22 LR or 22 Mag

[Tenntrapper]

Regardless of what I want to do...or what I've done in the past, the reality is...I don't have time to plink, bench shoot, or even hunt as much as I would like. And I don't see that changing. I'll still be squirrel hunting... occasionally. I also don't see me trying to get a limit...I hate skinning them! Just a couple every now and then.
With that in mind...what would you choose...LR or Mag?
I'm not interested in any of the .17s, or the new .21.
Ammo cost isn't really a factor either, as a box of ammo will last me a long time...with as little as I shoot.

So...which would you choose?

 

[TN Song Dog]

If i wasnt eating squirrel and not really plinkingor target shooting, i miht get a really nice CZ or tikka mag. More multi-purpose for general vamint, but hard on squirrel.

 

[Carlos]

IMO you'd need one of each.

I enjoy the semi-autos I have that will cycle 22 S, L, and LR. A 552 speedmaster fits the bill, or a 550-1.

The 22m also has its place for those longer shots, and slightly larger critters.

 

[SSlater]

22 LR for me. I have a 22 Hornet so I don't see a need for a 22 mag

 

[ImThere]

6.5?

I'd look for a nice CZ in take which ever caliber showed up first!

 

[clwg97]

22 mag, if ammo price doesn't matter better to have the extra punch and not need it than to need it and not have it.

 

[Wiley]

If I were to only have one it would be my old Marlin 883 22 magnum that will always be in the family. And contrary to what seems to be the rule of thumb that 22mag is not accurate cannot be said about this one.

 

[Tenntrapper]

If I were to only have one it would be my old Marlin 883 22 magnum that will always be in the family. And contrary to what seems to be the rule of thumb that 22mag is not accurate cannot be said about this one.

I've always heard the same about 22 mag.
I had a mag barrel for one of my 457s that was extremely accurate. The biggest reason for lack of accuracy is...there is no match grade ammo for 22 mag.

 

[BuckWild]

From my experience, a .22mag will usually clean the squirrel for you if you can find both halves.

Devastating on squirrels.

 

[Forvols]

22LR for me, semi in a major maker model. Or a good bolt gun topped with a nice scope. Nothing tacticool style.

 

[Wiley]

From my experience, a .22mag will usually clean the squirrel for you if you can find both halves.

Devastating on squirrels.

With hollowpoints, yes. I only shot squirrels with solid points

 

[mike243]

my 17HMR really does a job on a squirrel no matter where you hit it, a 22 mag ain't as bad. it will gut 1 and make skinning impossible. Head shots if you like to eat the back, the legs are where most of the meat is unlike a rabbit.

 

[BuckWild]

With hollowpoints, yes. I only shot squirrels with solid points

When I had my .22 mag 30 years ago, all I could find were hollow points.

Nobody carried .22 mag solid points in my neck of the woods.

 

[timberjack86]

With hollowpoints, yes. I only shot squirrels with solid points

I shoot copper plated solids out of both 22 lr and 22 mag

 

[Jon]

I prefer .22LR.

 

[DaveTN]

If ammo cost and availability doesn't matter to you, it probably really doesn't matter.

I'm in the market for a .22 bolt target rifle. I'm looking for .22LR because the .22Mag has nothing to offer me other than increased ammo cost and limited availability.

 

[GumbyGuy]

Why not both?
I have both, and if it ever comes down to having to leave and run to a better, safer place, I will definitely be packing them both.