The merits of a .22LR for defense

[poppo]

Ok, before the laughing commences, let me explain my (flawed?) thought process.

First of all, I live out in the sticks on 49 acres. In a 'worse case' scenario, I have a fairly defensible position. Now I have several handguns for most any close range occasion, but I don't have any rifles except a 10/22. I used it mostly for plinking in the back and have six 25 round mags for it and thousands of rounds. Now, I was thinking about selling it, because I really don't use it much any more. I was thinking about the worse case scenario and that I might need to get something with a little more range than my handguns. But with the high price and scarcity of ammo for something larger, I am thinking that the old 10/22 might not be that bad to keep around.

Let's face it, a .22 can be deadly. Hit an attacker enough times at a distance and he is either going down or will certainly be slowed down. So my thought was that it might not be a bad idea to get something larger, but to also keep the 10/22. With the low cost of .22LR ammo, I could pretty much keep the rounds flying non-stop.

Now I probably will still get something else with more range and stopping power, but I an unsure if I should keep the 10/22 or sell it to help fund the other. So do you all think a .22LR would be worthless to use in a worse case situation, or would it be a handy compliment to something larger?

[Oldgringo]

Poppo,

Only you can answer your question. Certainly, an AR or a Mini 14 would offer more firepower than your 10-22. If you decide to spend $1500 for an AR and inasmuch as .223 ammo is scarce to say the least, you might want to also invest in a bayonet for your new AR.

What your question has done is cause me to become suddenly interested in larger capacity magazines for my 10-22 and to remove its scope.

Good luck and God bless.

[Stupid]

Perfect defense against zombies. I'd take 22LR over any other calibers to shoot zombies any given day.

[boomerang]

If that's all they have or if a disability prevents someone from using more gun, a 22 rifle is a lot better than throwing rocks.

[Rex B]

On a property that size I'd think you would have plenty of occasion to use a .22 for pests and such.
I'd keep it, but then I have a bunch of .22s.

Just save up and buy something with more reach. You can find used 30-30s for $200 or so.

[Armybrat]

Why would you need to sell your 10/22?

[LaserTex]

I have a Ruger 10/22 and it would be the very last weapon I would ever sell. It has done more than I ever deserved. It shout after being dropped in the creek. My 10/22 and my Mini-14. And my P-90...and my LCP...

[Rex B]

A .22 rifle is a must-have for a rural property owner.

But I think you do need something also with some more reach.
A 30-30 lever-action is a common choice.

[bdickens]

Well, .22LR beats .25ACP. But not by much.

[TheArmedFarmer]

There's nothing like the accuracy of a Ruger 10/22. I love mine and you couldn't separate it from me.

I will say, though, that I wouldn't rely on it against zombies. I once had a smallish (150lb?) feral hog on our property that I wanted dead. I shot it up with 2 ten round mags out of my 10/22 and the thing still didn't die. Every shot hit the beast all over the place and it continued screaming and rolling around, refusing to die. I finally had to walk up and finish it off with my XD9 pistol.

That was a wake-up call for me on the real-world usefulness of the .22 against larger animals or 2 legged predators. I now keep a scoped AR-15 always at the ready, and the .22 basically stays in the closet.

[Excaliber]

For defensive purposes at distance, a .22 won't cut the mustard. It is better than throwing rocks, but if your antagonist is throwing .223's or 7.62's your way, you'll quickly come to appreciate some of the advice below on acquiring something that can deliver a substantial punch at a distance.

That being said, I wouldn't sell the 10/22 in your situation. That gun is a virtually ideal tool for harvesting small animals without creating a lot of commotion or ruining a lot of meat. Those are some pretty handy characteristics I would be loathe to give up.

[pedalman]

That being said, I wouldn't sell the 10/22 in your situation. That gun is a virtually ideal tool for harvesting small animals without creating a lot of commotion or ruining a lot of meat. Those are some pretty handy characteristics I would be loathe to give up.

Not to mention the cheap marksmanship practice. Good shooting principles on a 22 should translate to bigger bores. Got a shooting issue? Revert back to 22 until you clear it up.

[KRM45]

I like the .22 fired from a rifle. Mine is a Remington 597 with a BSA scope, which is a similar to the 10/22. I can hit an 8" plate at 100 yards all day. I wouldn't even try that shot with my pistol. I'm sure some of you can do it, but I know my limitations.

If you want to hold off a well trained enemy force, you will need more gun. If you are worried about your average group of thugs, 150 rounds of well placed .22 should convince them to move on to a different target.

[Dan20703]

The answer is NO.
Don't sell that rifle! Everyone should own a .22 and the 10/22 is one of the best.

[kalipsocs]

Keep it