First off, let me say that I know all the arguments about how .22 is not effective for self defense and whatnot. I just purchased my first pistol, a .22 LR Beretta Neos. It'll be mostly for Target shooting, plinking and similar. However, as it is currently my only firearm, I would like some recommendations for some ammo to keep in one of the mags for a self/home defense situation. I'be heard good things about both cci stingers and velociters, but would like some advice from people who have more experience in this area. Thanks in advance!
CCI Mini-Mag, 40 grain RN - no reason for anything different, just need reliable consistent performance. And don't worry about hollow points, they only like to expand after passing through longer tubes.
I actually made a YouTube video for this once. After talking about the trial aspect 'stopping power' I eventually said that for the money, if you didn't have any gun to start with, to buy a Hi-Point C9, some mags, and some ammo.
More to the point however, aside from the aforementioned CCI Mini-Mag round nose ammo, CCI Stingers are a good choice, as are Remington Thunderbolt High Velocity round nose ammo.
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"I am starting to see that liberalism and totalatarianism are essentially the same thing." -TXplt
My suggestion would be to choose an ammunition that functions reliably in your Neos 100% of the time. To me, that would rule out the bulk pack ammo. I've seen far more failures with bulk pack ammo than any other. The most superior projectile out there won't be much good if it doesn't feed, fire, and eject.
What Jay and Ten Man said. With a .22, you are going to need to to be really good at shot placement. You are going to want to get yourself some police targets and practice the Jeff Cooper Technique, which is described by the Colonel in this little verse:
Two in the chest
And one in the head
Always leaves the subject dead.
The .22 would not be my first choice for personal or home defense. That said, if you can get one through the skull into the cranial cavity, autopsies have shown it ricochets around in there and chops the brain into tapioca. Not a guaranteed instant kill, but it does drop the attacker.
CCI Mini mag works well in my .22 pistols and like others have said if you have to shoot someone 4-5 rounds close together and put there quickly it is better then nothing. 4 in the chest in 2 in the hip (break the hip and they will drop like a bag of rocks) will stop just about anyone. Going for a head shot in the dark and panic is a sure way to miss always aim for the biggest area that you can hit and hit is often
The C9 is a good gun for the money, but since stoping power with any pistol round is pretty much gun rag hype (IMO) if all he has is a .22 then at least that is better then nothing
1. Round nose bullet and atleast 40 grain is the starting point.
2. Next step, start with the highest velocity rounds you can find (that meet the aforementioned criteria) and then just try them over and over again until you find what fires the most reliably out of your pistol. Don't go with anything under 1200 fps on the box.
3. Keep an open mind...every .22LR weapon behaves differently...the carton of bulk ammo just might be your winner.
For me, it turned out the Remington Golden bullet Value Pack was the most reliable for me (even over CCI). Furthermore, it dropped a bad guy in my house dead in his tracks (albeit with a rifle, not a pistol).
Two in the chest
And one in the head
Always leaves the subject dead.
As a general rule, double tapping and/or using finishing moves will get you sent away for a very long time. Heh. Video game references. It's hard to justify the need to put one in their skull, you know? Once they're down, leave them there.
Had it been a revolver I'd suggest the Aguila 60 gr. SSS. I'm not sure how well they'd do in a semi-auto but it's worth a try. I bet it would hurt like heck getting hit with a keyholing bullet.LOL
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As an RCBS owner I choose not to participate in ammo shortages.
Had it been a revolver I'd suggest the Aguila 60 gr. SSS. I'm not sure how well they'd do in a semi-auto but it's worth a try. I bet it would hurt like heck getting hit with a keyholing bullet.LOL
They dont feed very will in my Ruger 22/45 but I might have to try them out in my .22 revolver.
As an SD round I dont think these would be a good option I just dont know it they would go deep enough to be as effective as say a 40 gr round going 1000+ fps
Whos got old phone books and wants to try it out?
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Anything said here is my PERSONAL opinion nothing more
Neo: practice is the exact reason I got a .22 in the first place. Right now I can consistently get sub 4"-6" groups at 10-15 yrds, but I'm hoping regular range trips every week or 2 will change that for the better.
Also, thanks for all the input everyone. My Neos is the 6" version, will the extra 1.5" make much of a difference as far as ballistics go? I bought the larger version primarily for the larger site radius, just wondering if the little bit of extra length will have much of an impact, or if I would have to have a rifle length barrel for the ballistic difference to be noticeable. Thanks again all.
They dont feed very will in my Ruger 22/45 but I might have to try them out in my .22 revolver.
As an SD round I dont think these would be a good option I just dont know it they would go deep enough to be as effective as say a 40 gr round going 1000+ fps
Whos got old phone books and wants to try it out?
May have to try that sometime but I haven't shot any in years. I think they would penetrate well at close distances and only keyhole beyond 15-25 yards or so. At 25 yards they would hit keyholed from a rifle last time I did shoot some but I don't remember how they performed from a handgun.
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As an RCBS owner I choose not to participate in ammo shortages.
May have to try that sometime but I haven't shot any in years. I think they would penetrate well at close distances and only keyhole beyond 15-25 yards or so. At 25 yards they would hit keyholed from a rifle last time I did shoot some but I don't remember how they performed from a handgun.
Out to about 50 yard they will print tighter then 55gr green tip rounds out of my Bushmaster M4 with the CMMG .22 kit in it. Past that they start dropping pretty fast
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Anything said here is my PERSONAL opinion nothing more
CCI Velocitor IF it works well in your gun. It is a heavier high velocity accurate .22 round which has had excellent ignition reliability every time I have shot it.
Although it is a HP it will penetrate as much as anything else. HP or RN won't make much difference as you will not be getting much, if any, expansion. Heavier is generally better and that is why I think most are advocating solids.
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In any compromise between good and evil, it is only evil that can profit -- John Galt
tpapenfuhs: Sir, re-read this page well thought out words!
3-5-7 rules apply to all calibre's 3yds. 5yds 7yds. This is my space, Own it.
We set our targets 5-8 at times, with differing distances. One will call a pattern, with doubles thrown in
Even in shooting schools, (I read about), training is different application
distances
Getting better comes with time, understanding, practice, thinking, observing surroundings, safety paramount
Follow up with your thinkings
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Craig
Who refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25
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It's hard to justify the need to put one in their skull, you know? Once they're down, leave them there. 
Practice 
focus on; 
