Opinions on the .22 Win Magnum

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jhansman

jhansman

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Thinking about adding this caliber to my collection but know little about it. While they seem to be popular for varmint hunting, my use would be limited to target shooting (for now). I have my eye on the Marlin 983s, and I know CZ and Savage (among others) also make popular models. What do you owners think of this caliber in terms of both accuracy (50-100 yds), reliability, and overall cost? TIA!
 
I actually see it as a decent varmint round, but not much of a target round. My Marlin .22M bolt gun does quite well at 75 yards, never stretched it to 100y. Hmmmmm.......

:D
 
Honestly I've owned hunted with and shot both extensively.

I have yet to find anything 22mag will do you can't do with a 22LR and in some cases do better (accuracy). Given the the ammo is darn near as expensive as 9mm I simply have no desire to own one.
 
ditto

I got the Marlin Model 25MN in .22 WMR for Christmas when I was a kid. Killed quite a few ground hogs with it over the years, out to 175 yards. I could hardly afford the ammo though, growing up. I just bought a new Savage .22 LR for a "yard/ barn" rifle. Exponentially cheaper to shoot. The .22 mag is very accurate but it sits in the safe and sees little action these days. I would sell it if I was a gun-sellin' kind of guy, but I'm not.
If you are getting it strictly for target, make another choice.
 
For better accuracy at about the same ammo price (if you reload), and more potent on critters, look into the .22 Hornet.

On that note, If it were me, I would probably get a .223 Rem and download it to Hornet velocities for a more versatile rifle. If you reload, that is. At Hornet velocities, .223 brass with a collet die or bushing die would last much longer than Hornet brass.

If you don't push the lightest bullets too hard (35-45gr) a 1:9 twist would be fine, and will allow you to use 62-69gr bullets as well, for longer range target shooting and varminting.
 
It's a great groundhog round; I've killed three or four now, and it's a one-shot stopper. I use the same rifle for tree-squirrels with birdshot rounds.
 
But will the 22Mag stop a charging muskrat?!?! LOL

My brother owned a Marlin 22 Mag lever gun years ago. It sure made a mess out of rodents (as in exploded them). Never did test for accuracy... just plinking.
 
What is the point of .22 Hornet exactly? It doesn't seem to distinguish itself over .223 Remington as far as I can tell. It's more expensive per cartridge yet less effective.
 
I have a .22 Mag revolver and I really enjoy shooting it. It hits much harder than a .22 LR.

If I am in the mood for cheap shooting, or just in the mood for shooting .22 LR, that is what I shoot. It will never replace the enjoyment of shooting .22 Mag. I like them both.

Accuracy is nothing special, and you need to try different ammo to see what your gun likes, but it is good enough for varmints up to 100 or maybe 150 yards (especially in a rifle), and plenty good enough for plinking.
 
Accuracy is good for me

I have had several 6" 48s and finally got my 4". Accuracy in all of them worked around 1"-1 1/2" at 25yds.

More expensive than the LRs, but like walkalong says, it hits a LOT harder. Much cleaner to shoot as well.

To answer Idempotent, the same arguement could be made for any cartridge. Luckily we have a lot of flavors to choose from.

The Hornet has been around for quite a while longer than the .223. It is a superb 100 -150yd. gun. It is a much quieter round and allows it to be shot in more settled areas without raising a ruckus.

The recoil is mild enough that when you fire, you see the scope go out of and back into focus because the recoil was soft enough that you did not blink. Kinda neat once you get used to it.

JT
 
Great feedback all around, thanks. Read a recent article saying that ammo is getting more accurate, with newer guns able to shoot MOA @ 100 yds. The Marlin looked like a possible 'next gun' and caught my eye when I last visited my local shop. Guess I'll think about it a bit longer.
 
Best reason I found for a 22 mag (or a 17 HMR) was that some landowners won't let you shoot centerfire at their prarie dogs and other such varmints. That extra powder extends your range out to 150 yards and beyond. The ammo is a lot pricier than 22lr but far cheaper than .223. Any Marlin, CZ or Savage is going to give you tight groups at 50 and 100 yards. I've done a lot of shooting witha Marlin 882SSV and while the factory trigger isn't great, it's got plenty of power at 150 yards for most small varmints.
 
But will the 22Mag stop a charging muskrat?!?! LOL
Click to expand...

Exactly why I carried a .357 when I ran my trap line! lol hehehehehe

The 22Mag. is not the round in which to shoot target, I have several, two totally custom and still, they fall short in the accuracy department as compared to the 22LR.

You could expect 3/4" plus, groups at 100y from a really good shooting rifle, most will do in the neighborhood of 1" plus.... which is fine for vermin and tree rats.

Some of the 'jacketed' style bullets show a bit more accuracy than the copper coated lead bullets. Like anything else, your 22Mag. rifle may be able to one hole out yonder, with the right ammo, so plan on trying all the different brands of 22Mag. ammo in your new rifle!
 
The 22 mag will penetrate the skull of large domestic animals better than a.22lr.
 
But will the 22Mag stop a charging muskrat?!?! LOL
Click to expand...
Exactly why I carried a .357 when I ran my trap line! lol hehehehehe
Click to expand...
I don't blame you for the .357 (mine was a Model 57 S&W .41 mag)IN ADDITION TO a good .22. I carried a .22 short RG for years and killed everything from a bobcat(was NOT in a trap) down in size including several large beaver. I also carried my Savage 65M when I was trapping coyote.
 
.22mag

30gr-50gr bullets,hp's and sp's,The 40 gr sp from pmc and fed 50hp are fine bullets for game hunting.The .22mag will kill far more than anyone thinks,and you can still carry 250rds in your pocket if you feel it necessary.
 
I love my new Marlin 925M. I noticed a rabbit eating the beans in my wife's garden when I got up this morning, I dropped it in it's tracks from the porch, and I'm not a good shot. :)

Wife was standing right there when I did it, all of the "what do you need another gun for?" static melted away with one pull of the trigger, lol.
 
The 22mag is a fun round to reach out further than the 22lr, but the ammo is way too expensive for that extra mustard it packs. I honestly enjoy shooting the 22mag, but find it hard to justify the extra cost.
 
they are not that expensive, I have also gotten a pack of 500 rounds for about .16c a round and that was after shipping. i know it is no 22lr but it does reach father and hit harder. It is also more accurate and reliable than 22lr, it does not have a heeled bullet like 22lr. I like mine and out of my Henry lever they are pretty accurate out to 150 yards, at least that is the farthest that i have shot it so far.
 
I just picked up some CCI and Hornady to try in my 25M. Cost figured .24 each. If I find one I like, I will but some in bulk, which should help the price.
 
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