.22 Magnum

I want to get a feel for what the world thinks about this cartridge and how heavy, or what type of animal can be reasonably hunted at what distance. Let's say the effective range is out to 100 yards. Any comments welcome. Does anyone know the ballistic coefficient of this round at say 40 grains? Average foot pounds down range at 25 - 50- 75 - 100 yards ?

Forgot to add that I'm thinking 50 pounds - more or less thin skin animals ought to be tops out to 100 yards.

I fully realize proper bullet placement is critical with any round, but I don't want to hear about foolish head shots to larger animals.

[Suzuki]

Small game up to fox size in my opinion.

[reddog]

Originally Posted by Suzuki

Small game up to fox size in my opinion.

+10

[stinkycat]

Originally Posted by reddog

+10

I think it will fall short for fox or larger. Usually longer distance hunting for that size animal and I would not feel comfortable using the 22mag. But depends on what you want to hunt and at what distances. I would think snowshoes and squirrel size would be a max up to 100 yards. IMHO

A 40 grain .22 mag at 100 yards develops "at least" 100 foot pound of energy ( more rather than less). For those that don't know - that's 100 foot pounds of energy per square inch. That means if you hit a 50 pound animal at 100 yards with a 40 grain .22 magnum, you will be hitting them with twice their body weight all in one square inch of where the bullet strikes. That's like a 100 pound boxer (prize fighter) being hit by a 200 pound boxer. How long do we think that 100 pound boxer will stay on its feet?

[AllenW]

Not sure, but doesn't the fact the bullet is not a sq inch in size come into play???

Al

Originally Posted by AllenW

Not sure, but doesn't the fact the bullet is not a sq inch in size come into play???

Al

Very good question. If you are right, the down range fp should be reduced by the number of 22's we could fit into an inch. That means if each bullet is 1/8th of an inch radius 8 X 8 = 64. 150 fp at 100 yards divided by 64 = 2 fp. That can't be right ? So maybe the mushroom effect comes into play. Maybe there is no exact answer considering bullets mushroom differently.

We have to get somebody smarter for this one.

[Esoxchaser]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sectional_density
.

[Esoxchaser]

In MI we have to use rimfires when hunting at night. I prefer the 17hmr to a 22 mag because it is much, much more accurate. Bullet placement means as much or more than size and retained energy when taslking about rounds that are even remotely similar. Never seen a 'yote go more than 30 yards after a hit in the boiler room by a .17, usually less than 10 yards.