.22 vs .22 wmr

Tuco · #1 12-06-2010, 01:34 AM

I am looking at getting a .22 and would like some advice. I have been doing some research and basically can't decide if I should get the WMR instead of just the basic 22.

If I get the WMR, am I overdoing it for game like rabbits and am I taking away my short range options?

or is the 22 WMR a better all around rifle?

IR_mike · #2 12-06-2010, 01:54 AM

What is your primary use/range going to be?

duffy4 · #3 12-06-2010, 02:05 AM

Guns and Ammo Discussion

NoKlu · #4 12-06-2010, 02:27 AM

Everybody needs a good .22 in the gun safe. $17-20 for 500 shells compared to $7-25 for 50 for the magnum. A bolt action with a good 3x9x40 scope and you are good to 100yds and farther with practice.

Svejk · #5 12-06-2010, 10:16 AM

I have both.

If you don't have a .22 LR, get that first: cheaper so you have more trigger time and just generally useful.

I got the WMR because I felt the Killing Power of the .22 in my experience for some varmints was less than I wanted. Maybe I just suck because I haven't been able to get thhe 100 yd gopher kills with LR. WMR will be hard on meat if shots are in the meat.

2 cents. Cheers.

Tuco · #6 12-06-2010, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IR_mike

What is your primary use/range going to be?

mostly under 100 yards and for small game and targets. I was just thinking that if the wmr is still good at short distances then it would be a killing two birds with one stone thing?

IR_mike · #7 12-06-2010, 11:56 AM

As mentioned before if your not meat or pelt hunting and ammo cost is no object...go with the magnum.

If any of the above are factors go with the .22.

Or best idea yet save up, watch the buy and sell here as well as on CGN and buy both.

Best way to make a decision IMHO.

You will never have too many guns.

NoKlu · #8 12-06-2010, 11:57 AM

100 and under you don't need the wmr. Not too many small game will walk away from a well placed .22 shot. Get yourself a accurate .22 and you are good to go. I like the brno/cz .22's. The one fellow that says he can't get 100 yd gopher kills either has a .22/scope combo thats not very accurate or he just needs to spend a little more time at the longer shots. I've never had a rabbit get away unless it was a clean miss. Nusiance beavers, one shot to the head and they are done. After owning various .22's for the last 40 years I finally got a WMR in the last 2 years. I never use it and it's a shooter. It likes the $25 ammo so that might have something to do with it but I still reach for the Brno model 2 long before I grab the Magnum. Wanna buy a Magnum, I'll sell you mine if you are dead set on one.haha

Tuco · #9 12-06-2010, 11:58 AM

LOL....thanks Mike,

I was thinking the same thing. I think I will go with the WMR first and then look for a 22 lr over time like you said.

Later

Okotokian · #10 12-06-2010, 12:05 PM

Do you want to kill rodents, or explode them? That's the difference.

I own a lovely CZ .22WMR. If I had it to do over I'd just get the plain .22. I'd probably use it more. Might use it as a grouse harvester too. Not gonna try to eat anything small that I shot with the WMR.

NoKlu · #11 12-06-2010, 12:08 PM

I just thought of another factor you might consider, the noise. MWR's are a lot louder than the regular .22

Tuco · #12 12-06-2010, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoKlu

100 and under you don't need the wmr. Not too many small game will walk away from a well placed .22 shot. Get yourself a accurate .22 and you are good to go. I like the brno/cz .22's. The one fellow that says he can't get 100 yd gopher kills either has a .22/scope combo thats not very accurate or he just needs to spend a little more time at the longer shots. I've never had a rabbit get away unless it was a clean miss. Nusiance beavers, one shot to the head and they are done. After owning various .22's for the last 40 years I finally got a WMR in the last 2 years. I never use it and it's a shooter. It likes the $25 ammo so that might have something to do with it but I still reach for the Brno model 2 long before I grab the Magnum. Wanna buy a Magnum, I'll sell you mine if you are dead set on one.haha

How much for the magnum? What kind is it?

I see your point too. I think I will get both...you can get a 22lr for pretty cheap these days (put not to cheap because I do think you get what you pay for)...lol

mudbug · #13 12-06-2010, 12:48 PM

I'd get the 22lr first, way cheaper to shoot and for what you want to use it for it would do the job fine. You'll find you like to shoot them a lot once you start and the ammo is way cheaper than the magnum

Grizzly Adams · #14 12-06-2010, 04:55 PM

I handload, so I've always figured a .22 hornet would be a way better deal than paying for .22 Mag rounds.

Grizz

gitrdun · #15 12-06-2010, 05:16 PM

Both .22LR and .22WMR were in my gunsafe. Couldn't wait to dump the .22WMR fast enough. If you own a .22LR or some type of .22 centerfire, that makes the .22WMR virtually obsolete. As another member posted, a .22 Hornet is likely cheaper to shoot than the .22WRM which offers no option but factory ammo. And if you have a .223RM, well then you can simply load it down to .22 Hornet velocities. I guess you can gather that I'm not a huge fan of the .22WMR. In closing, the .22LR if shot consistently at varied positions and distances will educate you in many aspects.

220swifty · #16 12-06-2010, 05:35 PM

15 bucks for 50 rounds of WMR or 30 bucks for 100 component bullets, plus brass, powder, primers and time. You get more horsepower out of the hornet, but it is not quite worth it economically if that is all you are interested in. Factor in an entry level WMR rifle vs a comparable Hornet rifle, and the economic angle is shot.

That being said, they are both fun. And to stay true to the OP, if you have no LR, then get it first. Pick up a WMR later and you will be practiced enough with the 5 cent rounds that you will miss less with the 50 cent rounds.

Tuco · #17 12-06-2010, 06:29 PM

Thanks for the advice everyone. I went and got a Savage Mark II BV .22 lr today. Seems the consciences was long rifle and I agree.....the rounds sure are cheaper and more avail. I think it is the right way to go based on experiences you guys told me.

NoKlu · #18 12-06-2010, 08:21 PM

What scope are you mounting on it?

Tuco · #19 12-06-2010, 09:38 PM

I bought a Bushnell Elite 3200 3x9x40......a friend of mine has one and I really liked it....for the price that is. They had a good deal on it too.

220swifty · #20 12-06-2010, 09:45 PM

Nice choice, Savage makes a good quality rimfire for the money. My 93 in 22 WMR is a pleasure to shoot.

gitrdun · #21 12-06-2010, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuco

Thanks for the advice everyone. I went and got a Savage Mark II BV .22 lr today. Seems the consciences was long rifle and I agree.....the rounds sure are cheaper and more avail. I think it is the right way to go based on experiences you guys told me.

You've done about as good as you could with that little plinker my friend. It is extremely accurate as you'll soon find out. Not only that, shoot it off hand, it'll teach you ............cheap too. Great choice.

NoKlu · #22 12-07-2010, 12:24 AM

Sounds like a good rig. I always wanted to check out the savage .22's since I got my Stevens .243. Great barrels. Now all you need is a good gopher patch!

4thredneck · #23 12-07-2010, 07:22 AM

I have the same rig except mine has a 3-9x32 on it. FUN FUN FUN.

marlin1 · #24 12-07-2010, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gitrdun

You've done about as good as you could with that little plinker my friend. It is extremely accurate as you'll soon find out. Not only that, shoot it off hand, it'll teach you ............cheap too. Great choice.

hey can you teach me too

Lee seems to think I can't shoot

Tundra Monkey · #25 12-07-2010, 12:01 PM

x2 on the "everyone needs a 22" sentiment

I'd look at a 17 before the 22 mag though.....just sayin

tm

twofifty · #26 12-08-2010, 12:02 AM

Tuco - great choices.
Shoot that 22LR lots and your big game shooting will improve too.

gitrdun · #27 12-08-2010, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marlin1

hey can you teach me too

Lee seems to think I can't shoot

What I said was "it'll" teach you, not "I'll" teach you. Seeing that Lee probably has 50 rounds go down a tube on any given day, neither you or I can shoot in comparison.

marlin1 · #28 12-08-2010, 08:12 AM

ahhh now I see what you mean , still thinking of a mag myself just because I don't have one yet . welcome back by the way

weedcatcher · #29 12-08-2010, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gitrdun

You've done about as good as you could with that little plinker my friend. It is extremely accurate as you'll soon find out. Not only that, shoot it off hand, it'll teach you ............cheap too. Great choice.

Ya, Savage 22's are GREAT! That's cause [as far as I understand] they're CANADIAN! When Savage bought out Lakefield, they continued using lakefield's designs, and to this day all Savage 22's come out of Ontario. I could be wrong, but that's my understanding.

I have a MKII (accutrigger) with a 3-9x32 Bushnell on it. It's never getting sold!

Tuco · #30 12-15-2010, 01:28 AM

Took the new rifle out this weekend and sited it in. Love it. Nice action, and very accurate. Didn't take long and I was hitting centre.