I took my Marlin .22 mag to the gun club today to run some groups from different bullet weights at 75 yards. I am getting low on .22 WMR ammo and before I purchase any new ammo I wanted to take a look at what was out there after first shooting a few groups to get a feel for what the little Marlin likes to eat.
Unfortunately my camera is on the blink, so I was not able to take photos of the targets for this post. I did however keep track of the groups and the ammo. All testing was done at 75 yards off the bench and with three different bullet weights.
My gun seems to like the heavier bullet weights (I.E. 40 grain and 50 grain bullets) as opposed to the hotter 30 grainers. That is okay with me since my varmint hunting is 95% woodchucks anyway and everything I read indicates the .17HMR and other similar calibers with tiny bullets do not fair very well against eastern woodchucks. I have found that a solid hit with the .22 Mag normally anchors them. (This is NOT to malign the .17 HMR as it is incredibly accurate, quiet, a joy to carry and does fantastic on crows, squirrels, ground squirrels, prairie dogs etc. I don't think it makes a good eastern woodchuck rifle, especially past maybe 50 yards and is not recommended for coyotes.)
The Winchester 50 grain HP turned in a (5) shot 1 1/8 inch group at 75 yards. The 40 grain Win HP turned in a 1 1/8 inch (5) shot group and another (5) shot group that put them all into 5/8 inch. Admittedly after making a scope adjustment, I settled down and very carefully squeezed off that group. The 30 grain CCI loads went into close to 2 inches.
Under field conditions, shooting prone, leaning up against a tree, or an off hand shot with my left arm wrapped in the sling etc. I would be happy with either load for woodchucks, or fox or an occasional crow or even coyotes.
The trick is not to try and make it into a .220 Swift or a .22-250. .204 Ruger etc. which it is not. My Marlin bolt action brown laminated stock with 7 shot clip and a Nikon scope aboard is a pleasure to carry and I got lucky in that the trigger pull on it is incredible for a rim fire factory rifle.
A quick check for current .22 mag ammo turned up a wide field to choose from including but not limited to:
CCI Maxi mag 40 grainers at 1875 fps and 312 ft.-lbs
CCI maxi mag plus V 2200 fps and 30 grain V-max bullet with 322 ft.-lbs
CCI 40 grain game point load at 1875 fps and 322 ft.-lbs
Win 30 grain V-max Varmint load at 2200fps and 322 ft.-lbs
Federal 50 grain JHP at 1650fps and 300 ft.-lbs
Hornady 30 grain V-max bullet at 2200fps and 322 ft/-lbs
Hornady 25 grain NTX load
Various shot shell loads
Armscor precision 40 grain JHP at 1910fps and 324 ft.-lbs
I am sure that I probably just scratched the surface of what is out there. The neat thing about the .22 Mag is that it is NO slouch in the accuracy dept. and most of the above loads come in boxes of 50 for well under $15 a box. The Sportsman's Guide list Winchester 40 Grain JHP ammo for $9.87 for a box of 50 and $209.77 for 1000 rounds. In today's ammo market that is a bargain. Out to 125 yards or maybe 150 on a calm day, this particular load will anchor any woodchuck I happen to come across and do it in style without breaking the bank.
Close to 70 degrees today in sunny NYS and it is only March 13. Should be a fun summer. Dan
I Corinthians 15:45
King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
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