Do I need a .22 mag rifle?

[MacTech]

I already have a decent collection of .22LR rifles, as well as a S&W MP15 Sport, and reloading gear for 5.56/.223, so I have the ability to handload power levels from around .22WMR and up

On paper, there's no reason to add a .22WMR to the collection, as the AR loaded with light loaded cartridges should do the same duty for varmints like raccoons and the strange armor-plated possums we have up here in Maine...

But, there's a nice used Ruger American Rimfire in .22 Mag that I'm contemplating purchasing, just not sure if I really *need* it, or just want it...

So, does the ability to handload light .223/5.56 rounds make the .22 Mag redundant in my case? Right now, the only .22 Mag firearm I have is Dad's old Single Six that I inherited

 

[nettlle]

I have both a .22 rifle and .223 rifle and have never had the need to fill the gap between. As far as needs and wants go I have two 1911 pistols because I want them and not because I need them. I understand where you are coming from.

 

[bikemutt]

I've got a Savage rifle in .22 wmr, it's one of my favorites. Accurate as all get out and plain fun to shoot. Do I need it? No. But, it was not terribly expensive, ammo's not either and I have a S&W 351C which I slip in my pocket for dog walking so there's a reason for me to have ammo laying around anyway.

So, even if I didn't have one I just talked myself into getting one, again

 

[rbt50]

yes you do, I have 22 short, 22 lr .22mag.5mm 17 hrm 17wsm 17 hornet 223 and many more. always room for one more.

 

[chicharrones]

But, there's a nice used Ruger American Rimfire in .22 Mag that I'm contemplating purchasing, just not sure if I really *need* it, or just want it...

Want is good enough.

I'm a fan of .22 WMR. Here's what I like about it.

1. The rifles that are chambered for it are as small as a .22LR rifle. The reason is obvious as they are both rimfire.

2. High quality .22 WMR ammo is still cheaper than high quality commercially made .223/5.56 ammo. Of course, this mostly benefits people that aren't reloaders.

3. With .22 WMR, shots at 100 yards have nearly the exact same point of aim as shots at 50 yards, with the right ammo. .22 LR requires a lot more holdover or sight/scope adjustment to shoot from 50 to 100.

4. 100 rounds of .22 WMR take up a whole lot less space than 100 rounds of .223/5.56. This is mostly a consideration if you like to pack ammo on your gun. Sort of like a bugout/truck/pack gun.

5. Most .22 WMR ammo is jacketed. I hate when I have to get lead out of a .22LR barrel.

6. I really like the potential of .22 WMR as the aforementioned bugout/truck/pack rifle. Here's my version of that kind of rifle. http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=776548

 

[PapaG]

Yes.
That said, I'm in the process of developing loads for my Savage 11 in 223 that will duplicate 22lr (cast, plain base), 22WMR (cast gc and jacketed), 22 Hornet (jacketed) and 222 Rem (I know, not much difference).
I prefer the 22 WMR to the 17HMR for the heavier bullet weights and the availability of a whole bunch of options (plated solid, plated hp, jacketed from 35 up to 55 grains...or maybe 50, I'd have to look). I have had much better results on coyote with the WMR than the HMR past 100 yards (not much past, but at about 125 which is where my land and my clear shot path ends).
I should have stopped with the first word. Yes.

 

[Garrobo]

Need?

Probably not. But I don't need the 40 or so rifles that I own either. One will do.

 

[Hookeye]

Close range varmint rifle.......joy to tote and use.

 

[EIB0879]

Yeah, I don't think the word "need" ever was key to a firearm decision unless I was trying to explain it to my wife.

 

[Clint M]

22 magnum is one of the best home varmint rifles, and walking varmint rifles here in N.E. GA. Most shots around here is 100 yards or less as woods everywhere, we do have some large fields, but overall it's wooded. Ammo is light weight, will even handle coyote at closer ranges that have came into your yard etc. It's just the perfect size for this area for types of use listed above.

The problem is getting to be just like 22lr you can't find ammo, and when you do it's expensive almost as 223 rem. The 22 WMR has always been expensive in my opinion, still for what it offers I think it's one of the better cartridges for varmints, and the bullets offer so much more than the 22lr.

I have a 10/22 magnum it has been perfect for hunting, sling it on your shoulder and you never notice it. Makes a big whaaap! when bullet makes contact with groundhog as well.

 

[22-rimfire]

22 Mag rifle was always the one that I skipped. Have even bought a couple and then sold them.

Anyway, I decided that 22 mag was indeed my caliber of choice should I ever need to head to the woods for an extended period of time feeding myself and so forth. The rifle is capable of taking down a whitetail deer should the need arise. It is also useful for mid range varmints where 22LR just isn't quite enough. So, I got one.

Sure I really don't need it. But I'm glad I own at least one reasonably accurate rifle in 22 Mag.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

I'm working hard myself to keep my caliber foot print as small as possible. As such I've skipped the 22 mag for reasons you mentioned. I am sure I could come up with a niche it would fill but for my needs I will skip it.

 

[rcmodel]

Do you 'need' one?
No.

Should you buy one?
Yes!

I have a Colt Scout .22/.22 Mag revolver, and a Winchester 9422M.

They make a nice matched pair, and the rifle is capable of ranges well past .22 LR on smaller varmints.

Also, during the recent two year ammo shortage, I have found more .22 Mag then .22 LR..

rc

 

[22-rimfire]

...during the recent two year ammo shortage, I have found more .22 Mag then .22 LR.

The ammunition availability thing was true of the first Obama ammunition run, but not the post Obama/Sandy Hook shortage. Have seen even less 22 mag than 22LR.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

9422M, RC, I am envious!

my 9422 is a standard. I have been looking for a good Magnum model to go with it for a while.

 

[Reloadron]

Do I need a .22 mag rifle?

Beats the heck out of me, I don't know, do you? While I have enjoyed shooting a few over a pretty long shooting career span I have never really needed one. Therefore, all these years later I still don't have one. That is not to say you don't need one. Maybe you should go ahead and get one just to be on the safe side.

Ron

 

[Lycidas Janwor]

yes you do, I have 22 short, 22 lr .22mag.5mm 17 hrm 17wsm 17 hornet 223 and many more. always room for one more.

This!

I have a .22s/l/lr, a .22mag, a .17hmr, a .17 hornet and a .223/556. The .22mag is lots of fun to shoot and is great for taking out large varmints.

 

[witchhunter]

I have a 9422mag that is one of my favorite rifles. When I used to run bear dogs, this was my truck gun. It lived in a scabbard built into my truck seat. My reason is; I can kill anything with it. It has quite a bit more power that a 22lr, it is accurate and it is great for small game. I can't count the times I have shot grey squirrels, cottontail, grouse, and quail with it. I also carry a Smith and Wesson 651 4 inch kit gun in 22 magnum. I remember once, I lost a dog and had to stay out in the woods for 3 days before I got him back. I shot squirrels and quail, I survived just fine. The 22 mag will kill a coyote or a deer out to 100 yards easy. I have killed bobcats, lions, raccoons, everything it has been called on to do. 100 rounds of ammo is a very small package compared to say, 223 which would be the next power level up. I can reload 223 for the same cost, but for small game or survival, the .22 mag is by far my choice. I carried a 22 LR like everyone else until I saw first hand that a magnum was so much more powerful. In my opinion, my 9422M is a hunting rifle, not a plinker. I carry the 651 every time I go to the woods, it lives in my back pack so I don't leave home without it, big power in a little package.

 

[Sav .250]

I see no benefit...........that`s my opinion.

 

[PO2Hammer]

I really like the .22 mag. More power than the .22lr and very quiet from my 25" CZ 452 Lux.
People talk about down loading the .223, but I've never seen a .223 down load that matches the .22 mag for accuracy and quietness. If you want to handload at .22 mag levels the Hornet makes more sense.

 

[Jackal]

The only problem with .22mag right now is that ammo costs roughly the same as 5.56/.223.

 

[chicharrones]

The only problem with .22mag right now is that ammo costs roughly the same as 5.56/.223.

If you are including steel case or remanufactured .223/5.56, you are correct. In that case it's priced like surplus ammo.

Looking at new brass cased .223 as a comparison, the price on the .223 starts to distance itself from .22 WMR. Especially if you compare something like brand new Hornady VMax in .22 WMR vs. .223.

IMO, steel cased or remanufactured .223 prices are a real consideration for plinking or AR blasting.

 

[Andy John]

I recently dispatched four foxes with my wife's .22 WMR Savage 93F rifle. I always use a shotgun for varmits, but could never get close enough to these foxes. The .22 WMR from a hide position gave me just enough range and stopping power to score clean kills without the crazy loud noise of a .223. The foxes didn't seem to realize where the bullets were coming from. I don't even use a .22 LR anymore for varmits as I rarely get a clean kill. The .22 WMR is different. It's much more humane and puts the animal down very quickly.

 

[chicharrones]

The .22 WMR from a hide position gave me just enough range and stopping power to score clean kills without the crazy loud noise of a .223.

That's a good point I haven't thought of. While shooting a .22 WMR is much louder than a .22 LR, the .22 WMR is not "big gun" loud like a .223 when both are fired out of rifles with equal barrel lengths.

 

[wally]

That's a good point I haven't thought of. While shooting a .22 WMR is much louder than a .22 LR, the .22 WMR is not "big gun" loud like a .223 when both are fired out of rifles with equal barrel lengths.

Sounds like you "need" a suppressor more than a .22Mag