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Wildcatting: The forgotten Magnum

Wildcatting: The forgotten Magnum

Winchester introduced the Winchester Magnum Rimfire (WMR or 22 Magnum) in 1959, and in essence it was a larger version of the venerable .22 Long Rifle (LR) to offer increased performance. Originally chambered in the Winchester Model 61 pump-action rifle, today even though manufacturers produce .22 WMR rifles, it has become eclipsed by the smaller and faster .17 HMR.

Usually, the WMR shoots a 40-grain bullet, which is capable of 1900 fps and therefore sits nicely, in ballistic terms, between the .22 LR and .22 Hornet. But with the advent of some newer and lighter weight bullets; especially Hornady’s 30-grain V-MAX, the old .22 WMR is not dead yet. There are also 50-grain loads too, which is getting heavy for this calibre. Where in some people’s eyes the .17 HMR is marginal on foxes, the extra weight and energy at longer range of the .22 WMR does seem appealing and similarly very effective on small game vermin, where a .22 LR is just not quite powerful enough!

Case spec

The WMR`s case is 1.350” long compared to the 1” of the .22 LR, although both bullets are stabilised by a 1:16 twist rifling rate. Ballistics-wise, there is an increase of around 700-800 fps in comparable 40-grain loads between the LR and the WMR. The LR can push harder but only by reducing bullet weight, which is not always ideal! It can touch 1600 fps with 30-grainers, but it’s a compromise, whereas the WMR with a 30 can easily achieve upwards of 2100fps.

This not only flattens your trajectory for longer range but also increases energy for assured kills at shorter ranges too, especially on larger animals such as foxes. The .22 WMR offers a short range, light fox gun, for someone who cannot be bothered reloading centrefire ammo, or only has a small or restricted land to shoot over.

The variety of bullet options is impressive; ranging from full metal jacket (FMJ) for minimum pelt damage, to more traditional soft or hollow points, or explosive V-MAX (ballistic tipped) designs or even the new Hornady NTX lead-free. There is something for everyone and the newer .22 WMR rounds are certainly better made than the previous batches I have tested over the years. Accuracy, as always, is only as good as the ammunition used; thankfully there is a lot better choice, so shooters can find something that shoots well.

Range tests

I chose ten different loads and used a Ruger 77/22M (Magnum) rifle for the testing. Although I use a Browning T-Bolt, which is very accurate, as is my T/C Contender carbine with the .22 WMR barrel fitted. This had a shortened 14” tube, so when a sound moderator is fitted the overall length is not too long. I tested for accuracy at 50 yards because the .22 Mag does not seem to have the accuracy edge when compared to the 17HMR at 100 yards, which in the right gun is capable of ¼-1/2” performance. However when a load proved accurate in the Ruger I shot some 100 yard groups just to see.

I shot my array of ammo into ballistic putty that would show a comparison between each bullet type as regards penetration, expansion and retained weight. I only tested six brands into the putty because it`s very expensive and only that number really showed any good accuracy and were worth pursuing further.

Results

I chose the six best to conduct the penetration tests, these being; RWS, CCI Maxi Mag HP+P, Federal JHP, Remington, Hornady’s V-MAX and NTX loads. That`s not to say the others are bad, they just did not shoot so well in the test rifle.

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Most accurate was the RWS, at 50 yards, 5-shots consistently gave 0.85” groups and penetrated an impressive 9.5” into the ballistic material. The bullet expanded to 0.4640” and retained 36.2-grains of its initial 40-grain weight, which is very impressive. It also produced the second largest wound channel volume at 810 ml, so a great all-round accurate and on game performer this one.

Next up were the CCI Maxi Mag HP +P, these are the same as the Maxi Mag HP but loaded to a higher pressure hence +P and its lighter bullet translated into higher velocities. Accuracy was fine at 1” or so at 50 yards, but it only penetrated 5.25” before literally disintegrating. Only 11.8- grains of shrapnel was recovered with the base expanded to 0.2835”. It produced the largest wound volume on test, at a whopping 894 ml, so a good close range feathered vermin round this one!

Heavyweight performer

The Federal JHP load was different because it utilised the heaviest bullet on test at 50-grains and produced solid 1” groups at 50 yards. As expected, the extra momentum it generated penetrated the farthest at 10.75”, retained 37-grains of its weight and expanded to 0.3825”. All that mass-produced a serious wound channel as well at 752 ml volume and this bullet would be my choice as a fox load if necessary.

The Remingtons were a dark horse; they shot nice concentric 1” groups and although had a sedate 1845 fps velocity, produced 7” of penetration and a retained weight of 24.5-grains. The bullet also expanded predictably to give a 0.4185” diameter but the smallest wound volume of 514 ml. So a balance between penetration and non meat damage, perhaps on hares say.

The last two offerings were from Hornady and it was the V-MAX that is a game changer! This is because the bullet is a good performer and usually shoots true. Accuracy was second best at 0.95” and it produced 1999 fps/266 ft/lbs. Because it was light and travelling fast it penetrated the least at 4.75” but produced a large wound channel, as it literally detonated! At 797ml, volume is good and only 7.4-grains were recovered, this being the base expanded to 0.6905”.

I was expecting similar results with the NTX (non toxic) bullets but these proved less expansive than the V-MAXs, despite them being the lightest at 25-grains. They screamed along at 2135 fps and produced 1” groups and penetrated an impressive 9.5” despite their light weight. That’s because its core/base stayed intact and retained 9.4 grains and expanded to 0.6887”. It also produced a less violent wound channel at 533 ml. As an aside, I was talking to Pete Moore, who’s a 17HMR fan and he tested Hornady’s 15.5-grain NTX load and said that it did not have the stopping power of the 17-grain V-MAX with non-lethal, body shot, shoot-throughs being common. Though great for head shots!

Conclusions

I feel a bit sorry for the old .22 Magnum, it’s a very good round in truth but the .17 HMR is so much better with regard to accuracy, compared to its bigger brother, is almost totally eclipsed in sales. Sako`s Quad rifle offers a quick change barrel and as such with .22LR, .22 WMR and.17HMR tubes you would have a perfect vermin outfit. Or have a spare barrel for the Ruger, as the barrel also comes off easily from the action.

From the results, you can see there is something there for everyone, be that a flat-shooting load like the NTX, or a great penetrator like the RWS and Federal JHP rounds. If you want minimal penetration and instant explosive effects, then the CCI Maxi Mag +P or Hornady V-MAX would be your bag. Whilst the Remingtons gave good solid performance and good consistent accuracy.

You can pick up .22 Magnum rifles very cheaply, which often show little use, yes ammunition can be expensive and each rifle can be fickle in the loads it likes but it’s still worth a lot if you want a hard hitting rimfire rifle for vermin. Again I refer to Pete who picked up a Ruger 96/22M lever-action (with scope) for no real money and it proves a confident rifle shooting around the inch at 100-yards!

 

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