Old Hobo
Member
Topic: jump to rifling
In the .22 LR, only true target barrel chambers are short enough for the fore of the bullet to immediately engage the rifling. This causes higher pressures; however, target loads are loaded to regular pressures, i.e. not hot. Yet, many .22 rifles -- just average rifles -- have excellent accuracy; more than needed for simple hunting needs. Think about how sometimes the little .22 short cartridges will shoot well in .22 LR chambers! (CB caps, not so much; yet, some .22 LR rifles will shoot CB caps well.)
Another observation. To kill a squirrel, one needn't use a 45-70. Indeed, a standard velocity .22 LR round will do the deed. Humane / accurate shot placement negates the need for hollow-points. Yes, high velocity rounds are flatter-shooting, but most shots come under the category of "here to there". If one blows-up a squirrel, then you've ruined edible meat. Squirrel gravy is great, yet one needn't puree the little beastie in the forest.
Historically, many single shot rifles were chambered in .32 and .32 long. These were very accurate and made for fine squirrel rifles. My grandpap used his .32 revolver to put rabbits on the supper table. The .32 Long used to be used in target competitions.
To reach out and kill destructive varmints, one uses the .22 magnum or .22 center-fire rifles. The need is to eliminate, not to put food on the table. Some have used the .22 magnum to kill boar hogs. OK, but if while hunting hogs, you become the prey (hogs can be smart and aggressive), you may very well want more than the .22 mag. Just sayin'. The .327 magun for boar? No, I'd want more ... a lot more.
In the .22 LR, only true target barrel chambers are short enough for the fore of the bullet to immediately engage the rifling. This causes higher pressures; however, target loads are loaded to regular pressures, i.e. not hot. Yet, many .22 rifles -- just average rifles -- have excellent accuracy; more than needed for simple hunting needs. Think about how sometimes the little .22 short cartridges will shoot well in .22 LR chambers! (CB caps, not so much; yet, some .22 LR rifles will shoot CB caps well.)
Another observation. To kill a squirrel, one needn't use a 45-70. Indeed, a standard velocity .22 LR round will do the deed. Humane / accurate shot placement negates the need for hollow-points. Yes, high velocity rounds are flatter-shooting, but most shots come under the category of "here to there". If one blows-up a squirrel, then you've ruined edible meat. Squirrel gravy is great, yet one needn't puree the little beastie in the forest.
Historically, many single shot rifles were chambered in .32 and .32 long. These were very accurate and made for fine squirrel rifles. My grandpap used his .32 revolver to put rabbits on the supper table. The .32 Long used to be used in target competitions.
To reach out and kill destructive varmints, one uses the .22 magnum or .22 center-fire rifles. The need is to eliminate, not to put food on the table. Some have used the .22 magnum to kill boar hogs. OK, but if while hunting hogs, you become the prey (hogs can be smart and aggressive), you may very well want more than the .22 mag. Just sayin'. The .327 magun for boar? No, I'd want more ... a lot more.
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