22 Magnum as a survival rifle?

[BreechFace]

Keltec PMR and CMR combo covers a lot of bases. Just do some reliability upgrades to both add extra magazines and ammo.

 

[mac66]

A 22 mag would be good for a survival situation but the cost and availability are prohibitive. A 22lr is more versatile in my opinion.

 

[IdaD]

Wow, old thread. May be kinda lame but I think I'd default to an AR in 223/556. More juice than a 22 mag, the ammo wouldn't weigh much more and I think it would be a bit more reliable being centerfire and certainly longer range capable. Would work well for defensive use and also small and medium game. My first thought was actually a bolt carbine in a more powerful caliber but I think that would be quite a bit less versatile.

 

[GAF]

All I can say is why not.

 

[Hokkmike]

Curious what the thoughts of the group would be on the use of a 22 Magnum bolt action rifle for survival purposes would be.

There are some advantages. First, the rifles are usually light in weight. Both Savage and Ruger make 22 mag rifles with weights of six pounds or less. The ammo is light also, meaning you could carry a good bit.

As for the cartridge, it is admittedly weaker than most centerfires. But for small game and varmint sized animals, it is fine. It is a little marginal for self defense against people, but out of a carbine or rifle, the 22 mag is not bad.

Just to "up the game" a little I saw a 22 mag over a 12 gauge combo gun... Break open single shot, but it seems me that it could handle small critters on the ground, birds, and - if need be, dangerous 2 legged creatures.

 

[Robert]

Almost two years old and nearly 6 pages later, let's call it a day. I think we've probably rung all we can out of this one.