.22 vs .22 mag.

[Roper]

I would like to update the old tired .22 I have. As a kid I was always intrigued by the .22 mag caliber. Henry makes a nice looking lever with good wood. A bit expensive. Are the ballistics substancially better with the mag cartridge? Is there a .22 mag ammo availability issue? Canadian Tire sells the Henry's but I didn't see the ammo.

[Big Jack]

The last 22 mag I owned was a volquartsen semi. It was really stupid accurate and shot well to 200 yards. A lot of that was the gun.

They definitely have more jam than a 22lr and since bullet is same size range is obviously better with increased speed and better pills.

Ammo was ok as we went through a bit of a drought and then availability was back.

I think you should buy one!

[Roper]

Big Jack - that's what I was looking for . Thanks

[mark_t1012001]

One of the big questions is: What are you going to use it for.

The .22 lr is cheap, quiet accurate. Are you going to hunt something where the .22 lr is too small?

For small varmints, consider the .17 rimfire - take a look.

For things too big for the .22 lr, consider the 22 centerfires. It's just my personal opinion, but I've never seen a real use the the .22 magnum. I own 4 .22 lr and 1 22-250.

[Bluebulldog]

I've owned a couple over the years, both were Marlin. 1st was a sweetheart little lever action, the other was a bolt gun.

Lots more velocity, and power pushing the pills ( a fair bit louder as well).

Truth be told, I sold them both, mainly due to the fact that while I liked the .22WMR cartridge, I tended to shoot the .22LR far more.

If you wind up buying one I have an almost full box of hollow points here you can have.

[Fox]

I always thought about it but it all depends on what you want to do. If you are plinking then stick with 22LR, $6/50 for decent CCI stuff, 22 Mag you are looking at $16/50.

If you are looking for more punch for varmints and long range plinking then I would look at the 223, $9/20 but reloadable and very cheap when reloading.

The rifles themselves will cost about the same, the 22 Mag does not seem to come out at a price anywhere near the 22LR.

I like the idea of the 22 Mag but ammo cost keeps going up, 22 Hornet is one that I personally would love as I have a varmint cartridge but if I had no varmint rifle and were looking at one it would not be a 22 Mag but rather a 223.

[dutchhunter]

I am a huge 22wm fan. No problem finding ammo. And thy double the range of 22 rim fire. Love the extra punch

[Hunter John]

Buy one Roper you won't regret it. I'm pretty sure you know the limitations of the wee mag so I won't get into that. Ammo is easy to find at most CAN Tire locations and big box stores. They are a lot of fun to shoot and more than capable to cleanly take coyotes out to 75- 100 yards. I have had a few and only have one wee 22 mag left and I shall never part with it.

[Big Jack]

I am a huge 22wm fan. No problem finding ammo. And thy double the range of 22 rim fire. Love the extra punch

I do really regret selling mine. I have a 17hmr and it's not the same and I've downloaded 222,17rem,17FB,204,223 to 2200 fps +/- all to match what the 22 mag does right out of the box....

[jaycee]

I am a huge 22wm fan. No problem finding ammo. And thy double the range of 22 rim fire. Love the extra punch

Times 2 on the above quote, I have one in a Ruger model 77 , my go to Jack rifle, and it does a job on coyotes if they are seen when we hunt jack rabbits.
Ammo availability is not a question, plenty of it out there , I especially like CCI. brand.