JK55

Hey everybody,
Just a general question on the .22 Magnum cartridge that I've been wondering and reading about for some time now.

Does the .22 Magnum cartridge have a viable purpose or is it just another in- between round?

The question is relative to hunting, target shooting, self defense, etc. It's just a generalization of how it stands up to itself.

You could compare it to the .22LR if it would answer the question better.

I'd like to throw that out to you folks and solicit your input, pro or con, on how you feel about it?

Thanks and I look forward to your response!

North country gal

The 22 Mag is a legitimate cartridge that stands on its own merits.

From the very first, it's been a varmint round for folks who don't reload, but need more power and range for larger animals such as fox, woodchuck, jackrabbits and so on than than you can get with a 22 LR. Out of a pistol or revolver it's a wonderful cartridge, having more energy and velocity than a 22 LR has out of a rifle. In fact, it is too much for small edible game such as squirrel and rabbits. It truly is the magnum of the rimfire world.

For self defense it is probably the best of the small cartridges. if you're going to go small, the 22 magnum is a step up over a 22 LR, no doubt about it and, like the 22 LR, ammo is available just about anywhere. Try finding 25 auto, for instance.

The 22 Mag is also a very accurate cartridge, thanks, in part, to the fact that uses jacketed bullets, instead of the copper washed bullets on a 22 LR HP. My old 22 Mag barrel was one of the most accurate barrels I ever had for my TC Contender and I kick myself to this day for letting it get away.

Okay, it ain't all gravy with the 22 Mag. Go price a box of 50 and you'll see what I mean. If you just want an affordable plinker, go ahead and get a 22 LR. If you want something that is definitely a step up in velocity and energy than a 22 LR, for varmints or for self-defense, the 22 Mag is a great choice.

Johnny Numbers

I would love to see an SP101 in 22 mag. I would buy one in a heartbeat.

North country gal

Me, too or a Bearcat in a 22 Mag.

weblance

I think the beauty of the 22 mag lies with revolvers like the Single Six. Switch cylinders and you have a completely different gun. Sure its not a double action, and may suffer in self defense mode, but COULD still get the job done if its all you had. A Single Six is wonderful, because you have a good gun for both rounds. Dont ever let anyone tell you that the SS isnt very accurate with 22 LR. With the right choice of ammo, my 5.5" stainless SS is capable of 1 inch groups at 25 yards, with Long Rifle. My Marlin 882 Rifle is deadly to 100+ yards, and flat shooting. I used to hunt groundhogs with my .243, but when I got that Marlin, I havent fired a shot out of the .243 since, and thats been over 20 years now. That tells me how good the 22 Mag is. Good, logical post, again, NCG.

kiwihunter

.22 wmr mag.....love it great varmint round....twice the punch of LR and while i would not recommend it i had occasion a couple of years back to be called on to kill five fallow deer on a friends uncles property.....the deer were part of a herd that were located on his farm in a large approx four acre paddock they were very skittish and quite wild,hard part was the paddock was located between there house and a main highway ...he was adamant that he didn't want me to use a centrefire and there was no way i could get close enough for a shotgun,we also intended to process them so the least meat damage the better.
So out came the Ruger m77 in .22 mag (which i have since sold and still regret it) i spent a lot of time with this rifle and killed all five with head shots from around 75 yards to a hundred they all dropped where they stood and were humane kills .22 mag is an outstanding little round that if called on is capable if not ideal of punching way above its weight.

TMB

I'm with weblance on the single six. I have a Marlin 983T & 922M. The 22mag has quite a bit more smack than 22LR. The next step up in 22 would be 22 Hornet & unless you reload cost alot to shoot.

Spike12

HERE! HERE!

An SP101 in 22WMR seems blindingly obvious to me. I've even did that 'talk to the ceo' thing about it.

Benemorte

I feel the .22 Mag to be an excellent choice when paired with a convertible model of any type of gun. It stretches a guns usefulness, giving it more utility.

That being said, I am a hardcore minimalist when it comes to caliber choices now. I have owned way too many guns over the years, in too many calibers, and now really enjoy the simplicity of sticking to the "base" cartridges, and find that I can easily fill all the roles I need just fine.

429421Cowboy

It is as kiwi says, the .22 mag punches well above its weight class! I have seen more cattle killed with a .22 magnum than anything else, those little FMJ rounds willl bore a hole in anything. It is explosive on varmits and a much surer thing on woodchucks and coyotes than an lr. Not to say that the lr can't do it, but the mag seems to hit HARD. I have seen several deer taken with it and would not hesitate to do so myself if hard pressed. In a convertable gun the mag gives even more range to the .22's usefullness and will always have a place in my mind. I also know i wouldn't want to be hit with one, not that it is a top defence round at all but it has bite to go with its resounding bark!

JK55

Hey everybody,
thanks for your insight and feedback to my question pertaining to the .22 Magnum cartridge. I agree with all that's been brought forth and it has given me a better understanding of it's utilization.

I have a New Model Single Six Convertible, .22 LR/.22 Mag,, blued, with a
9 1/2" barrel and I love it, as I do my other Ruger's. I tend to shoot this one more ONLY due to the price difference in ammo between this gun and the larger calibers I have. And most of the time I shoot the .22 Mag over the .22 LR.

Thanks again for your responses and your time! Happy Shootin'...

antlerfan

I love my 22mag single 6 - it has rolled more than 1 coon or oppossum
Entry hole normal exit looked like a 32