.22 win mag limits

22 Mag

I have one of the Marlins just like that picture, Jim243. It shoots sub-moa at 100 yards all day long. It has shot many prairie dogs, but as the critters get more spookier after having seen their den mates bite the dust, the 22 Mag won't quite do. So, after a convoluted experience or two, I now have a CZ Classic 22 Hornet that shoots 1/2" MOA and is a lot of fun. Ever since the CZ came to live in my safe, the 22 Mag is sitting in there feeling all morose and dejected. :( I am keeping it to let my grandkids use for a first rifle shooting experience. ;)

For my money, the 22 Hornet is the better round. The Barnes 30 gr Varmint Grenade leaves the barrel around 3200 fps and just lays the prairie pups out. It is really a reloaders gun, as the ammo costs around $.50 for the cheapest ammo I have seen. For around half that, you can roll your owns and will have a really neat little gun that is legal for turkey and lots of other game, and makes a great varmint gun out to 175 yards or so. Coyotes succumb like the were shot with a 223. Crows explode.
 
The .22 Mag will do anything a .22 LR will, and then some.

A 6" Mag pistol is more powerful than any LR rifle.

It has already been said that the Mag at 100 yards is as fast as the LR at the muzzle.

A .22 Mag rifle has the energy of a .44 Special at point blank range -- the LR about that of a .32 ACP.

I often read some yahoo claim that if they could have only one gun to walk off into the apocalyptic world it would be a .22 LR -- the weakest gun around. What silliness. If you are relying on the rounds on hand and the features of a .22 LR fit your needs, then, except for price, those same features and more benefits accrue to the .22 Mag. It is twice as good. A .22 LR is a comparatively terrible survival caliber if you can have only one. The .22 Mag. might not be ideal, depending on any particular situation, but the best overall.
 
L_Killkenny said:
Where the heck do you get these carzy a$$ numbers at? My Lord, what a bunch of bunk. What are you comparing, a .22CB vs. a .22M? Geez.

LK
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Let me guess your another expert that has "never" owned, shot or tested the 22mag against the 22lr. I tested the most common/best selling (around 7 different brands of 22mag and around 10-15 different brands of 22lr) high velocity, varmint/small game 22mag and 22lr ammo at the range over a few days out to 200 meters (220 yards) , although that was about 8-10 years ago I dont think much has changed.

I will stand by everything that was in my post (on average the 22mag is twice as flat shooting as the 22lr and has more knock down power at 150 meters (approx 165 yards) then the 22lr has at the muzzle) maybe you want to rethink yours?
 
When the RMR 30 is released 22 magnum ammo sales will increase.
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I doubt it will have a noticeable impact on .22 WMR sales. The PMR-30 is already out, and was selling well initially. There was no noticeable impact on sales, from what I have gathered.

Being someone that takes the .22 WMR very seriously (one of my go-to rifles is my .22 WMR), I try to stay in touch with the market.
 
Let me guess your another expert that has "never" owned, shot or tested the 22mag against the 22lr.
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You'd be full of chit on that one too. Go read my other posts on this thread. I don't test guns I kill game. Lot's of game over the years with the vast majority of them being coon in the 15-35lbs range. I'm here to tell you that the reaction from a coon hit with a .22M in the chest isn't all that much different than those hit with a CCI Velocitor. Skinned 100's of coon shot with both and damage isn't dramatically different either. Is the .22M more? Well duh. Is it enough to justify another gun and $10 box ammo? Only to fill certain niches.

The .22M doesn't shoot twice as flat as a Velocitor. .22M has approx. 11" of drop at 200 yards, the Velocitors has about the same drop around 150. Like I said, .22M adds 50 yards and that's about it. As for your claims that the .22M carries more energy at 150 meters than a .22lr at the muzzle go back to post #10.

Next time you want to call someone out better to pick on someone with less trigger/killin time than yourself.

LK
 
The .22 mag is a more modern design and the old .22LR with the original round dating from the 1850's will never be able to match it for accuracy.

I was looking to buy a new Savage .22 mag last year when I tripped over a .22 K-Hornet last year for about the same money. I can reload Hornet for about the same cost or less than .22 win mag so for me, that's one rifle that's off the want list. Another advantage of reloadable rounds is that you can further reduce costs by casting your own bullets...

The .22 win mag is a good round and I don't think you would be at all unhappy with one.

Tony
 
Someone will probably chime in about wind drift, but honestly its never been an issue for me.
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That is my only complaint about it. But I live in a very windy location and it's a little frustrating at times to go and shoot or even hunt with it.

However, it turns tundra squills inside out and is fur friendly on foxes. Not sure I'd shoot anything much bigger with it though.........maybe a coyote or porcupine under 100yrds.
 
There is no real comparison of a velocitor to a 22 magnum. The reason being is that the 22 magnums bullets are constructed differently. They are better constructed for their velocity. Furthermore the difference in velocity creates a significantly higher kinetic energy as velocity is squared. It also has superior momentum when using 40-50 grain bullets. It will outperform the velocitor in every way out of a rifle. As many small game shots with a rimfire take place under a distance of 100 yards the effects of a hit are not the same. Considering that Raccoons are killed at less than 10 yards distance if you are treeing them with dogs, to claim the effects are not much different shocks me, at least if you are skinning them and seeing the terminal damage for yourself.

Not questioning your experience, just questioning your perception and your attention to detail.

I used to hunt with a 22 magnum as a young man back in the mid 80s before I could afford a high powered rifle. It wasnt the most accurate gun in the world but it helped me kill more groundhogs than with my 22 marlin 60. And compared to a Stinger it blew the snot out of squirrels. I remember purposely shooting the squirrels in the gut to save meat and make a big hole to field dress without a knife. Even a 17hmr will not kill a squirrel that effectively.
 
Geezerbiker said:
I was looking to buy a new Savage .22 mag last year when I tripped over a .22 K-Hornet last year for about the same money. I can reload Hornet for about the same cost or less than .22 win mag so for me, that's one rifle that's off the want list.
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That's my only complaint about the 22 magnum.

I had a bolt action, heavy barreled ruger I liked very much. It was light enough to be handy and felt a couple of pounds lighter than my .223 savage with 26" heavy barrel. In the open, it could even be fired without muffs, being quieter to the shooter than a 22lr pistol.

However, back then I could get .223 for less than 22 magnum.
 
i often hunt wild hogs on that property with a .22 magnum, Yep, i know, the .22 magnum is not a proper hog rifle: But it kills hogs DRT when they are hit right. My hog shots are limited to 50 yards with the .22 magnum. My favorite hog round for the .22 magnum is the CCI 40 grain FMJ. The bullet either goes in the ear or in the heart. i've killed hogs to 250 pounds using the .22 magnum and no wounded hog has ever escaped.
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That's good to know since I plan to do that this fall during ALs squirrel season in the WMAs.

Thanks,
 
Stingers have never thrilled me (I'd rather shoot the Super-X SS) but the Velocitor is a good bullet. The only problem is Velocitor is 7 or 8 bucks for a box of 50. I can get .22 magnum Dynapoints for that price and for a couple bucks more I can be shooting Maxi-Mags or Super-X (or Federal's GameShock if I really want to see things go splat). The Velocitor is a good bullet but too much $ for a 22lr.
 
"The .22M doesn't shoot twice as flat as a Velocitor."

And the Velocitor isn't a standard velocity .22 LR round either, is it? What he said is true. If you want to drag hypervelocity rounds into the discussion, feel free, but what he said is true. Numbers don't lie, no matter how many animals we have shot.

John
 
Stingers have never thrilled me (I'd rather shoot the Super-X SS) but the Velocitor is a good bullet. The only problem is Velocitor is 7 or 8 bucks for a box of 50. I can get .22 magnum Dynapoints for that price and for a couple bucks more I can be shooting Maxi-Mags or Super-X (or Federal's GameShock if I really want to see things go splat). The Velocitor is a good bullet but too much $ for a 22lr.
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I agree with the Stinger comment. I tried them on coon and was never impressed with their killing ability even at short range and their accuracy with the light bullets is rarely on par with about any other .22LR cartridge. And you're right, the Velocitor is a good bullet. It's not your grand dads .22 hp bullet and is on par with any of the 40 gr. .22M offerings I've seen IMO. But the price you're paying is to much. I buy mine for $5-$6 a box at gun shows and $6.50 at the chain stores when available. Try to keep a 1000 plus/minus on hand.

I don't want anyone to think I'm out right bashing the .22M. It's more powerful than any .22LR available without a doubt. But 90% plus of shooters out there are better served with either a .22lr, a centerfire and yes, better served with a .17hmr.

We've tried to like the .22M. I reload centerfires but only for cost savings and better ammo and do not particularly enjoy it. I'd love it if the .22M had the capabilities some folk expound on it and I could go out and shoot, not have to reload and not have to chase brass. But after buying and selling multiple 22M bolt actions in years past we tried again with a .22M semi this past season. Still no go and it went down the road.

Like I said, it's a niche round. It may be an important niche and it's the only one that fills it. It's not going anywhere and will always be around for that reason. But as has been seen on this thread, it's claims of overwhelming firepower vs. cost when compared to other options is greatly exaggerated.

LK
 
And the Velocitor isn't a standard velocity .22 LR round either, is it? What he said is true. If you want to drag hypervelocity rounds into the discussion, feel free, but what he said is true. Numbers don't lie, no matter how many animals we have shot.
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He didn't say standard velocity and when doing a comparison there is no reason not to use the best .22LR available vs. the best .22M available which is what I've done. The Velocitor is safe to fire in any .22LR gun or chamber out there so the statement that the .22M shoots twice as flat is 100% false. If he HAD INCLUDED the words standard velocity his results would of been misleading and thus false. Sure you can take a fast Chevy and compare it to a slow Ford but does that tell us anything? Why don't we just compare .22 cb caps to the magnum while we're at it.

If the Velocitor or the other HV 40 gr offering weren't available the subject matter of this thread and my opinions would be entirely different. BUT THEY ARE AVAILABLE and any comparison that doesn't include them would tell an incomplete story.

As for the animals we've shot that is the most important part of the story. Numbers are great for comparisons and do tell parts of the story. But the final test is dead critters. The .22M isn't big enough for general hunting the coyote, isn't dramatically better on coon than the LR and doesn't shoot all that much flatter. No matter what the numbers say the test results don't lie and a 1000 dead critters only confirm what the numbers say. I dare say that any critter killed with a .22M would have died just as quick 95% of the time with the exact same shot from a Velocitor. With critters a little large for either such as a coyote or coon, neither has any room for error.

LK
 
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I'm surprised by some of the replies here. I do a lot of hunting with a .22 magnum and I can say that it is a wicked killer. As most people who have done a good bit of hunting can tell you, paper stats and real world killing can often be different. I've killed more wild hogs with a .22 magnum than I can count. With a solid I've even shot them through the shoulder. As for coyotes, I'm always amazed by the damage that little bullet can do. And have never had any problem with a shot. But as with any rifle or round I refuse to take a shot I'm not 100% confident in.
 
And the Velocitor isn't a standard velocity .22 LR round either, is it? What he said is true. If you want to drag hypervelocity rounds into the discussion, feel free, but what he said is true. Numbers don't lie, no matter how many animals we have shot.
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Last time I checked, the Velocitor said 22LR on the box. For that matter, there are other 22LR rounds that are a lot faster than the Velocitor and they also say 22LR on the box.
 
Fast is not just energy. Especially at farther distances. Those light little bullets can go awfully fast. And accomplish less than you might expect when they arrive where they're going. This discussion is as though some of you have an emotional investment in a particular .22 LR round and must defend it. Like the kids arguing for cheap ComBlock Milsurp arms and ammo. But no .22 LR is truly comparable to a .22 Mag. Sorry. And, yes, a .22 Mag is not well compared to a centerfire cartridge. Eureka! Are we past that yet!?

I do like the .22 LR CCI Velocitor very much. It is not the absolute fastest generally available 40 grain: that honor goes to a hot little Mexican. However, it is the fastest RELIABLE and more accurate of them. And what a bullet! I'd go so far as to say it is the state-of-the-art in the LR and doubt there will ever be anything better. Is the price worth it? Again, that's a personal decision.

Gave a girlfriend a spare mag for her only gun, a Marlin 795, for Valentine's Day once. Such friends have also been given a box of Velocitor if they were relying on a .22 LR for protection. And it was all I would have when I kept one as a truck-gun for a bit. Of course I've since graduated to a customized .22 Mag, a round I'd pay darned-near any price for in a survival gun over the LR. Cheap at twice the price!
 
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To the OP - other than in one area in Nebraska where the the .22 Mag is illegal due to be costing maybe twice as much (not 10 times more) when you are using comparable hunting rounds, I highly recommend the .22 Mag. I have a Browning BLR and am looking for a decent bolt-action for hunting foxes/coyotes after dark (only rimfire rifles at night in Michigan).

I also use and have good accuracy with the Winchester 45gr Dynapoints. A friend has a Remington 597 that shoots close to MOA with the Winchester Supreme 30 gr. hollowpoints.

I have a Ruger 77/17 in .17M2, a few .22LR (semi, bolt, handgun), a .17HMR in the Savage 93 (love the Accu-Trigger), and the .22 Mag. But I read on Page 1 of this post that I should just give them away and get a .223 because it is more cost-effective. As Mom used to say, some folks just ain't right.
 
Hornady

If 22wmr is going obslete, why would hornnady get in the business. used to get cci but switched, they have 3 cartridges personel defence, varmits, and plinking, comes ou of the barrel 2200fps..
 
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