Questions 22lr vs 22 WMR Which One for

[JG55]

Looking to get my first 22 Long gun. Which one is better for Plinking, Squirrels and Target practice out to 100 yds? Have been researching and seems a good case can be made for the WMR over the 22lr but also some drawbacks. Looking for real world experiences ? Especially important is accuracy. Which do you prefer and why?

[enfield]

IMO, the magnum is too much for small game if you're planning on eating your kill or are hunting for pelts. If you're just hunting varmints, the magnum will be great for animals up to coyote size out to moderate ranges.

For plinking and hunting small game I'd prefer the .22 LR, for the lower cost and lesser meat damage. It's easier on your ears too.

[DWARREN123]

22lr for the reasons you stated, 22WMR for Fox or similar sized animals. Either will be good but 22lr ammo is less expensive.

[MacGyver]

Most squirrels that I've seen hit with 22WMR are mostly unsalvageable. As such, I've never been able to use 22WMR on squirrels with a good conscience. I love .22 shorts for squirrel. They really seem to bring the appropriate level of whump. Note, .17HMR is in a whole different category. Those explosive little bullets cause even more damage than 22WMR.

Edited September 13, 2011 by MacGyver

[Dolomite_supafly]

22lr can be as accurate as 22 WMR and does it cheaper. Most WMR ammo is going to cost about twice as much as decent 22 LR ammo.

I shoot a lot of 22lr and it is hard to beat the fact you can spend an afternoon shooting for $20.

When I did hunt squirrels the only thing I ever used was a 22 lr.

Dolomite

[Guest capt usa]

Everything said has been sound advice. 22lr is great for squirrels while the 22WMR is a bit much. My son is 15 and he shoots a Marlin 925R while I shoot the 925M, both are very accurate out to several hundred yards. He likes to see how many times he can hit a coke can at 150 yards before he misses, several if the wind isn't blowing. Good luck in your search.