Gear And Accessories
First Shots: Federal Premium .22 LR Punch
First Shots: Federal Premium .22 LR Punch
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✍️By ZRIntel Editorial Team📍Robert, Louisiana
Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to attend Lever Fest, a celebration of the lever-action rifle, held at Range Ready in Robert, Louisiana. This event featured a variety of lever-action rifle manufacturers showcasing both rimfire and centerfire offerings, presenting everything from .22 LR to .45-70 Govt. As a long-time aficionado of .22 LR lever-action rifles, I was particularly excited to see Savages new Revel line of rimfire rifles. Amidst the standard bulk .22 LR ammunition available at the show, there was an intriguing new option: Federal Premium's .22 Punch. The .22 Punch is designed specifically for use in shorter-barreled revolvers and semi-automatics, marking a significant development in rimfire design aimed at fulfilling defensive needs. This round prioritizes improved penetration in ballistic gelatin as compared to standard .22 LR projectiles. As evidenced by testing carried out by our Ammo editor upon its release, the .22 Punch alters the perception of rimfire ammunition for self-defense purposes. While centerfire rounds undoubtedly outperform rimfire ammunition in most self-defense scenarios, it's essential to recognize that certain situations call for the softer recoil of rimfire rounds, particularly when considering audience demographics that might prefer them. Federal's thoughtful design of the .22 Punch caters to these users, allowing for defensive options without the heavy recoil associated with larger calibers. A core objective for Federal was to determine how the performance characteristics of the .22 Punch, which are optimized for short handgun barrels, would fare when fired from longer rifle barrels. To explore this, ballistic gel tests were conducted. It was fascinating to observe how the .22 Punch performed, especially when set against more powerful rounds like the .357 Mag., .44 Mag., and .45-70 Govt, all of which certainly produced dramatic results on the gelatin. Nonetheless, what stood out was that the .22 Punch was capable of transferring significant energy into the gel, an outcome that certainly merits attention for anyone considering rimfire ammunition for defense. While I wouldn't trade my .357 Mag. levergun for the .22 Punch, its strengths might make it a prime candidate for those with specific defensive requirements. I would gladly recommend the .22 Punch for light shooterslike my mother, who prefers a lightweight Remington Nylon 66 for her defensive longarm. A diminutive individual, at 5-feet tall and weighing a mere 95 pounds, she wouldn't feel comfortable handling a .45-70 Govt; thus, having access to an effective defensive rimfire round is crucial. The adoption of the .22 Punch signifies a notable shift in the landscape of defensive rimfire ammunition, which could potentially impact not just the choices made by shooters, but also the broader firearms market. As we survey this emerging trend, the implications suggest a growing acknowledgment of the defensive potential of rimfire ammunition and its place within the wider 2A community.