how potent is the .22 Magnum?

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SkinnyJoe

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Specifically, from a 22 inch barrel, is it enough persuasion for a mountain lion, black bear or a feral dog to leave the person alone?

...or would bear spray be a better idea?
 
In short, no. The 22mag may generate alot of muzzle energy in relation to its younger cousin the 22lr, but just won't penetrate or cause enough damage to a bear or lion. I would not even recommend it as a primary against people, just not enough tissue destruction, even if it works perfectly.
 
I've seen a whitetail deer shot with a hollow point (rifle) .22 mag in the lungs (50 yards), drop dead within 60 yards. A solid point .22 mag out of a 4" revolver right in the head might kill or stun a large animal chewing on your leg. But, if that was to happen you'd be hard pressed to get a good shot in and I'd rather have at least a .357 mag. That way even body hits would have effect. And who knows where you are going to hit a large animal set on killing you.
 
For Bobcats/Lynx and Coyotes the .22 Magnum should be enough, if you do your part. I've been known to carry it in areas were they are known to frequent. Though I do prefer my .357 Mag. If you are talking Mountain Lions or Bears, you definantly want something bigger then the .22 Magnum. A .357 Magnum out of a Rifle like my Marlin 1894C would do. Though Pepper Spray is always a good thing. Thinking I should pick some up if I do much hiking in the foot hills around my mom's place. Lion is common south of town.
 
What appeals to me about the little magnum is the modest report and recoil.

ok, several notches up, .223 from the same barrel length? Enough diplomacy for said critters? I am pretty sure it's more than enough for humans.
 
.22Lr with a well placed shot inside of 50 yards is imo fine for Medium and Smaller Coyotes, the rest I would use my .44 mag Winchester on and never look back.
 
Why bother carrying a .22mag with a 22 inch barrel for woods protection when there are better, more compact solutions.

I use a hand built 22 mag for hunting small game out to 175 yards. It weighs about 9 pounds. A 12 gauge weighs 6 lbs.
 
Many years ago I was in a court in California where the defendant was being tried for attempted murder. The defendant had used a Ruger .22 mag Single six revolver in what he claimed was self defense and shot the individual in the chest at almost point blank range. The bullet stopped in the breast bone being permanently lodged there and inoperable by the doctor due to the location of the bullet above the heart.
The defendant won the case.
I'd go with a larger caliber IMO...
 
I'm familiar with dozens of cases where someone was killed or seriously injured with a .22 WMR fired from a handgun at close range. In a few of those cases, the bullet penetrated a door or window first. It gains much more velocity fired from a rifle barrel.

That being said, anyone who would choose that round for bear or mountain lion is an idiot. There is only a 50/50 chance it will work on a human at point blank range. Animals are tougher.
 
a .22mag or .22lr would easily kill a dog. might spook off a mountain lion (but an injured animal is more dangerous than an uninjured one). However, if you shoot a bear with a .22, all your going to do is anger it.

if you want to take down a bear, you'd be better off with either a 12 gauge, or 20 gauge shotgun.

Smash05 said:
In short, no. The 22mag may generate alot of muzzle energy in relation to its younger cousin the 22lr, but just won't penetrate or cause enough damage to a bear or lion. I would not even recommend it as a primary against people, just not enough tissue destruction, even if it works perfectly.
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a .22 (mag or lr) is pleny to take on a person.(in self defense of course)
 
SkinnyJoe, the report from a .223 in anything handgun sized will be brutal on your ears however you might live long enough to get annoyed at the tinnitus.
If recoil is the issue get a heavy framed .357 and download it with .38special hardcast solids. Heavier guns help with recoil and the hardcast solids will help get better penetration. I wouldn't feel under-gunned with my .45acp and some pin loads (but those have some bark & recoil).

Just re-read your original post 22" barrel opens up a whole new can of worms. Unless you are snap shooting you will have plenty of time for shot placement. In that case .223 will get r done I'd go with a heavier bullet. Or 22-250:D Though a lever action maybe a pistol caliber would be fun & effective.
 
Out in the middle of nowhere where convenience is not an issue, I really don't want to carry my handgun. A light all-weather rifle (<7lbs) with iron sights and a nice sling is something I would be happy with. Within those parameters, something with the minimum necessary recoil would make me happy.
 
"is it enough persuasion for a mountain lion, black bear or a feral dog to leave the person alone"

Yes, and easily so. You never hear of any of those critters pressing through with an attack with lead getting slung their way and a 22 mag. out of a rifle is quite deadly.
 
wildmanh said:
For Bobcats/Lynx and Coyotes the .22 Magnum should be enough, if you do your part. I've been known to carry it in areas were they are known to frequent. Though I do prefer my .357 Mag. If you are talking Mountain Lions or Bears, you definantly want something bigger then the .22 Magnum. A .357 Magnum out of a Rifle like my Marlin 1894C would do. Though Pepper Spray is always a good thing. Thinking I should pick some up if I do much hiking in the foot hills around my mom's place. Lion is common south of town.
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If you're going to be carrying a rifle anyway, I give a +1 on the .357 Mag lever action idea. If it comes down to actually having to shoot an animal, you want it to STOP right then and there, not bleed out after it has taken a bullet and still managed to tear into you.

If bear is on the possibles list, you might even step up to a .44 Mag lever action.
 
Frank V.A. said:
"is it enough persuasion for a mountain lion, black bear or a feral dog to leave the person alone"

Yes, and easily so. You never hear of any of those critters pressing through with an attack with lead getting slung their way and a 22 mag. out of a rifle is quite deadly.
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I agree^^^^:thumbup:, but there are some bigger choices. I love my 22mag, and have seen it do ""miraculous things" but if given the choice for the above mentioned id opt for more persuasion, like 44mag leveraction or my favorite 45-70 Guide Gun.:D
Let us know what you decide, good luck.
 
stealthchaser13 said:
a .22mag or .22lr would easily kill a dog.
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Depends on the dog, and shot placement is critical. Country vets used to dispatch carstruck dogs with a single contact shot from a .22 behind the ear.

Dogs are tough, and if you are being attacked you want multiple follow up shots. One shot from a 9mm or 38 can stop a dog, but it is unlikely to kill it immediately.

.22 from a distance would probably not be a quick kill, and might just make it mad.
 
:eek:.22 against bear and cougar,not a chance!.357 mag.would be my smallest choice,and work up in caliber selection from there.
 
tyr_shadowblade said:
Depends on the dog, and shot placement is critical. Country vets used to dispatch carstruck dogs with a single contact shot from a .22 behind the ear.

Dogs are tough, and if you are being attacked you want multiple follow up shots. One shot from a 9mm or 38 can stop a dog, but it is unlikely to kill it immediately.

.22 from a distance would probably not be a quick kill, and might just make it mad.
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Hey, how bad could it get, lightly winging big and scratchy predators?!
 
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