The Accurate Reloading Forums
.22 mag recommendation
10 April 2011, 04:55
dogcat.22 mag recommendation
I will buy a .22 mag for rabbits and targets. Whose has the better/more accurate brand these days?
CZ bolt rifle?
Ruger bolt rifle?
Henry lever action?
Who do you recommend?
10 April 2011, 07:05
Chief EngineerYou don't have it listed, but I have a Savage with the accu-trigger that is a very fine shooter. If I had to pick something about it I would change, it would be the heavy profile barrel.
10 April 2011, 21:35
PeterI would not recommend the Ruger, but you may be lucky. Try a used Anschutz or Savage or even the Izmash Biathlon rifle that I bought. I posted about it some time back. very different action. The CZ should be good.
Peter.
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12 April 2011, 03:45
carpetman1I like CZ's except the backwards safety. I know you didn't ask this but I do have a question as to why a .22 mag? I don't see there being a niche between .22LR and .22 centerfire. What you mentioned--target shooting and rabbits would be just as well served with a .22lr. I do cast my own bullets to include .22 cal. I can reload a .22 centerfire ----58 grain bullet around 2000-2200 fps for about $5.50 per hundred. A .22 mag lighter bullet much less velocity runs about $25 per hundred. So which .22 mag I'd choose would be a .222 or .223 or a .22lr.
If you want to spend a little more, Anschutz makes a very accurate 22 mag.
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14 April 2011, 19:29
billinthewildI have a Winchester Model 9422 in .22 mag. It is a fine little rifle and its accuracy is excellent.
If you enjoy a lever gun, I would recommend this one.
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14 April 2011, 21:47
stuckeymy cz 22 mag is a tack driver i love it except for the back wards safety and cheesy trigger guard.
29 August 2011, 01:37
mlfgunsTry the magnum research 22wmr semi auto. I have one in a heavy ss barrel, the bases are integral with the receiver. It's well built,extremely accurate, fun to shoot, have yet to jam and the price is reasonable.
29 August 2011, 06:58
Jim M.Your 1st, 2nd & 3rd decisions might be what type of action, rifle weight and how much will you spend? The most accurate .22 mag rifles I have owned were a bolt action Anschutz -model 54 and a Volquartson semi auto (weight 9 lbs with scope). Both produce groups well below 1 inch at 100 yds with ammo the gun liked. Any of the 2 bolt guns you mentioned will work. The CZ seems to get rave reviews from most owners. The Ruger, if it doesn't shoot like you expect- there are after market barrels,etc. (Lilja, etc.) that will increase accuracy. The new Savage is probably a good bet for accuracy- with an excellent trigger, etc. The lever may be Ok, have not used one from that company.
Continue to ask questions- go to other forms and get as many opinons as you can (rimfire, etc.). I current shoot a pump action Winchester model 61 in .22 WRF (not magnum) that is accurate to 75yds with Winchester ammo and really accurate to just beyond 100yds with 22 WRF CCI JHP ammo (less than 1 inch groups with 3 shots) and is less expensive than most .22 mag ammo.
If multiple shots are likely, a bolt may not be as fast as you might want. If you are shooting edible game the varmint red mist ammo is not what you want. If it is jackrabbits it doesn't matter.
Good luck and keep us advised!
01 September 2011, 22:21
drewhenrytntI love my Ruger bolt. I might have opted for the longer stainless barrel, but this one is extremely accurate. After shooting lots of ammo you will gain a new appreciation for this smallest of the "belted" magnums. It has an internal belt to strengthen the case.
The little magnum is quite a beast with well-placed shots. On game bigger than rabbits or stray dogs the only sure kill is a brain shot.
Enjoy
Andy
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13 September 2011, 01:14
skl1FWIW I've been looking at the .22 WMR also. The Marlins have a good reputation. But Remington seems to have slowed production of the Marlin magnum rimfires since they purchased Marlin. They've got a replacement series with better triggers apparently on the drawing board (per the website). I'd love to find a 883 or whatever the new equivalent will be.
The CZ's have a good rep, too, but the CZ in .17HMR that I bought is only okay accuracy-wise with any of the 5 or 6 loads I've tried in it. So I'm hesitant to recommend it or buy another one.
The Ruger's are nicely finished. A friend has one that's very accurate, but it has an after-market barrel. Because of aftermarket barrel availability and the nice finish, I thought I might gamble on one and rebarrel it if I don't get an accurate one.
HTH,
Steve
22 September 2011, 18:49
Bernie P.Steve was that the older 452/453 or the new 455?
22 September 2011, 19:35
SmokinJI believe the "belted 22 mag" with the internal belt is just in one brand. Might be a sales gimmick. Correct me if I'm wrong.
I had a heavy profile barreled Savage and the best it would do with a 3x9 scope at 100 yards was 7/8 inch. My friends 9422 mag shot about as well. Rugers are too much of a hit and miss for me and I'm partial to CZ's.
Like another poster mentioned with some ammo the 22 mag is a bit much for smaller rabbits and squirrel....and I think too noisy for squirrel. Do you really require a 22 mag? You know you can reload a 22 Hornet cheaper then buying factory 22 mag?
28 September 2011, 03:02
skl1quote:
Originally posted by Bernie P.:
Steve was that the older 452/453 or the new 455?
Bernie,
It was one of the early ones. A 452 I believe.
06 October 2011, 00:40
vapodogquote:
Originally posted by Chief Engineer:
You don't have it listed, but I have a Savage with the accu-trigger that is a very fine shooter.
However I've had two failures to extract empties and had to remove cases with a cleaning rod.
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12 October 2011, 02:46
Use Enough GunI've got a scoped Ruger 22 mag and it is a very accurate little rifle! I have shot hundreds of chislers with it and really enjoy the gun. Maybe I'm one of the lucky ones with a Ruger, who knows.
12 October 2011, 05:11
DaManquote:
Originally posted by SmokinJ: Like another poster mentioned with some ammo the 22 mag is a bit much for smaller rabbits and squirrel....and I think too noisy for squirrel. Do you really require a 22 mag? You know you can reload a 22 Hornet cheaper then buying factory 22 mag?
Joe, I agree with your findings.
And I think the .22 K-Hornet is even a better option.
It's easy to down-load either the Hornet or the K-Hornet to .22LR type velocities.
And the .22LR is now loaded to almost .22 mag type performance.
Having owned more than one .22 mag, I would recommend skipping the .22 mag and going to the reloadable (and more accurate) Hornet.
12 October 2011, 09:37
N E 450 No2quote:
Originally posted by billinthewild:
I have a Winchester Model 9422 in .22 mag. It is a fine little rifle and its accuracy is excellent.
If you enjoy a lever gun, I would recommend this one.
30+ some odd years ago a buddy of mine had a Winchester lever action in 22 Mag.
I could not believe how accurate it was.
DOUBLE RIFLE SHOOTERS SOCIETY
31 October 2011, 10:33
Patricio Gaudianotake a look at volquartzen rifles
02 November 2011, 01:40
reloadermanquote:
Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
quote:
Originally posted by billinthewild:
I have a Winchester Model 9422 in .22 mag. It is a fine little rifle and its accuracy is excellent.
If you enjoy a lever gun, I would recommend this one.
DITTO THAT ! If only you can find one!
Henry makes a nice 22Mag, reasonable too !
Shovel ready.....
but hangin' on
04 March 2012, 06:26
SR4759quote:
Originally posted by DaMan:
quote:
Originally posted by SmokinJ: Like another poster mentioned with some ammo the 22 mag is a bit much for smaller rabbits and squirrel....and I think too noisy for squirrel. Do you really require a 22 mag? You know you can reload a 22 Hornet cheaper then buying factory 22 mag?
Joe, I agree with your findings.
And I think the .22 K-Hornet is even a better option.
It's easy to down-load either the Hornet or the K-Hornet to .22LR type velocities.
And the .22LR is now loaded to almost .22 mag type performance.
Having owned more than one .22 mag, I would recommend skipping the .22 mag and going to the reloadable (and more accurate) Hornet.
There is no reason not to own both.
A good .22 WMR is more accurate than a poor Hornet.