Hunting with 22lr and ricochets?

[GunNewb]

Im considering getting a 22lr for targets at 100 and hunting. But I keep hearing about the "dangers" of 22 ricochet. Should I go for bunnies with a 17hmr instead?

This is gonna influence my buying decision 'cause Ill just get a cz 455 or something that can convert to 17hmr for hunting and 22 for targets.

 

[Winnipeg Toymaker]

Any bullet can ricochet when it hits an object. the soft .22 usually flattens when it hits a hard surface flat on. and if the ground, usually buries itself. So it all depends on the angle you shoot at. at 100 yards, you need to know what is beyond your target as with any gun. Being attentive of that very important. The .17 can make turns also as it is lighter. Often in my deer stand i could hear big bore ricochets go by close but would rather have a .22 than a big bore go by. Though none would be the best.

 

[hometownhero]

I would get a hmr for hunting. Amazingly accurate. Heck after getting my hm2 I'm thinking my 22's wont be seeing much use anymore with the deadly combo of hmr and hm2

 

[Scott_N]

Does a 17 HMR leave anything left to eat on something like a bunny? I do find that .22s ricochet fairly often.

 

[hometownhero]

Does a 17 HMR leave anything left to eat on something like a bunny? I do find that .22s ricochet fairly often.

Headshots. Lots of guys here use them for grouse the key is headshots

 

[.22LRGUY]

Great replies so far and I'd agree, it depends allot on the angle the bullet hits at, WHAT it hits....heck, even the temperature. Ground that would normally swallow a .22lr round in mild temps will often reject it when it's freezing outside. Again, the angle comes into play. I haven't had my 17M2 long enough to say, but I know I've had the odd ricochet with .22lr, .22WMR....but can't remember ever having one with my .17HMRs when I had them. Shot placement on small game with an HMR is critical if you want to eat what you shoot. Regardless, I wouldn't get too wrapped-up in the ricochet vs. .22lr argument since MISSING your target is the same as having a round bounce off and go astray. At that point, the bigger issue comes into play~as Winnipeg Toymaker touched-on. Your back-stop. As shooters, we need to be keenly aware of where our bullets end-up. So, in simple terms, don't take the shot if a "miss" sends the round somewhere it shouldn't be.

 

[Timberlord]

At that point, the bigger issue comes into play~as Winnipeg Toymaker touched-on. Your back-stop. As shooters, we need to be keenly aware of where our bullets end-up. So, in simple terms, don't take the shot if a "miss" sends the round somewhere it shouldn't be.

Definately .
This is often forgotten in the " heat" of the moment .

....But with that said , how long has the .22 been used for bunnie hunting ?
...and this issue has come up how many times ?
None I've ever heard of other than safety awareness.

We've set a bucket along side the creekbed that has a 10foot rise of clay and treeroot , then stood downsteam and bounced .22 bullets off the water to hit the bucket , lots of fun.