I will give a positive vote for the 22MAG!
It is NOT "slightly" more powerfull than a LR, it is alot more powerfull. It is NOT inherently a tack driving cartridge, but an inch to an inch and a half at 100 yards from my 25MN is respectable in ANY book. Ammo is more expensive, but with the new focus on the 22WMR, prices are starting to drop already. I got a brick of PMC softpoints at the gunshow this weekend for $2.15 a box. And that is 50 rounds. So the economics of it are getting better. You can take the longer shots with greater confidence, knowing that the bullet will arrive on target with terminal ballistics still in the killing zone! Unlike some 22LR's (some not all, CCI Stingers have some real POP) that seem to bounce off of anything at over 60-70 yards. Finally, if you cant reload, and want a little more bang for your shooting dollar, the 22WMR is it.
To achieve the true potential of this cartridge, IMHO you must get a bolt action. And in bolt 22WMR's the bottom line is MARLIN!
This is not intended to start a holy war, just to vote and point out the advantages of MY FAVORITE CARTRIDGE!
Yes it is nice to go to Wally-World and get 500 Remington, Winchester, or Federal whatever LR's for $9.00, but I like being different
DOC
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"Government is not the solution to the problem, Government is the problem!"--Ronald Reagan