Author Topic: .22 Stopping power (Read 2358 times)

Moss88hunter · « **on:** January 18, 2008, 02:07:00 PM »

I am using a mossberg 702 plinkster on coons. I need to find a round that has the best stopping power without being too fast. I know this probably sounds crazy so let me explain. During the summer I am the barn manager at a horse barn and the coons live in the rafters and at night eat the horse food and spread trash all over the barn. I rarely get a shot at them unless they are up in the rafters I got three last summer using remington subsonic rounds. I didn't like using them because it didn't kill them right away (all three with headshots). I'm shooting within 10 to 20 ft. What round has the best stopping power without being a hyper velocity round so that i don't have to fix a bunch of holes in the roof. Sorry the post is so long and thanks for any help!!!

Evan

trotterlg · « **Reply #1 on:** January 18, 2008, 02:30:48 PM »

If noise is not an issue, I would go with something like a 17 Remington with 25gr bullets. They will blow up when hitting most anything, you would probably not have an exit if you do a body shot. Larry

Moss88hunter · « **Reply #2 on:** January 18, 2008, 03:32:08 PM »

The best shot that can get in the rafters is a head shot when they stick their head out. I am really looking for a .22 round because I am on a college budget and can't afford a new gun. I have got the necessities for now.22, .308, and a 12 gauge and the latter two would make big holes in the raccoons and roof. So for this hunt I'm stuck with using the .22

Evan

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #3 on:** January 18, 2008, 05:26:32 PM »

See if you cant find some of the CCI Velocitors
This is an older school .22LR round that uses a 40gr bullet @ 1,450fps. They should pack that little bit extra wallop that you need.

351 power · « **Reply #4 on:** January 18, 2008, 05:33:18 PM »

just try a standard velocity round with the point filed off flat. supposed to make the bullets transmitt their energy quicker

Moss88hunter · « **Reply #5 on:** January 18, 2008, 05:42:23 PM »

Aren't the velocitors now called the stingers? That is what i normally use when hunting and they work great i just thought that they would over penetrate. I will have to try filing the tips off that sounds like a good idea.Thanks

Evan

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #6 on:** January 19, 2008, 04:25:03 AM »

Quote from: Moss88hunter on January 18, 2008, 05:42:23 PM

Aren't the velocitors now called the stingers?
Evan

I don't think that they are as I saw some CCI Velocitors just last week. I believe that the stingers are a 33gr?

backstrap · « **Reply #7 on:** January 19, 2008, 10:37:48 AM »

Sounds to me u need to use some kinda hollow point,if u got 3 last summer y would u change some thing that works if u hit a coon in the head with a 22 he is not going to die instantly his is going to kick, shiver,flop and all that goods stuff u get my meaning so y change ammo if u have some thing that will kill them,i dont think your going to find any 22 ammo that will kill them instantly there is going to be like i said above, kicking ,shivering, flopping, going on your not going to get a bang flop effect from a 22 thats just my opinion

Graybeard · « **Reply #8 on:** January 19, 2008, 01:27:01 PM »

A .22 Short HP would be my first choice for such if sticking to a .22 rifle is necessary due to cost. Otherwise I'd go with a .17 H2 if you could afford one more gun. If you properly place the shot into the brain there really shouldn't be a whole lotta flopping and delay in it coming down. At those ranges you should be able to properly place the bullet just about every time.

The Gamemaster · « **Reply #9 on:** January 19, 2008, 02:58:58 PM »

I would have to say that you are doing something backwards.

You want to kill a coon, yet you dont want to blow a hole in the roof.

What you should do is use rat poison.

Put some feed out for the coons and let them eat it and then who cares where they die, as long as they die.

It just sounds to me like you are having too much fun shooting them to realize that there is no right answer here.

The old .22 shorts - that people shot in the gallery guns were just enough to make the target go plunk - yet didn't kill people out on the street.

About the only option that you have is to BUY a pellet gun and shoot them with that.

Even a wounded coon isn't going to want to bother with your barn anymore.

Why not just advertise that you are having a coon problem and have a hunt club come to your place and hunt them?

manofthe45 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 19, 2008, 05:32:40 PM »

Last time I checked horses ain't cheap. I would disregard the poison idea. Fur fish and game has a really good article on using 22 lr and 22 wmr on varmints in feb issue. If you can't get the mag let me know and I will try and scan it and email it to you.

backstrap · « **Reply #11 on:** January 19, 2008, 06:43:07 PM »

I dont think u can place a shot from a 22 well enough to a coon in the head to not have the shakeing and all the after efects that u get from a dieing animal.If u dont like seeing them die do what u have been doing with the 3 u shot last year after u place the shot walk off for 10 mins and come back i would think the fall from the rafters would help out some to.I shot a coon last year about 15 yards with a shot to the head with a 17HMR and i bet he did the after efects for a good 2 min

Sourdough · « **Reply #12 on:** January 19, 2008, 08:03:00 PM »

Get a couple of egg traps. Over a period of time you should be able to catch them all. That way you can place them where you want them, and where you can have a good back stop so any .22 will do.

navylawdog · « **Reply #13 on:** January 20, 2008, 04:46:20 PM »

First off if you are sticking with the .22 I would suggest the CCI SGB (small game bullet). It is standard velocity and comes already flat so you wouldn't have to sit there and cut or file them off. But as was previously suggested if you can come up with a few extra bucks go with the .17 M2. You can get some for pretty cheap. I have a Savage Mark II and it was only like $170 brand new. Dropped a very large dog food fed skunk like a bad habit.

Navylawdog

Catfish · « **Reply #14 on:** January 21, 2008, 07:33:45 AM »

Sounds like you have a problem. Rem. Sub-Sonics would be my first choice. If you put 1 in the coons brain he will be dead right there. Just hitting some where in the head will not do the job with any .22 rimfire ammo.
You could catch them very easily in a box trap, but then would still have to kill them or take them along way off to keep them from comming back.
Most rat posion will only kill rodents and the coon could eat it and keep on going as they are not rodents.
I think the answer to your delimia is just better shot placement.

myronman3 · « **Reply #15 on:** January 21, 2008, 11:01:13 AM »

catfish x2. i use aguila 22 subsonics almost exclusively now. they are the quite-ist rounds i have found, and with proper placement, they do the number. they shoot accurately, and kill everything i have shot with them.

Jerry Lester · « **Reply #16 on:** January 21, 2008, 11:30:13 AM »

If your dead set on shooting them, I'm with Grey Beard. I'd be using CCI short hollow points. They can be fired even through a semi auto in single shot mode.

I've been ridding barns, and such of coons, and other critters for years. My weapon of choice for indoor coon removal in a baited #220 Conibear trap. This is a slightly dangerous trap in that it'll do serious damage or break your wrist/fingers if you manage to catch your self in it(don't ask! LOL!). In most cases it's as easy as baiting the trigger with a piece of apple. If they don't go for that, then make a pouch with window screen, and fill it with sardines, then wire it to the trigger. You can buy these for less than $20 in most cases. I'd stick with the "Victor" name brand as they're a lot better made, and easier to use in my opinion.

If you go the Conibear route, be extremely careful where you place it. This trap will kill cats, and even smaller dogs stone dead. They work great though!

Moss88hunter · « **Reply #17 on:** January 21, 2008, 01:43:54 PM »

Thanks for all of the advice! I am kinda stuck with shooting them because my boss leaves his cat there and I often take my dog to work. I am sure that I am getting proper shot placement it probably is just the spasms after I shoot them. After I shoot them I have to get a ladder and pull them out of the rafters, so that is another reason I want to make sure that they are dead. Sound isn't an issue so I will try both CCI short hp and rem. subsonics and see which works better.

Evan

manofthe45 · « **Reply #18 on:** January 21, 2008, 06:00:38 PM »

Straight shooting then. Best of luck!

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #19 on:** January 21, 2008, 06:42:55 PM »

I would try the Aguilla SSS ( sub sonic sniper) they are a 60, yes 60 grain bullet that hits like a ton of bricks and is very quiet.
I don't know what your rifle is but the 60 grainers are a huge bullet stuffed into a short case and have the same over all length as a Long Rifle.
They work out of most of my rifles and will function the 10/22 auto.
They are real accurate out to 50 yards and then tend to drop a little, compared to the standard 36 or 40 grain bullets.
Hope it's helpful.

Bubber · « **Reply #20 on:** January 22, 2008, 08:45:26 AM »

I am a trapper and have shot more than a few raccoons from near perfect angles at very close distances. All raccoons shot in the head with a .22 will go through those spasms. When one starts thrashing like that it is a sign that you made a good shot.

Actually I don't consider a raccoon safe unless it has gone through that thrashing period.

If your bullets aren't going through the raccoon and into the roof continue with what you are doing and happy shooting.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #21 on:** January 22, 2008, 08:56:54 AM »

cut the top out of a 55 gal. barrel , fill half full of water sprinkle the food they like on top the water ( if it floats ) or corn if it doesn't !
remove dead coons as necessary !

Qaz · « **Reply #22 on:** January 24, 2008, 07:52:08 AM »

Bubber has given you the best advice and if I may add to that. First you are braver than me if you are using a 22Lr inside the barn(Ricochets). I use PMC Moderators at times and have taken a drill bit and made a big hollow point in them, they will expand at low velocity. I also use the Winchester Power Points(big hollow point) with a good body shot and they drop dead. The best thing you can do though is put a red dot sight on the rifle, for precise shot placement, if you don't already have one.

cattleskinner · « **Reply #23 on:** January 31, 2008, 06:22:37 AM »

I would use a .22 short (solid or hp version), and place the shot between and slightly above the eyes. You said that shots are between 10-20ft., if you use too heavy or high velocity ammunition at that range, you run the chance of putting holes in a roof(experience talking). I also wouldn't put out poison for them for the fact that you need barn cats, and a pan of antifreeze/poison is too indiscriminate of a killer especially if you bring your dog along. Good luck!

~Amos

tobster · « **Reply #24 on:** January 31, 2008, 11:12:45 AM »

Do CCI Stingers leave exit holes?

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #25 on:** January 31, 2008, 01:10:40 PM »

Yes Stingers leave exit holes. Actually big ones for a 22.

ironglow · « **Reply #26 on:** February 02, 2008, 03:04:41 AM »

First off..(IMO) get something besides Remingtons..because you want accuracy and repeatability in this case..and there is no sense getting your rifle any dirtier than necessary ..LOL

Stingers do mushroom more tham most .22s..a combination of an effective hollow point & hyper velocity.

Get some good hollow point subsonics like CCI or Aguila..GBs idea with shorts is good, but most rifles will shoot long rifles more accurately..and usually standards or subs are less expensive.
For close in work, I get CCI standards, which are very accurate in most of my rifles..then I treat them to my EABCO hollow pointer or my own SGB maker.

I have coon hunted many years, and a headshot with a standard .22 LR will kill a coon..they fall & twitch when you have made a good shot..

SGB rounds by CCI is another good choice...

jdwolf · « **Reply #27 on:** February 21, 2008, 02:13:00 AM »

A .22 magnum or .17 hmr would be the ideal raccoon killer.

alleyyooper · « **Reply #28 on:** February 21, 2008, 03:21:44 PM »

Seems like every summer I have to kill a coon or a possm or two in the grarage. I use Fedreal gold medels with a hollow point. I try for the base of the neck and head joint shot. Kills them and not a lot of flopping and twitching.

these coons in roof truss rafters? Or are they in the eve over hang? Just wondered since you said you have to drag them out.

Al

Moss88hunter · « **Reply #29 on:** February 22, 2008, 08:26:29 AM »

It is kind of hard to explain but it is like a 2x6 laid horizontally and one 2x6 vertically on each side. The racoon's get in there and just stick there head out. The barn was a really great architectural build but not very useful in real life.

Evan