Yes, heard of hunting coons at night, but in Maine we can only hunt them with a .22LR pistol and a three-cell flashlight. The .22 WMR in a rifle with scope and flashlight are known as the favorite "Poacher's Rifle". Sorry if you thought I was commenting on your situation.
Looking for a reliable .22 mag semi auto rifle
- Thread starter Kaybee
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earlthegoat2
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I prefer a crossbow, a yard light, and a pile of sugar beets.
cdb1
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We are good. I didn’t think you were slamming me, that would be out of character for you.
It is easy to become inured to how good hunters have it in Texas. No moose and not enough elk and bighorn sheep to matter but about the only four legged animals you can’t hunt legally at night are whitetail, mule deer and pronghorn. On just about everything else I can think of you can hunt 365 days a year, day or night with no bag limits.
Growing up I did a fair amount of coon hunting with an old neighbor who had coon dogs. It was always at night, never during the day. The only time I shoot coons now is when they are getting in my trash at night. Around ten years ago I shot one with my .243 using Hornady Superperformance 58 grain V-Max. It made such a mess I started using my .22 Mag when I got it. My .22 Mag has taken a few coyotes too, under 75 yards or so.
Another Texan here with a CZ 512 that's been nothing but reliable although I've yet to hunt with it. FWIW, I have read reports of folks taking hogs with .22WMR but no real details on the size of the hogs or the number of rounds needed to bring them down.
I killed a coyote in the back yard with my .22 WMR, but it took several shots to finish it. I was very disappointed in the result. I've since switched to .17 HMR, but also keep my .223 bolt gun ready near the door also.
So far, the .17HMR has proven itself on a few small critters and I'm looking forward to getting a few bigger ones. The trajectory is perfect for small targets from close-up to about 150 yards...the zone that I've seen most larger pests around the house.
So far, the .17HMR has proven itself on a few small critters and I'm looking forward to getting a few bigger ones. The trajectory is perfect for small targets from close-up to about 150 yards...the zone that I've seen most larger pests around the house.
Labguy47
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I have, my .22 wmr s are both tack drivers in Marlin and Ruger. Both have been 100% reliable. I prefer the M-77 but that micro grooved barrel on the Marlin is always putting it where I aim it.
These rifles are great for small game like squirrels, rabbit, fox, and coyote.
DM~
Member
That info really has NO value at all, without knowing the range, where the coyote was hit and exactly what ammo was used.
I say that, because my experience had been the 22 Win. Mag. out shines the 17HMR when the animals get bigger, like a coyote, especially the further away you shoot them...
DM
cdb1
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Loyalist Dave
Member
I'm late to the discussion, but...,
I'm actually looking for a CMR-30 myself. They are a tad less expensive than the CZ 512, and a 30 round magazine is a plus vs. the ten rounder that was offered in the CZ 512 that I found.
"Reliability"..., well that's different for some people. I don't expect it to run like something on an AR platform. Super reliability I would expect in a lever-action in .22 Magnum, not in a semi-auto.
I expect it to get dirty rather quickly because it's shooting a rimfire cartridge. I have heard that the key to this rifle is light lubrication of the bolt, with an oil that also has Teflon, and...attention to detail when loading the magazines due to the rim on the cartridge.
LD
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