Limits of the .22 Magnum

[James]

My brother in Copper Center, AK is looking for a light rifle to carry on the trapline for incidental game. He wants to be able to take anything from grouse to wolves. Also, he wants something that eats cheap ammo. A couple other trappers told him to get a .22 Magnum.

I told him I didn't think the .22 Mag would be good for coyotes beyond 50-100 yards, and wouldn't be a good choice for wolves at all. Opinions?

What rounds would you recommend? He doesn't reload, and again, wants the ammo to be cheap. I told him to look at a .223.

Jim

[FWS]

I told him to look at a .223.

And you can shoot a reduced load that approximates a .22 mag. or less out of that .223. I do exactly that with a .222 Rem.

Reloading a box of 50 reduced .222 loads costs about the same as a box of 22 WMR. Be real cheap for a .223 since brass is just about free.

[James]

I'm with you there, but like I said, my brother doesn't reload and doesn't want to.

Jim

[FWS]

Tell him to get over it and you can reload a couple hundred for him.

The other option is one of the special converter cases where a 22 rimfire can be fired in a .223.

[edge]

223 ball ammo can be had wholesale cheap;in some guns it is quite accurate.There are also some mid grade loads available that arent too expensive.

I have never shot a Wolf,but the 22 WMR is a 100 yote gun and no more............

There is a CZ bolt model 223 that is very accurate,cheap and durable...great pack gun.

Edge

[FWS]

There is a CZ bolt model 223

CZ 527 Carbine, nice little rifle a friend has one. Neat thing about the CZ is it has a good set of iron sights and that grooved receiver for the scope mounts is cool. Particularly with really good detachable rings like Talleys that will hold the zero.

www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=57785247

The more CZ firearms I see and get to play with the more I like them.

[skidway]

I'm a huge fan of the .22 mag and can stretch it out to 125 yds. with confidence. It's isn't suitable for anything larger than coyote at that range and that's pushing it. If he has an Encore a .223 barrel is around $200 if a single shot is acceptable.

[markymark]

Sounds like he's trying to fit the bill on a tall order. Maybe a 2 barrel gun might fit it. 12ga X .223 Remington has the Spartan SPR94 and there's the old standby Savage.

www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=57809988

[lb]

The problem with blanket endorsements is that they never seem to cover all the variables.

A 22 mag for coyotes, while walking a trapline and potting the occasional and unwary animal at short distances is fine. You can't use coyote and wolf in the same sentence discussing adequate cartridges, running or standing still.

The round is marginal, 100 yards appears to be a streatch, IMHO. However, if it's all you have, and you need to pack a large quantity of ammo for extended walkabout....it's better than nothing.

Now, does this square with everything I have heard about the Alaskan bush? No it does not. I wouldn't consider walking a trapline in that remote country without adequate bear medicine. Even a 223 is way better as a deterent, but I like the previous poster's idea of a combo gun. Twelve gauge buckshot or slugs would make me a lot more confident.

Good hunting. LB

[lynxcat]

james said:

My brother in Copper Center, AK is looking for a light rifle to carry on the trapline for incidental game. He wants to be able to take anything from grouse to wolves. Also, he wants something that eats cheap ammo. A couple other trappers told him to get a .22 Magnum.

I told him I didn't think the .22 Mag would be good for coyotes beyond 50-100 yards, and wouldn't be a good choice for wolves at all. Opinions?

Jim

Does "dinner" come to mind??? Cuz THAT's what HE's gonna be w/a .22mag...
lynx

[coloradocat]

surely the bears hibernate up there!!!!

[James]

Yes, bears hibernate in winter.

Still, I try to carry my .45-70 Marlin myself. Grumpy moose can be a problem in winter sometimes.

My brother is strong enough to wrestle a moose, though. (State power-lifting champion in his weight class three years in a row.)

Jim

[lynxcat]

james said:

Yes, bears hibernate in winter.

Still, I try to carry my .45-70 Marlin myself. Grumpy moose can be a problem in winter sometimes.

My brother is strong enough to wrestle a moose, though. (State power-lifting champion in his weight class three years in a row.)

Jim

YEA...that'll work...just take em a bit longer to chew him up before they swallow...

[richc]

James,
You do know the best place to shoot a moose don't you? Real close to a fork lift. ;D

[mkborders]

Tell me about your 45-70 James. I've looked at them, but the short trigger-pull is'nt all that comfortable for me.

I use an old trapdoor. No 2nd shot, put it goes where it's pointed and I load the 405 grn slug, so it will kill something.

[James]

I have the Marlin. Length of pull is only slightly short for me, so it works fine. I reload up to almost .450 Marlin levels. It shoots two-inch 100-yard groups with open sights, so I'm satisfied.

Be careful reloading for that old trapdoor.

Jim

[mkborders]

No problem there. I only use Blackpowder service loads.

Been assured it will do the job up to Elk, heck they used to take buffalo with this load. Probably a good load for pissing off Grizz, and I'd prefer a hotter combo if I went after moose.

[James]

Forgot to say that I load mine with a 405 grain Kodiak (controlled-expansion) bullets.

Jim

[mkborders]

Those CE bullets are really neat!

Being that short, is that your trapline gun?

[lynxcat]

When it comes to the .22mag...SOOOO many people do NOT HAVE CLUE ONE...they think...wow!! it blows up squirrels...I killed a coyote with it...it ROCKS!!! It's called a "LACK OF KNOWLEDGE"...lack of knowledge of balistics...velocities..AND last but NOT least..required FOOT/lbs of energy required to knock down/cleanly kill what they're shooting at!!! FACT...FACT....FACT..(NEXT one that posts how AWSOME it is.."I kill coyotes/deer etc at 200yds...I'll POST the info to PROVE them a fool..)
lynx