Does .22LR Really Bounce Around Inside You? Is .22LR Actually the Deadliest Round?

Published on June 20, 2026
Duration: 2:39

This video investigates the common belief that .22LR bullets 'bounce around' inside a target, causing more damage than larger calibers. Through high-speed footage of ballistic tests on pork shoulder, the presenter compares .22LR (CCI subsonic and Mini Mag) with 9mm hollow point, 5.56x45mm FMJ, and 00 buckshot. The tests suggest that while .22LR may not always exit, it doesn't exhibit significant ricocheting or tumbling behavior within the medium, unlike some larger calibers which show more energy transfer and fragmentation.

Quick Summary

The myth that .22LR bullets 'bounce around' inside a target is largely unsubstantiated by high-speed ballistic testing. While .22LR may not always exit, it doesn't exhibit significant tumbling or ricocheting. Larger calibers like 9mm hollow point and 5.56x45mm, especially when hitting bone, show more energy transfer and tissue damage.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Intro: .22LR Bullet Bounce Myth
  2. 00:04Testing the .22LR Bounce Theory
  3. 00:11High-Speed Footage: 9mm Hollow Point Test
  4. 00:24Calibers Tested: .22LR, 9mm, 5.56, Buckshot
  5. 00:35.22LR CCI Subsonic Test
  6. 00:51.22LR CCI Mini Mag Test
  7. 01:069mm Federal Premium Hollow Point Test
  8. 01:355.56x45mm M193 Ball Test
  9. 01:41Second 5.56x45mm Test (Hitting Bone)
  10. 01:5512-Gauge Double-aught Buckshot Test
  11. 02:15Results and Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a .22LR bullet really bounce around inside a person?

Based on high-speed ballistic testing on pork shoulder, the common belief that .22LR bullets 'bounce around' inside a target like a pinball was not strongly supported. While .22LR may not always exit, it did not exhibit significant tumbling or ricocheting behavior within the medium in this test.

Is .22LR considered the deadliest round due to its trajectory?

The claim that .22LR is the deadliest round due to internal trajectory is largely a myth. While it can be effective, tests show larger calibers like 9mm hollow points and 5.56x45mm, especially when impacting bone, demonstrate more significant energy transfer, tumbling, and fragmentation, leading to greater tissue damage.

How does 9mm hollow point performance compare to .22LR in ballistic tests?

In ballistic tests on pork shoulder, a 9mm hollow point round showed a full pass-through, broke bone, and exhibited significant tumbling on the backside, indicating greater energy transfer and tissue disruption compared to the .22LR rounds tested, which did not always exit and showed less dramatic internal behavior.

What caliber caused the most damage in the ballistic test?

The 12-gauge double-aught (00) buckshot round caused the most extensive damage among the calibers tested, including .22LR, 9mm hollow point, and 5.56x45mm FMJ. The buckshot created clear entry and exit wounds with significant disruption of the target material.

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