# Can a .22LR bullet breach a Zombie skull? lets find out... **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 24, 2009, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-22lr-bullet-breach-a-zombie-skull-lets-find-out/497506 "2009-05-24T23:46:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2009, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-22lr-bullet-breach-a-zombie-skull-lets-find-out/497506/1 "2009-05-24T23:46:14Z")
This afternoon, I decided to test the theory that a [.22LR round could take out a Zombie with a well-placed headshot](http://www.me.com/gallery/#100011) Rifle: H&R single-shot .22LR carbine with 18" barrel Ammo: Federal Bulk hollowpoints (550 round bulk box available at Wally-World and others) CCI Velocitor hollowpoints Remington Yellow Jacket hollowpoints Targets: Coconut Canteloupe Distance to target: 15 feet, mainly so I could get decent footage from my camera, distance will reduce the effectiveness of the .22 bullet Weather: sunny, 80 degrees, no wind I set up each target resting against my backstop and fired at it from a standing position, standard Weaver stance, left foot forward [http://homepage.mac.com/mactechg4/.Pictures/Fedzomskull1.jpg](http://homepage.mac.com/mactechg4/.Pictures/Fedzomskull1.jpg) Federal Bulk Hollowpoints: two shots were taken, the first hit a glancing blow on the top of the coconut, breaking through the hard shell and destroying some meat underneath, this shot sent a small fountain of coconut water skyward, even though this was a glancing blow, it _did_ breach the coconut, however it would not have probably put a zombie out of commision The second shot hit more or less just to the left and slightly below dead center, leaving a small, almost imperceptible entry wound, and a good sized exit wound, both rounds had sufficient energy to enter _and_ exit the coconut, doing a decent job of scrambling the coconut meat on the inside CCI Velocitor: a fresh coconut was placed on the target stand and a single shot was taken, basically dead center, it wasn’t as dramatic or photogenic as the first Federal shot, but it did a lot more damage, the entry wound broke away a good size chunk of shell, exposing the coconut meat underneath, and exiting the 'nut leaving a large, gaping exit wound with bits of coconut meat embedded in the backstop, there was little disturbance to the actual coconut meat inside the shell, the Velocitor simply punched through, in the same manner as a solid point/ball round, the Velocitor did a lot more damage than the Federal rounds, there’s no doubt that Velocitors stand a fairly good chance of stopping a zombie cold I then switched to a cantaloupe to simulate “brain matter” [http://homepage.mac.com/mactechg4/.Pictures/Yelojaktzombrn.jpg](http://homepage.mac.com/mactechg4/.Pictures/Yelojaktzombrn.jpg) Remington Yellow Jacket hollow point: another top shot, hitting the top quarter of the 'loupe, it emitted a shower of eviscera and left a substantial crater in the top of the 'loupe, a Yellowjacketobotomy, as it were [http://homepage.mac.com/mactechg4/.Pictures/Velzombrn.jpg](http://homepage.mac.com/mactechg4/.Pictures/Velzombrn.jpg) CCI Velocitor: I fired into the already breached 'loupe, so this shot was not exactly scientific, but it _did_ emit a fountain of veggiegore from the gaping, open wound, leaving a large entry and exit wound Conclusion; from close in, .22 rounds _can_ penetrate a hard surface like a coconut shell, and still retain sufficient energy to exit, carrying bits of coconut meat or cantaloupe flesh into the backstop since the human skull is thicker and more durable than a coconut shell, I’d imagine the .22 round would have sufficent energy to enter the skull, but may not have sufficent power to exit When the time comes for the inevitable Zombie Uprising, I’ll make sure that I have a decent stock of Velocitors, however, it’s nice to know that the cheap bulk Federal rounds can pulp zombie gray matter as well… ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2009, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-22lr-bullet-breach-a-zombie-skull-lets-find-out/497506/2 "2009-05-24T23:50:42Z")
Wouldn’t it be optimal to enter the skull and not exit out the back? Possibly explosive bullets once penetration occurs would suffice. Sweet mercy, that second sentence is ripe with sexual innuendo. ---
**Author:** ![Amp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Amp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amp)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2009, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-22lr-bullet-breach-a-zombie-skull-lets-find-out/497506/3 "2009-05-24T23:53:48Z")
I would think not exiting would be an advantage. The round will bounce around in the skull doing more damage to the soft tissue. ---
**Author:** ![cardsfan1975](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f9b8f/32.png) [@cardsfan1975](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cardsfan1975)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2009, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-22lr-bullet-breach-a-zombie-skull-lets-find-out/497506/4 "2009-05-24T23:55:26Z")
> [@MacTech](#): > > When the time comes for the inevitable Zombie Uprising, I’ll make sure that I have a decent stock of Velocitors, however, it’s nice to know that the cheap bulk Federal rounds can pulp zombie gray matter as well… Let me know if you need backup. I just got an AR-15 that I haven’t had a chance to shoot yet. And I can think of no better target to shoot at than the head of a zombie. cf’75 ---
**Author:** ![chorpler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chorpler/32/2888_2.png) [@chorpler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chorpler)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2009, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-22lr-bullet-breach-a-zombie-skull-lets-find-out/497506/5 "2009-05-24T23:56:36Z")
> [@MacTech](#): > > since the human skull is thicker and more durable than a coconut shell, I’d imagine the .22 round would have sufficent energy to enter the skull, but may not have sufficent power to exit That seems like the ideal amount of energy for the bullet to have, since it’s transferring all of its kinetic energy into the head of the zombie and, presumably, destroying whatever functionality the brain has. Plus if it doesn’t exit the skull it may bounce off the inside of the skull and do even more damage to the brain. Is that correct? ETA: Appears to be correct from a couple of the posts above. Plus, hey, if it doesn’t exit the skull, you don’t get zombie brain matter and blood sprayed all over the area behind the zombie and potentially infecting anybody who is standing off to the side and behind it, right? ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2009, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-22lr-bullet-breach-a-zombie-skull-lets-find-out/497506/6 "2009-05-25T00:15:08Z")
.22 is what Dad always used to kill beef & pork critters when slaughtering them. Poor trusting things just stand there watching while he draws a bead between the eyes and blammo! I can’t recall a second shot ever being needed. Granted, as soon as they dropped they got their necks slit, so it’s not like they would ever have had a chance to recover if they were just stunned. The bullets frequently didn’t exit, and would be found somewhere inside. So yeah, through a human skull with no difficulty. Cows are pretty hard-headed compared to people. ---
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2009, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-22lr-bullet-breach-a-zombie-skull-lets-find-out/497506/7 "2009-05-25T00:21:33Z")
> [@cardsfan1975](#): > > Let me know if you need backup. I just got an AR-15 that I haven’t had a chance to shoot yet. And I can think of no better target to shoot at than the head of a zombie. > > cf’75 I’d imagine that 5.56 round would do some major damage to the Reanimated-American crowd 🙂 I do have more powerful choices in my Ambulatory Cadaver Disposal Arsenal\*\*, but the ammunition is heavier and takes up more space, assuming a .22 works on Zombies, it allows the shooter to store/carry\* a lot more rounds with them, two 550 round bulkpacks gives you 1100 rounds in the space that 50 12-gauge shotshells would occupy and yes, the round only having enough energy to enter the skull, then bounce around inside, pulping gray matter is ideal, the report (noise) of the round firing is much quieter than larger rounds as well, and then there’s that whole “lack of recoil” thing… my 7.62x54R Mosin-Nagant M-44, OTOH, has enough energy to punch through multiple zombie skulls, and has a solid, heavy recoil, as well as a deafening report, it also throws out a 3-4 foot long fireball from the muzzle as well… \*I have almost 5,000 rounds of .22, but I need more 😉 \*\*9mm, .45 ACP, 7.62X54R, 12-gauge (slugs, buckshot and birdshot) ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2009, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-22lr-bullet-breach-a-zombie-skull-lets-find-out/497506/8 "2009-05-25T01:16:28Z")
> [@MacTech](#): > > \*I have almost 5,000 rounds of .22, but I need more 😉 > \*\*9mm, .45 ACP, 7.62X54R, 12-gauge (slugs, buckshot and birdshot) My name is on a list for just _reading_ your thread… ---
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2009, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-22lr-bullet-breach-a-zombie-skull-lets-find-out/497506/9 "2009-05-25T04:03:44Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > My name is on a list for just _reading_ your thread… Why? all I use the ammo for is plinking, paper targets, spinners …and the occasional Zombie Coconut and Zombie Cantaloupe. (Band names!) and 90% of it I’ve had for a long time, before all the prices went up and panic buying started we have 50 acres of land (hay pasture mostly) and I have a small target range set up in the woodlot, I can go out and plink with my .22’s whenever I want, if I want to shoot my bigger stuff, I have to make a trip to my rod and gun club ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2009, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-22lr-bullet-breach-a-zombie-skull-lets-find-out/497506/10 "2009-05-25T04:10:38Z")
> [@MacTech](#): > > Why? “50 acres”, “Bigger stuff” and “have to go to my rod and gun club” come to mind. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2009, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-22lr-bullet-breach-a-zombie-skull-lets-find-out/497506/11 "2009-05-25T04:15:13Z")
Okay, fine, Mr ParanoidPlant, just watch out for those Black Helicopters and make sure you have your tin-foil hat on at all times then 😉 ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2009, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-22lr-bullet-breach-a-zombie-skull-lets-find-out/497506/12 "2009-05-25T04:47:45Z")
> [@MacTech](#): > > Okay, fine, Mr ParanoidPlant, just watch out for those Black Helicopters They’ve already been here, and a .22 long rifle won’t do shi… _dammit._ ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2009, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-22lr-bullet-breach-a-zombie-skull-lets-find-out/497506/13 "2009-05-25T16:28:47Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > My name is on a list for just _reading_ your thread… Oh, please! 5000 rounds just means there was a sale at Wal-Mart. I try to keep at least 500 rounds for every caliber in the collection, so that’s .22LR, .30 carbine, .32ACP, .357, .38, 9mm, 9X18mm, .40S&W, .44 Special, .44 ball, .45ACP, .45LC…I’m over 5000 and I’m still on just the handguns. I must have 4 or 5 bricks of .22 laying around, which is 2500 rounds right there. Good thing, because you never know when the Zombie Apocalypse will happen. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2009, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-22lr-bullet-breach-a-zombie-skull-lets-find-out/497506/14 "2009-05-25T16:41:01Z")
MacTech, how’d you get the camera in sync? ---
**Author:** ![Cardinal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardinal/32/4000_2.png) [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2009, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-22lr-bullet-breach-a-zombie-skull-lets-find-out/497506/15 "2009-05-25T18:08:43Z")
I assume he ran a video camera into his laptop and then pulled single frames with iMovie. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2009, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-22lr-bullet-breach-a-zombie-skull-lets-find-out/497506/16 "2009-05-25T19:06:32Z")
> [@MacTech](#): > > Why? all I use the ammo for is plinking, paper targets, spinners … There’s a no-knock warrant with your name on it: [**Police: Man said 30,000 bullets were for target practice**](http://www.eagletribune.com/punewshh/local_story_135220825.html?keyword=topstory) ---
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2009, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-22lr-bullet-breach-a-zombie-skull-lets-find-out/497506/17 "2009-05-25T19:41:43Z")
> [@Cardinal](#): > > I assume he ran a video camera into his laptop and then pulled single frames with iMovie. Ayuh, that’s the procedure, simple, and foolproof, and I’m a pretty good fool… ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2009, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-22lr-bullet-breach-a-zombie-skull-lets-find-out/497506/18 "2009-05-25T20:16:49Z")
> [@MacTech](#): > > Ayuh, that’s the procedure, simple, and foolproof, and I’m a pretty good fool… Again, I am the Poster Child for Fighting Ignorance. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2009, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-22lr-bullet-breach-a-zombie-skull-lets-find-out/497506/19 "2009-05-25T20:32:27Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > There’s a no-knock warrant with your name on it: > > [**Police: Man said 30,000 bullets were for target practice**](http://www.eagletribune.com/punewshh/local_story_135220825.html?keyword=topstory) Meh, that’s 5 months worth of plinking/target shooting at the range for me, I typically shoot around 200+ rounds per trip, 30K is a big number on paper, in reality, that would be 60 bricks (500 rounds per brick) of .22 for example, at $20 per box, that’s $1200, heck, some people spend that on a single firearm… or 300 100-round bulk-packs of 9mm or .45 ACP… $9,000 worth of .45 ACP at $30/bulk pak $6,000 worth of 9mm at $20/bulk pak ---
**Author:** ![PatriotGrrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9dc877/32.png) [@PatriotGrrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotGrrrl)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-22lr-bullet-breach-a-zombie-skull-lets-find-out/497506/20 "2009-05-26T02:23:43Z")
I kept reading Velocitor as velociraptor. I want .22 rounds that will take out a velociraptor. Just in case. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-22lr-bullet-breach-a-zombie-skull-lets-find-out/497506.md?page=2)