General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Maybe a dumb question on Assault rifles [View all]sir pball
(4,741 posts)You have it exactly backwards - the .223/5.56mm round is one of the least powerful .22 centerfire rifle rounds; virtually every other 22 caliber in production uses a larger casing with more powder. The 22-250 you mention has a case capacity of 44.6 grains, the .223 is 31.4.
Its a misconception that the .223 is a powerful round, in fact it's not uncommon to see it and other 22 caliber rounds restricted for hunting use as they are too weak to guarantee an immediate kill: the 223 has a muzzle energy of 1,325 foot-pounds, while Grandpa's 30-06 has 2,913. The lethality of rapid-loading weapons as used in mass shootings is a result of the high rate of fire as opposed to the relative deadliness of their ammunition...magazine capacity restrictions, or the elimination of detachable magazines (on ALL types of firearms), would be far more effective than regulating the ammo.