If you own a 22 lr and a 223 would you get a 22 magnum?
- Thread starter ms6852
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MCgunner
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Depends on where you live, but I have little use for my .22 mag. I don't have any use for a .223, either. I hunt squirrel/rabbit with .22s, usually handgun for squirrel, and I shoot hogs/deer with bigger guns. I traded a guy out of this little .22 mag and it's accurate and fun so shoot, so I kept it. I traded a little motorcycle I didn't want, figured I'd rather have a rifle I didn't want. 
Turns out, I was right, but I don't hunt with it. I reckon out west it'd be a good 100 yard jackrabbit gun. Too much for squirrel IMHO. It'd be okay on cottontail if you hunt them a lot with a rifle, but no better than an accurate .22LR and more expensive to feed.
Turns out, I was right, but I don't hunt with it. I reckon out west it'd be a good 100 yard jackrabbit gun. Too much for squirrel IMHO. It'd be okay on cottontail if you hunt them a lot with a rifle, but no better than an accurate .22LR and more expensive to feed.rcmodel
Member in memoriam
I own more then one of all three in handguns & rifles.
The .22 WMR is a great choice for short range called-in coyotes in areas too close to civilization to use the .223 loundenboomer.
The .22RF can't be depended on to kill them DRT with anything less then a perfect head shot.
rc
The .22 WMR is a great choice for short range called-in coyotes in areas too close to civilization to use the .223 loundenboomer.
The .22RF can't be depended on to kill them DRT with anything less then a perfect head shot.
rc
MCgunner
Member
Good point on the yotes. I don't really go after predators at night. I'm usually after hogs if I stay up to hunt.
BigN
Member
Of course you would, after all, it is another gun in the safe I hunt hogs after dark also, two-legged ones
I hunt hogs after dark also, two-legged ones Remo223
member
I own all three. But I started with the 22lr and worked my way up to the 223. I guess if I had the 223 before the 22mag, I wouldn't have ever bought a 22mag.
MCgunner
Member
1.5" at 100 yards seemed pretty accurate for a rimfire when I got my .22 mag. Hmmm....
Yeah, there are match grade centerfires in .223, but we're talking hunting, are we not?
Yeah, there are match grade centerfires in .223, but we're talking hunting, are we not?
DM~
Member
In some states, at certain times of the year, you are allowed to hunt with a rimfire but not a centerfire.
For me, i love my 22WMR's, as they are a big step up from a 22lr, and unlike the CF 22's, i don't have to reload them!!!
DM
For me, i love my 22WMR's, as they are a big step up from a 22lr, and unlike the CF 22's, i don't have to reload them!!!
DM
MCgunner
Member
When I get my land in the western hill country (looking now and trying to sell land here), I MAY have a use for my .22 mag as a turkey gun. It'd be awesome for that, I think. It's legal here in Texas to hunt turkey with a rifle.
ColtPythonElite
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No.............
jimmyraythomason
Member
Now that's funny right there! My savage 65M is just as accurate within 100 yards (5 shots=1 hole)as my Stevens Model 200 in .223. I have several .22lrs and would most certainly buy another 22 mag.
Hate to burst your bubble MCgunner, in Texas you can only hunt turkey with shotgun only.
MCgunner
Member
Haven't hunted 'em, recalled many taken with rifles in my past by other folks, especially during deer season.
I have both .22 LRs and .223s and the .22 WRM magnum does fill a gap but not a caliber gap.
In Alabama, it's legal to hunt hogs during squirrel season on Wildlife Mgmt Areas, which lasts Oct-Feb vs. 5-6 days of deer season plus a special 2 week feral swine hunt.
Unfortunately, the best round that's legal for squirrels is the .22 WRM. .22 LR and shotgun up to #4 (I think) are also legal but are not much use for hogs.
So, I'm in the market for a .22 WRM so I can significantly extend my hog hunting season here in AL.
In Alabama, it's legal to hunt hogs during squirrel season on Wildlife Mgmt Areas, which lasts Oct-Feb vs. 5-6 days of deer season plus a special 2 week feral swine hunt.
Unfortunately, the best round that's legal for squirrels is the .22 WRM. .22 LR and shotgun up to #4 (I think) are also legal but are not much use for hogs.
So, I'm in the market for a .22 WRM so I can significantly extend my hog hunting season here in AL.
chas08
Member
I hate to burst your bubble but that's not totally true. The no rifle or pistol rule applies to Eastern Turkey only. It appears that Rio Grande's can be hunted with a rifle or pistol. The below quote came from the TPW website. I once owned a .22mag that I would take to the deer blind specifically for Turkey, it was very effective.
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
Most of the Rio Grandes, back before there was a springtime season, were taken during deer season via whatever hunting rifle was in use. A .22 Mag would be "just right".
MCgunner
Member
Well, I didn't THINK I was delusional. The only time I ever hunted turkey, I was forced via the club rules on the lease to use a shotgun. I'd rather have had my .22 mag with me, for sure. At that time, I don't think there was any eastern turkey hunting, which is relatively new and a testament to TPWs success at restocking the birds, I'm guessing. I really haven't followed the eastern bird thing, not being a turkey hunter and not really caring for east Texas as a hunting destination, except perhaps for squirrels..
In that quandary, I think I'd take my old double barrel 12 gauge. That thing shoots like a rifle with slugs, though you pay for it in bruised anatomical structures about the upper body. Load one barrel with a slug, one with 6 shot, go squirrel hunting with hogs in mind. Or, if I did it a whole lot, I might be looking for a Savage 24V.
In that quandary, I think I'd take my old double barrel 12 gauge. That thing shoots like a rifle with slugs, though you pay for it in bruised anatomical structures about the upper body. Load one barrel with a slug, one with 6 shot, go squirrel hunting with hogs in mind.
Or, if I did it a whole lot, I might be looking for a Savage 24V.Another article with Rio Grand Turkey with a .22 info
http://www.fishgame.com/content/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=4063&CatID=13&TopicID=2
http://www.fishgame.com/content/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=4063&CatID=13&TopicID=2
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Not for paper punching. The .22Mag is a wonderful varmint and predator cartridge though. Great for anything up to 50-60lbs out to 150yds and much more gentle to the ears and neighbors than the .223 or .22-250.
chas08, with new like this you can always burst my bubble. I misread the regulation, thanks for the post.
BikerRN
member
SHORT ANSWER: No
LONG ANSWER: No
LONG ANSWER: No
chas08
Member
Thanks for taking it well, because it truly was meant in jest. I've never hunted Easterns, but have taken Rios during the fall season on numerous occasions. I haven't had a deer lease for the last couple of years, so when I read your comment it sparked an intrest to dig further into the regulations. I thought TPW may have slipped one by me. So we both learned/confirmed something today. That .22 mag worked good on them right up until it was claimed by the flood of '98. I've never replaced it. My favorite bullet for Turkey was the full metal case Winchesters. It didn't tear them up real bad, and one placed at the root of the wing equaled DRT. Have a nice day...chas
I know some land owners won't let you shoot centerfire on their property (varmints). The 22 mag and 17 HMR give you more reach than most 22LR platforms.
Granted, a LOT of that has to do with the rifle and not shooter--a heavy barrel 22 mag bolt gun is not a standard 10/22.
Granted, a LOT of that has to do with the rifle and not shooter--a heavy barrel 22 mag bolt gun is not a standard 10/22.
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