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With light recoil, low cost and minimal noise, the .22 has been popular for teaching safe shooting skills to beginning hunters. The .22 LR (Long Rifle) in particular is best used to hunt squirrels, rabbits and other small game at distances of less than 100 yards. At distances of 75 yards and less, this cartridge is lethal for groundhog and fox, but for quick kills a hunter must make head shots only.

This is not to say the .22 shouldn't be taken seriously, as it is certainly powerful enough to kill even humans and must be handled with care.

We published those two paragraphs high in this story that ran on our Sports front today. I was sure the story would evoke some complaints. After all, not only is the column about guns and ammo, but it is about hunting prey with one-shot kills. Bear in mind that we get complaints about referring to police officers as "cops," publishing photos of what teenagers are wearing and, as this editor describes, photos of children riding bicycles without helmets.

So far today, not a peep.

Every time I think I know our readership, I'm proved wrong. I'm glad you keep me jumping.

Coincidentally, I watched "Shooter" last night on TV. One of my favorite Mark Wahlberg lines: "Welcome to Tennessee, patron state of shootin' stuff."