.22 Mag vs .22 LR: Extra power worth it?
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jmorris
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Those results do seem reasonable to me.
< 850 fps for a 40 grain bullet. Even lower numbers than the ballistics by the inch data.
Pistolay
Contributing Member
Here's Shooting the Bull's ballistic test of .22WMR Gold Dots in a Black Widow. You could do worse.
Skylerbone
Member
Sounding in to say first that the PMR30’s barrel is not 4” but rather 4.3 meaning it should show improved velocity over these charts.
Second, I pray NO ONE ever buys one without fully understanding that it leans to the impractical. Mine is purely for fun, though despite what @CDW4ME preaches (pickin on ya, but just a tiny bit
I’d have no issues using mine (as modified) for self-defense beyond the obvious blinding flash and obnoxious noise level. It was not fully reliable as-delivered, nor did I expect that after reading reviews.
While I’d stop short of calling ammo cheap, I was buying it for $9.00/box of 50 before this ruckus and I’ve not paid over $14.99 since. The last MiniMag by comparison was $12.99 so we really are splitting hairs.
Finally, and it’s been mentioned, velocity isn’t everything. Far better bullet designs are available for the WMR. Whether we’re discussing 150fps or 300fps difference, that is still a significant bit to give up. About the same as swapping your 300 Win Mag for an -06.
If I get time this summer I’ll try to chrono some different loads.
Second, I pray NO ONE ever buys one without fully understanding that it leans to the impractical. Mine is purely for fun, though despite what @CDW4ME preaches (pickin on ya, but just a tiny bit
I’d have no issues using mine (as modified) for self-defense beyond the obvious blinding flash and obnoxious noise level. It was not fully reliable as-delivered, nor did I expect that after reading reviews. While I’d stop short of calling ammo cheap, I was buying it for $9.00/box of 50 before this ruckus and I’ve not paid over $14.99 since. The last MiniMag by comparison was $12.99 so we really are splitting hairs.
Finally, and it’s been mentioned, velocity isn’t everything. Far better bullet designs are available for the WMR. Whether we’re discussing 150fps or 300fps difference, that is still a significant bit to give up. About the same as swapping your 300 Win Mag for an -06.
If I get time this summer I’ll try to chrono some different loads.
d2wing
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I don't know about the charts. High velocity rounds vs standard velocity. I do know that years ago I sold a revolver to a guy with both LR and 22:Mag cylinders. He didn't want to buy the mag cylinder. He came back and bought the mag cylinder because the 22 LR would not kill his goats shooting them in the head. The 22 Mag did. Do you have goats?
chicharrones
needs more ammo
I like this video of two LCRx revolvers for the door shooting test, 4 layers of sheet metal.
doubleh
Member
Proof positive that the 22 Mag still had superior oomph over the 22 LR as barrel length decreases. Some of us already knew this from experience. 
Skylerbone
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Good Ol' Boy
Member
22 WMR doesn't belong in a handgun (coming from someone who owns one). Its talents are mostly wasted.
But it shines brightly in something like this...
But it shines brightly in something like this...
chicharrones
needs more ammo
I see .22 WMR as the little brother to .357 magnum. Even though a .357 really speeds up in a carbine, it sure is hard to say that .357 doesn’t belong in a handgun.
There is this from CCI and it steps the game up for Magnum in pistol/revolvers:
https://www.hornady.com/ammunition/rimfire/22-wmr-45-gr-ftx-critical-defense#!/
3C
https://www.hornady.com/ammunition/rimfire/22-wmr-45-gr-ftx-critical-defense#!/
3C
BreechFace
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I see .22 WMR as the little brother to .357 magnum. Even though a .357 really speeds up in a carbine, it sure is hard to say that .357 doesn’t belong in a handgun.
Great comparison, I concur.
MedWheeler
Member
Skylerbone writes:
Did you not get twice the rounds in the box of MiniMags, though? They typically sell in 100-ct boxes. That would make the MiniMags $6.50 per fifty compared to the $14.99 for the Maggies.
Did you not get twice the rounds in the box of MiniMags, though? They typically sell in 100-ct boxes. That would make the MiniMags $6.50 per fifty compared to the $14.99 for the Maggies.
Clearly the difference in power is substantial and worth the extra cost for the times it is needed. And the good thing about a convertible Single Six is I can have both with only minor compromise.
One of the guns I traded away and the reason I no longer sell or trade was a .22 Magnum AutoMag. It was a blast!
3C
One of the guns I traded away and the reason I no longer sell or trade was a .22 Magnum AutoMag. It was a blast!
3C
I'll chime in since I own both the PMR30 and the CP33. The CP33 has a 5.5" barrel versus the PMR30's 4.3" barrel. I primarily shoot CCI Maxi Mags in the PMR30 and either CCI Mini Mags or CCI Tactical in the CP33.
Yes there is a definite difference in recoil and muzzle flash with the PMR30. But that is to be expected with 22WMR out of a pistol. The PMR30 is not as accurate as the CP33 but accuracy isn't terrible for a 4.3" barrel either. But the PRM30 is also lighter empty too. I have not weighed either when fully loaded. The CP33 is more like the CMR30 than it is the PMR 30 in construction.
I also have a CMR30. I shoot the same ammo out of it as I do with the PMR30. You can definitely tell a difference in accuracy going from a 4.3" barrel to a 16" barrel.
I had an incident one time at the local range where two meth heads tried coming up on me. I had my PMR30 on me with a fully loaded mag in it and all my rifles were in my truck which was about 10 yards away from me. I can say that I was thankful for having my electronic ear muffs on otherwise I would have never heard them walking across the gravel parking lot. I turned around and said something to them when they were about 25 yards away and they stopped and turned around when they seen that my hand went down to my holstered PMR30.
No I did not have to draw it. And I am glad that I didn't have to.
Needless to say, I did NOT feel under gunned with the PRM30 in that situation. The CCI Maxi Mags would have done the job if needed.
Yes there is a definite difference in recoil and muzzle flash with the PMR30. But that is to be expected with 22WMR out of a pistol. The PMR30 is not as accurate as the CP33 but accuracy isn't terrible for a 4.3" barrel either. But the PRM30 is also lighter empty too. I have not weighed either when fully loaded. The CP33 is more like the CMR30 than it is the PMR 30 in construction.
I also have a CMR30. I shoot the same ammo out of it as I do with the PMR30. You can definitely tell a difference in accuracy going from a 4.3" barrel to a 16" barrel.
I had an incident one time at the local range where two meth heads tried coming up on me. I had my PMR30 on me with a fully loaded mag in it and all my rifles were in my truck which was about 10 yards away from me. I can say that I was thankful for having my electronic ear muffs on otherwise I would have never heard them walking across the gravel parking lot. I turned around and said something to them when they were about 25 yards away and they stopped and turned around when they seen that my hand went down to my holstered PMR30.
No I did not have to draw it. And I am glad that I didn't have to.
Needless to say, I did NOT feel under gunned with the PRM30 in that situation. The CCI Maxi Mags would have done the job if needed.
Skylerbone
Member
Indeed I did. My point was that if people are willing to spend $13/100 on .22lr then under normal conditions .22WMR is $18/100 or roughly $5 more. That’s .05/round, less if you’re a deal watcher. Some of my Winchester .22WMR inventory from not too long ago was marked $6.99 meaning it cost about what MiniMag is at present.
For the difference in performance and the fun factor I can certainly pony up an extra Lincoln, heck I’ve got $800 tied up in the pistol.
One of the things I like about the PMR30 and CMR30 is that they use the same magazines. I have a Sig Romeo Zero mounted on the PMR30 and a Sig Romeo MSR on the CMR30. I was able to stock up on CCI Maxi Mags two years ago when it was still reasonably priced and in stock.
NAA 1 5/8" barrel
96 Degrees
Hornady 30 Gr plastic tip - 1127 Avg FPS
Federal 30 Gr TNT - 1102 Avg FPS
Winchester 40 Gr (Old) - 954 Avg FPS
CCI Maxi Mag (Old) - 961 Avg FPS
Fiochhi 40 Gr JSP - 839 Avg FPS
Fiochhi 40 Gr JHP - 929 Avg FPS
96 Degrees
Hornady 30 Gr plastic tip - 1127 Avg FPS
Federal 30 Gr TNT - 1102 Avg FPS
Winchester 40 Gr (Old) - 954 Avg FPS
CCI Maxi Mag (Old) - 961 Avg FPS
Fiochhi 40 Gr JSP - 839 Avg FPS
Fiochhi 40 Gr JHP - 929 Avg FPS
BreechFace
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You didn’t provide the flame lengths out the front of the barrel.
Good Ol' Boy
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I see .22 WMR as the little brother to .357 magnum. Even though a .357 really speeds up in a carbine, it sure is hard to say that .357 doesn’t belong in a handgun.
Comparing 22WMR to .357 in ANY manner is beyond ridiculous.
I'd take a .357 from a 2" barrel for SD. A 22WMR not so much.
However neither would be preferable to me.
Point being, a .22LR is not a great choice to stop a threat. A .22 that shoots twice as fast out of a rifle is still not a good choice when used in a handgun, because of everything it loses, regardless of other larger calibers.
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chicharrones
needs more ammo
The OP didn't start the thread mentioning self defense, and my allusion to velocity gains of .22 WMR or .357 Magnum in carbines (relative to handguns) wasn't in reference to self defense either. Plus, your post with your hunting rifle doesn't mention self defense, either.
So, self defense was completely off my radar when I replied to your post.
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Good Ol' Boy
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The topic is the caliber mentioned but in a handgun. What other purpose would one conceive to be the reasoning for such a thing?
Hint: anything (including SD) could be better handled by a larger caliber.
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