Thanks, Dancing Bar:
It sounds like you have some experience with 22 Mag. penetration.
Have you ever chronographed the 22 Mag. in your 4 5/8 inch barrel?
I don�t like snub nosed handguns in any cartridge. I got rid of a snubby 38 Spec. and replaced it with one that had a 3� barrel. For a field gun, I wouldn�t use HPs. I load Hard Cast 158 grain, the same as I do with my 357. I�ve never shot through Elk heads, but the 357 out penetrates the 38. I�m pretty sure that this 38 load would penetrate the skull of a Caribou for example. ????
I�ll have to check out that 22 Mag. �Winchester Super X 40 grain� load, and see how it penetrates.
In a short barrel, I�m skeptical if a 22 Mag. could be justified, considering the difference in velocity. (I don�t have a handgun chambered for 22 Mag. (My Ruger Single Six (from the 60s) is 22 LR only, and has a 5.5 inch barrel.)
Getting down to basics, perhaps a 6.5 inch barreled handgun in 22 Mag. would make a passable survival gun.
Habby Nu Yar.
Smitty of the North
