.22 magnum for grouse?

[StoneHorse]

I use 3" magnum 12-gauge duck loads on grouse. If I miss their head, at least the steel shot goes straight through them and won't deform. Holy crap my gf shot one in the chest with a .22 LR lead-head. I'm no ballistics expert, but I think you could probably kill a person but good with a .22. The damage was spectacular for a close range, tiny-calibre shot.
Cannon

No question about it. I've personally seen it, unfortunately.

 

[Brutus]

Weird thing about short barrel 22 LR handguns is the peculiar loss of energy often results in a bullet making entry, but not enough juice for a clean exit, even at close range.

Sometimes resulting in that 40 gr bit of lead dodging around soft tissue, while trapped inside the unlucky body cavity.

Not unlike early WWII examples of a single 30-06 M2 rifle bullet shot into a buttoned up Sherman tank. Hundreds of ricochetes displayed with a freshly painted interior.

 

[Brutus]

No question about it. I've personally seen it, unfortunately.

Same example would be a 30-30 rifle bullet striking a WT deer in the vitals, at extended ranges. Bizarre damage, seemingly all out of proportion to the cartridge.

 

[Feller]

Let us know how the 22wmr works out for you. I've been interested in this caliber for awhile.