Author Topic: 22mag; good, bad, or ugly (Read 2987 times)

jlwilliams · « **on:** December 29, 2009, 03:54:08 AM »

I've never wrapped my arms around the 22WMR. It just seemed like an expensive round that couldn't be reloaded. Not as good as a .223 or even a hornet, way more to shoot than the 22lr.

I'm open to having my mind changed, or my prejudice confirmed.

Is the 22 magnum rimfire a good round? Is it worth owning? What will it do for me if I give it a home?

Thanks for any input.

Questor · « **Reply #1 on:** December 29, 2009, 04:30:00 AM »

I like it a lot. It's a very practical round for the non-reloader who wants to hunt small game out to 150 yards. I had 22 mag in a convertible Ruger revolver and appreciated the extra versatility and power compared to the 22LR.

I do reload, so I find it costs about the same to load .223. It's a very versatile round that can be down loaded to lower velocities without compromising accuracy. Great bullet selection. Lots of good load data. And then the gun can be used for other applications out to 300 yards when loaded to full power.

One thing I have found in my state is that some small game cannot be hunted with cartridges other than 22LR, which limits 22 mag to predators and varmints.

So, like you, I find it to be an enigmatic cartridge. If I didn't reload, I don't think I'd have a compelling application for it, but I'm glad it's available and popular for those who do.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #2 on:** December 29, 2009, 04:58:15 AM »

If you hunt in areas that restrict you to rim fire rifles then it is a great choice . Questor makes a good case also. It is also good when noise is a concern while shooting a rifle. Many say a 22 LR is the choice of poachers but all i have known used the 22 Win Mag or a 12 ga.

Questor · « **Reply #3 on:** December 29, 2009, 05:10:06 AM »

The one thing I've always appreciated about 22mag, and appreciate even more today, is the bullet selection. There are really good jacketed bullets for when you want penetration. Really good hollow points for when you need expansion. And now there are variations of high tech bullets in lighter weights, tipped hollow points, etc. That makes it a great improvement over the 22LR for versatility as a hunting round.

I think if it as the modern day 25-20 or even 32-20.

Lurker · « **Reply #4 on:** December 30, 2009, 02:10:29 PM »

<deleted>

Bill

fr3db3ar · « **Reply #5 on:** December 30, 2009, 02:13:50 PM »

Not necessarily, since there are jacketed...well all of them are....but the Hornady 30 gr is a nice round.

I love the mag for nighttime coyote hunting past 50 yds.

SM Bob · « **Reply #6 on:** December 30, 2009, 04:15:46 PM »

I love my 22 Mags. I have a stainless 982S Marlin and a Henry Golden Boy in 22 Mag.
They both shoot great. That 40gr JHP round is pretty devistating round. If a coyote
were to take one of those in the boiler room it would ruin his day. Try one. I'm sure
you will like it!

Robert

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #7 on:** December 31, 2009, 01:20:42 AM »

I picked up my first WMR for calling in Fox as well as ridding the bean fields of groundhogs. It has plenty of power for this and I shoot the 40gr CCI Maxi-mags exclusively.

Accuracy is very good and it has seen a few seasons of Squirrel hunting...it will knock a Squirrel clear of the tree for you while on some occasions, the .22lr will allow a squirrel to scramble a bit and hang up on a limb before expiring.

Price of the shells is expensive like you say...at least two expensive for general plinking but that is what your .22lr is for? I do like shooting the mag out of my old H&R revolver (a convertible) because she cracks like a .38 special

When the .17 hmr came out the general thought was that if you already owned a .22mag you should just stick with it and that is what I did. If you dont own either of these the .17 would be one to consider for sure.
The s-i-l has a Savage 93 in the hmr, It is very fast & very accurate. I dont know that I could beat him at the 100yd target range.

Swampman · « **Reply #8 on:** December 31, 2009, 01:27:58 AM »

Too much for edible small game, & not enough for most varmints or big game. Expensive but still fun to shoot. I'm still looking for an accurate .22 mag.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #9 on:** December 31, 2009, 04:38:48 AM »

For small game use solids , for an accurate rifle a M-7722mag. works well .

chefjeff · « **Reply #10 on:** January 26, 2010, 01:01:37 PM »

Some very good comment above about .22 mags! I have owned more than two dozen over the past 30 years . I tried to keep the best. Love the CCI solids. Many kills. Great performance. Also love the maggie in a handgun.Very versatile .The CCI #9 shot are great on waccamaw river moccasins. I like the slick , slim feel of my 651 S&W anywhere. My porch gun is an old, beat up 783 marlin ,can shoot a nickel at 100. If I couldn't have but one cartridge.........

Rangr44 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 27, 2010, 04:33:26 AM »

They are bad, ugly & inaccurate - I only have 7 of those darn things, currently.

BTW - I've NEVER run across a gun, that didn't do SOMETHING for me !

.

sachel.45 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 27, 2010, 05:02:37 AM »

i love the .22 mag got a savge 93 thats very accurate also got a ruger single six thats preety accurate i dont find .22 mag ammo that expensive i can find maximags for about 9 bucks

wreckhog · « **Reply #13 on:** January 27, 2010, 11:40:36 AM »

More $ than .22lr, less than anything else, big seller during bow season around here. When you are not supposed to be carrying a centerfire in the woods. Hmmmmmmm.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #14 on:** January 27, 2010, 12:53:58 PM »

Good bad or Ugly?
I will say yes to all three.
Like most rounds they have their place.
I own two 22 Mags, and a 17HMR along with a dozen 22LR's
Both my 22 mags are rifles.
I purchased my first one as I wanted a rifle with a scope and figured the extra speed of the Mag was going to shoot straiter. (I was young then) It tourned out to be a good rifle and I took many tree rats with it. Found the 40 grain FMJ loads worked well for edible game.
I would use the 34 grain CCI Hp for other non edible game. Never shot any of the bob cats, raccoons, opossum or Beaver that we have on the farm but I was ready.
Since that one had a 3-9X32 Scope on it when I was having a coyote problem at night in southern CA
I saw a Handi single shot in 22 mag on the shelf for a good price and bought it along with a cheap red dot for night coyote and used the lighest frangible bullet I could so if there was a miss it would break up on the ground and I would not have to worry about a round zinging here or there that the 22LR is known for.
I did not have my hornet at the time but have one now.
Once I moved from the house I took off the cheap red dot and mounted a Fixed 6X38 scope on it and have used it to clear rabbits and ground squirels from friends property and the light frangible bullets work well with out the worries.
I bought the 17HMR and it is a little too violent for small game. Even with the 20 grain FMJ rounds. They still shatter and if bone is hit splatter.
The 22 mag can be had in 30 grains up to 50 grain and most companies make a 22 mag loading or two.
I have settled on the 33 grain Rem load and will use the Win 34 grain for varmints if they are all I can find.
I did a few tests a couple years ago with all the different 22 mag ammo. I shot it at pumpkins. the Ballistic tip would make a huge entry hole and the HP would make a small entry but huge exit. the Ballistic tip would make a small 22 exit. both would make a baking potato explode about the same. and both did evil things to rabits and ground squirrels.
The good is it can do what you want. It can e had in may actions and styles of rifle.
The Bad is the same thing can be done with hand loaded 22 Hornet. But there are few actions on the market in 22 Hornet.
The Ugly is the price of the 22 Mag. But still pretty cheap in the 40 grain loading. Either JHP or FMJ.
Personally I would need to find a reason to own one again if I lost the two I own.

Duane · « **Reply #15 on:** January 28, 2010, 02:36:38 PM »

My favorite round is the .22 magnum from hunting to self defense I know I know .Ive taken plenty game with .34 grain bullets up to .40 grainers and there are some .50 grainers ive been meaning to try. I love te .22 wmr as far as im concerned its the only frifle I need its has taken deer here legaly in louisiana ,gator ,rabbits ,coyote and squirrel .I have no problem using it as a self defense round yes there is better but thats my choice

Bigeasy · « **Reply #16 on:** January 28, 2010, 02:47:37 PM »

A bit much for edible small game, and not the best choice for coyote in the areas I hunt, as I am just as likely to get a 400 yard corn field shot as something way closer. I like it for fall Turkey hunting, using the Dynapoint round. Hit em at the base of the wing, and they are done, with minimal meat damage. Hits with noticeably more effect then a 22lr.

Larry

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #17 on:** January 28, 2010, 04:00:01 PM »

I have several of em, rifles and 2 Ruger single sixes with both cylinders. The biggest thing I have shoot with one is a Jackrabbit out about 100 yards and it did the job. Out of the pistols, it pretty well matches the speed and power of the 22 lr out of a rifle. Around here it is cheaper than any 17 HMR ammo. I buy it when ever I run across a sale, try to keep a couple thousand rounds around the house, not easy to do with 7 kids that like to shoot.

DP

bilmac · « **Reply #18 on:** January 28, 2010, 05:49:24 PM »

I'm going through the same decision process as JL. Thinking that an H&R may be a pretty good truck gun. 22 LR is kind of anemic if I get a chance at a coyote or fox, and if it were to get stolen it wouldn't be as big a loss as a handi rifle, especially now that I have two barrels for the same frame.

I looked at a 17HMR the other day, and just about reached for the wallet, but it seems to me the 17 would be a little less desirable for coyotes, a little more wind sensitive, and a bit more expensive to shoot. The guy at the gun store said I would have to special order a 22mag, the 17 has just about stolen the show.

sachel.45 · « **Reply #19 on:** January 28, 2010, 06:24:45 PM »

i dont know if the 17 has stolen the show there not hard to find plus .22 mag ammo is cheaper and winchester just came out with some 28 grain .22 mag ammo so velocity is going to be preety close not to metion the fact that you can buy ammo all the way up to 50 grains

gunnut69 · « **Reply #20 on:** January 28, 2010, 07:02:15 PM »

I've shot and used the 22WMRF and while a nice little round it'll do nothing the Hornet won't and so just now I don't even own a 22 mag. Even the Single Six I own is pre-22 mag and while I have owned them found no utility. The Hornet does the varmit duties, with a couple 223's, several .222's and a 244 if I'me really serious. I have used the 22-250 and the 220 for varmit work, mostly coyotes, but find the 244 with a 75 grain HP(Sierra) anchors them a lot better. Plus the rifle, a 722 with a real 'slow twist' barrel shoots the 75's into tiny little groups..

Ron T. · « **Reply #21 on:** January 29, 2010, 09:08:05 AM »

I see the .22 magnum as a round for those who want to do a little varmint hunting out to 150 yards, but don't wanna or can't (for some reason) do any reloading.

I reload... and so, before I'd buy a .22 magnum rifle, I'd buy a center-fire rifle in .22 Hornet and reload the rounds for it. Both are 150 yard small varmint rounds.

Or I'd consider a .222 which is both super accurate and has enough "ooooph" to reach out another 75-100 yards beyond the effective range of the Hornet, but the .222's noise level is somewhat higher.

Jus' my 2¢...

Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

Duane · « **Reply #22 on:** January 29, 2010, 12:50:42 PM »

I dont understand why reload when you can walk into any walmart and buy 50 rounds for 10.00 and do the same with a .22 magnum.As far as meat damage head shots for squirrels with a good scope will suffice.Most newer rifles will produce sub one inch groups with the right ammo.Many of gun studies put the .22 wmr over the .17 .The .22 wmr is one of the most under rescoursed rounds used today .Turkey ,coyote can easily be taken with this round in a proficient rifle with a practiced shooter behind the trigger

Capt Gary · « **Reply #23 on:** May 10, 2010, 12:46:56 PM »

I have a Ruger 77/22 mag that I purchased in 1990. It has worn many scopes and will be getting a Leupold 4.4 X 14 mounted later this week. This little gun is very accurate (1/2 inch at 50 yds) and I have taken all sorts of small and medium game/varmits with it.

Get one!!!

HAMMERHEAD · « **Reply #24 on:** May 12, 2010, 02:07:28 PM »

I've been very happy with my CZ Lux in .22WMR. More accurate than any .22lr I own, including CZ's. Even the cheap Fedral Champion ammo and Fiocchi shoots real well.

Ron 1 · « **Reply #25 on:** May 12, 2010, 02:41:15 PM »

oops
i thought i had my 2 pennies in there

i got one at the moment it is my 1st to grab 25 mn marlen 30gr cci
$10.00 for 50 it is legal here to use at nite
and it just works..... if you dont have 1 get 1
i like the 22 better than the17 it just seems to shoot better in wind or at a distance.(just my 2)
rw

jcn59 · « **Reply #26 on:** May 12, 2010, 06:11:34 PM »

One of the things I like about the .22 mag is that they often weigh about half what most centerfires weigh, & it's unusual to find one that isn't accurate enough to do the job you want it for. It also may cost lots less than a centerfire to purchase.