.22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire

[gmerkt]

Yes, there is an ammunition forum. But this isn't strictly ammo-related. More like application. Moderators, feel free to move it.

My question is, what do most "gun" people think of .22 Magnum?

Lately, I bought a .22 WMR revolver basket case, it was $105 and presented a hobby challenge for me. I figured I already had the few missing parts. So last night, I got it together. After educating myself at Youtube University because this model has the guts that load through the bottom. I got it up and running, took it to the range today, it was so-so but functional. Of course, I didn't have any .22 Mag ammo, so I stopped at Sportsman's Warehouse on the way to the range and got 50 shots for $19. (with tax) something. Which I think is pretty typical. But for taking to the range and plinking away, say, 100 rounds, that's near $40. Good enough little gun for holding up liquor stores and gas stations, I guess.

So what do others think about the utility of .22 Mag, especially in a handgun? Is it of any practical use?

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[Nosferatu]

Harry Callahan taught his kids how to shoot with a 22 Magnum.

Those punks were lucky.

 

[Knobgoblin]

It shines as a rifle round.
That being said I currently own at least 3 handguns in said caliber. Have owned between 10 and a dozen.

 

[Deavis]

I always loved its terminal effects as compared to 22 lr but found it cost prohibitive in the ammo department.

I have a .22 Mag revolver. Wicked accurate.

Bimart had it on sale for $13? A box, and a local pawn shot had it for $10 on sale.

I stocked up.

 

[Andy54Hawken]

I have a Revovler that can swap cylinders to .22 Magnum.
It works ...makes noise...and seems to shoot well.
That said...I shoot the Revovler most with the .22LR cylinder.

I like the .22 Magnum ...I find it is best suited to a rifle.
A excellent small game and varmint cartridge.
Andy

 

[Deavis]

I was touching near 2000 fps in my 6.5" single six with the 30 grain offering! I went all Paul Harrell and shot some soda cans with it vs .22 lr. Markedly different!

 

[drakeslayer]

I dont shoot my revolver or rifle much due to price of round. Before it got cost prohibitive, the mag rifle was our training round to stay sharp for deer and elk season.
I still find myself at shows eyeing this round in some of rifles I come across.

 

[Knobgoblin]

I was touching near 2000 fps in my 6.5" single six with the 30 grain offering! I went all Paul Harrell and shot some soda cans with it vs .22 lr. Markedly different!

See, I should have kept that one for sure.
I don't even have a single six right now

 

[Juniper9mm]

Loved my .22mag rifle when I had it. Tempted to replace it with one of CZ's rifles.

 

[Knobgoblin]

Loved my .22mag rifle when I had it. Tempted to replace it with one of CZ's rifles.

Sigh.
I just let one of those cz bolt guns go. It was a sweet shooter, but magazines had dried up.

 

[aasbra]

I have a couple CZ bolt action rifles in 22 magnum. Truth be told, I haven't fired them much since acquiring them years ago. I remember shooting one of them back to back with my CZ 22 Hornet, and thinking the mag was a nice niche between the LR and Hornet.

 

[MDDM]

I love my Henry frontier in 22wmr. It really shines with that 24" barrel. That said, a cheap 22wmr revolver is my most prized possession as it was used by my Grandpa while driving combine to kill coyotes. I only shoot it once a year or so, but it brings a smile to my face every time.

 

[VinnieBoomBah]

I love the round, had a couple Marlin bolt's over the years but they never fit a 'need' in my collection so they went down the road

 

[bionic knees]

My wish they made it but they don't is a Henry barkeep, 3 1/2 inch 9 shot .22wmr. maybe someday

 

[TTSX]

It's a rimfire cartridge at center-fire prices and therefore a hard pass from me. I prefer my rimfire cartridges to be rimfire priced.

 

[arrowshooter]

Tempted to replace it with one of CZ's rifles

I retired my Savage 93 in 22 WMR two years ago. It was accurate enough, but it was very frustrating when you're on the rats because the mags were just not reliable. I replaced it with a CZ 457 and this past May it was flawless, thumping prey at will. The CZ loves everything I feed it except for the CCI Maxi-Mag. These bullets have a stepped shoulder on them which requires a double-clutch to feed them. I am sure that a little mag tweek will fix it but I don't see the point since the rounds that matter feed like butta. 22 Mag is an excellent critter gitter.

With a little work you can find mags.

To the OP's question: I cannot speak to the current cost of the ammo because I am "stacked", but 50 rounds at a time of 22 Mag is better than sitting and watching TV. The most fun is with reactive targets, i.e. anything that makes a mess.

 

[gmerkt]

CCI Maxi-Mag.

That's what I had this afternoon. Out of 50, 49 fired no problem. One took three hits to go off.

 

[gmerkt]

a cheap 22wmr revolver is my most prized possession as it was used by my Grandpa while driving combine to kill coyotes.

Cool story. I can see Pops rolling along, one hand on the wheel, the other snapping off at a coyote.

 

[ilikegunspdx]

Yes, there is an ammunition forum. But this isn't strictly ammo-related. More like application. Moderators, feel free to move it.

My question is, what do most "gun" people think of .22 Magnum?

Lately, I bought a .22 WMR revolver basket case, it was $105 and presented a hobby challenge for me. I figured I already had the few missing parts. So last night, I got it together. After educating myself at Youtube University because this model has the guts that load through the bottom. I got it up and running, took it to the range today, it was so-so but functional. Of course, I didn't have any .22 Mag ammo, so I stopped at Sportsman's Warehouse on the way to the range and got 50 shots for $19. (with tax) something. Which I think is pretty typical. But for taking to the range and plinking away, say, 100 rounds, that's near $40. Good enough little gun for holding up liquor stores and gas stations, I guess.

So what do others think about the utility of .22 Mag, especially in a handgun? Is it of any practical use?

Barrel length is critical with .22 mag. Here is energy level by barrel length. It goes up drastically as barrel gets longer.

Contrast that to something with a flat curve, energy is about the same as barrel length gets longer.


All 3 rounds above are mouse guns at short barrel lengths. At rifle lengths the .22 mag is equivalent to 9mm pistol in energy (ie no longer a mouse gun).

 

[Catfishmoon]

I think it is a fine little round, but for me it is priced out of being utilized much. I can not justify purchasing it if I can buy 9mm considerably cheaper. If it were priced closer to .22 long rifle, I would shoot a lot of it.