Significant difference between 22LR and 22 magnum?

[mrcpu]

I was looking at a henry rifle, comes in several different calibers, I've shot a fair amount of 22 LR, but never any 22 magnum. Is it really that much different, significantly more powerful?

I just don't know if it's worth the difference in ammo price and purchase price for plinking...

 

[U.S.SFC_RET]

For plinking stay with the 22 Long Rifle. The 22 Magnum basically has twice the punch and is considered a (varmint rifle). I wish that the ammo was cheaper for the magnum. Both are accurate and both being 22 caliber are a bit finicky about what you shoot. I have a chuckster bolt action magnum that's scoped and shoots the dime brother. Fun to shoot but I put alot of practice with a 22LR because ammo is cheap.

 

[redneck2]

I got a Marlin 882 bolt .22 mag. The mag fits the "tweener" role. Enough bigger than a .22 LR that's it's got noticeably more whack and shoots flatter, but not close to the blast of even a .223

Haven't priced ammo in a while, but it's maybe 3x the cost of a .22 to shoot.

Good for groundhogs, racoons, etc.

I just don't know if it's worth the difference in ammo price and purchase price for plinking...

If it's your only .22, no

 

[rangerruck]

22 mag, inside 100 yds, is basically twice the energy.

 

[halvey]

If you are only plinking, get the .22. You can also go with higher velocity .22 if you need to punch a bigger animal.

I have several .22's, two .22 mags. I like the mags, but honestly, a rarely shoot them.

 

[Lupinus]

if its for plinking or squirrles get the LR. If you want a bit more accuracy and more punch for bigger animals the mag wil lserve you better but will be more expensive.

 

[roscoe]

.22 mag is much more powerful, but much more expensive. It is almost worth stepping up to .223 in a bolt gun, for the price. If you live someplace like Australia, it is the only game in town.

 

[Outlaw Man]

Around here there's a good piece of hog hunting land, but the easiest time to get a permit is during squirrel only season, and you're required to use the gun for whatever is in season. Since you're stuck with rimfire (or shotguns), a 22 mag is a significant advantage on hogs. I can't think of any other instance I'd need one, though. YMMV, of course, especially across state lines.