.22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire

[ilikegunspdx]

The only 22 mags I own:

80ish fpe:

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• ilikegunspdx
• Oct 20, 2024

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• ilikegunspdx
• Jan 11, 2023

320ish fpe:

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• ilikegunspdx
• Apr 8, 2022

 

[Deavis]

Historically I think when compared to .22 lr it really shined. Now the more favorable comparison is to .17 HMR.

 

[Cerberus Group]

I carry a S&W 351C 22 Magnum in the pocket everyday.

The performance out of a snub revolver is quite impressive...will penetrate the flat forehead on a cow, and most HPs will expand out of a short barrel, where the 22 LR will not.

 

[damirishgirl]

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?

It's fun to shoot but can get expensive 22lr is much cheaper and they are a dime a dozen

 

[bradsteen]

LuckyGunner did a comparison of 5.7x28 vs .22wmr that was worth a look (https://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/is-5-7x28mm-just-overpriced-22-magnum-part-2/). There are better defensive calibers, but the low recoil is a plus. Thinking about getting a heritage rough rider 16" in .22wmr to mod out, would make a fun little project.

 

[Koda]

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

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

I think its the best rimfire caliber but its ammo is overly expensive for its rimfire class. Far more versatile for its class than the LR version but not enough to make the ammo cost worth plinking on the level of the LR version.

Handgun roles it excels at varmint hunting, not so much for self defense with the exception of the niche NAA revolvers due to their exceptionally small size having the 22WMR "magnum" punch is an advantage in that guns size. Any handgun larger and I would want at least a 380 or 9mm.

 

[Cerberus Group]

22 Magnum tested out of a snub revolver into bare calibrated ballistic gel

 

[Dozer99]

If I had to grab one caliber and only one for survival it would be 22WMR. Compare the weight of 1000 rounds of .223 55gr vs 1000 rounds of 22WMR 40gn.

Also-22WMR is not as sensitive to wind as the .17HMR when shooting squeaks, so we ditched the .17's years ago.

 

[Cerberus Group]

Put a 22 WMR into the upper thorax, the survival rate is almost never.

It's not instantaneous, but it will do the job.

The trajectory and distance of It's effectiveness is really good. More expensive than LR, but the juice overall is worth the squeeze.

 

[deadeye]

Have a multitude of revolvers, semi auto pistols, lever action and semi auto rifles in 22mag. Also several cans full of various types of rounds. My super single shines with 22mag and I like the side kick from Diamondback. another fun one is the rock island XT but the savage A 22m and Marlin 57m are coyote getters. Have several others besides what I listed cause you can never have too many. The critical defense and gold dot ammo is better for defense to cut down the flash a little especially when you have the NAA short barrel "noisy cricket". I can still get Armscor for $12 a box for plinking from outdoorlimited but I havnt needed to buy any for some time.

 

[Yarome]

All I can say is I'm also firmly in the 22WMR camp. It's a great round for camp pot meat and a good performer even out of a handgun. As @Cerberus Group said. You'll get HP expansion where 22lr won't.

 

[OrPackrat]

I like 22mag, it has its applications...

I have 5 platforms that use .22mag, 3 of them being heritage single action wheel guns, one NAA mini revolver, and a Kel-Tec CMR30.

Little more power than a 22lr, in the heritage singles, it has the put down power of a 22 from a rifle in a smaller pistol...

I got a 22mag in a 16" barrel with the CMR30 to get the same ball park power of a 5.7x28 with 10" barrel but at a lower price per round...

 

[Spitpatch]

.22WMR was designed as a hunting cartridge, and that is the arena in which it excels. As noted by @Dozer99 , I have also relinquished any attraction to the .17HMR for Sage Rats and Prairie Dogs. The WMR bucks the wind better, and should one ask more of it, the WMR is a far more reliable killer than the .17HMR on big stuff like 'Coons and Coyotes.

As a hunting cartridge, (and as the .17HMR was designed as such as well), neither has received attention from ammo manufacturers toward precision accuracy to the level of the .22lr. Braggarts will talk of their .17's shooting half-inch groups at 100 yards, and I have dozens of targets that support this boast. But I have dozens more (and extensive chrono data) that speak to the inconsistency of the HMR ammo across the board.

As with any rimfire, testing with all .22WMR ammo currently available is highly advised. Sometimes one gets lucky, as with Federal's 50gr and a fat-barreled Ruger 77/22M in this stable. One word: Hallelujah! It is a true precision varminter now.

The old Winchester 40gr Jacketed Hollowpoint is the standby for killing effectiveness combined with very good accuracy in most guns. CCI falls down in both departments, and the MaxiMag HP's are unreliable for consistent expansion.

As to cost, the complainers have a valid point if they are also plinkers. That is not the purpose for this cartridge.

Designed for killing, it makes a very good defense cartridge. Next to my bed as primary "bump in the night" tool, is a Ruger Super Single Six with a full cylinder of 40gr hollowpoints. The single action falls into my palm even in the foggy stupor of half-sleep, and putting it in operation is done with the lizard brain.

When my father was stationed remote duty in Alaska, he took two guns: a '94 .30-30 and a Savage 24 .22WMR/20ga. Both Moose he killed were with the .22WMR.

That says it all.

 

[ilikegunspdx]

An interesting analogy just for fun:

10mm 180gr JHP (or .357 sig) - 620 fpe
.22 WMR 2" Barrel - 80 fpe (13% of 10mm)

2019 Chevy corvette ZR1 - 755 hp
2019 Fiat 500 - 135 hp (18% of Corvette)

 

[thorborg]

I've had several fun 22 mags but two have their place as a game getter. The first I became aware of from my now long deceased uncle. A logger, Forman and finally Bull of the woods brought deer home several times a year. ( I was a kid not knowing the laws and obviously don't condone poaching) The first time hearing the word "truck gun", it rode under his truck seat. Bought new in 1960, It is a Winchester .22win .mag. mod 275 pump with a tiny Westernfield 3-7X20 scope a literal tack driver at 50 plus yards. still is today.

The other is a NAA ( I have a 22lr cylinder for it) that while fun was rather useless and inaccurate, but after enlarging the handle and adding a red dot it is close enough to being a tack driver that any squirrel rabbit, or grouse @ 50 yards is in the pot. Neither I get to shoot any more.

 

[Dozer99]

I recently became the proud owner of a Walther WMP. It is a full size hammer fired 22WMR with a 4.5 inch barrel. I absolutely love this gun. Accurate and comfortable to shoot with almost no recoil. It is my new "bump in the night" gun with a 15 round magazine and light attached. I would highly recommend to anyone needing a New 22WMR platform.

 

[Ruger Rich]

Nary a negative post so far. What's that say ? I own three.

 

[doninoregon]

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

Try a Diamond Sidekick with birds head grips

guns.com/news/reviews/review-a-look-at-the-diamondback-sidekick-22

amazon.com/dp/B01MCTISB0

 

[deadeye]

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

As mentioned but correct link to a Barkeep style. I Have the 4" plow handle style and like it alot. They're based on the old Hi standard double nines from the 60's. You get 3" barrel, nine rounds of 22mag or 22lr, and the birdhead grip along with swingout cylinder for faster reloading and double/single action.

Diamondback Sidekick

Click to read tech specs of the first revolver from Diamondback Firearms! Made in the US, the Sidekick combines the cowboy look with modern features!

diamondbackfirearms.com

 

[Spitpatch]

Convertible .22 handguns (Single Six, etc.) that will handle WMR and LR by switching cylinders are most often (always?) .224-inch bored barrels (for the Magnum).

Hence, they often are more accurate when shooting quality WMR ammo agreeable to the gun than with .22lr (even primo stuff).

This is because the bullet of a .22lr is .223 diameter, and in that case the gun relies on something VERY familiar to blackpowder/lead enthusiasts: Obturation.

The .223 soft lead projectile is actually "deformed" (in a good way) by the pressure of the gasses behind it upon detonation of the cartridge. The tail of the bullet is smashed forward, and therefore "flares out" and in that process is able to "grab" the rifling in the .224 diameter barrel. (We're only talking about a thousandth of an inch, so "flare" is somewhat of an exaggeration to describe what happens.)

A jacketed .224 diameter .22WMR projectile in the barrel machined precisely for it suffers no such "Play-Doh" treatment prior to its journey.

Obturation is not a bad thing, and in fact is nearly an essential feature of blackpowder/lead accuracy. Bullet alloys and diameters (sometimes design) are manipulated by the shooter in order to achieve the absolutely perfect fit (degree of "deformity"?) of the bullet in relation to the bore. Hard cast bullets of "proper" and "matched" diameter to the bore of the blackpowder rifle nearly always disappoint.

The shooter of a convertible handgun is deprived of the options and choices toward bullet alloy, diameter and design of the .22lr projectile (other than trying different brands), and so the "ideal" to operate in that .224 bore is nearly unobtainable except by chance.