Is .22 LR or WMR the better pair for a .410 combination gun?

Cosmodragoon

New member
I'm intrigued by the idea of combination guns and the Savage Model 42 recently caught my eye. It seems like an excellent choice for occasional small-game hunting and regular backyard fun that's accessible to the whole family.

The question is whether the .410 is better paired with classic .22 LR or the zippy .22 WMR.

As for personal needs, I almost exclusively shoot centerfire at the moment. My only shotgun is a 12-gauge and the only .22 in our house is my wife's Rascal in .22 LR. I've thought about picking up either a .22 LR or a .410 for myself over the years and this could be both. (It is also "either" as these are still functional firearms even if you have just one type of ammo on hand.) On the other hand, it might be nice to have something in .22 WMR. I hadn't given this caliber much thought in the past but if I was going to buy a .410 for novelty anyway, why not have the extra novelty of a .22 magnum attached to it? This could be the double odd duck in my collection. :)

As for hunting, I'm especially curious to hear from those with experience. How do you contrast .22 LR and .22 WMR on various types of prey and how does that contrast change when you have the .410 option easily at hand?
 

Mobuck

Moderator
Considering the potential range of that combo gun, I'd go with the 22 lr. That's basically a squirrel and rabbit gun in most cases and having to use the more expensive 22 mag ammo would seem counter productive.
 
I agree with MOBUCK, if it's just going to be a fun gun, not a "survival gun" if it were something a person was going to stick in a "bug bag" I'd say get the 22 mag, as it could take bigger game in an emergency, & you'd have to have a good supply of ammo for it's use anyway...

just to use for hunting squirrels & rabbits, the 22 LR is plenty, "usually" easier to buy ammo, & much cheaper...

since you're a center fire guy, maybe the 20 Gauge/ 22 Hornet or 223 would be a better choice ( though more rifle than needed for squirrels & rabbits ) the 20 gauge shells are often cheaper than .410 & has more knock down
 

WV_gunner

New member
I've got a 24v and really like it. It's a 30-30/20 gauge with a scope. About to take the scope off. I'm looking for a .357 magnum with a pistol grip. I'm guessing you're looking at new ones since you are looking at a 42. I'd go with the .22 LR. If you want a bigger round, use a .410 slug.
 

Pahoo

New member
Mobuck + 2

Considering the potential range of that combo gun, I'd go with the 22 lr.
If I could only own one, it would be the .22LR. Throughout the years I have owned a variety of combinations and currently down to the .22LR. That one will go to my Grandson, on his 16th. birthday. I know that lately a lot of folks have gone to a .22WMR, primarily because of the LR shortages but when all the craziness passes the LR will "still" rule. .... ;)

I have shot Rem. Yellow-Jackets in mine and it is a destroyer .... :eek:

Be Safe !!!
 

hammie

New member
I would choose the .22 WMR. In a rifle barrel, the difference in performance from a .22 LR, is significant. And, if you want .22 LR performance, you can shoot .22 winchester rimfire in it as an alternative.

As for the ammo expense, a break top rifle is not exactly a rapid fire gun. It will take you quite a while to go through a box of 50. Your arms will get more exercise than your wallet.
 
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is 22 Winchester the same case diameter as the Magnum ??? I guess I didn't know that...

How available is 22 Winchester ammo "normally" ??? ( obviously the climate we are is is not the "normal" of the past... though it may be the new "normal" :eek: )
 

hammie

New member
@Magnumwheel: Not .22 winchester, but .22 winchester rimfire (WRF). I believe winchester and CCI both manufacture it. And yes it fits a .22WMR chamber. The box lists a .45 grain flat nose bullet at 1300 ft/sec. Not too much difference from a high velocity .22 LR. Pre-panic... it was readily available. Right now...impossible to find. If the panic every gets over, just order 10 boxes for a lifetime supply.
 

mavracer

New member
As for the ammo expense, a break top rifle is not exactly a
rapid fire gun. It will take you quite a while to go through a box of 50.
That was my thought. I was looking for one just to have for something to carry while I was playing deer guide with dad. I could care less about shooting deer myself but I like to go.
Any way I stumbled across a 22mag/20g and couldn't be more pleased. I think I would have been just as happy with a LR but am real glad I got a 20g. It is IMHO a far more versatile gun than a .410.
 
yep... sorry...too lazy... should have just typed the letters... I did go to Midway, just to compare numbers... I was aware of the cartridge, but had never looked at it, so I didn't know it was the same diameter as the mag... ( it's a good day... I learned something today :) )

rather than sidetrack the thread, I'd assume the WRF would work fine in the single shots... but likely could expect issues in mag fed repeaters ???
 

hootey

New member
I would go with the 22lr. It would be a lot less expensive to shoot when all this "Panic Buying" has blown over. The 22lr is accurate out to 100yds with open sights if you practice a little. Plus, if you did decide to use it for hunting squirrels and rabbits, 22shorts are a lot quieter, cheaper, and just as accurate out to 40yds(squirrel and rabbit range with an over/under). Besides if you went out hunting and had eight to ten good shots, your ears will not RING the rest of the day. Growing up in the midwest, I spent many, many hours hunting with a stevens over/under 22/410 while growing up. It was a lot of fun and I put a lot of meat on the table:)
 

hammie

New member
I knew there would be as many different opinions on this one, as there would be answers, and what's more, they're all valid.

I also grew up hunting in the mid-west and the .22 LR is fine for shooting a squirrel from the base of a tree. However if you're after a groundhog, fox, raccoon, or now coyote, there is a big difference in performance between the 22 LR and a .22 WMR. As a boy in the 50's and 60's, my friends and I shot a lot of groundhogs. When the .22 WMR came out in '59, we all upgraded as soon as we could. Even better, were the rare occasions when I could borrow my dad's .22 hornet, savage 23D. (It wasn't considered terrible then for boys to have rifles or access to guns.)

@Mr. magnumwheel: I've found that you really have to specify and make a distinction for .22 WRF, or others often get confused. I've heard it occasionaly referred to as .22 winchester special. And you're right, the .22WRF is a tad shorter than the .22WMR. I don't know how it would work in an auto loader, but it feeds fine in my marlin bolt gun and works fine in my ruger single six. It will probably be an "individual gun" situation for magazine fed firearms.

Another thing which sometimes causes confusion is the warning against using .22WRF in revolvers. They mean revolvers chambered for .22WRF. It is OK for revolvers chambered for .22WMR.
 

PetahW

New member
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The solution's fairly easy, as I found out:

A .22WR / 20ga for calling varmints; and a .22LR / .410 for squills. . :p




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L_Killkenny

New member
My dislike for combo guns (especially ones in .410) is closely followed by my dislike of the .22M. About the only thing it's better for than a .22lr is chucks and foxes. And that's what centerfires are for so unless you are limited by laws to use rimfires at certain times or for certain things I wouldn't waste time on a .22M.

The combo guns are a poor jack of all trades, master (not even close) of none. Buy a .22lr or buy a shotgun. Pick your poison and dance with who brung ya. Trying to go down the middle doesn't work much of the time. If forced into a combo gun make mine a 12 or 20 with a .223 or .30/30 for the rifle barrel.
 

PetahW

New member
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FWIW, many East Coast dudes are proscribed from using centerfire rifles - so how do you feel about 300,000 new hunters moving to Iowa so we can use them ? . ;) . :p



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Pahoo

New member
One size, does not always fit all !!!

FWIW, many East Coast dudes are proscribed from using centerfire rifles - so how do you feel about 300,000 new hunters moving to Iowa so we can use them ? . .
HUH ???
I'm in Iowa and you can use centerfire rifles to hunt deer and Yotes, with some restrictions. .... :rolleyes:

occasional small-game hunting and regular backyard fun that's accessible to the whole family.
Per your requirement, the .22LR over .410 or 20Ga, is ideal. I currently own a 24BDL in LR and once took a coyote. .... :)

Now, if you want to get serious about anything bigger than small game, then certainly step up to the WMR.

Be Safe !!!
 
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