U.S.A. -(AmmoLand.com)- Different shooters have different needs, different limitations, and different firearms. Yet for all those variables, 22 Long Rifle has never really been an option for personal defense—until now. Federal Premium introduces Punch 22 LR, a new load using a first-of-its-kind 29-grain nickel-plated lead-core bullet, pushed at maximum velocities for the deepest penetration through short-barrel handguns. Shipments of this product have begun to arrive at dealers.
Punch 22 LR
“Self-defense isn’t one size fits all. So, whether shooters want to carry a 22 LR handgun as a backup gun, do not feel comfortable with centerfire pistols, or simply want to get more versatility from a rimfire handgun,” said Federal’s Rimfire Product Manager, Dan Compton, “Punch makes the 22 LR cartridge a viable defensive choice for the first time ever.”
The Punch 22 LR bullet is a departure from standard 22 LR design. It features a flat nose and utilizes a heavy nickel-plated jacket around a lead core. So not only does it travel faster than competing 22 projectiles, but its design also deliberately minimizes expansion and retains weight to maintain sufficient straight-line penetration. That is a lot to ask from a .22 bullet, which is why other manufacturers have shied away from the challenge. But Federal’s engineering team pulled it off, giving America’s favorite cartridge a chance to prove itself for protection.
“We’ve talked about making a 22 LR defensive load for some time. We finally decided that people are already carrying 22 LRs, so we might as well build a .22 bullet optimized for protection,” said Compton. “After much research, we decided that for a .22 LR defense bullet, penetration was more important than expansion.”
Features & Benefits
-
- Maximum velocity for energy and penetration; 1,070 fps through 2-inch barrel handguns, 1,650 fps out of 24-inch rifle barrels
- 29-grain nickel-plated lead-core bullet
- Projectile profile and composition optimized for the deepest penetration through short-barrel handguns
- Rigorous function testing ensures reliability
- Nickel-plated case for ease of extraction and corrosion resistance
- 50-count boxes
Part No. / Description / MSRP
PD22L1 / 22 LR Punch Personal Defense 29GR FN, 50CT / $9.99
For more information on all products from Federal or to shop online, visit www.federalpremium.com.
About Federal
Federal ammunition can be found at dealers nationwide or purchased online direct from Federal. For more information on all products from Federal or to shop online, visit www.federalpremium.com
Suggested retail $9.99/50 rds. Actual cost if you can find them $50.
It’s a good idea. To bad it’s not available.
To convince shooters that the rounds are effective and worth the 20 cents per round cost, Federal needs to show us reduced failure-to-fire or extract in tests with pistols known to be carried as defensive backups (such as Beretta 21A). Also, show us penetration tests on CLOTHED ballistic dummies or gel blocks. Clothing can often be a factor in small bullets, less with larger cals. such as 9mil or .45. Personally, I just use my 22s for hunting small game or plinking. But if the “Punch” rounds work, I might load up first with them just in case I have… Read more »
“Currently Unavailable”.
Imagine that…….
It is called “marketing”, nothing more, nothing less.
While something is always better than nothing, having/using a .22 rimfire for “self defense” might be going in the wrong direction…
Better! If going with a rimfire, stick to the 40 grain solids. No need for “plating” the bullet. Plating is a chemically applied coating only a thousanth of an inch thick, intended to protect the rifling from a bare lead bullet. Plating is NOT a jacket, which is intended to hold the projectile together upon impact. Rimfire solid lead bullets have no need for more strength. Just shoot a steer in the brain with one, recover the bullet, and see for yourself. If choosing a rimfire for defense, choose a high quality round with a 40 grain, solid lead bullet.… Read more »
Three things critics might overlook: The muzzle velocities are pretty decent. Nickel-plated cases invariably feed and eject more smoothly/reliably than brass. And many arthritic old ladies who still have the gumption, cannot (mentally or not) handle well the semi-auto racking or revolver reloading of ammo. For the old ladies and others with hand mobility problems, a reliable gun with reliable 22LR has to be better than a knife. I am married to one, BTW, though at this point she still can manage 22WMR. Her purse favorite is a Smith scandium revolver and if size doesn’t matter she likes my PMR-30.
“Federal, we produce innovation and great ideas!”
“…ammunition, maybe not so much…”
$9.99 FOR A BOX OF 50 BUT YOU ONLY NEED ONE BOX UNLESS YOU LIVE IN CHICAGO OR NYC OR COMPTON OR PHILLY!