Would a .22 bullet go through human and animal skull?

Question

I am hoping on a hike this weekend, am taking my .22 long rifles, and wanted to know if it would be powerful, enough to kill say a cougar, or if some jerk tries to rob me, I can defend my self. I don’t hunt I just practice with my rifle so I don’t know what it will really do. Should I instead take my friends 30/30?

Answer 1

no

Answer 2

A .22 round has been recorded in an investigation of killing a human at 2 miles. It was a stray round from a range that killed a dog walker in woodland.

At 100 yards a bullet will easily go through skull - And anyone who argues this can put their money where their mouth is and stand in front of a .22 at 800 yards and take a hit...go on...bet you don't.

I shot .22 as a competion round, and seeing what a mess it makes of a .5mm thick steel sheet at 100 yards on first hnd experience is enough to know that an animal will go down.

The trouble is, you need to be a good shot - Not due to the stopping power, but because a .22 is easily knocked off course by wind etc. A larger round will keep a truer course.

For self defence....well....if you get attacked by a guy who thinks a .22 isn't going to hurt, then he'ss not going to shy away from a gun.....A bigger gun will stop the attack on sight. I do not recommend going anywhere that requires a gun as self defence against humans though - That is just reckless on your part.

Answer 3

This question seems to come up once every couple of days. Yes you can, but no you shouldn't, if you're asking about 22 LR, 22 Short, or CB caps. The 22 WRM is NOT a larger version of 22 LR. It's developed from the obsolete 22 WRF, which was a nice little cartridge used in the Winchester Model 03. The case of 22 WMR is of larger diameter than 22 LR. The former uses a standard bullet. The latter uses a heeled bullet, because the case is about the same diameter as the bullet itself. That means the 22 LR case will not be supported within the chamber of the 22 WMR rifle, and you can expect the cases to split. Once every ten years or so, somebody makes a batch of 22 WRF cartridges. It would be theoretically possible to shoot those in your rifle, but it would also be a shame to do so, because those 03 Winchesters deserve to be fed.

Answer 4

A .22 won't have enough power to go through bone, but it's deadly all right. Do you know that a person shot with that type of cal. can have extensive internal injuries and not realize until it's too late? That's because the slug can go like a serpentine through the organs and cause a slow, painful death. If it's defensive, try a bigger caliber. A 30/30 might be better but depending on which cartridge you use. And a rifle to be accurate has to be shot from a distance.

Answer 5

A .22 long rifle is capable of killing either a cougar or a human. It does not have shocking power as a larger caliber rifle and the shot would have to be well placed. The cougar might snatch a small child or a dog off a trail but would not attack a grown adult except in exceptional circumstances such as being cornered or disturbing a den full of kittens. As for your human attacker a shotgun with 00 buck shot is best.

Answer 6

Yes, a .22LR will penetrate the skull of an animal or human. The trouble is, you have to be close for it to do anything. By the time you get that close, you're going to do nothing but pi$$ of the thing that you shoot. Remember, a wounded animal is more dangerous that an unwounded one.

If you're THAT worried about something happening, carry a pistol. When I hiked in NM and CO, I carried a .44 magnum. You never know when/if you might run across a rabid animal. Besides, the pistol is carried in a holster, leaving your hands free.

Answer 7

If you shoot the right place, a .22 can go through, but usually, unless at very close distance, it won't. Take your 30/30. By the way do you know where to shot for a one shot kill with a .22?

Answer 8

I would not feel comfortable in a logic that says I need a gun to protect myself. The gun could easily be turned on you, and there is always that chance that if you ever did kill someone; you could still go to jail for involuntary man slaughter. If you want to know the power of gun, you should try to find the hardest objects that can be penetrated and take target practice.

Answer 9

of course it will kill but it sounds like you have not had the practise or experience to handle any weapon. make sure you can legally carry a gun. i don't know where you are but cougar attacks are very rare and most people that are just out for a hike are not out to rob people. i would suggest leaving it at home and enjoying yourself and not worrying about trivial things like a cougar attack or being robbed.

Answer 10

I spent 3 years in prison for killing a guy in my store for self defense with a .22 rifle.

Answer 11

Your .22 is a lethal weapon. Where are you hiking that you are worried about being attacked or robbed?