP, I'd check and see if your Beretta will feed these.

CCI SGB

And I'd change out your ammo often.

[PA PATRIOT]

http://www.cci-ammunition.com/produc...px?loadNo=3790

The O/P first stated he was looking for a quieter way to dispatch a unwanted snake which did not have the report of his Glock Model-17 9mm pistol. In my experience trying to hit a moving fang slinger with a little .22LR solid is a real challenge but if I recall correctly the last batch of snake repellent I used was in 9mm and .38spl shot shells from CCI which had a lesser report then standard loadings. The CCI shot shell is a very limited range single shot deal in a 9mm semi-auto pistol having to hand cycle the pistols action to load another round but the .38spl version function as a normal revolver would. I would suggest carrying at least one if not two 17rd spare magazines for your Glock giving you a total of 35/52rds to get out of harms way over carrying a .22LR pistol as a back-up, but if you feel the need to carry a second gun IMHO a better choice over a .22LR would be a little J-Frame .38spl loaded with 5 shots of Speer's 38 Special+P 135 Grain GOLD DOT Short Barrel Hollow Points http://www.speer-ammo.com/products/bullet_tests.htm and carry a speed loader of .38spl shot shells to deal with a possible snake encounter.