.22 Handgun vrs. Rifle as Game Gathering Tool?

.22 performance in a handgun versus a rifle (barrel length)

For anyone who is interested, there's a fellow - Dr. Mark White who started and used to own "Sound Technologies" (name has since been changed) out of Pelham, Alabama[/color] or similar spelling. Dr. White specialized making .22LR silencers and "pocket rifles," usually from Ruger 10/22.s on modified Choate folding stocks. This was before the introduction of the Ruger Charger pistol, also based on the M10/22.

Most of White's customers are law enforcement or animal control types who have need for a compact, silenced .22LR ..... for dispatching wounded dogs on highways and roads, or nuisance deer and wildlife around subdivisions or airports, etc.

What I really wanted to post was that White has published data about the .22 Long Rifle and it performance.

The maximum optimum barrel length for a .22LR is 16 inches - most people know. But White also published tables on the Model 10/22 but also the Model 77/22 (which I don't remember as well as I do about the M10/22).

If the 16 inch barrel length was the "0" value on percentage loss of .22LR velocity, a 14in bbl still gives 98+ percent .22LR performance.

A 12in barrel gave 97%, a 10in barrel around 94-95% of max porformance, and 8inch barrel would give 91+ percent, and a 6inch barrel around 83% of the velocities attained with a 16inch barrel.

And I believe (don't remember for sure) a 4inch .22LR still gives around 70-72 of (16in) rifle performance[/color].

White frequently built his pocket rifles with 5 1/2 inch barrels to guarentee that any ammo would shoot SUBSONIC and be silenced, but still his data is VALUABLE when determining how to set up a rifle, pistol or weapon like a Thompson/Center Contender, or when deciding what one can expect when selecting .22 ammo!

Also, a 10inch pistol approaches rifle performance! Esp when shooting .22 Silhouette competition ot similar range-games. That's why a 10inch barrel is often a great choice when equipping/outfitting a handgun to be used for that kind of shooting. Or would be a great choice for a [.22] hunting firearm for say ...... squirrels, rabbits, etc.

I agree with Team Nelson's interest in singleshot Contenders for their versatility (and not just in .22's), but I also see a bigger need for 10inch handgun choices and also eight-inch!

Those familiar with Tactical Solutions (LLC) out of Boise, Idaho - know that company makes lightweight aluminum upper assemblies fir the Browning Buckmark .22LR pistols, but also aluminum upper assemblies for the Ruger RST Mark O'ne's, Two's, Three's and the M22/45's. Any of the Buckmark's or Ruger's are much lighter in weight with their aluminum uppers!!

Maybe someone else will chime in, but take my word for it that anyone interested in exploiting the .22 Long Rifle cartridge in a handgun would be wise to study Dr White's studies and experiences (and various ammo he's tested), and also Tactical Solution's company[/color] and product line.

Also if one is shooting a singleshot like a Contender or bolt-action of any kind, it is also WISE to consider having a wide assortment[/color] of CB Caps, .22 Short ammo, high-performance LR's and other rimfire ammo choices too.

ADDED: I don't mean to neglect those shooters who choose a wheelgun in .22LR or whatever one might choose. White's data applies to ALL rimfire guns[/color]. ;D

Dear Guys,

The reason that a .22 rifle is a better game getter than a handgun is that it is very easy, given a rest (whether a limb, knee or branch) and a decent 4x scope, to hit 2 inch targets, in short order, out to 100 yards. For the average shooter, this effectivley triples the range at which game can be taken.

On game below the size of a groundhog, the velocity/power of the round is simply not an issue.

Data regarding velocity of standard .22 LR rounds seems somewhat irrelevant, since 90% of folks seem to shoot .22 "High Velocity" rounds, which are somewhat faster.

A 22 to 24 inch rifle barrel should be preferred, even though there is a very small loss of velocity, simply because rifles with these barrels "point" very well, and stay on target as you sight, rather than wandering all over the place. Next time you are at a gunshow, pick up a Ruger 10/22 and point it at a spot in the rafters, then pick up a Marlin 39A and point it, you will see an very very large difference in how the rifle handles.

Regards,
Mannyrock

Tacklebury I saw one of those Rossi 45/410/22 combo pistols. I found it extremely tempting.






The 22 would be a great small game getter. The 45 out of a 45/410 barrel have questionable accuracy. But I think good for deer at reasonable distances. The real question I had was how useful the 410 would be. Could I hit a moving target with one? How much practice would it take to develop the skill or maintain it?


For the 22, the pistol would be as good as the rifle. I decided the 410 was more important than the 45 for the area I plan to survive in. For half the money (Walmart) I got the Rossi 22/410 youth combination. It fits in my backpack. I feel more confident that I can hit a moving squirrel in dense cover with the long gun. 410 slugs could get a deer, but I think I will use something else for large game.


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