Help me decide: .22 WMR or not
- Thread starter uberkermit
- Start date
I think that suggesting that .223 is the next step-up from .22WMR is quite misleading. Maybe from an application POV it would be true, but that's about it. .223 ammo costs 3x as much (or more), seems about 100x louder, hits WAY WAY harder, etc.
I own multiple .22s (probably my most-used guns), a .22WMR, a .223 and lots of other goodies like the rest of us
and while a .22WMR has limitations, so too does every other caliber. So it seems to me...it's about finding what group of applications the OP wants to address, and it seems to me... .22WMR would definitely be a decent choice. Nobody considers a .22WMR to be the right gun for the dedicated coyote hunter, including me. I've never shot one with a .22WMR, and won't ever head-out to do a set with IT, instead of my .223. However, if I was lining-up a groundhog with my .22WMR and out popped a coyote @ 100-110 yards, I'd have no hesitation dropping the hammer on it.
I own multiple .22s (probably my most-used guns), a .22WMR, a .223 and lots of other goodies like the rest of us
and while a .22WMR has limitations, so too does every other caliber. So it seems to me...it's about finding what group of applications the OP wants to address, and it seems to me... .22WMR would definitely be a decent choice. Nobody considers a .22WMR to be the right gun for the dedicated coyote hunter, including me. I've never shot one with a .22WMR, and won't ever head-out to do a set with IT, instead of my .223. However, if I was lining-up a groundhog with my .22WMR and out popped a coyote @ 100-110 yards, I'd have no hesitation dropping the hammer on it.in cabela's wpg on the weekend..... 50 rounds rem 55gr fmj $19.99
the price of 223 is becoming verrry affordable
as to to 22wmr.... if all your shooting will be paper and ground squirrels and the occasional coyote, you have great bullet choices but limited range, if you plan on varmint hunting get the 22 lr and a centerfire to go with it . ammo prices will dictate a 223 but 17 fireball , 22 hornet , 17 hornet will soon be out, 21 fireball all have there own niche in the market. ps : give your dad a little more credit, he only has you in mind and knows what you are trying to accomplish
luck
cal
the price of 223 is becoming verrry affordable
as to to 22wmr.... if all your shooting will be paper and ground squirrels and the occasional coyote, you have great bullet choices but limited range, if you plan on varmint hunting get the 22 lr and a centerfire to go with it . ammo prices will dictate a 223 but 17 fireball , 22 hornet , 17 hornet will soon be out, 21 fireball all have there own niche in the market. ps : give your dad a little more credit, he only has you in mind and knows what you are trying to accomplish
luck
cal
From what I've read about and looked up prices for, I would say go for a .223 for a couple of reasons. If you ever get into reloading it might actually cost less, and .223 and wmr seemed to be similar in price (FMJ at least). The .223 cartridge can actually be trimmed and converted into 300 blackout if you ever get into that. Hell you could even sell the brass to someone who does reload. More power and range with the .223 and it seems to be a more common cartridge in general.
Agreed, but I was in Le Barons Markham, and Bass Pro Vaughan last night, and paid approx. $21 for a box of 20 Hornady 55gr. Varmint. I've never fed my .223 that FMJ stuff, but have never considered my .223 a plinker either. Maybe for that price, I would!
Heck, I've paid as high as $14.50 for .22WMR, and saw .17HMR on sale for $12.50. Pricing is all over the place.Thanks for the thoughts on this guys - some good points all around.
I hate the thought of asking for advice and then choosing one side or the other; by doing so I end up blowing off the side I did not choose. In light of this, I have decided the only fair and reasonable thing to do (and I think you'll all agree) is to get both a .22 WMR and a .223.
But in all seriousness, I see that the .22 WMR has its place, and has the potential to be a fun rifle to shoot within that sphere. As for the .223, I am convinced I would like one, but that will be something for next year (I want to get my .22s and a shotgun this year). My main reason is the cost. I figure on maybe a Savage, but even so it is a bit of coin, when you factor in having to scope it, and then there is the ammo as well. I definitely want to get into reloading, but there again the initial outlay for the reloading gear will set me back. Long story short, yes to the .223, but not just yet. For this year, it will be .22lr (This will be my main target/practice gun to improve my shooting skills, and maybe some squirrel shooting.), and the .22 WMR.
Thanks again for all your help.
I hate the thought of asking for advice and then choosing one side or the other; by doing so I end up blowing off the side I did not choose. In light of this, I have decided the only fair and reasonable thing to do (and I think you'll all agree) is to get both a .22 WMR and a .223.
But in all seriousness, I see that the .22 WMR has its place, and has the potential to be a fun rifle to shoot within that sphere. As for the .223, I am convinced I would like one, but that will be something for next year (I want to get my .22s and a shotgun this year). My main reason is the cost. I figure on maybe a Savage, but even so it is a bit of coin, when you factor in having to scope it, and then there is the ammo as well. I definitely want to get into reloading, but there again the initial outlay for the reloading gear will set me back. Long story short, yes to the .223, but not just yet. For this year, it will be .22lr (This will be my main target/practice gun to improve my shooting skills, and maybe some squirrel shooting.), and the .22 WMR.
Thanks again for all your help.
- Location
- Ottawa origanally Muskoka
X2 !!!!! WTF? 22wmr on a deer? Last I read a centre fire rifle cartridge was the only thing allowed.
Thanks for the thoughts on this guys - some good points all around.
I hate the thought of asking for advice and then choosing one side or the other; by doing so I end up blowing off the side I did not choose. In light of this, I have decided the only fair and reasonable thing to do (and I think you'll all agree) is to get both a .22 WMR and a .223.
But in all seriousness, I see that the .22 WMR has its place, and has the potential to be a fun rifle to shoot within that sphere. As for the .223, I am convinced I would like one, but that will be something for next year (I want to get my .22s and a shotgun this year). My main reason is the cost. I figure on maybe a Savage, but even so it is a bit of coin, when you factor in having to scope it, and then there is the ammo as well. I definitely want to get into reloading, but there again the initial outlay for the reloading gear will set me back. Long story short, yes to the .223, but not just yet. For this year, it will be .22lr (This will be my main target/practice gun to improve my shooting skills, and maybe some squirrel shooting.), and the .22 WMR.
Thanks again for all your help.
The Savage 93 would be a great choice. I have the 93BTVSS and absolutely love it. This rifle is a tack driver at 50 all day and with some tweaking will do the same at 100 with CCI JHP 40 grain. The thumb hole stock and straight back design on this rifle make it a great gun to settle into.
As for the scope, I mounted a Bushnell Banner 6-24x40 on top of it. Even though this is a lower end model scope, for $130 you are getting a pretty decent scope for the money for this type of rifle. I actually bought 2 more of them for my .223 and .17, also Savages. Clarity isn't crystal clear at max magnification like you would get with a 500 plus scope, but you can still read the print on the targets at 100 and see your impact holes perfectly.
The gun also has dual swivel studs on the front so you can mount a bi-pod and sling at the same time. I find that a 6-9 works perfectly for range/bench shooting and also doesn't add too much weight if you were to choose to take it hunting.
Here's mine...
Blasty Von Kablasm
CGN Regular
- Location
- Kennebecasis Valley
Buy the .22WMR. Then buy your .223. Judge for yourself. I prefer the magnum rimfire over my 22cal centerfire just becuse of topography. Where and what I hunt doesn't require the longer range punch of the centerfire. I find myself reaching for the .22 mag more often than not. I really love that caliber!
I have the 93FV 22WMR and think its a really capable rifle , I liked it even more after I changed the stock . This cartridge hits the hardest out all of the rimfires , but as others have said out past 100 yds or so you should be using .223 for coyotes.
I say start with the WMR then get the .223 then get a .22LR and then get a ...
Bushnell elite 3200 3x9x40,Harris 9-13 in , Boyds Tacticool stock
I say start with the WMR then get the .223 then get a .22LR and then get a ...
Bushnell elite 3200 3x9x40,Harris 9-13 in , Boyds Tacticool stock
The Savage 93 would be a great choice. I have the 93BTVSS and absolutely love it. This rifle is a tack driver at 50 all day and with some tweaking will do the same at 100 with CCI JHP 40 grain. The thumb hole stock and straight back design on this rifle make it a great gun to settle into.
As for the scope, I mounted a Bushnell Banner 6-24x40 on top of it. Even though this is a lower end model scope, for $130 you are getting a pretty decent scope for the money for this type of rifle. I actually bought 2 more of them for my .223 and .17, also Savages. Clarity isn't crystal clear at max magnification like you would get with a 500 plus scope, but you can still read the print on the targets at 100 and see your impact holes perfectly.
The gun also has dual swivel studs on the front so you can mount a bi-pod and sling at the same time. I find that a 6-9 works perfectly for range/bench shooting and also doesn't add too much weight if you were to choose to take it hunting.
Here's mine...
I have this gun but in a 17HMR
Here is my take
17 HMR great little cartridge for gophers out to 200 yards, I own 2
22 LR great little plinker in semi-auto for shooting endless rounds, I own 1 hasn't been out of the safe in a year
22 WMR great cartridge for longer shots on smaller game, I own 1
223 Great for coyotes and exploding gophers under 200 yards, I own 2
22-250 great for coyotes and smaller out to 500 yards, I own 1
243 great for coyotes, good for deer out to 200 yards, I own 2
I stopped here because you only asked about smaller calibres
17 HMR great little cartridge for gophers out to 200 yards, I own 2
22 LR great little plinker in semi-auto for shooting endless rounds, I own 1 hasn't been out of the safe in a year
22 WMR great cartridge for longer shots on smaller game, I own 1
223 Great for coyotes and exploding gophers under 200 yards, I own 2
22-250 great for coyotes and smaller out to 500 yards, I own 1
243 great for coyotes, good for deer out to 200 yards, I own 2
I stopped here because you only asked about smaller calibres
LOL. I can't believe the .223 is only good up to under 200 yards and yet the 22-250 is good out to 500 yards.
m3conversion
Member
- Location
- Calgary, AB
Get something in 7.62x39. Oh I dunno,... maybe an SKS?!
It's got way more zip than 22 mag yet the surplus stuff costs way less to shoot. 16-22 cents per shot depending how much you buy. Non-corrosive from CanAmmo isn't too much worse.
It was my first rifle, and I never regretted it!
It's got way more zip than 22 mag yet the surplus stuff costs way less to shoot. 16-22 cents per shot depending how much you buy. Non-corrosive from CanAmmo isn't too much worse.
It was my first rifle, and I never regretted it!
