rat shot/bird shot

[Brant Buster]

Like with a shotgun you'll just have to "pattern" your .22 and see for yourself.

All you'll need is a cardboard box 16-24" square, a couple sheets of paper or large paper plates, and a handful of rounds.

Start off at about 10-12-15 feet then work backward one yard at a time. The rifling in your .22 will actually work against you as the certrifical force it creates will spin the pattern apart faster than if your rimfire-gun was a smoothbore.

Keep in mind that at too close of range, the pellets can riccochette into your eyes and under your skin - requiring a trip to the doc.

In high school I had several crimped Remington rat-shot. Blasted mice, rats, gophers with them even to 20+ feet. The point where they became ineffective was rather abrupt (effective at 20' perhaps, but not 22' - I don't remember the exact range, but I also no longer have that particular .22 nor any of those shells).