There’s a significant difference between the maximum distance a .22 LR bullet can travel and the distance at which it remains a serious threat. While it might travel over a mile, its effective and dangerous range is far less. At 1 1/4 miles, a falling .22 LR bullet poses a greater risk of simply poking someone in the eye upon landing.
.22 LR bullets lose their energy rapidly. The .22 Short, for example, has an effective range measured in feet, not miles. Some .22 Short derringers are lethal only within approximately five feet. Beyond that, the bullet lacks the necessary power to penetrate the skull or cause life-threatening damage to soft tissue. Of course, a direct hit to an exposed artery in the neck could still be dangerous.
I was once hit by a .22 bullet as a child, which ricocheted off a steel railroad track at a flat angle, retaining much of its energy. Fortunately, the bullet flattened upon impact with the track and tumbled when it struck me. It hit me on the flat side, resulting in a bruise on my shoulder with a small blood dot where the skin broke. The bullet didn’t penetrate and became lodged in my jacket’s lining. This occurred at a distance of roughly 30 feet.
The lethal range of a high-velocity .22 LR round, such as a Stinger or Yellow Jacket, is likely a few hundred yards at most. However, lethality is relative. Even at close range, a .22 LR must hit a vital organ to be fatal. The bullet doesn’t possess enough energy to cause significant wound channel damage or hydrostatic shock, and its penetration is limited.
Consider the case of Serpico, the police officer shot point-blank in the face with a .22 Short. The bullet rattled around in his jaw and nasal cavity because it lacked the power to penetrate heavy bone. Although reconstructive surgery was required, he survived.
A .22 Short bullet example, commonly known for its reduced powder charge.
It’s important to note the difference between a .22 Short and a .22 Long Rifle. The .22 Short contains significantly less powder and has a much lower muzzle velocity. A .22 LR shot to the head at point-blank range, however, can penetrate the brain and is sometimes used as an assassin’s weapon due to its potential for causing a fatal head wound at close ranges.
