.22WMR revolver

[Gman]

I'm itching to buy a wheelgun chambered in .22WMR for tree squirrel hunting. (PA doesn't allow semi-auto pistols for hunting) My grandkids love eating squirrel and they are getting my rimfire rifles real soon for their own hunting. Here is what I need in this new toy:

1. Barrel must be at least 6.5" with a max length of 9.5" for the longer sighting plane. (don't want to scope it to keep the weight/bulk down)
2. Must have adjustable sights (no brainer)
3. SS or blue does not matter
4. Single or double action does not matter

I like the older Smith 48's with all of the forged parts, but I really don't like the newer Smith's with the "hillary hole" and MIM parts. Plus, the new model 48's only come in 6" maximum bbl.
Also like the older s/a Colt New Frontiers but people are holding on to these. And of course there is the Ruger Single 6 Convertible and Single 9's which I'm leaning toward. I do realize that I won't be killing as many tree rats with the handgun, but that leaves more targets for the grandkids.

Naturally the older Smith, Colt and Ruger's are bringing a premium on gunbroker.

I'll take all of the input that you want to throw at me!

Thanks

 

[distinguished]

My old model Ruger Single Six in 22 mag. worked great on tree rats. 6 1/2" barrel.

 

[3Ackleys]

I have Ruger's in 5.5",6.5" & 9.5" as well as a S&W 648 6".
The Smith weighs about 10 oz more than the 6.5" Ruger, and I find it much better for hunting.
If you have to have a 6.5" barrel, Ruger is about it.

 

[Gman]

I have Ruger's in 5.5",6.5" & 9.5" as well as a S&W 648 6".
The Smith weighs about 10 oz more than the 6.5" Ruger, and I find it much better for hunting.
If you have to have a 6.5" barrel, Ruger is about it.

May I ask, why is it better for hunting? Is it because of the quicker unloading/reloading or does the extra weight make it easier to shoot?

Thanks

 

[3Ackleys]

May I ask, why is it better for hunting? Is it because of the quicker unloading/reloading or does the extra weight make it easier to shoot?

Thanks

Yea it is faster to load ( I have speed beez loaders) and it holds 8 rounds vs 6 for my Rugers. But I rarely need to reload fast. The extra weight is what I like.

 

[DShortt]

Biggest drawback to a 22WMR for me was always the noise. Rang my ears without fail every time I shot it.
Anyone considering one might want to try one first. So far, it's my least favorite revolver cartridge.

 

[jds holler]

22 mag is kinda rough on the meat. And of course there's "over the horizon shots" to consider.
They sure do shoot good in my old single-six Ruger. I bought a case of them one time, and used nothing but them for a few years, and really shook up the jack rabbits. jd

 

[Rem06]

I'm itching to buy a wheelgun chambered in .22WMR for tree squirrel hunting. (PA doesn't allow semi-auto pistols for hunting) My grandkids love eating squirrel and they are getting my rimfire rifles real soon for their own hunting. Here is what I need in this new toy:

1. Barrel must be at least 6.5" with a max length of 9.5" for the longer sighting plane. (don't want to scope it to keep the weight/bulk down)
2. Must have adjustable sights (no brainer)
3. SS or blue does not matter
4. Single or double action does not matter

I like the older Smith 48's with all of the forged parts, but I really don't like the newer Smith's with the "hillary hole" and MIM parts. Plus, the new model 48's only come in 6" maximum bbl.
Also like the older s/a Colt New Frontiers but people are holding on to these. And of course there is the Ruger Single 6 Convertible and Single 9's which I'm leaning toward. I do realize that I won't be killing as many tree rats with the handgun, but that leaves more targets for the grandkids.

Naturally the older Smith, Colt and Ruger's are bringing a premium on gunbroker.

I'll take all of the input that you want to throw at me!

Thanks

Stick with 22lr for squirrels. Cci anything.
Mag is for groundhog,raccoon,cats coyote.

 

[doclu60]

I agree with a lot of the above. I have my late father's old SS Single Six convertible (6.5") and between the 2 chamberings, the .22lr shoots way better in that gun than the .22wmr. That in mind, the .22lr does not shoot good enough for me to hunt squirrels with.

The .22wmr is not needed to kill squirrels and out of a pistol or revolver it is VERY loud. Also, pretty well proven whether in a rifle or a handgun, the .22lr is more inherently accurate than the .22wmr. If I had an obsession of hunting squirrels with a handgun, which I don't, I would use my 1948 well-worn K22 or my (not legal in your area) Ruger MK3 slab side comp target with a VQ trigger upgrade and Match Dot 2 sight. These are the only 2 rimfire handguns I own that I would consider shooting a squirrel with, if I thought handgun hunting squirrel was prudent, which I don't.

JMO......Scott

 

[snert]

I am a PA resident too...and we have the dumbest rules about hunting I've ever come across.

That said, I would buy a 617 Smith in 22, or even simpler yet, get a 14 inch TC Contender or the new slabside made by (SK50?) . You can put fine target open sights on it...far better than most revolver sights, and it will hold well. Use a small shooting stick and you can pop squirrels out as far as a 22 will take them. Want to try a mag? Buy another barrel...
You can sling a TC easily...so cost of a holster is not part of the equation, and you can put a can on a ten inch ...and go secret squirrel shooting.

 

[Gman]

While I do agree that the WMR in a rifle will tear up the meat if you don't hit the head, tis' true. Also, doclu60 makes a valid point about the .22LR accuracy vs a .22WMR. Maybe I need to ponder my choice in cartridges.

Thanks for all of the opinions!

 

[Gman]

I am a PA resident too...and we have the dumbest rules about hunting I've ever come across.

That said, I would buy a 617 Smith in 22, or even simpler yet, get a 14 inch TC Contender or the new slabside made by (SK50?) . You can put fine target open sights on it...far better than most revolver sights, and it will hold well. Use a small shooting stick and you can pop squirrels out as far as a 22 will take them. Want to try a mag? Buy another barrel...
You can sling a TC easily...so cost of a holster is not part of the equation, and you can put a can on a ten inch ...and go secret squirrel shooting.

I agree with you snert about our Game Commission and their stupid laws. I have a Mark 2 Competiton Target Slabside that is super accurate but I'm not allowed to use it for hunting here.

 

[snert]

I agree with you snert about our Game Commission and their stupid laws. I have a Mark 2 Competiton Target Slabside that is super accurate but I'm not allowed to use it for hunting here.

Me too..a Govn't model heavy barrel that will hit the brass end of a 12 ga empty at 50 yards with a red dot. I hunted with it in NY (of all the liberal things!!!) for years, taking squirrel, rabbits on a beagle, grouse running, sitting and yes, flying, (one unlucky grouse in a pine forest that buzzed me), groundhogs, muskrat, rats, pigeon, starlings, one fox, piles of road-hit deer (on the job) and the occasional skunk and racoon. I never did a darn thing with it that a revolver couldn't do...but Gawd only knows what mischief I might start in PA with it!!!

Oh Lawdy, now that I've blasphemed the PAGC I better go genuflect three times and adjust my Amish hat and suspenders...

 

[6.5grendel]

Like some others have said, the 22 mag pistol that I had at one time was obnoxiously louder than my 22lr pistol. But that was with a very short barrel, so don’t know if a few more inches of barrel would make a difference.

 

[mongo chicago]

Used the 22 mag on prairie dogs in a handgun for short distances. (Also in a rifle out to 150 yards). LOVED IT!!! Wouldn't even think go going down to a 22 L.R. Very happy with the 30 gr. Hornady V-max for accuracy. Wasn't thinking about saving the meat though. I say go for it.

 

[outasite`08]

I am a PA resident too...and we have the dumbest rules about hunting I've ever come across.

That said, I would buy a 617 Smith in 22, or even simpler yet, get a 14 inch TC Contender or the new slabside made by (SK50?) . You can put fine target open sights on it...far better than most revolver sights, and it will hold well. Use a small shooting stick and you can pop squirrels out as far as a 22 will take them. Want to try a mag? Buy another barrel...
You can sling a TC easily...so cost of a holster is not part of the equation, and you can put a can on a ten inch ...and go secret squirrel shooting.

I still cry over selling my 617. Six inch barrel and as accurate as I could be. I agree with the .22lr.

 

[Gman]

I still cry over selling my 617. Six inch barrel and as accurate as I could be. I agree with the .22lr.

I bought a NIB 617 with 8 3/8" bbl in or around 1990 & like a total idiot I sold it for cheap and today the longer barrels are bringing a premium. The only firearm that I regret selling.

 

[Keith Hansley in NC]

check out the specs on the Taurus Tracker 992

 

[outasite`08]

I bought a NIB 617 with 8 3/8" bbl in or around 1990 & like a total idiot I sold it for cheap and today the longer barrels are bringing a premium. The only firearm that I regret selling.

I regret selling a lot of guns, but I`m over crying myself to sleep over it. Jeff

 

[6ShotsOr5?]

I agree that you only need a 22LR for squirrels. I would get the blued Ruger single six convertible with the 9-1/2” barrel. That way you still have the option to use the 22WMR cylinder if you are shooting something that needs a bit more thump.