TINY BUT MIGHTY: THE .22 SHORT CARTRIDGE
For a cartridge that has been around since 1857 it’s doing well.
Let’s take a closer look at the little .22 short cartridge.
The .22 short cartridge has been around for a long while. The cartridge originally was brought out by Smith & Wesson for their little S&W Model 1 Revolver. It was a very popular pocket pistol load back then. The cartridges were originally loaded with black powder but later changed to smokeless powder. The old guns that shot black powder loaded cartridges then would end up with bad pitting from the fouling since cleaning practices were not up to what they are today and black powder fouling is quite corrosive. I guess the old stand by hot water and soap clean up was too much expense and the shooters were just too busy back in that day. This old revolver spotted online bears the scars of black powder residue and neglect.
Now to the modern age of smokeless powder. Generally 29 grain bullet in modern loads has a bit more power and speed. With .22 short high velocity cartridges clocking in at around 1200 fps. they sure get there fast! Add a hollow point projectile and now you have a great short range small game and pest getter. Sears back in the day sold .22 short cartridges among others. They were actually made by Federal but sold as the Sears brand. Talk about history!
Many trappers of yesteryear and even today prefer the .22 short cartridge. This is because of the low noise and just the right amount of penetration on a critter’s skull at close range. A rifle length .22 barrel really hushes that tiny projectile well. Check that old time price of .59 cents from the store “Uncle Bill’s”!
Now if you fire a modern CCI .22 Short CB cartridge that hums along at only 710 feet per second you have a .22 that is as quiet (or quieter) than a pellet gun! That is backyard pest elimination quiet!
The .22 short cartridge will continue to allow shooters a great alternative to louder options well into the future. I find it quite fun to plink away with and it still packs a little punch on critters that bother the farm. Long live the fun and useful .22 short cartridge!
