FrankenMauser
New member
Those of us that use .22 WMR just don't talk about it much.Maybe it's more common that I realize, but I simply don't see much mention of 22 magnum whether we are talking rifle or handgun, self defense or hunting small game.
New shooters often don't run across the cartridge or firearms chambered for it; or, if they do, have it immediately disparaged by an uneducated counter monkey at their local gun store. Or, a person's only experience with .22 WMR was in something where it didn't work well or was not able to live up to is capabilities (like in a derringer, Ruger Single Six, NAA Mini, etc.). So, there just aren't many new people interested.
I see it a little bit like: Those that know, know. Those that tried it in the wrong firearm got the wrong experience. Those that don't know, don't know that they don't know.
Personally... My primary .22 WMR - a 'lowly', cheap Marlin 882SS - is one of my favorite rifles and goes on almost every small game hunt. Occasionally, I'll take it out for grouse, too. Decapitation is more consistent with .22 WMR than .22 LR, but it's still a notable step down in recoil, report, and muzzle blast from almost any unsuppressed center fire. (And, YES, taking grouse with a rimfire is legal where I hunt.)
The biggest selling point for a .22 WMR, in my opinion, is the use of proper jacketed bullets. Far less fouling than .22 LR, better accuracy, and the ability to better align bullet choice for the intended game species. (Everything from FMJs to explosive HPs, and from plastic tipped bullets to frangible NTX stuff is available. There's an option for plated lead, too. But... meh.)
I see that you've further addressed this statement in subsequent posts, but I just wanted to add my own experience.The problem is (IMHO) that .22 Magnum is still a rimfire, with all the disadvantages such as unreliable ignition
I have not shot anywhere near as much .22 WMR as .22 LR; but I have run a couple thousand rounds through my Marlin 882SS and a couple hundred rounds through a few handguns.
From '60s production to current production .22 WMR, all malfunctions and failures to fire were caused by the firearm ... with only ONE exception.
That single case that failed to fire was from a box of Winchester Dynapoints (manufactured circa ~2007); which I consider to be garbage ammo, anyway.
Everything else has been 100% reliable - in feeding, firing, extraction, and down-range performance.
Winchester Dynapoints are horribly inconsistent dimensionally, in performance (bullet deformation and powder charge variation are big here), and in reliability (inconsistent priming compound dispersion -- I've inspected several hundred unfired cases, as well as hundreds more fired cases). Winchester Dynapoint ammo is so bad that, after a few years of testing and inspection, I pulled down the remaining cartridges that I had, scrapped the powder, melted down the bullets, and put the hulls in my jug of brass for the recycler (after heating them to initiate the priming compound).
Everything else has been good, though. ArmsCor, CCI, Fiocchi, Fiocchi (ArmsCor), Fiocchi (CCI), Black Hills (I think CCI loaded this), Hornady (CCI), Remington, Remington (CCI), Aguila, Winchester Supreme, and more...
I've had a higher rate of failure with factory 9mm ammo than with .22 WMR.
.22 WMR may be rimfire, but it is not on the same quality level as .22 LR. It is notably better, across the board.