.22 LR Lethality at 250 and 300 yards.

[DuaneRN]

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[bigiceman]

Never pays to underestimate any firearm. It can definitely do fatal damage with the right shot placement, or luck, so cannot be ignored.

[Fred]

    Points out why we are so hard-hitting when we come to safety and muzzle awareness.

    BTW, similar tests by a rimfire shooter in July 1940 in England to see if the .22 would be of any use against a German invasion, using as a target cloth-wrapped wood (to simulate a wool German uniform) at 300 yards revealed substantial penetration into the pine, and led the shooter to conclude that out to 300 yards, a .22 has nasty wound-causing capability, and could be a useful battle round (shows how hard up they were for battle rifles then). I think this was reported on our site a year or two ago.

    Be safe is the bottom line.

    An ounce of prevention is worth a pound - several pounds - of cure.

    Let's make sure we never have a gun-shot incident at an Appleseed. Eyes always outta the cockpit, people. Hammer those safety rules!

[POP]

Just read the article DuaneRN referenced below.

I never thought of 22 cal as being more than target or rabbit rds at close range.  Once a few years ago I shot a possum at 6' range with 22 shorts ... they would not penetrate his skull.

Suggest we all read this article.  It provides a basis for profound respect for your LTR.

Thanks again for the post.

POP

[TaosGlock]

Indeed, it does go to show why safety and muzzle awareness are paramount. Safety, safety, safety. Always keep the muzzle in a safe direction.

Recently I acquired an old 1981 Gun's Illustrated for an article by Rodney James titled, "Ricochet". The scope of the article was about the lethality of ricochet's, especially at longer ranges, well beyond the target. He felt shooters were unaware of the safety hazards associated with ricochets, especially with the so called "lowly 22". He backed his story with plenty of "freak" and usually lethal accidents from war, civilian life, etc. It happens with all kinds of calibers too.

It will really drive home the issue of safety, especially at a shooting range where ricochets are heard and considered somewhat normal. Using tracers at low light, James took some pics that showed the bullet's angle could easily given the right conditions come back at the shooter himself, thus endangering him and the whole firing line. As an Instructor, this is enlightening, albeit a bit disconcerting from a safety and liability issue.

James also did penetration tests on 4'x4' pieces of new 1/2" pine plywood to 425 yards. His tests concluded that at that distance most standard hi-velocity .22 LR (not hollow points-he stated they gave 20% less penetration at all ranges) the so called  "solids" still penetrated an unbelievable 1.3" into the plywood with a estimated velocity of 696 fps and 43 ft/#.
He did not test further as wind and the small 4'x4' sheets were making it hard to hit.....gee    

At 300 yards actual penetration was 1.6". Velocity was an estimated 798 fps and 56 ft/#.
At 200 yards actual penetration was 1.9".  Estimated velocity was 898 fps and 72 ft/#
At 25 yards actual penetration was 2.2". Velocity was a measured 1285 fps and 147 ft/#

He also estimated penetration for the 22 LR to a staggering 950 yards to be 1/10th of an inch for an estimated velocity of 391 fps and 14 ft/#.

James also goes on to relate a story by C.S. Landis, who described  a 1929 accident involving a groundskeeper at The Sea Girt range in New Jersey. The man ignored warnings of the hazards involved and proceeded to clean up paper targets/trash behind the 600M range while shooters were firing at the 200M targets 400M away from him. I know, they should of called a "cease fire".
A bullet struck him in the sinus cavity. Although he was bleeding profusely, prompt medical attention save him.

James then used the Ingall's Tables (I am not familiar with those) and calculated that the near fatal 30-06 bullet would have had 521 fps at 600 yards. He then estimated it would have penetrated a minimum of a 1/2" of plywood or more!
James then calculated that for his tests, a 22 LR at that range would penetrate 3/4"!  Note the disparity. I can't vouch for the tests, but that little 22 sure is a penetrator.
With all the 22's in service today by people of all ages and abilities, a stray round can be devastating.

A couple years back I tested CCI 22 CB Sub-Sonic's. At 25 yards they penetrated 2" of dried pressure treated wood and buried themselves 1/8-1/4" in a pine log I had as a backstop.
The bullets were not deformed in any way and were very hard cast. At that same range, from my Marlin tube gun they shoot 5MOA.
I like to hunt and I later shot a large coyote while he was standing broadside with that same bullet at 40 yards. A behind the shoulder shot. He ran 30 yards and bled out. I was impressed to say the least.

Some people, have absolutely no idea how lethal even 22's and other rounds really are.

So to SOM. it's Safety, safety, safety.  Always keep the muzzle in a safe direction.   

[KodyJaret]

You guys are using a lot of bandwith .

http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=2095.0

[DuaneRN]

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[KodyJaret]

Didn't realize it had been posted before.  While it is repetitive, it is always best to hammer home safety priciples

Ditto : regards repitition,,,
   
Was wondering if it would be effiecient to combine the threads ?

[EEL]

BTT