Thread: Advice on .22magnum

223 would be the wise way to go, unless like me you enjoy justifying reasons to buy another gun.

IMHO 17HMR is better than 22mag on hares, now I'll go duck for cover

If you are going to supress the .223 which I think is a great idea ... consider a .17HMR instead of the .22Mag. They are a lot of fun and fantastic on bunnies, hares, possums, etc. I might have learnt towards the .22Mag but since you already have a .223, get an HMR (suppressed as well). Keep safe in the hills.

I had a 22 mag and loved it. I have a suppressed 223 which is a lot more performance for Bout the same running cost but i still.have a soft spot for the 22mag (think because of the memories i made with one) and am on the prowl for one (dont tell the mrs) they just feel like a good old classic. I first used it with a 4 power scope and got very good at range estimation amd hold over with fixed power optics. Later i went to a variable power, range finder and dialled for ranges. Sort of took the classic feel out of it but provided a new sort.of.fun and a newethod to develop skills in. If buyong another it will be with a 4x scope again and keep the 223 for.serious long range dialled in shots.
Nb my 22 mag was suppressed too. 223 is notably louder but a lot quieter than unsuppressed 223

A supressed 223 should be about as loud as the non supressed 22mag.
I have a 17hmr, and the rifle is a fair bit smaller and lighter than my 223, and I feel as though there is less chance of a ricochet.
I could've supressed my 223, but it was hardly anymore to buy a new rifle so that's what I did.

I used to think the 17mach2 was a waste of money. But after looking into it, for rabbits, hares and other pests out to about 130ish yards.
And its a fair bit cheaper than 17hmr or 22mag.

But basically I'd put it down to, do you want a new rifle or not.
It'll be around $500 to have the 223 supressed, so the same cost as buying a 22mag. It'll be a lot better at everything, but unless you reload it'll be more expensive to feed.

22s are magic... but they have never been 100m plus hare guns..

They are not really 100m plus guns full stop... unless you have specialised gear... range finding and ballistic scope/dial-able scope, and even then they are marginal in terms of killing power.

If you want to shoot 100-150m, you don't need a 223 to do so. This is the specific area that the 17HMR and the 22Mag are designed for. It'll cost less, you don't have to reload and you don't have to pick up brass.

22LR 80m... 100m at a stretch
22Mag/17HMR 100-150m -- Wind affected
22 Hornet <200
17 Hornady Hornet.. <300
222 Rem <250
223 <300
204 Ruger <350
350 plus - dedicated high power centre fire rifles with good gear.. 243/6-47 Lapua/6XC/6mmPPC etc.. After 350 the wind gets to be a major factor with the lighter calibre's.

These are working maximum type ranges with normal optics and gear.. Clearly you can extend ranges with good gear, proven accuracy and calm conditions...

I reckon you always need a 22LR. The question is what else do you need...

Originally Posted by Beetroot

A supressed 223 should be about as loud as the non supressed 22mag.

Suppressed 223s I've heard/used have been quieter than unsuppressed 22mag or 17hmr, the 22mag has a pretty sharp crack to it. My suppressed 22mag was similar to unsuppressed 22LR supersonic.

As far as range goes, I have taken rabbits and hares out to around 120-130m with 22LR but I agree its not easy, you need to be getting a lot of practice.

Suppress the 223. It's a great rifle, and suppressed there's sweet fa kick and sweet fa noise.

223 ammo is cheap as

There is bugger all kick from an unsuppressed 223 either tbh, its just the noise.

Originally Posted by muzza

22 Mag ammo is too dear. I would either suppress the 223 you own , or buy a 22 Hornet for your wife to use . Then you can reload for the Hornet which will still work out cheaper than the Magnum , and have a better calibre to begin with.

The hornet has been dieing a slow death since about 1950, when the .222 came out. This is evidenced by the low number of manufacturers who currently chamber rifles in this cartridge. Sure, it has some advantages over the .22mag (& 17hmr) but if you're after a centrefire, why would you waste your time with a hornet when the .223 is so much more versatile? A hornet would be cheaper to reload for but the .223 is still very cheap to load for by centrefire standards, and there is plenty of good (& cheap) factory ammo to choose from as an alternative. IMHO here is a good selection of calibers to have for general small game hunting:

-22lr (shooting subsonics) for short range work (100yd ish, depending on what scope you've got)
-22mag/17hmr for up to 150-200yd
-223 for 150yd+

Hornet not required, all bases already covered

Originally Posted by 7.62

The hornet has been dieing a slow death since about 1950, when the .222 came out.

Wow 63 years and it is still not dead. More alive probably than the treble 2?
If you own a Hornet there is a good chance it is not for its practical (questionable) features.

I have covered off with:
22lr - suppressed only shoot subs as it is around my house.
223 - Great all-rounder. Will deal to almost anything within reason and depending upon your skill. Doesn't leave much of the small game though. Reasonable cheap to run.
22/250 - Probably a wee bit over the top for general small game hunting. Over the years have owned several.

Also shoot lots of rabbits around the house with a Theoben pre-charged air rifle.

Have not yet fallen for a 17. (Waiting for the new Winchester)

Oh, and I have a Hornet as well.

Originally Posted by 7.62

The hornet has been dieing a slow death since about 1950, when the .222 came out. This is evidenced by the low number of manufacturers who currently chamber rifles in this cartridge. Sure, it has some advantages over the .22mag (& 17hmr) but if you're after a centrefire, why would you waste your time with a hornet when the .223 is so much more versatile? A hornet would be cheaper to reload for but the .223 is still very cheap to load for by centrefire standards, and there is plenty of good (& cheap) factory ammo to choose from as an alternative. IMHO here is a good selection of calibers to have for general small game hunting:

-22lr (shooting subsonics) for short range work (100yd ish, depending on what scope you've got)
-22mag/17hmr for up to 150-200yd
-223 for 150yd+

Hornet not required, all bases already covered

You can also use the 223 with 35/40 gr for up to 150 yd relatively cheaply

Well after the weekend shooting, the .223 went great, i think i may leave it as is for now, if i was to put a suppressor on it would this effect the accuracy and distance of the rifle? I have convinced the missus we need another rifle so im leaning either towards a .22magnum or .17hmr, the cost of ammo is not a big factor as we dont get out all that often so its not like i need to be buying ammo every week (i wish i could be though )

Originally Posted by DXROLLA

Well after the weekend shooting, the .223 went great, i think i may leave it as is for now, if i was to put a suppressor on it would this effect the accuracy and distance of the rifle?

Any effect it has on that is likely to be a positive effect

If you buy a new one and its mainly for rabbits/hares then I'd definitely go for a 17hmr over a 22mag.

Originally Posted by DXROLLA

Well after the weekend shooting, the .223 went great, i think i may leave it as is for now, if i was to put a suppressor on it would this effect the accuracy and distance of the rifle? I have convinced the missus we need another rifle so im leaning either towards a .22magnum or .17hmr, the cost of ammo is not a big factor as we dont get out all that often so its not like i need to be buying ammo every week (i wish i could be though )

Suppressor wont effect velocity negatively. If you shorten the barrel you will lose a bit of speed but the suppressor actually adds a bit back. In saying that, losing 100fps off a 223 will make no noticeable difference in the field.

Rather than spending on amother rifle it sounds lime you would be better off improving the one you have. Suppressor and scope with reliable dials and range finder and you will be much more effective than another rifle which to a very large degree will replicate what you have and would beade obsolete in most instances by a suppressed 223.

I mentioned i still like a 22 mag but this is for times i feel like keeping it simple. Closer range. No range finder etc (could do this with my 223 anyway). My 223 is set with good optics and has everything covered from 0 to a long was out (800 yards on targets in favourable conditions)

Originally Posted by SiB

Just re-read your post. Suppress the .223

What he and others have said
Buy a 17hmr for your missus.
It will soon be yours.