.22 Magnum, will it become obsolete in 20-30 years?

[Keith L]

Keith L,

Most likely shooters of .22 mags. Those of us who shoot seriously the .17 HMR know the drift is highly overstated.

Actually comparisons(side by side comparison using rifles of same make, model down to even the same barrel length(which in most instances the barrels on .17 HMR are longer)) were done by hunter/shooters what were looking to see if the new .17 HMR was a better option than the .22 WMR.  It wasn't.  Small groups and tight lines to you.  Lawdog
 

For the record I own two .17 HMRs (one Contender pistol and a Savage rifle) and two .22 Mags (Contender pistol and 77/22 rifle). I see them as fish from different seas.  .17 HMR is great for long distances and small critters.  .22mag is better for shorter distance and slightly larger game.  The constant mine is better than yours is silly and meaningless.  It is highly unlikely that one will out compete the other.  I don't shoot yotes with the .17 HMR (or the .22 mag either).

I reject that wind "over a slight breeze" ruins groups out of .17 HMR.  I know it doesn't.  I shoot one.  I also reject people quoting other peoples aleged experience, or blanket statements about what is happening nationally because of the guns at one shop.  

Shoot a few bricks of ammo out of a gun and then tell me about it.  I will be more interested.

[Lawdog]

Keith L,

Shoot a few bricks of ammo out of a gun and then tell me about it. I will be more interested.

No thank you.   :-D   After spending a few days shooting and comparing the .17 HMR to the .22 WMR I decided there was no need for one in my safe.  Took the one I shot back to the store and it was still there 6 weeks ago after I did my testing last spring.  Not the only used .17 HMR rifle he has on consignment either.  In fact the owner will not order one for a customer without being paid IN FULL first.  There is nothing that the .17 HMR has to offer over my .22 WMR.  Anything I canÂ’t handle with my .22 WMR I have two .22 Hornets or a .223 WSSM that can.  And if the .223 WSSM won't handle it my .450 Rigby will.   :-D   Lawdog
 

[jh45gun]

What I cannot figure out is a 17 in a revolver? Notice I said revolver not a pistol like a contender. Since the 17's deal is long range accuracy and faster and flatter shooting compared to the 22LR and the 22 mag You loose all that in a revolver. Probably why them single sixes are for sale. I read some where once that a 22 mag shot out of a revolver is more like a 22 LR in a rifle. Not sure if it that bad because I never checked or had the ability to check the speed out of a revolver when I had my single six but it makes some sense as you loose some speed with the shorter barrel and the cylinder gap. This would also occur with the 17 so I do not see it except for Ruger and others to get on the 17 bandwagon and try to sell more guns. I know I have a 22 mag now in a Henry and I cannot believe the difference shooting this round out of a rifle compared to a revolver. Jim

[Keith L]

Keith L,

Shoot a few bricks of ammo out of a gun and then tell me about it. I will be more interested.

No thank you.   :-D   After spending a few days shooting and comparing the .17 HMR to the .22 WMR I decided there was no need for one in my safe.  Took the one I shot back to the store and it was still there 6 weeks ago after I did my testing last spring.  Not the only used .17 HMR rifle he has on consignment either.  In fact the owner will not order one for a customer without being paid IN FULL first.  There is nothing that the .17 HMR has to offer over my .22 WMR.  Anything I canÂ’t handle with my .22 WMR I have two .22 Hornets or a .223 WSSM that can.  And if the .223 WSSM won't handle it my .450 Rigby will.   :-D   Lawdog
 

If you didn't like it that is up to you.  I just reject opinion stated as fact when it is either second hand, or the product wasn't given enough of a test for the tester to know.  If I cared about that type of opinion I would stick to the gun rags.  They give an opinion, sometimes without even shooting.

I suppose that personal preference may be colored by things like geography, game hunted, shooters style, and perhaps other things.  Around here it is rare to see a 17 HMR on the shelf, but I assume that will change.  I have never seen a used on on the shelf.  They are not the failure you and others try and make them.

I have waisted enough time on this foolish arguement.  Kinda like the Ford vs Chevy crap.  It never solves things, just takes up time.

Enjoy whatever you shoot.

[THE#1hunter]

Its kind of hard to explain, but I think that the .22mag is goin to pick up in the next few years after the .17 dies down...I have one and I think its one of the more accurate lower cal's. that I have..Just my :money:

[warf73]

The 22WMR and 17HMR are 2 different critters. As I don't think the 17 was meant to take place of the 22. I maybe all wet but I just don't see it that way. Each has there place and use.

As for many more 17HMR's on the shelf well why wouldn't there be?
I seen more 17's for sell when they came out than I ever had 22WMR (as in there aren't many 22wmr being sold)
If anyone could do the foot work I would bet that there was at least 2-3 times more HMR's made in the last 2 years (since it’s been out) than 22WMR in the last 5 years.

I'm not knocking the 22WMR or 17HMR as I don't own either or will ever own either.
But they have there place but it’s not in my gun safe.

Warf

[Questor]

This is not my sentiment, but some would say that the 22 magnum has been obsolete for the past fifty years, so what's another few decades?  That cartridge is pretty entrenched, and the only thing harder than getting a new cartridge on the market is getting one off the market.

[KF9VH]

Most like what they have and dislike what they don't have. As for me I have both and just bought a 17 mh2. All have their +'s and -'s.

I feel they will all be around for years to come.

Twenty years ago most thought a personal computer was a fad.

I wish I had the "Crystal Ball" that some here seem to have. :lol:

[Muskie Hunter]

So what are the opinions now since the last post in 2004?  I don't own a 22 Maggie but I do have a CZ in 17 HMR and love it. Mine is unbelievably accurate out to 100 yards, the farthest that I have shot it. I like the explosive capabilities of the little bullet and fear not that it will travel far after hitting ground. I shoot it more then my 22 LR 's.

[Graybeard]

I still have a .22 magnum rifle and a Ruger Super Single Six to fire them in a revolver as well. I have neither of the .17s and don't want one again either.

[Doublebass73]

The .22 Mag is a great survival round for its power to weight ratio. It's not that much heavier than .22 LR but quite a bit more powerful. It's even legal for whitetail in some states.

[mcbammer]

  The  Only .22 mags I own are pistols , Ruger LCR , Colt Buntline . An  the downside is a lot of spent brass you cant reload . I dont know why I still save it .

[Mule 11]

I have the single six old model. I did just buy an obsolete 22 hornet... Just had to have it...

[Dee]

I think I've owned 1, maybe 2 rifles in 22 magnum in my 71 years. I never figured out what they would do, that a 22lr wouldn't do, and do it cheaper.
I'm not against'em, I just ain't for'em either.

[Flynmoose]

I have had three 17 HMRs over the years. I recently bought another, a Winchester 1885 now that I have something to shoot at instead of paper targets. I got rid of the others because, at the time, my only shooting I could do was at targets. The 17 HMR is boring to shoot at targets, very accurate. Now that I have moved back to sage rat country, I had to buy another. The 1885 is very accurate, I hope that ammo shows up again, I was only able to buy one box. I have several 22 Magnums, I intend to keep them, find them to be accurate enough for me. I am glad to be back home at the real GBO
Bill

[billy_56081]

On coyotes the 22 mag is vastly superior.  We use rimfires when we use the hounds. 40 grain cci naxi mag hollow points punch through while the 17s have very shallow penetration.

[Capt Danger]

Not sure about the 17 hmr as I just picked up a few to try out. Due to learning about better ammo availability for the 17 hmr  from the last shortage I decided to pick up an encore barrel and an h&r rifle. Of course the other lesson learned was to buy plenty of ammo when it is available so I really don't need the 17 hmr's but  this is more of a decision to try them out and be able to buy ammo in the future. All that said, I still hit rabbits, coons, skunks, possums and such up to 150 yards with my 22 mag rifles. I don't worry about how small my groups on paper are if I can hit and kill an animal with each shot. That should be the test that matters.

[neckisred]

The 22 WMR outlasted the 5mm Remington.

[jedman]

  I have no worries that 22 magnum will be discontinued anytime while regular citizens are allowed to own guns.
I don’t know any numbers of how many 22 mags exist but it has to be a large number. I would say it’s popularity has increased since being introduced.  Just my 2 cents ?

jedman

[Drilling Man]

.22 Magnum, will it become obsolete in 20-30 years?

  NO!

  DM

[Rex in OTZ]

I used to think the .22 mag was only capable of ho-hum accuracy.
I shot a few different .22 Mags that I did not own, my shooting pals would brag how accurate they were.
I just didnt see it (most were Marlin bolt actions and one 57M, a Browning Pump and 2 Rugers one bolt one lever)
I suspect the Classic Winchester 9422M would have been the best if I had chance to shoot one.
 The first .22 mag rifle I bought was a Stevens 30M the savage favorite falling block in .22 mag.
One would think it would be a tack driver it was like a over hyped sports car that gets its lunch packed by a VW Bug.
It was Ho-Hum.
Then I fell in love with a brand new stubby stainless steel Taurus 72C.
That changed my notions about many things.
#1 misconception being Taurus Rifles are runny crap in the shape of a rimfire rifle.
Thats far from the case.
#2 misconception was .22 mag = Ho-Hum accuracy. Not!
#3 misconception was short barrels vs long barrels, the long barrels win all the time.
That stubby Taurus right out of the box was a surprise in ♠️♠️♠️♠️.
Accracy, and velocity were better than the longer barreled single shot Stevens 30M!
Later on I noticed my kids Keystone Crickett single shot out performed my old trusty Marlin 100 .22LR.
That tiny carbine could actually outdistance shots from the marlin.
That got me curious so tried a long range shoot off between the .22 magnums with that stubby cute as a bug pump carbine vs. Long barreled all business single shot.
There again the pump carbine could actually cast a bullet 40 yards further than the single shot rifle!?
My boy was wanging away on the gong and he was shooting with very little hold over.
Me with my Stevens 30M looked like I was trying to shoot down WW2 aircraft as my hold over was rather noticeable.
Whats going on here?
How is it my preconceived notions that rifles are more accrate than carbines + higher velocity from longer barrels was flawed?
How can a carbine outrange a rifle?
Was it barrel constriction(choke)?
Was it how they were crowned?
Was it how chamber was cut?
Beats me, maybe a gunsmith can explain it to me.

[ironglow]

I have both .17 HMR and .22 Magnum..both in Savage 93 configuration.

  My observation..the .17 shoots faster, flatter and more accurate..

  The .22 magnum has a bigger "punch" on varmints...at least the first 150 yards.

[Lloyd Smale]

cant find 22 mag or 17 ammo up here today. But you will still see more 22 mag on the shelves then 17. I havent seen a 17 on the rack at a gun shop in a couple years. Not many 22 mags either but i could hit the 5 gunshops i use withing a 100 miles of me and id probably come up with one or two. I dont have a 17 anymore and left my last 22 mag at camp because i was tired of paying big bucks for ammo. If it cant be killed with a 22lr ill take a 22 hornet or 223 with a handloaded cast bullet and do it much cheaper then youd spend on ammo for any 17 or 22 mag.

[ironglow]

So what are the opinions now since the last post in 2004?  I don't own a 22 Maggie but I do have a CZ in 17 HMR and love it. Mine is unbelievably accurate out to 100 yards, the farthest that I have shot it. I like the explosive capabilities of the little bullet and fear not that it will travel far after hitting ground. I shoot it more then my 22 LR 's.

   Proves a point..it is nearly 20 years since the OP...and the 22Mag is still cruising strong.  So is the 17HMR..

[Bob Riebe]

Well,this one is a bit harder to find but it is still around:

.22 Winchester

Introduced in the Winchester M1890 slide rifle, it had a flat-nose slug, and is identical to the .22 Remington Special (which differed only in having a roundnosed slug).[1] It uses a flat-based, inside-lubricated bullet, which differs from the outside-lube heeled bullet of the .22 Short, Long, LR, and Extra Long rounds

So, it is not likely the .22 Rimfire Magnum or .22 WRF will ever disappear, in our lifetime, BUT, these are a different story.

The .22 Winchester Automatic cartridge was designed for their Model 1903 autoloading rifle (discontinued in 1932). Ammo was produced into the 1970's. Remington's .22 Automatic appeared in their Model 16 autoloader. That rifle was discontinued in 1928, and the ammunition was not loaded after the Second World War. Although similar, these two cartridges differ dimensionally and are not interchangeable.

[ironglow]

  From Keith;

   " For the record I own two .17 HMRs (one Contender pistol and a Savage rifle) and two .22 Mags (Contender pistol and 77/22 rifle). I see them as fish from different seas.  .17 HMR is great for long distances and small critters.  .22mag is better for shorter distance and slightly larger game.  The constant mine is better than yours is silly and meaningless.  It is highly unlikely that one will out compete the other.  I don't shoot yotes with the .17 HMR (or the .22 mag either).

I reject that wind "over a slight breeze" ruins groups out of .17 HMR.  I know it doesn't.  I shoot one.  I also reject people quoting other peoples aleged experience, or blanket statements about what is happening nationally because of the guns at one shop. 

Shoot a few bricks of ammo out of a gun and then tell me about it.  I will be more interested."


  I tend to agree with Keith.  The .22 mag and the .17HMR are two different critters.  Move up a few bumps, and it is more like the 30/30 vs .223.  One slower, but heavier, the other faster and lighter..

   I heard all those phrases, claiming the .17 HMR is very subject to wind drift.  I have had 2 different .17s and several different .22 mags, and see no difference so far a wind allowance is concerned.
   Let's reason it out..yes, the17 is lighter, but due to it's smaller diameter, it presents far less surface to the wind.

  Yes .22 mags can vary greatly, so far as accuracy is concerned.   Originally I had a couple Savage/Anschutz in .22 mags. (actually all Anschutz)
 I have a terrible habit of passing on my guns early...after all, i can't see my loved ones enjoy them after I'm dead, so
  one went to my son, the other to a grandson when he returned from Iraq.

  Son, I wished I had another .22 mag, so I tried a few at LGS shops..none came near..I even bought a Marlin 783.    No luck!  So I swapped it away..

 I gave up for some time, but then a couple years back, I happened to stop by my friend Mark's, gun shop. There sitting in the rack was a new,  plain Jane Savage 93..with black fiber stock..just a base model.. which he sold to me for $216.
  Took it home and tried it !  ..Ah, my Anschutz was back..   

  Below, see a fox I still hunted, ending up by kissing my hand between thumb and forefinger..rat/mouse sound to draw him in..

   About 100 yards..broadside in the boiler room...dropped right there, like a sack of sand..