what's the most accurate 22 mag handgun?

[adcoch1]

Just like the title says, what's the most accurate? I've shot quite a few single six revolvers, but not too much else in the 22 mag. Looking for info on personal experience, and mostly thinking about a toy for popping cans and varmints with occasional range sessions. Any input?

 

[BobWright]

I had a Ruger Super Single Six convertible many years ago that was a dandy squirrel gun.

Bob Wright

 

[DM~]

Most accurate 22 mag. handgun I've ever fired was without a doubt, a S&W M-48 that I owned...

DM

 

[Hairy Clipper]

My years of observation of myself and others shooting handguns comes down to this:

Most handgun shooters are nowhere near proficient enough that the accuracy inherent in the gun and it's ammo is relevant.

 

[TfflHndn]

Hairy Clipper, you may be spot on with your observation, but "most" doesn't negate the question. Some of us are proficient enough. Some are borderline and don't want less accurate ammo or a less accurate gun to push us over the border into missing a target, or game, or whatever. It may not matter to your shooting, but perhaps it does to the OP or others reading this thread and your answer is not helpful. To the OP, I can only say that I have not shot many .22 mags, and I have only one, a Ruger LCR. The gun is reasonably accurate, but the trigger is horrible and negates much of the accuracy it might have. It's a "get off me" gun, and I'd sell it if I knew someone to buy it, and I'd never miss it. Now, a Ruger or a Smith, I'd love to try them but I'm afraid I'd like them a lot and I'm short on room in my gun safes. Good luck finding something you are happy with.

 

[.308 Norma]

Just like the title says, what's the most accurate? I've shot quite a few single six revolvers, but not too much else in the 22 mag. Looking for info on personal experience, and mostly thinking about a toy for popping cans and varmints with occasional range sessions. Any input?

I noticed you posted this question in the revolver section, but I myself will probably pick up a Thompson Center Contender .22 Mag one of these days. That's IF I ever find one. I'll probably have to settle for a .22 LR though. Regardless, all of the TC Contender handguns I've been around have been pretty darned accurate. I think a scoped .22 rimfire Contender would be a real blast for use on ground squirrels and pesky cans.

 

[farm23]

For me my old single six is more accurate than I am. It has taken a bunch of game including 2 deer. I do not target shoot much after I find where the sight and I agree but the old single six is my choice.

 

[22-rimfire]

I will venture a guess... probably 8" Colt Trooper Mark III in 22 mag as far as revolvers go.

 

[adcoch1]

I had thought about the contender, and the s&w would be cool too, that's why I'm asking since my exposure is only to the single six's. All of them have shot well, but don't seem to be as accurate as the 22lr version, and i believe there is about a thousanth (0.001) difference in bullet diameter between lr and mag. It sounds like a dedicated 22mag would be easily as accurate as a LR, maybe more so, but so far that hasn't been my experience in a handgun. 22 mag in a rifle is awesome, maybe i need to just look at a single shot pistol? Also, I don't believe the trigger in the single six was my issue as I've tried several different guns, and the convertible model i had was scary accurate with the LR cylinder installed... Might have to find a S&W to try out...

 

[Blkhrt13]

Single six ruger I had was like a laser. Ever squirrel or rabbit I ever drew on went down.

 

[BobWright]

Someone mentioned the Thompson Contender, a single shot pistol. Over the years I've learned a quick follow up shot might be needed. I had a Colt Frontier Scout, a .22 L.R. that was a fine squirrel gun. I once caught a squirrel sitting on its haunches in full profile to me. I squeezed off a shot and it didn't move, so I got off a quick second shot, killing him graveyard dead. My first shot had gone through his cheeks, without even breaking his jawbone or knocking out teeth so far as I could tell. I'm guessing he was stunned by the first shot.

Bob Wright

 

[Kendal Black]

My years of observation of myself and others shooting handguns comes down to this:

Most handgun shooters are nowhere near proficient enough that the accuracy inherent in the gun and it's ammo is relevant.

True, but I cheat. I am no handgun genius, but I have become rather proficient in finding field rests and using them to boost what I can achieve. A fortuitous tree or fence post turns an eight-ring shooter into a ten-ring hitter.

As to the OP question, the Single Six is a fine shooter. Its lock time seems to me a bit excessive but that's my problem to deal with. I do not think there is anything wrong with its mechanical accuracy.

 

[Kendal Black]

...the convertible model i had was scary accurate with the LR cylinder installed...

It is possible that the magnum cylinder was not so well fitted as the LR cylinder. Mine is good with either one. The bore diameter issue has been beaten to death on forums and, before that, around cracker barrels, and I see that one as an unappreciable difference.

On reflection...possibly you had LR ammo the gun shot well but had not yet found a load it liked in magnum.

Disclaimer: I am not a salesman for Single Sixes.

 

[win71]

I have two .22 mag revolvers. A S&W 6" 48 and a Colt Trooper 6". The Trooper is barrel heavy making the 48 easier for me to shoot. My guess is if both were fired from a Ransom rest the accuracy would be similar.

 

[22-rimfire]

My experience with the convertibles is that you choose which caliber you prefer and that cylinder stays in the gun. You buy another one for the other caliber. The S&W M48's were good revolvers. A friend had one with both 22LR and 22 WMR cylinders (supplied). Nice gun!

 

[adcoch1]

It is possible that the magnum cylinder was not so well fitted as the LR cylinder. Mine is good with either one. The bore diameter issue has been beaten to death on forums and, before that, around cracker barrels, and I see that one as an unappreciable difference.

On reflection...possibly you had LR ammo the gun shot well but had not yet found a load it liked in magnum.

Disclaimer: I am not a salesman for Single Sixes.

This might have been the case...

 

[DWFan]

The most accurate .22 Mag revolver I have ever seen was a rechambered .22LR Dan Wesson Silhouette with a 1.5-4X Burris. This thing could match shots with a rifle. Don't know the owner's name but he was shooting thumbtacks stuck in cardboard at 25 yards from the bench. Very impressive.

 

[38riverrat]

Its a guess, but I would put my money on a Freedom Arms Model 97 with 22 MGN conversion cylinder.
A bargain for $2700 for the combination. Optics's extra. Barrel lengths to 10 inches. The ideal rat shooter?

Best,
Rick

 

[Alte Schule]

I agree with the comment above about the trigger on the .22 Mag LCR. It, IMO, is absolutely horrible. Was way to harsh for me though the person I sold it to doesn't seem to have a problem with it.
I have two other .22 mag handguns. A CA Pathfinder I bought used last year and, I know this is the revolver section, a Kel Tec PMR 30. This model was made after Kel Tec fixed the notorious "keyhole" issue. Fitted with a Burris Fastfire III it is extremely accurate out to 40 yds and then some.

 

[Plastikosmd]

I've had good luck with my FA 252 with the mag cylinder

 

[chicharrones]

I wish I had more .22 WMR handgun experience than I do, but the most accurate I've had hands on time with is my Single Six with 9.5" barrel and adjustable sights. With a mild trigger job, an oversize grip to give me more leverage, and the long sight radius, it is a fine shooter with .22 WMR ammo it likes. Plus, the long barrel helps boost the .22 WMR speeds a bit compared to a short barreled handgun.

Unfortunately, I can't see the iron sights like I used to so optics are the order of the day for me. Which negates the sight radius advantage of the long barrel, but not the velocity boost.

Over a chronometer, my Single Six 9.5" has shown 40 grain .22 WMR loads averaging around 1400 fps. With 30 grain loads, the speeds average 1700 fps in that gun.

 

[adcoch1]

I wish I had more .22 WMR handgun experience than I do, but the most accurate I've had hands on time with is my Single Six with 9.5" barrel and adjustable sights. With a mild trigger job, an oversize grip to give me more leverage, and the long sight radius, it is a fine shooter with .22 WMR ammo it likes. Plus, the long barrel helps boost the .22 WMR speeds a bit compared to a short barreled handgun.

Unfortunately, I can't see the iron sights like I used to so optics are the order of the day for me. Which negates the sight radius advantage of the long barrel, but not the velocity boost.

Over a chronometer, my Single Six 9.5" has shown 40 grain .22 WMR loads averaging around 1400 fps. With 30 grain loads, the speeds average 1700 fps in that gun.

THAT is a SWEET revolver! If i get another single six in 22 mag this is how i want it!

 

[CraigC]

I had a S&W 648 that shot into an inch at 50yds. Traded it away for some stupid reason.

My years of observation of myself and others shooting handguns comes down to this:

Most handgun shooters are nowhere near proficient enough that the accuracy inherent in the gun and it's ammo is relevant.

At self defense ranges, probably so. However, I don't agree with this at all in the context of hunting handguns and that is where a .22Mag excels. At 50yds you probably won't see a difference between a 1" gun and a 1.5" gun but I guarantee you'll shoot better with a 1" gun than you will a 3" gun. That's plenty enough to throw off a shot on small game. Not to mention that if the gun is very accurate, you know where to blame your misses.

 

[22-rimfire]

You mean shooting better with the 3" gun versus 1" gun, right?

I was thinking barrel length. I see you mean precision.

 

[CraigC]

I'm talking about group sizes.