[pinetree64]

Why would I get a 22mag when I can get a 223 for a little more? I know this two are apples and oranges, but S&B ammo is close in price to 22mags. I want a gun that's good for casual target shooting and varmit hunting. One plus for the 22mag is that it runs out of juice rather quickly when hunting populated areas. A negative of the 22mag is that it runs out of juice ....

Also I reload, and enjoy it... Then again, I have a 22mag pistol...

Thanks,
tjg

[JohnKSa]

I've wondered the same thing.

Most want the 22 mag to stretch the range of the .22LR, but from what I've seen, the 22 mag's accuracy at ranges beyond .22LR range seems to be somewhat lacking.

The .17HMR may fill the niche that, IMO, the .22Mag never did--but for people who really want a step up in terms of performance, the 22 Hornet or the .223 seem to be the logical choices.

[Robert inOregon]

Shoot at a squire at 100 yards with a .22 Magnum and then try it with a .223 Remington.

Seeing them explode is part of the critter pastime and you can't do that with .223 centerfire. Twenty-two Hornet accuracy has been put into question many times. Which leaves cartridges like .221 Fireball as an alternative, but rifle selection is extremely limited. Seventeen is another alternative although wind drift and price seem to be the most common objections with this cartridge.

[JohnKSa]

Robert,

I guess I'm not following you. Are you saying that the .223 won't make the squirrel explode but the .22 mag will?

[ojibweindian]

Beats me. Would like one of each.

[Robert inOregon]

What I'm saying is because of the 223's recoil, you won't see it. Scope moves off target and only get lucky when you see a head flying past the scope or the tail end of the rainbow. Its hard to see the actual hit. Sounds sick, love varminting and its part of the experience. Twenty-two magnum doesn't terminate the little critters with the same explosiveness, but you definitely know by the cartwheeling carcass that you hit one. When we use centerfire, almost prefer to be the spotter and watch the carnage. When I shoot 223 or 22-250 at 300 and 400 yards, only the spotter can say whether I scored or not and don't like doing that because he cheats when keeping score. :D

[Kobun]

If you want to see the impact, put a JP compensator on the rifle.
A 223 will not move with one on it.
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=43854

[Robert inOregon]

If you want to see the impact, put a JP compensator on the rifle.

Yes, that's true, but then you'll have no friends. :neener: They are too loud!

Have a varmint rifle with a BOSS and no one likes it. Except me that is. :D

[firestar]

I felt the same way. .22 mags are a little more expensive than cheap .223 around here. I don't see the point in .22 mag at all. If they were only a few cents more than .22lr then I would get it but for the ridiculus price they charge for .22 mag ammo, forget it!

[Hkmp5sd]

Why a 22mag? Why not a .223?

Because you have to have at least one gun of every caliber!:)

Actually, I use .22 Mags in a few of my revolvers because they perform better than .22LR and use the .223 in AR/Mini carbines.

Although, if the AW ban goes away, I've been thinking of making an AR pistol.

[cratz2]

The noise, man. The noise.

I have and greatly enjoy my 223s but the 22 Mag is way quiter. And as was pointed out, you almost always get to see your target get hit.

[Ledbetter]

I haved one of each.

A Volquartsen-barrelled 10/22 Magnum

and

a Rem PSS in .223.

Talk about apples and oranges!

They are about the same accuracy, at least at 100 yards. The .22 mag semi-auto is just a lighter, quicker, quieter gun. I think it's good out to 200 yards. I use Remington Premier 33 grain V-Max ammo.

For a bolt gun, a .22 mag may not make much sense as a centerfire varmint gun because of the limited range and comparable ammo costs.

[Jackanape]

I can fire .22 WMR out of my ruger single six, or my NEF Sportster. Much more quiet than .223, and the Remington Premier rounds are very accurate. Of course, I've been shooting .22 WMR less since I got a .17 HMR barrel for the NEF...

[Archie]

So then he can reload a .223 with lead bullets and have anything from a 22 lr to a full .223, right?

To me, the 22 RF Magnum is neither fish nor fowl. And it sure ain't Prime Rib!

[ajacobs]

In many states you can only hunt varments with rimfires after dark.

[Kharn]

In Maryland, you can only hunt Nutria (think of a giant rat the size of a beaver) with rimfire .22s (short, long, long rifle, magnum are all ok, IIRC); I wouldnt be surprised if other states had similar restrictions on such animals .

Kharn

[Sleeping Dog]

Michigan restricts some night-time hunting (possum, coyote, raccoon, maybe others) to .22 rimfire only. So a magnum makes sense, just more energy than .22LR.

[cratz2]

And, while versatility is great, the 22 Magnum kills 'coons and crows plenty dead. If that's what you're shooting at, why use something that's way way overkill?

[rbrowning]

I've hunted a lot of wood chucks around barns and out buildings with a 22 Mag, and after I was done the folks inside were surprised that I had been shooting. If you are shooting away from the house (DUH!) and especially if you have another building between you and the house, they often don't hear the shot. Can't say the same for a 223. So far, I have killed chucks out to 135 yards and have only had one wounded one get away. I usually use the Winchester hollow points. You don't get the explosive results you do with the 223, but you don't get as many ricochets either, nor do you get the cops called on you by the neighbors (they seem to think you are farther away than what you really are).