SAVAGE MINIMALIST .22 magnum
- Thread starter enoch
- Start date
No other replies, so I'll chime in. The only 22WMR I ever owned was a Savage, a 93 FV. I think you're looking at the new model based off of the B-series..?
I've shot other 22WMRs, and, had run close to 9-10 types of 22WMR ammo through mine before forming the following opinion; I don't think 22WMR is an inherently accurate caliber. With my gun, and the others I've tried, I'd consider a 1" to 1-1/4" group @ 100 yards to be stellar. In the couple of years I had mine as a hunting rifle, I hit the range at least 2-3X load testing, and only printed maybe 2 groups I could honestly say fell under 1". Considering the amount of ammo involved, I'll call those 2 groups a fluke. The news isn't all bad though, I found 22WMR to be an excellent, 100 yard varmint gun on groundhogs...and FAR better than 17HMR for the job. Accuracy limitations (I'll call them my own) dictated that I make body shots, and within that range, to ensure an ethical hit was the result. 22WMR dumped every groundhog hard, 17HMR did not.
Allot of years have passed and with that, some perspective gained. I can't see myself going back to 22WMR for that job when 204R deals with them at far greater distances...BUT...I miss the simplicity of 22WMR, and when you choose to get within 100 yards of them, it's more "hunting" than picking them off the side of a distant hill. lol I'll also say, I'd try 17HMR again, only use 20gr HPs.
Short story long-22WMR if you're hunting within 100 yards, 17HMR if more accuracy and a little less "oomph" is OK for your needs.
Lastly-I have read that both the Zastava bolt action 22WMRS, and, the old Mossberg Chucksters are/were among the most accurate 22WMR rifles made. I'd say I look for a deal on a Chuckster several times a year, based on the accuracy reports alone. Not because they're handsome. lol
I've shot other 22WMRs, and, had run close to 9-10 types of 22WMR ammo through mine before forming the following opinion; I don't think 22WMR is an inherently accurate caliber. With my gun, and the others I've tried, I'd consider a 1" to 1-1/4" group @ 100 yards to be stellar. In the couple of years I had mine as a hunting rifle, I hit the range at least 2-3X load testing, and only printed maybe 2 groups I could honestly say fell under 1". Considering the amount of ammo involved, I'll call those 2 groups a fluke. The news isn't all bad though, I found 22WMR to be an excellent, 100 yard varmint gun on groundhogs...and FAR better than 17HMR for the job. Accuracy limitations (I'll call them my own) dictated that I make body shots, and within that range, to ensure an ethical hit was the result. 22WMR dumped every groundhog hard, 17HMR did not.
Allot of years have passed and with that, some perspective gained. I can't see myself going back to 22WMR for that job when 204R deals with them at far greater distances...BUT...I miss the simplicity of 22WMR, and when you choose to get within 100 yards of them, it's more "hunting" than picking them off the side of a distant hill. lol I'll also say, I'd try 17HMR again, only use 20gr HPs.
Short story long-22WMR if you're hunting within 100 yards, 17HMR if more accuracy and a little less "oomph" is OK for your needs.
Lastly-I have read that both the Zastava bolt action 22WMRS, and, the old Mossberg Chucksters are/were among the most accurate 22WMR rifles made. I'd say I look for a deal on a Chuckster several times a year, based on the accuracy reports alone. Not because they're handsome. lol
I had the CZ 452 2E American in 22wmr. There were several rounds that would produce sub1"groups at 100. The Remington with the 31 gr vmax seemed the best along with the Winchester grey box one of the Federal offerings and the maximax from CCI. I suspect most manufacturers assume the ammo is not great so they don't put the quality into the rifles that CZ, Anschutz and perhaps Tikka do
22 mag is a cool caliber, i have no peculiar use for it, i just like the little round and his rifles. I own 6 22mag. JP.
Ps. The Minimalist is coming soon. The Camo Crickett 22 mag is a kid's rifle, in size only. this rifle with 30 gr is very accurate and it weight 3 pounds. JP. 2 marmotts @ 60 yards would approve this.
Ps. The Minimalist is coming soon. The Camo Crickett 22 mag is a kid's rifle, in size only. this rifle with 30 gr is very accurate and it weight 3 pounds. JP. 2 marmotts @ 60 yards would approve this.
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I was at Cabelas on the weekend and handled a Minimalist in .22 LR.
Didnt get to play with the trigger, but suffice to say I didnt like the short (18'') barrel and the scaled down stock .
Was lively to point though...
If you want a .22wmr buy it and shoot it, enjoy it for what it does...
Cause when you hit a varmint in the head the wollop with be both satisfying and devastating to the critter.
I have had both CZ452 and a Browning A-bolt in .22 Mag and both shot very well ... meaning they performed better than me .
Check out Gary Seven and his factory target and decide if this is the level of accuracy you require .
I would put a friendly wager the Savage will not compete head 2 head with the CZ.
Just my random thoughts and opinion on the Savage over the choice of caliber.
Tight Groups,
Rob
Didnt get to play with the trigger, but suffice to say I didnt like the short (18'') barrel and the scaled down stock .
Was lively to point though...
If you want a .22wmr buy it and shoot it, enjoy it for what it does...
Cause when you hit a varmint in the head the wollop with be both satisfying and devastating to the critter.
I have had both CZ452 and a Browning A-bolt in .22 Mag and both shot very well ... meaning they performed better than me .
Check out Gary Seven and his factory target and decide if this is the level of accuracy you require .
I would put a friendly wager the Savage will not compete head 2 head with the CZ.
Just my random thoughts and opinion on the Savage over the choice of caliber.
Tight Groups,
Rob
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My wife and I own several Minimalist Savage Rimfire rifles. From 17HM2, 17HMR, 21 Sharp, 22 WMR, and 22 LR.
They are compact, accurate, and we love the laminate wood stocks. We have the original brown laminate, the green laminate, and the now newer aqua-green laminate stocks. (lighter teal green color)
We love them all. The odd Savage rimfire rifle just don't shoot well. However we now have plenty of accurate Savage Minimalist Series rifles.
The Savage Accutrigger works well for us, and we usually set the pull weight to 1.5 pounds or so. Helps with a clean, crisp break, and of course accuracy is amazing.
We like the 18" barrel, and it is threaded for muzzle accessories!.....
The minimalist stocks fit both of us very well, can't say enough good things about the Savage Minimalist Models........
They are compact, accurate, and we love the laminate wood stocks. We have the original brown laminate, the green laminate, and the now newer aqua-green laminate stocks. (lighter teal green color)
We love them all. The odd Savage rimfire rifle just don't shoot well. However we now have plenty of accurate Savage Minimalist Series rifles.
The Savage Accutrigger works well for us, and we usually set the pull weight to 1.5 pounds or so. Helps with a clean, crisp break, and of course accuracy is amazing.
We like the 18" barrel, and it is threaded for muzzle accessories!.....
The minimalist stocks fit both of us very well, can't say enough good things about the Savage Minimalist Models........
Enoch - I haven't owned a Minimalist nor a Savage 22 WMR. But. I have owned a couple of 93R17 Savages, which are basically the same action in a different stock and chambering. Both were heavy barrel versions, one a 21" in stainless and the other a 16.5". Both were extremely accurate (still have the shorty). The feeding is a bit clunky sometimes, but it works, which I find is typical for Savage. I really like 'em. If you do get one, please don't go to YT to watch magazine modification videos! Just leave 'em alone and replace if and when necessary!
Maybe keep an eye out on the EE or ####### for a nice used one. Sometimes used Savage rifles are hard to sell (people read bad reviews on CGN, there's an entire thread now that 'Savage rifles are garbage' based on early A22 issues), but once you get to know their quirks, they can be great. Also, Savage Canada is slow but very generous to send parts if you need them, even if you're not the original owner.
I just picked up a Minimalist in 22mag last weekend and I haven't gotten to the range with it yet but my buddy has one and he loves it. I tend to be CZ-bias but I intend to give it a legitimate try. It's crazy light weight and should be a great little hunting rig.
I learned a long time ago that the .22 mag, while a great varmint round out to 100 yards, did not reach as far as I wanted to shoot; enter a CZ455 17HMR. Most ammo was not consistent, split case necks from Hornady and federal, inconsistent charges from CCI, Remington unexpectedly, shot very, very well.
However, having previously used .223, .22-250 and 6.5 x 55 I was accoustomed to devistatingly clean kills. The first ground hog with a body shot dragged himself back into his hole. That is the day I stopped using the .17. Of all the calibers mentioned above, the 6.5 x 55 is my favorite, loaded with 85gr Sierra JHP bullets deadly on ground hogs out past 300. Loaded with IMR 4350, gives a book MV of almost 3500FPS. I sold the 17 and used the funds to buy a new Zastava M70 in 6.5 x 55; I have not looked back, until this post.
That being said, I think .22 mag would make a perfect little truck gun. Me, I have just bought a short Nork .22 that works better than it should for the money, shooting with way more accurcay that one could hope for. It now resides in a scabbard, takes up almost no room, and is ready to go in the Jeep when required. With .22 mag one should be able to stretch things out a bit more.
