What's a 22 WMR really good for?

[azmark]

I'm intrigued by the 22 WMR, and have read so much different stuff that I'm not sure what to think. It seems a bit expensive just for target practice and plinking, and I can't begin to tell you how many people say it's not enough to take a coyote reliably. Overkill on a rabbit, not enough for a coyote over 50 yards. What's the reality based on members' personal experience here? Is the magnum just for the 'fun factor'?

I've already got a Henry in .22 and I like it enough I'm thinking of getting one in .22 Mag, or maybe even going for a Single Six Convertible.

[hammerman]

Never had a problem killing coyotes or crows with it. It's excellent for prairie dogs too.

I also use it for the pistol cartridge cowboy sillouette shooting. It always kills the rams when I hit them.

This is my favorite round next to the 25-35.

[bigbore442001]

The 22 WRM is a great round for a number of situations. It has a low report so when you are shooting or varminting near habitated areas you will not arouse too much suspicion. In addition some states mandate rimfires at night or in certain areas such as described above.

In addition it works well on many small varmints like prairie dogs as well as bigger ones like the woodchuck. I had more fun with my 22 WRM stalking prairie dogs than anything else out West.

[azmark]

We've had problems with skunks, but have not seen anything that size running around. Lots of huge jackrabbits, coyotes are common, and sometimes javelinas. No prairie dogs or ground hogs.

[BigSky56]

Look at the ballistics comparing 22lr to 22 mag, Ive taken yotes past 150 yds with a mag use solids or gamepoints not hp's for yotes and larger. Ive used the mag on all the canines and mt lions. danny

[jnyork]

Dang good round for certain silhouette disciplines. Good medicine for rock chucks at reasonable distances. Other varmints too.

Not near as much fun as a .22 Hornet.

[madman4570]

Target shooting
Varmints(also snake killer with shotshell)
survival situations
meat getter--and who cares how big the meaty critter is when your hungry enough.
Actually in a "Red Dawn" type sceniro (pretty good little attitude adjuster)
a 40gr bullet @ 2000fps in one's chest might do the trick or at least stop that one enough rendering him useless thus needing the aid of his fellow comrades.
Plus---anything that I can pretty easily pack 1000rds or more----I like it!

[Hankster]

azmark... "and I can't begin to tell you how many people say it's not enough to take a coyote reliably. Overkill on a rabbit, not enough for a coyote over 50 yards."...
Gee, don't that sound just like those folks who know the 30-30 is too weak.... and all lever guns are inaccurate and......... those who "talk" but don't really KNOW???? LOL!!! 22wmr is a really handy round.. the "poor mans" varminter as they say..... I don't think anyone here will knock it.. it's like everything else.. if you know how to SHOOT the round.... it'll do whatever you ask it to!!!

[Rusty]

There's a lot of people out there who think that just because they OWN a certain firearm, they can shoot it. Owning a firearm has nothing to do with marksmanship. The ability to down one's quarry is like the old saw about real estate where they say what matters is location, location, location. The ability to make meat all boil down to bullet placement.

[firefuzz]

I've always been impressed with the ballastics of a .22Mag, but have never owned one that I considered overly accurate, but plenty for coyotes and stray dogs out to 100yds. My 17HMR is extemely accurate, but the wind plays ole Billy Ned with it at longer ranges.

Rob

[buckeyeshooter]

Its good for any small game killing where you are not going to eat the animal or sell the skin. For squirrels and rabbits, the hollowpoints are too destructive. Solids can be used if you are good enough to make head shots. I like it for varmits and tresspassing dogs bothering stock.

[Pete44ru]

I've been using a .22 Mag for hunting, in one gun or another w/o issue, since 1969 - and will NEVER be without at least one (I currently have five different rifles/handguns so chambered) in my arsenal.

I use solids for eatin' game, and HP's for everything else.

.

[jdad]

This is the nearest to match grade 22magnum ammo you will find.

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=462861

[m.wun]

I bought a 17hmr and If I were too buy it again it would be a 22 mag.

[pshort]

Deer on down... Uh, so I hear!

Paul

[FF1063]

Not a big hunter, but I like the .22 mag a lot.
My .22 mag CZ Lux is the best firearm I own. Very accurate and consistent despite the long, slender barrel. Good reach to 200 yards.

[Hobie]

Have we gotten to the comment that its a great poacher's cartridge?

[Rusty]

The reason it's a poacher's cartridge is because it's relatively quiet and it works. A solid in the brain pan of anything will put it down right now. a .22 Lr has been known to slide off.

[Blaine]

This is just subjective, but: A LR makes rocks jump..The Mag powders them. LR will drop crows....A Mag poofs them some. The Mag has 38 Special numbers, and it has super penetration. I keep a loaded 9422M as a house long gun......

[Lastmohecken]

The .22 mag in a rifle has always impressed me, because it seems to kill all out of porportion to it's size.

I don't consider it a target gun or a plinking gun, it's a killing gun, for coyotes on down, and some stuff even bigger, under the right conditions.

[Tycer]

And of course you gotta have a 30 round sidearm to match your lever.

http://www.kel-tec-cnc.com/pmr30.htm

[20cows]

What's a 22 WMR really good for?

Killin' stuff!

[t.r.]

I have an older Charles Daley rifle in 22 MAG that shoots dime sized groups at 75 yards with plain WINCHESTER hollow tip ammo. The bullet hits with considerable more power and damage than 22LR at this distance.

What's it good for? Just about anything that walks if hit in the right spot. Realistically, 22LR is fine for up close but 22 MAG has advantage for distance. I can't say how 22 MAG performs at 100 yards because I've never shot any animals with it beyond 80 yards or so.

TR

[Blaine]

And of course you gotta have a 30 round sidearm to match your lever.

http://www.kel-tec-cnc.com/pmr30.htm

I've really been eyeballing that one....

[tomtex]

What about the 5.7x28 ,40 grain v-max at 1,850 from a pistol .

[eric65]

What's a 22 WMR really good for?

Killin' stuff!

Winner for most direct answer!

[stretch]

My brother worked on a horse farm at one point in his life.
He used a 22 Mag with great success on muskrat and groundhog.

Up here in Maine, it is legal for deer. (It's also a popular poacher's
cartridge for deer, too!)

-Stretch

[Tumbleweeds II]

The .22 wmr is also a really good concealed carry gun for backup or for when you're not wearing much. The S&W Airlite weighs about 10 oz, the ammo is significantly lighter than five .38s, and it will actually do more damage.

[L_Kilkenny]

I have zero love for the .22M outta a pistol but in a rifle it has a place. The only thing I'd like to see is a tad more power with 40 grainers. I'd like to see what it would do with the same powder CCI uses in the Velocitor. Hmmmm.... wheels a turning..............

IMO - Advantages:
More range and thump for fox, coon, ground hogs and cats.
I don't have to reload it or worry about policing up the brass.

Disadvantages:
If your game is smaller critters like prairie dogs, crows, ground squirrels etc you may very well indeed be better off with a .17hmr.
If your game is larger critters you may be better served by a centerfire. YMMV.

LK

[gamekeeper]

I found the .22Magnum just fine on Foxes. Enjoyed shooting it at 200 yds on the range too.

[O.S.O.K.]

I own one .22 WM firearm - the Ruger Single Six - convertable. I shot the .22 Mag once - found it very loud in the pistol.

I was looking at it for use on squirrels - basically turns a pistol into a .22LR Rifle. But the standard .22LR is more than plenty on the large rodents and doesn't leave your ears ringing... as much.

I am rather intrigued by the new Keltec PMR-30. This is chambered for .22WM and features a 30 round mag. It also looks pretty good to my eye. I am sure its just as loud as my Single Six but does deliver .22 LR rifle ballistics with a lot of rounds at your disposal.

Do I need this pistol? Absolutely not. But its interesting and attractive and is one answer to the question posted by the OP.

[BAGTIC]

FISH BAIT ESPECIALLY FOR CATCHING SUCKERS.

[2X22]

I have tried and tried to get excited about the 22 mag. Bought a dozen of 'em over the years. The problem for me is that a 22 LR handles ranges out to 60 yards, a 22 Hornet handles everything else.

2x22

[zack coyote]

I was also wondering about the .22 mag, so I looked up the price of ammo on midway. It would be fun to shoot, but way to expensive for something you can't reload.