22LR VS 22mag in 6.5 barrel revolver

[jon308]

Im looking at Taurus 991 tracker with 6.5 barrel for just carrying while hiking and a back pack gun, Have 22 rifle and 223 rifle and just want something thats easy to carry, which would you choose and why, Thanks

 

[K22]

A 6 1/2 barrel is kind of cumbersome to carrying as a hiking side arm. I would look at something with a 4" barrel preferrable the size (weight) of the Smith and Wesson "J" frame revolver.

I have an S&W Model 34, 4" barrel, 22 rimfire that in my opinion is the perfect rimfire trail gun. However, I normally carry an S&W Model 60, 3" barrel, "J" frame gun in 38 special when I go hiking is my purpose is self defense. Both these guns are quite old so I don't think they are available as new anymore but I'm sure S&W has something similar or you may want to look at another brand that is lighter and more compact.

The 22 Mag will obviously give you more energy at the cost of more expense. I guess it depends on your purpose for carrying a side arm. Neither are adequate self defense cartridges although better than nothing. The 22 high velocity round is an adequate small game cartridge but the 22 magnum would give you more margin for error. If you plan on doing a lot of plinking then I'd definitely go for the 22 LR, it's much cheaper to shoot.

I have a Ruger Single Six with the interchangable cylinders, 22 LR and 22 mag. These type of conventibles almost always shoot the 22 mag better because the barrel is bored slightly larger to accomodate the 22 mag bullet. The Ruger is a well made pistol and the 4 5/8" barrel model might fit your needs quite nicely - small - compact and you've have the versatility of 22 LR or 22 mag. I think Ruger still markets that model in the shorter barrel although I haven't seen one in the shops in a long time.

 

[fredhorace77]

I would pick 22mag... simply because of more power and i have personaly had fewer misfire problems with 22mag ammo than with 22lr. but if you dont want to buy 22 mag ammo seeings as you already own a 22lr then the 22lr pistol would work great with stingers and you can also shoot them thru the rifle...one ammo....two guns

 

[swampshooter]

I would choose a .22LR in a medium frame revolver. I have always found the J-frame (small frame) S&W's harder to shoot accurately than the K-frame ( medium frame) revolvers. Chronograph tests that I have made show that the 22 mag out of a 6" bbl. equals a .22LR when shot out of a rifle. IE 1250-1300 fps with 40 gr. bullets. The 22LR out of pistol bbls. gives 1050 to 1100fps. or only about 200fps difference.
Ammo cost will make shooting a .22 mag. enough to get good with it excessive. Unless money is of no concern. You can plink or practice all afternoon with a .22LR for $10.00 or $20.00. .22 mag ammo is about $10.00 for 50 rds.
I have a .22LR S&W #17 that I will never part with. I sold my S&W #18 .22mag. because it wouldn't do anything that I couldn't do with my model #17. PS I also owned a Ruger Single Six with .22LR and .22mag. cylinders. I sold it because it wasn't very accurate with the .22LR's because the bbl. is oversize and required re-zeroing the sights when changing from .22LR to .22 mag., 22 mag. bullets are .002" larger than .22LR.

 

[TheSnake]

I do not know if this makes any difference to you but have you shot a 22Mag out of a revolver? At least mine is so loud that it makes me not want to shoot it. If I am practicing, I have ear protection on and it's no bother. But if I am running around the ranch in the buggy, I may not have ear protection on me and I would rather have any other pistol with me than the 22Mag. The report on it is very sharp, loud and downright painful. Just my 2 cents.