.22lr vs .22mag (in a .410 combo)

[boy&hisdogs]

I've been into combos for a long time and I just found out that Chiappa makes the "Double Badger". I really, really want one. The main attraction is that it actually has two triggers. This is the only rimfire combo that I know of that can actually shoot BOTH barrels without re-coking in between. And it's by far the cheapest, and it fold in half like the M6 so it fits in a pack, and it's far better looking than the butt-ugly black plastic savage, and it's less bulky than the Baikal, and it has better sights than all of them.



What I'm looking to get out of this is an all-around camp/truck/pack/small game gun for squirrels, rabbits, grouse, raccoons, quail, coyotes and anything else you can legally and reasonably hunt with rimfire and/or .410.

I'm pretty sure I've killed more ground squirrels than most professional exterminators, and have used both the 22lr and .22mag extensively. I find the .22 mag far more satisfying round to shoot as it can reach much farther, has a flatter trajectory, and is more resistant to wind. If I only get one shot I want to make it count as much as possible.

The downside is that it blows the crap out of smaller small game and doesn't leave much meat, and leaves a big ugly hole in an otherwise nice pelt. I've never shot a quail with a .22 mag before but I can't imagine there would be much left once the cloud of feathers settled.

I could shoot WRF or hardball .22 mag to save some meat but I don't think you can get either of those things lead-free. .22lr also has the advantage of using shorts, CB's, subsonic, and all the other specialty ammo. The other advantage is that I can hunt all day with a 22lr and not need hearing protection. I can only get a few shots here and there with a .22 mag.

I know I could just use .410 bird shot for the delicate animals and use buck/slugs for the bigger stuff kinda making this argument moot, but I'd like to save the shotgun for those "missed/wounded and running" situations and make the most out of my rimfire barrel.

[evolution1974]

I own a few Savage 24 and M6 scout combo guns in .22lr/.410 and a Savage 24 .22lr/20ga. I prefer the utility of the .22lr/20ga combination for its range in power, availability and cost of operation. If you use the iron sights then .22lr will work as well as .22 mag. The .22mag is better for long ranges but placing a scope on the combo gun takes away from its portability IMO. With the .22lr/20ga combo you can hunt squirrels all the way up to dear. However, if you are set on the .410 bore then go with that because it will do very well also. I hope this helps. Good luck with your search.

[ArmedCMT]

[hermosabeach]

If you go .410& .22 mag you will have a combo of expensive ammo to shoot.


A child hood friend had one growing up.

I would have preferred two separate firearms.
A 20 gauge for birds and 10/22 for squirrels and rabbits.

[klewan]

If you go .410& .22 mag you will have a combo of expensive ammo to shoot.

A child hood friend had one growing up.

I would have preferred two separate firearms.
A 20 gauge for birds and 10/22 for squirrels and rabbits.

But this is a single shot; no mag dumps like the typical 22LR spasz....I wanted the Savage 410-22LR from JC Penney for $60. Back in the mid 60's you could still mail order guns. Now those guns are $500 and more. I'd get the 22WMR because I already have a bunch of 22LR rifles.

[ArmedCMT]

Ive always wanted a 22lr over 20ga, anyone got a recommendation?

[Untamed1972]

You can put down a full grown cow with a .22mag (at close range of course).......that's what my butcher uses.....just put one down this morning.

[boy&hisdogs]

But this is a single shot; no mag dumps like the typical 22LR spasz....I wanted the Savage 410-22LR from JC Penney for $60. Back in the mid 60's you could still mail order guns. Now those guns are $500 and more. I'd get the 22WMR because I already have a bunch of 22LR rifles.

Thats what I was thinking. I might do a round of sporting clays once or twice a year just for the heck of it, but I wont be shooting enough to worry about ammo costs.

Im mostly just concerned with .22 mag being overkill with rabbits and squirrels but I could hunt with WRFs since you can still use lead on small and upland game.

[klewan]

Ive always wanted a 22lr over 20ga, anyone got a recommendation?

Vintage Savage 24 might have done that, usually it was 410 over 22LR, 20 gauge was more 22 Hornet, or some other centerfire.

[boy&hisdogs]

Vintage Savage 24 might have done that, usually it was 410 over 22LR, 20 gauge was more 22 Hornet, or some other centerfire.

They do exist, but good luck finding one, never mind one that actually shoots straight and doesn't cost an arm and a leg. TBH .22/20 would be my ideal gun, but I don't want to pay all that money for a gun that's 40 years old and more likely than not shoots left/right of POA with the shotgun barrel.

[44fred]

My first gun was a Savage 22mag/20ga. Bought used in 1976.
The 22mag barrel was the most accurate I've ever owned. I remember shooting a coin at about 40 yards, I think it was a nickel. I had no problem head shooting squirrels and rabbits with it.
About 6-7 years ago I bought another Savage synthetic stock 17hmr/12ga. Never really liked it. I was trying to replace the old with something more modern, didn't work.

[RR.44]

Combos are cool, very versatile guns.

[Peashooter]

I have a 24 deluxe 22m and 20g.
Great little gun.

[Ford8N]

Ive had both. 22wmr/.410 and 22lr/.410 Savages. I prefer and kept the 22/.410 just because I found the .22wmr was over kill for what I needed the gun to do for me. And the prices for the old Savage have gone crazy in the last few years. I bought my 22wmr/.410 at a gun show for $125 and sold it 5 years later for $600!