.22LR or .22 Magnum for small game?

[Joben]

I have shot a few squirrels with a .17 HMR Mag but it is affected by the wind and is very loud.

...so is everything else.

 

[sherlockbonez]

22lr, but I take my 20ga over either of them.

 

[JB in SC]

I prefer the .22 LR, especially under 60 yards.

The only .22 Magnum I've owned in the last thirty years was a Model 57M Cooper, it was an accurate rifle. I didn't have much trouble with head shots on squirrels out to 100 yards with the Remington 33 grain Premiers. I liked the flat trajectory.

On the other hand I've not had much luck, accuracy wise, with the .22 Magnum from a revolver.

 

[Mannlicher]

I have no use for a .22 Mag. The .22 LR does anything I need in the way of a survival weapon.
I prefer a revolver, and the one that goes with me most often, is a S&W Model 63, filled with CCI Stingers. Deadly accurate, totally reliable.

 

[Mountainman38]

My Ruger Single Six came with a cylinder for both...

That is a great looking rig for your Single-Six! I have mine in an Uncle Mike's nylon holster, and while functional, it's not nearly as cool looking.

I don't shoot the .22 Magnum's too much, because they're a LOT louder than the LR's, the ammo is more expensive, and it's not powerful enough to use as my hiking/home defense gun (that's what 10mm is for!)

 

[Midnight Scout]

I used 22LR hollow points to take a coyote once. I was surprised at how well it did.

I am on board with the others who say that it the 22LR is inexpensive, readily available and effective. I don't have a 22mag, but the Ruger 10/22 I have is da bomb.

 

[panicotr]

"You can get more good out of a .22 rifle than any other kind of gun." Cross Creek, M.K. Rawlings (1942). Still goes in the FL backwoods.

I use a .243 for coyotes, but wouldn't hesitate taking one @ 50 - 75 yd w/36 gr .22 HV hollowpoints.

.22 WMR is still a very nice round, wish I still had my .22 WMR/20 Ga savage over-under.

 

[udtjim]

I had the O/U 223/20GA and the 30-30/20 Ga. I goofed and sold them both.:thumbdn: I also sure miss my old 22 Hornet.

 

[koyote]

I have no use for a .22 Mag. The .22 LR does anything I need in the way of a survival weapon.
I prefer a revolver, and the one that goes with me most often, is a S&W Model 63, filled with CCI Stingers. Deadly accurate, totally reliable.

I'm considering a Smith for my next .22 revolver. I love my H&R Sportsman- and it was a steal- but I also have a target K-38 6 inch and it's definitely a step up from even the fine H&R. Finding a stainless long barrel would be nice, but I might grab a kit gun or anything else I see at a decent price.

So, what are the factors that make you like the 63 better than something else?

 

[Mannlicher]

accuracy, ease of handling, this one is not dependent on a particular brand or style of ammo, it looks darn good.........

Lots of reasons. I also like the H&R .22 revolvers. They don't get near as much attention as they should. Here is one that I have carried afield for better than 40 years. Accurate as the dickins too.

 

[koyote]

Some of the H&R revolvers are getting pricey- this is my sportsman 6 inch, 22LR 9 shot top break. very good hunting revolver. Used to be you'd find tham at $100 to $150, now it's closer to $250 in this condition:

 

[dipbait]

I believe that is because the Single Six's barrel is designed for the slightly larger bore diameter of the .22 Magnum.

I think youre right here. I had an Italian Ipscan I believe , chambered for both. It wouldnt hit a beer can at twenty feet in lr.

 

[K Williams]

Some of the H&R revolvers are getting pricey- this is my sportsman 6 inch, 22LR 9 shot top break. very good hunting revolver. Used to be you'd find tham at $100 to $150, now it's closer to $250 in this condition:

It looks sort of like an old Webley revolver...

 

[mr.trooper]

.22 Mag all the way.
- Much better ballistics
- Uses actual jacketed bullets, not a copper wash
- Cheap enough ammo. I can afford $10/100 rounds.
- My Ruger Single Six is much more accurate with Magnums than LRs, so I have ammo commonality.

Im going to have to agree with this.

.22LR may do everything your planning on doing... but what about the shots and the situations you DON'T plan for? 22 mag is much better in these marginal situations.

 

[thesupersurvivalpost]

I like all, 22 lr.22 mag. and also air guns your friend at the post Donald.

 

[PrimitiveMan]

I brought some pennies to work I split in half with my Crosman Nitro .22 airgun.

The powder burners at work could not believe an airgun had that power at 30 - 40 yards

Not .22 LR or mag power, but imprtessive nonetheless