This all comes down to "shoot what you like ... shoot what you've got!"

It's why there are 14 (or more) centerfire .22 cartridges and 6 or 7 .22 rimfire!

I have had two convertible 22/22 Mag handguns and no longer own one. The 32 H&R and even the 32 Long have replaced the 22 mag. A 100 gr bullet, does so much more with small edible game, even at a lower velocity. In a rifle, or Contender pistol, I have a bunch of 22 caliber centerfires that I can load to or past 22 WRM velocities.
If it works for you great, if it doesn't don't kick at it.

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Front sight and squeeze

I checked online. 22 magnum costs about 21 cents per round. 22 Hornet bullets cost about 21 cents per round. Then you need primers and powder and cases and dies and free time. Obviously the 22 Hornet is more powerful. Actually the 22 magnum seems to be about half way between the 22 LR and the 22 Hornet.

Explain it to you?

Ok.

It does "X".

I like that it does "X".

I can easily find ammo so it can do "X".

This is America where I'm free to choose the way I want to do "X".

Understand now?

My, .357magger, what an arrogant post. But I would like to hear the value of X, quite outside your personal preference, which means nothing to this thread.

Okay, okay. I'm sure we'll all agree that some cartridges are better than others, and maybe the .22 magnum isn't the absolute best in its league, but you've gotta admit....it's just plain fun shooting cartridges with such great creative names such as the .218 Bee, the .22 Hornet, the .219 Zipper, the .221 Fireball, or the .220 Swift.

Of course, nobody in his right mind would want to shoot a cartridge called the .22 Stinkbug, but the .219 Donaldson Wasp??? That's a different story.

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Pack light and cinch tight.

You are right, I want them all. Also the 22 Velodog. I actually saw a 22 Velodog revolver at Cabelas but for $450 and no ammo being sold I left it there. I did drag my triva-loving daughter back there, so she could say, "I have seen one."

Those dogs in France must have been a real problem to warrant it's development let alone it's use!
... and how about the 6.5 Grendel, now there's a name that'll live in infamy!
Sometimes the name is designed just to get your attention ...
350 Legend
The list goes on

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Think twice, shoot once.

I had a Marlin tube fed bolt rifle (882 maybe) was very accurate and effective on woodchucks to about125 yds.
I’d definitely have a S&W 351 in 22 magnum if it wasn’t $200 more than my 442 and 360J

I just checked on GunBot and the cheapest .22 Mag ammo I could find was Win 40 gr JHP at $0.22 cents per round ($11.00 for a box of 50.

In comparison, I load a lot of .22 Hornet using both Hornady 40 grain V-Max and Barnes 30 grain Varmint Grenade bullets. The 40 gr V-max cost a bit more but they can still be had for $21 per 100, so $0.21 each.

PPU .22 Hornet brass is $15.79 for a bag of 50 or $0.31 each and I get 6 reloads per case (more in a .22 K Hornet), so figure $0.05 per shot starting with new brass. Once fired brass is $14 per 100 or $0.14 each and roughly $0.03 per shot. Primers are $0.03 each. Powder is about $0.04 per shot.

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So that's a choice between:

- $0.22 per shot for .22 magnum with a 40 gr. bullet at 1910 fps with maybe 1.5 to 2 MOA accuracy; or

- $0.31 to $0.33 per shot, but 2600 to 2900 fps depending on the load and 1/2 to 3/4 MOA accuracy.


If you set aside the cheapest .22 mag you can find, and instead shop for what shoots best in your .22 Mag rifle, the .22 Mag ammo prices are closer to $0.31 per round on average - some higher in the $0.40-$0.50 range and some lower at $0.25-$0.28 per round.

Which to me, means it isn't really a tough choice at all and .22 Hornet is a clear winner.

My 'stash" of CCI .22mag was about $13/50 or $ .26 per shot....... my CZ 452 FS will deliver groups in the .9-1.1 inch at 100yds with a "target scope".... with my little 1-4x20 Leupold field scope it will keep rounds under the crosshairs at 100yds. What more can you ask?

I don't handload so checking Gunbot I see .22hornet at $ .42/rd (50rd box) to $1.40/rd

If you are shooting prairie dogs at long ranges in the west you're shooting a lot more than a varmint hunter/shooter in the east........ a 50rd box can last me the summer .

If I want to spend an "afternoon at the range"..... .22lr at 50 and 100yds....

So the .22mag works for me.......as I said in an earlier post if I need more I've got two CZs in .223 and a Ruger International in .243

No right or wrong on this..... just different needs and answers to those needs.

My Pa. brush gun isn't the classic 30-30; it's a Ruger 77/357 loaded with 158gr soft points and a 1-3x20 Weaver shotgun scope. Shooting deer close and fast....................... probably almost worthless west of the Mississippi?

No right or wrong, but interesting views, for which I thank those who participated. A .22 Hornet gains WAY out there with reloads, even given the cost of dies after a bit. Just the cost of primers and 13 gr. Li'l Gun, which amounts to over 500 charges. Bullets @ .21, but I've found them cheaper.

If not reloading, the Mag has more appeal.

Isn't it wonderful to live in a country where there are so many choices?

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Only a cold warrior