I was considering getting a 22 mag rifle. Probably a Henry as I like their guns.

But I already have a Henry Big Boy in 357/38 and I noticed that 22 mag costs more per round than 38 special.

So what's the point?

Has 22 mag ammo always been this expensive relative to 38 sp?

I don't remember pricing it before the big ammo bust of the last few years.

I'd say you summed it up very well.

Flatter trajectory in favor of the .22 magnum.

What's the point? Only you can determine that.

If you don't have a need, don't buy one.

Yes the ammo is expensive. But relative to what? 38 special? Two completely different animals.

What would you do with a 22 mag? How much would you shoot it?

I've never owned one. Don't need one. Out to 50 yards a 22 lr can do everything a 22 mag can do. But out to 100 yards? Yes, a 22 mag would be better.

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Life Is A Gift. Defend it!

When I decided I wanted a .22 bigger than a .22LR I bought a 22-250 and I haven't looked back. Larry

I see .22 WMR at $12-15 per 50, ($42 / 200 when they get CCI at Academy) when available. Any .38 these days is $16-20 per 50 (no I don't buy ammo on-line except deliver to store, long and ugly story).

Depends on what use you have for the rifle.

The 22mag HENRY I bought a few years ago, before the
ammo debacle , was and still is a very accurate fun shooter
beyond 150 yards. As mentioned it has a flat trajectory.
My first attempt at 200 yards yeilded hits on a one foot square steel plate unsing iron sights, adjusted by the Kentucky cross breeze method.

I love the .22 Magnum!
I wouldn't be without a gun chambered for .22 Mag. Like any other caliber, stock up when the price is right.

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BrewsterII

I have a Henry .22 Mag and wouldn't part with it for anything. I just love shooting it. Plus, here in Florida, the longest hunting season is Small Game season and you can only use center fire rifles in the WMAs. I have put down both hogs and coyotes with my Henry.

Bob

I would guess that a .22 Magnum rifle would be an ideal tool to have on a farm where you may have to pop some vermin. As a city dweller, I could not justify a .22 Magnum. The basic .22 rimfire makes more sense.

I think the shotgun is the wiser choice for small game hunting and is also safer to use if you're shooting squirrels out of trees.

The newer 22 mag ammo will measure .221--.224. All will shoot it but will not be accurate if it does not fit your barrel. Especially the high speed. I like them offhand with about a 6 power scope out to a 100 yards or so.

I have a Marlin 1894M in .22 mag. Don't shoot it much but when needed its dead nuts accurate at 125 yards. Like coyote dead!

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S&W Accumulator

I have one of those, too.
Kinda rare to see these for sale and mine isn't either.

Bought a Savage 22 mag, put an aftermarket thumbhole stock and an oversized scope on it. Use it for turkey in the fall season in Oklahoma. Great coyote medicine. I use CCI magnum ammo; I have thousands of rounds...

.22 mag is still cheaper than .38spl around here. I picked up 4 50 round boxes fiocchi for my father in law last week for $10 a box.

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- The Federalist #46 -

Living out in rural areas of KY around 1965, I bought a short throw lever action 22mag, my first gun and only rifle to this day, just wanted it to be more powerful than a 22lr, and not being into guns, I just wanted it. It was for everything you did not do with a shotgun.

I found I could hit lots of bulls eyes at 100 plus yards and cleaned out a lot of ground hog colonies that were tearing up corn crops. Shot lots of other varmints over the years, and Like I said I was not comparing it to anything but I thoroughly enjoyed shooting that thing.

It doesn't compare to the 222 and AR15 and various pistols my sons put into my hands for sure, but a few years ago I gave the 22mag to my son and one day he started shooting it and says he can't describe it logically but that, that gun is just plain fun to shoot. Heck I don't know my own mind on this. I just remember years of enjoying every time I had occasion to shoot it. I had a 6 power scope on it that worked quiet well and a trigger pull that I now know was terrible.

Looking at it from a cost of ammo perspective would have robbed me of all those years of enjoyment. Actually looking back on it, the cost of the ammo did not amount to squat but at the time I occasionally felt a slight doubt about how bright my choice was but now just feel silly for all that.

I think a large part of why that gun worked for me is the terrain. Out west or on more open country it would not have measured up to much degree.

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M&P40 Pro wife has M&P22.

My favorite "walking in Penn's Woods" rifle is my CZ 452FS(mannlicher) in .22 magnum..... topped off with a 1-4x20 Leupold Scope.........it will shoot MOA at 100yds...... even with the small scope I'm using 1-1.5" groups are easy and the norm.

While ammo has been tough to get lately the .22mag is a varmint round not a shoot all afternoon at the range ammo.. so a "small stash" will last a long time..... and speaking of ammo ...... we are not talking 1960s grade ammo....... todays CCI offerings from 30-45gr.s are centerfire quality!!!!!!!!!!!!

Got a box of CCI 40gr hollow points last weekend ....... $12.99 ... so .26 cents/round... bulk .223 is .45-47 cents/shot.

Closely followed by my cabin "utility" rifle a Ruger 77/357 with a Weaver 1-3x20..... 5rds of .38 or .357 GTG

Kind of echo the comments here.

When I lived in Eastern WA, the .22 Mag was just the thing for coyotes in the orchards and fields. Not many folks owned .223s then, and .22 Mag is just going to be less expensive to shoot.

Now I live in the suburbs and have no need for one. .22LR is much cheaper for plinking/training and bigger calibers for game hunting and long range shooting.

In my experience it's a poor pistol round though, not enough gain over .22LR and a lot of flash and noise. Superb light rifle round.

So what's the point?

well for me it is ideal for fox coyote and bobcat inside 125 yards
for you?

Ammo cost.....I hear A bb or pellet gun is pretty cheap to shoot.

Cal44 if you don't have a need and want to Just shoot maybe a henry in .22LR is a better fit?

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Paul
S&WCA #2726

Here in Florida the .22WMR is considered the round used in "the Poacher's Gun."

For some reason I was given a Henry Golden Boy in .22 magnum as a retirement present....

I have used it for varmint control, and target shooting; it's also a good round for shooting through tree leaves at squirrels.

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"Life is short, hunt hard"

With the 17HRM out there, the 22 Magnum is basically outdated. The 22 mag is not inherently accurate and no where near as flat shooting as the 17 caliber rimfires.

I wasn't aware that 22 Magnum ammunition was currently available.

I was thinking the same thing. None on my side of town for more than a year.

It's available through mail order. See ammoseek.com

I bought a Savage .22WMR bolt action about two years ago, the rifle was accurate and fun to shoot. Shot very tight groups with iron sights out to ~50-75 yards, never put a scope on it.

I had it for a year or so and ended up selling it due to the lack of .22WMR ammo in my area. The individual I sold it to experienced the same problem and did the same. I haven't seen a box of 22WMR locally since 2013, and I live in an area where there are several big box stores and LGS's that stock a wide variety of ammo.

I suppose if you are intent on acquiring the ammo there are other methods (IE: continuously checking online retailers, gunbroker), but I personally am never fond of paying high shipping charges or a supposed premium on ammo that is difficult to find and the seller knows it.

The caliber also seemed somewhat redundant for my purposes as I have various .22LR's and .223's that I am fine plinking with, regardless of their advantages/drawbacks over the .22WMR cartridge.

Most of the .22 mag ammo I have was bought in the $11 per 50 round range.

It ain't like I do a lot of plinking with the magnum round.....just taking care of business so cost is not a big object.....

I was surfing TV channel's the other day and came across "Swamp People". Folks that go out and catch gators. I was wondering what kind of rounds they were using to kill these bad *** reptiles and it turns out most use the .22 Magnum. One person that is a real good shot (I gather watching the show) was using the .17 HMR round. So it seems for close range the bigger rim fire rounds are the way to go. I did read with small animals like Rabbit and Squirrel the .17 HMR will tear them up to much to use the meat. I think the rim fire will be a popular gun round for sometime yet.

PLEASE don't tell my Marlin 25MN that it is not accurate....the gophers and prairie dogs in the area would argue that point. The .22 Mag will keep up with my friends .22 Hornet and I am not chasing brass! Results are equally dramatic as well.

Randy

PS. The .22 magnum with 40 grain bullets shoots much better in the wind than the .17......at least the winds here in Montana

If you've already decided not to get a .22 magnum rifle, I'm certainly not going to change your mind.

A lot of folks figure the .22 WMR is nothing more than a "souped-up" .22 LR. I suppose if you're talking handgun shooting, that's probably right. But, when you shoot a .22 magnum out of a rifle, nothing could be further from the truth. With the longer barrel, it's a "whole new breed of cat."

I'll be honest. I never thought I'd be saying that...until I actually did some field testing with a .22 magnum using a Winchester 9422M mounted with a Leupold 4x scope.

A lot of people have compared the .17 HMR and the .22 magnum, and everybody has their own opinion. Here's what Chuck Hawks had to say about the two:

Used with proper ammunition, the .17 HMR has an advantage in velocity, trajectory, and accuracy. The .22 WMR has an advantage in energy, bullet frontal area, sectional density, and consequently killing power.

After researching and writing this article, I have reached a conclusion about these two cartridges. I would favor the .22 WMR for shooting small game and varmints within 100 yards, and the .17 HMR if shots often run much beyond that distance.

I don't shoot it much over 125 yards, but out to there, it's a real coyote stopper.

Again, I don't expect to change your mind, but, personally, I'll never be without a .22 magnum.

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Pack light and cinch tight.

The 17 rimfire has been discontinued by many mfg's.. The .22 mag has been around a long time and WILL be around for a long time. The 17? Not so sure.

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S&W Accumulator

My .22WMR need is simply for the alternate cylinder for the Ruger single six. At the time I bought it, you could find .22 WMR, being just after .22LR vanished. The WMR was still out there.

Last week I realized the price has gone up by about $1.50 / 50 for CCI. Gun guy said there were some CCI prices creeping up the last few weeks.

Have been looking for a 617 (.22LR) new or used. LGS has a SS with 6" barrel, but price tag is $700. Too high a price for my blood (and cancer post-meds budget).

I have a Henry .22 mag and a S&W 48 8 3/8", both super accurate, Henry is a great little light rifle to take into the woods. I stocked up on ammo before it got crazy, hopefully all the .22's will return to some level of reasonable cost at some point.

I was at Academy Sports earlier this week, they had an ample amount of CCI MaxiMag..Didn't check the price as I have a pretty good stash..
I have a older 22 mag bolt action, mag fed Mossberg with a 3x9 scope..Darned accurate and is a great critter rifle..

I've got a nice Sako bolt action rifle in .22mag that is an accurate shooter. I like the round fine, however, I prefer my .17 HMR for longer range and accuracy. The .17HMR has a real flat trajectory, is fast, and is a nasty little round.

As for ammo availability, the . 17 HMR seems to always be available at my LGS, even during the shortage, and the .22mag is generally available, too, except for a little while during the shortage. I'm pretty well stocked on .22mag, but don't go through too much of it. I look at .22mag as an 'under 100 yard' round (see above), so I tend to just go with .22LR at those distances. Unless it's a larger-size critter...

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NRA Life Member

I picked up two 50 round boxes of CCI V-Max .22WMR (30gr. polymer tip 2200fps) at Bass Pro Shop in Tallahassee last week, $15 a box = $ .30 a round.

It's hit or miss finding any .22 ammo around here, so I buy it when I can find it.

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"Life is short, hunt hard"

I have been a "rifle nut" for a long, long time. I have always thought the 22 Mag was a non necessity chamber. Its ok for a non reloader who needs a farm/range truck to kick around. Since the introduction of the 17HMR round, I think the sales and appeal of this round is greatly reduced. The 17 will out shoot these guns. I have only owned one, picked it up in a trade of 2 guns, the other a 22LR. I got rid of it just a quick as I could find a buyer. I have had three 22 hornets over the years and now have a 218 bee, which I can reload any time I desire. 22 Mag ammo is way over priced IMHO. That's why they make blonds, brunettes and redheads, so each one of us can be happy. If a 22 mag floats your boat, go ahead. it will be a hoot to find ammo. its already drying up from lack of demand. Technology has produce a far superior product.

Look into the 17 HMR. Nasty little round. 22s were hard to find and my LGS had/has cases of the stuff. I bought this Savage off GB for around $300. I added scope and rings.

On station for squirrels:



I do have "after pics" but probably shouldn't post them.

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Isaiah 41:10

LittleCooner...... 5 years ago I would have agreed wholeheartedly with your assessment of the .22 magnum round.

When introduced in the late 50s it's ammo was just so/so in the accuracy department........ today CCI and others have made it a great 100-125yd varmint round in 30,33 and .40 gr.

I've got a nice stash of .22 mag ammo and I love my CZ452FS for woods walking........most of my shots in western Pennsylvania's woodlands and small fields are 100yds or less.

I'm setting up my first .17 this spring a CZ 453 Varmint with a 6-18 scope...so I may join you in your assessment of .17 vs. .22mag. Lately .17 ammo has been more abundant and easier to find..

IMO both rounds are "nitch" rounds .....as one could just jump from .22lr (CCIs "Velocitors") straight to a centerfire round .....Hornet,Bee or .223...... but then again most rounds out there; and there are dozens if not hundreds, were developed to fill a perceived "nitch" between two other rounds.

I had one like that in the late 50's that was single shot.

Interesting to read all this about the shortage of .22 Mag ammo. I checked yesterday just for fun and the closest gun store and two Wal-Marts all had it in stock. Maybe the shortage didn't hit Middle Tennessee? Did not check prices since I don't shoot the caliber myself and was not interested in actually buying.

Cheers,
Whisper

I have the same rig. Don't use it much since I moved North. But in central Cali, it took a lot of ground squirrels (up to 150 yards), a bobcat and at least one coyote.

Did you have to use see thru hi rise mounts due to bolt interference ?
If not, what mounts did you use ?

Where?

Did they have Winchester?

I'll have to get it out and check.

I have an old Mossberg rig in 22 mag just like that too. It's called " The Chuckster" it's an excellent, accurate shooter that knocks em dead every time.

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I reckon so

Before I acquired my Marlin in 22 mag, I would have been a naysayer as well....that little SS Marlin has killed many coyotes and squirrels over the years....I have never owned a 17, but just don't see a need to buy one.

During the great 22 shortage, I have been able to pick up 22 mag when there was no 22LR to be found. My 22 mag is not a range gun, it is a 'using' gun. I haven't shot at paper with it since it was new. Mine is topped with a 4x scope and it will take squirrels out of trees with a head shot at 100 yards if I do my part

I don't think the 22 mag is obsolete at all

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On the Oak Savannah

Last stop at Academy (Saturday, I think) they had the usual .22 WMR CCI version, but the price was up over $1 from previous. The guy there that I visit with said they are seeing increases in all .22 prices the last few weeks.

I have high praise for the .22 Mag.
I shot through a mild steel plate with mine, and I was sold.
I was trading guns with a buddy and he had a Mossberg with scope.
I was astounded that it could shoot through the steel.
So I took it.

In the old days, .22 Magnum ammo was reasonable, maybe double what .22LR was.
I don't know what has happened, but the price is up on all ammo. And for .22 Mag. to be more expensive than .38, is just nuts.
It would not surprise me if President Obama is pulling some strings.

I thought the gun owners creed was "Buy it...then justify it". At least that's what I hear the married guys say.