Most Reliable Semi-Auto .22 Magnum Rifle

[Timthinker]

I have often wondered which semi-auto .22 Magnum rifle has proven the most reliable to our contributors. The .22 Magnum rifle, unlike its .22 long rifle brother, is generally found in designs other than semi-auto. This has been due, according to my understanding, because of extraction difficulties with this particular rimfire round. Given this, what current crop of .22 Magnum semi-autos do our readers believe functions best with this cartridge? I am curious to read about your experiences. Thanks.


Timthinker

 

[xx7grant7x]

I don't have the widest base of experience with them but I've shot a 10/22 magnum before and it seemed to function just like a non-magnum 10/22 would normally

 

[rangerruck]

10.22 mag, remmy 597, any of the old marlin 99 or 989 m2's, I think Brno/cz and an old mossberg 22 chuckster, are the best though.

 

[Timthinker]

What motivated this thread was Ruger's decision to drop the 10/22 Magnum from production. My understanding was this was brought about by extraction problems with the magnum models. Again, this is my understanding and it may not be accurate. Thinking about this situation, I began to wonder if a similar problem plagues other semi-auto .22 Magnums. I hope someone can shed some light on this matter.


Timthinker

 

[snorko]

Not long ago I picked up a used (new) Remy 597 magnum at an auction. it came with a nikon scope and, judging by the fact that the auction had two identical rifles, I suspect this may have been a package.

I have since put about 200 rounds through it with no malfunction at all. Accuracy with the open sights is good with 50 yard groups at about 1.5" to 2" from a bench.

I had to remove the scope because the receiver had been drilled and tapped crooked to the barrell.

 

[dogrunner]

I owned an HK 300 in that caliber that was utterly reliable and very, very accurate. In the nearly twenty years I had it I never experienced a malfunction of any nature. Those guns are not too common on the used circuit and the detachable mounts were going for well in excess of 300 last I checked. Unfortunately I swapped mine for a BAR in .338.....wish I'd just bought that thing outright.

I have seen and handled (not fired) the Ruger and frankly I was less than impressed. That HK with its polygonal rifling fluted chamber and overall quality of manufacture is head and shoulders a far, far better gun.

Incidentally, extraction and ejection are forceable and quite positive.....takedown is a breeze, simply push the end cap up and off and drop out the buffer retaining pin....drop the action assembly by means of a push lever and drop the bolt into your hand....takes longer to say how than to do.

Now I've talked myself into getting another one!

 

[jamorjr]

.22 mag/LR rifles?

I'm looking for a rifle that can use both .22mag and .22 LR, is there such a thing out there?

 

[Floppy_D]

I'm looking for a rifle that can use both .22mag and .22 LR, is there such a thing out there?

Nope, just revolvers with interchangeable cylinders.

 

[bigdavep]

yeah, .22 magnum is different case size, an extra thousandth or two, so the different length isn't the only problem.. need two chambers to fire two different rounds... you can see the case rim is outside the bullet on the WMR and even with the bullet on the .22LR.. firing .22LR rounds in a magnum chamber will split the case a lot of the time..

 

[matai]

Sako quad?

 

[VA27]

Unless I'm mistaken, the only currently manufactured 22 mag semiauto rifles are the Remington 597M, the Excel and maybe the Volquarson. (I've never actually seen an example of the latter two.)

I've had a Remington and it worked fine, the only real problem was with the early plastic magazines. The newer metal magazines fixed that.

Out of production guns included the H&R 700, H&K 300, AMT (a stainless version of the H&R), Grendel, Ruger 10/22M and the ZKM611.

People I trust tell me the H&R worked.

The H&K worked.

I have never seen an AMT or talked to anyone who has.

I have never seen a Grendel or know anyone who has.

I have owned two different Rugers. One was accurate but unreliable, the other was reliable but not very accurate.

The ZKM611 (NOT the later 611A) is a peach! I have experience with two and both are reliable and accurate.

 

[rangerruck]

anything Marlin; the 989m2 would make you the envy of all the dudes in your neighborhood.

 

[chrissmallwood]

Magnum Reserch builds a semi-auto 22mag based off the 10/22 magnum. They seem to pretty reliable but they built a special gas port/block under the barrel near the barrel tightening block.

 

[tjj]

Brno 611

 

[Jason280]

I had very good luck with a 597 .22 Magnum, which was also extremely accurate.

 

[SAV24DL]

marlin made a model 922M 22mag semiauto rifle, it is a good design and can be found on Gunbroker

 

[natman]

I used to have an H&R 700 in 22 mag that never gave the slightest problem. The trigger was too long and heavy for my taste, but it always worked.

 

[DM~]

Several years ago i bought a new 597M, and it's worked perfectly since day one! I haven't even cleaned it, and it just keeps on keeping on.

I mounted a Leupold 7.5X scope on it, sighted it in, and use it for pest control around my place. I haven't had to do anything but load it and shoot it since...

Here's 3 shots from a field position at 60 yards,



This combo has worked out perfectly for me,

DM