Best round for self defense

[Coded-Dude]

Shot AT, had you actually been shot I think you would prefer to be pepper sprayed.

nope...I prefer .22 rounds to pepper spray.

[Cowboy T]

That is "stopping power", not "knock down power". The projectile doesn't "knock down" anything.

Tell that to the BG that gets knocked down by it. Looks like you need to do some homework. :-)

OP, don't waste your time with looking for .22LR home defense ammo. Get yourself something bigger.

[shortyforty]

.22

I think everyone can agree that a .22lr is not ideal or optimal for SD. However, if it's all you got....it's all you got. Use it. Be profiecient with it. The CCI stingers are not known for their reliablity in most 10/22 rifles. Some have better results than others for whatever reason. The velocitors usually function well in the 10/22 as many here have said. Once you have a reliable ammo selected remember the importance of shot placement. After reliability, it really comes down to shot placement. Whether it's a .22 or a .44mag. A well placed shot with a .22 is much more effective than a missed shot with a 44. Heck, I saw a grown man drop to his knees after getting hit with a richochet from a .177 cal pellet rifle. The pellet hit him in the calf of his left leg (penetrated almost to the bone) and he dropped like a wet noodle. Just imagine getting hit in the face or the throat with a well placed shot from a .22. I sincerely doubt that anyone in that situation (if still standing) would be willing to continue on. Most shooters are extremely proficient with their .22. I know I am. A .22 is not my go to HD gun but if I had to use it I could. Stopping power or Knockdown power is usually used in terms of measuring how well a particular round stops a threat. In many situations unless the Central Nervous System is shut down or interrupted, the assailant will continue to have the ability to harm you. Shot placement is key.While a heart or lung shot is undoubtedly lethal, it may not "shut down" an assailant instantly. A throat or head shot are the most effective but also the most difficult in a stressful situation. Larger more effective calibers are what most of us choose but if we had too, many of us could make good use of a .22 rifle in a HD situation. Shooting someone multiple times center mass can have the same effect as a taser or even a seizure. It can cause the brain to go into an "overload" state and incapcitate an assailant even if there is no physical damage to the CNS. The more common rounds 9mm,40,.45, .223, and 12g have the ability to reach the central nervous system (CNS) or spinal cord with relative ease when shots are placed center mass. Some years ago there was a documentary being aired called deadly force. It showed actual footage of police using deadly force against perps. I have it on VHS somewhere. The video does not discuss stopping power but one can get a good understanding of how long it can actually take to shut someone down without proper shot placement. One can also observe how a well placed shot or 10 can shut a person down instantly.

[shamaz]

I think some MFRs make a dedicated 1:9 twist barrels for those 60 grainers, for longer range accuracy. I have read that the 1:16 might be shy of what a 60 grain needs to stabilize over longer than 300 yd distances... An M16 has a 1:7 twist for 62 grain projectiles (but I have read they should have gone with a 1:8).

Anyone have a range report with those 60 grain Aguilas on a 1:16 compared to 1:9?

Hi, the 86d,

I shot six rounds of the Aguila Subsonic Snipers out of my Henry H001Y at a paper target at a distance of approximately 30 yards yesterday offhand and DID notice that 4 out of the 6 rounds had wobbled slightly or tumbled in flight as shown by the entrance holes in the paper. I'm glad I only bought two boxes of these to try out. No ear protection was needed for these cartridges but they obviously don't stabilize in flight.

[m98]

^^^^ my buddies older brother shot me right above my left eye with a generic paintball marker from 25yds away and that felt like someone had b------ slap me at full force right flat in the face. It took me outta the fight for a minute or so while cursing the hell out of the azz------- who shot me. I had a neighbor who was accidently shot in the lower half of the body with a shotty loaded with #4 from about 50yds or so out and it put him down for a few minutes while screaming.

[The Virus]

nope...I prefer .22 rounds to pepper spray.

I see what you did there.

[santamonica9]

.22 better than nothing -> in a major disaster, I can carry plenty more 22 ammo in mags or not than the 9mm, 40,45 or 12g - how far would you walk for water after a major earthquake loaded down with all that lbs?

[USM0083]

Tell that to the BG that gets knocked down by it. Looks like you need to do some homework. :-)

OP, don't waste your time with looking for .22LR home defense ammo. Get yourself something bigger.

What he's getting at is that your typical defensive caliber bullet does not have the energy to "knock" someone down.

If they do have enough energy (e.g. .50 BMG), it will generally punch through and keep going, withour knocking them down.

Look up the Richard Davis videos on youtube.

[USM0083]

Hi, the 86d,

I shot six rounds of the Aguila Subsonic Snipers out of my Henry H001Y at a paper target at a distance of approximately 30 yards yesterday offhand and DID notice that 4 out of the 6 rounds had wobbled slightly or tumbled in flight as shown by the entrance holes in the paper. I'm glad I only bought two boxes of these to try out. No ear protection was needed for these cartridges but they obviously don't stabilize in flight.

They seem to stabilize fine out of my S&W 15-22, out to 50 yards.

They do, however, stink pretty bad.

[TrailerparkTrash]

.22 better than nothing -> in a major disaster, I can carry plenty more 22 ammo in mags or not than the 9mm, 40,45 or 12g - how far would you walk for water after a major earthquake loaded down with all that lbs?

Agreed. This is like the 20th time I've said this..... Gimme a 10/22 and a some magazines and I can rule any sports stadium during the next Katrina style disaster, forcing bad guys to their graves.

Sure a .22LR isn't the best choice, but a well placed shot or "dozens" of shots at a human scum target and I'll take him outa the fight. A .22 is better than nothing. If that's all I had for home defense, I wouldn't be fearful. Load up some 10 round mags (or hicaps if you legally qualify) with some CCI Velocitors and wait for the bad guy forcing his way into your home.

...I bet the home owner will win that contest.

[RuskieShooter]

.22 better than nothing -> in a major disaster, I can carry plenty more 22 ammo in mags or not than the 9mm, 40,45 or 12g - how far would you walk for water after a major earthquake loaded down with all that lbs?

He said defensive round; not bug out round. You can't really compare the two situations. Typically you don't pack a defensive weapon over long distances. My HD is a 590 loaded with 00buck, but if I had to bug out on foot it would be left behind because of weight and ammo bulk.

I agree, in a bug out situation a .22lr rifle makes sense. But even in a bug out situation I would supplement with a larger caliber pistol for two legged threats.

Agreed. This is like the 20th time I've said this..... Gimme a 10/22 and a some magazines and I can rule any sports stadium during the next Katrina style disaster, forcing bad guys to their graves.

...right up until a bad guy shows up with an AR, AK, SKS, mini-14, 870 or 500 loaded with slugs/buckshot, or a 9mm or larger pistol. I'm not saying that .22 can't be lethal, but there are MUCH more lethal rounds out there.

Again to OP - Spend a few bucks and get something bigger and more effective.

-Ruskie

[coy80176]

The best round

is the one in the chamber if/when you need it....place it well, and be well.

[donw]

there is MUCH more than meets the eye when it comes to SD shooting.

SWAT and specops TRAIN DILIGENTLY in a closed room environment with specially designed HEARING and vision protection.

how many of you keep your hearing and eye protection right next to your SD/HD weapon? lets have an HONEST show of hands...

odds are, unless you TRAIN diligently, with your .44 mag, 45 ACP etc in the same environment you anticipate having to use it in, you're gonna be shooting BLIND and DEAF after the first shot.

a 10/22, or similar, carbine is one that's HIGHLY controlable and accurate at the ranges in a SD/HD situation not to mention will not be as deafening.

basicaslly...with training...a 10/22 could inject ten, 40 grain slugs, into a chest cavity in a very tight group with lightening speed and accuracy...that's 400 grains of lead injected at 1200+- FPS...nothing to shrug off

[SNCaliber]

any bullet including a 22 will hurt or at least hinder someone trying to break in, but a 12 ga. shotgun in a home situation is best imo.

[Lead Waster]

As someone who has been shot over and over and over and over and over again with .22 bullets....I can tell you they really only piss people off. You are better off using pepper spray. Sorry about your luck, but .22 is not, and never will be, a good self defense round./sarcasm /thread.

What the! Do tell the tale of the multiple .22! (I'm assuming they came from a firearm, not an air rifle)

Also, a .22 will easily kill, and I think anyone breaking into a house and being shot at might not immediately go down, but the whole "being shot at" hopefully will make them turn tail and get the F out of your house! They don't know WHAT they are being shot at with!

A 10/22, even if the rounds don't stop a DETERMINED assailant immediately will sure slow him down as your are beating on him with the butt of your wooden stock!

And remember, RFK was killed with a .22, but he wasn't a coked up madman trying to kill anyone at the time either.