Thread: Hollow Point 22lr to reduce Ricochets

I do a bit of rabbit control on a few properties that either have stock or horses nearby or are in semi-populated areas, houses within 200m, close to roads and so on. I have been using subsonic round nose target ammo but have seen and heard a few ricochets, some even after passing clean through a rabbit.
A mate of mine has said that using hollow points will all but eliminate that problem as they tend to explode on whatever they hit first, but I'm not convinced it would make that much difference at low velocity.

I'm planning to make a hollow pointing tool to swage target ammo into hollow or flat points and give it a try as I don't like the idea of paying more for CCI HP than I do for premium target ammo.

Does anyone have any experience with hollow points being better for this? I cant use HMR or a varmint centerfire due to noise on these properties, so suppressed subsonic 22 is the only choice other than an air gun, which I am not interested in buying.

Hollow points ricochet just as bad.

There is no safe solution in .22LR. Even CCI Quite segmented will ricochet

Hollow points ricochet just the same as solids

Horses and houses as close as you mention I wouldn’t ever fire another shot there in my lifetime

The consequences are too costly

I know you say you don't want an airgun but PCP airguns are your answer, something adjustable so you can dial the power right back. They are not cheap but it's the only safe option in that situation.

Some fair points made here. I think I will stop shooting there until I sort something out. As mentioned, not worth the risk just for a few rabbits.

Any suggestions on PCP rifles to look at? Really not interested in spending 2k plus for a rabbit gun.

Z longs

Z longs or 22 shorts

I have this same issue. I have a gully that I can shoot down into with .22LR subs but that is only about third of the shots I need to make on bunnies.
Have HW95 .177, while a lovely springer, I don't shot it very well and pretty limited in range. Just putting a pellet into the lungs, so not a quick kill (bare in mind it's straight out pest control), and very unsatisfactory.
Long term a .22 cal PCP is the answer but that is pretty big $$.

Not helpful, but I've given up shooting on a couple of mate's lifestyle blocks as the areas have got more built up and become suburban. It's not just risk of ricochet etc, it's changing attitudes as well. Some new neighbours not keen on a guy wandering around after dark with a gun. I just don't need the hassle.

high velocity frangible are the answer unfortunately. i think the CCI copper is a fangible

Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

Z longs

These are an option but still need care. Getting harder to find though as is everything...

22 PCP will ricochet just as bad as a 22RF - I sold mine after a pellet that had killed a rabbit ended up in a house about 30 beyond the rabbit, and at over 45 degrees to its original path.

@Fssprecision makes a suppressed .410 that would solve your issues

Originally Posted by SixtyTen

I do a bit of rabbit control on a few properties that either have stock or horses nearby or are in semi-populated areas, houses within 200m, close to roads and so on. I have been using subsonic round nose target ammo but have seen and heard a few ricochets, some even after passing clean through a rabbit.
A mate of mine has said that using hollow points will all but eliminate that problem as they tend to explode on whatever they hit first, but I'm not convinced it would make that much difference at low velocity.

I'm planning to make a hollow pointing tool to swage target ammo into hollow or flat points and give it a try as I don't like the idea of paying more for CCI HP than I do for premium target ammo.

Does anyone have any experience with hollow points being better for this? I cant use HMR or a varmint centerfire due to noise on these properties, so suppressed subsonic 22 is the only choice other than an air gun, which I am not interested in buying.

I've always used a .410 in those situations , or you could experiment with .22-shorts (if available) Aguila Sniper does't go too-far either (big-heavy projo) or a suitable air-gun . (for a laugh you could try a paint-ball-gun with frozen-balls...nobody likes frozen-balls)