Got back out to the range and tested 3 more ammo brands in the Ruger 22 WMR. Same test as in my earlier post: 50 yards, from a rest, 5 shot groups. What was different from the other day was that today the wind was really blowing, gusting hard across the firing line. As you can see from the picture, the CCI A22 brand worked the best for me. I really do like this rifle! I adjusted the trigger pull on it and, of course, had to remove and replace the stock to get to the trigger mechanism. I was concerned that I might lose my zero, but it fell right in with just a couple of clicks of left windage. Definitely a "two thumbs up" shootin' machine from Ruger, thus far.

appreciate the write up

Do you hunt anything with that caliber ?

I use it for varmint/vermin in the under 40-pound weight range, and the 50-75 yard range. Possums, raccoons, skunks, foxes, bobcats; anything in that range that wishes to dine on my domesticated animals! I, personally, consider the 22WMR to be an under 75 yard round for humane kills on small animals. I have heard stories from folks who say that their BIL, or uncle, or dad, or BFF has taken every animal on the North American continent with the 22 Mag, and that when they went to Africa to collect the Big Five, that's all they took, and the PH backed them up with a 25/45 Sharps. I believe every word of their claims, it's just that, over 50+ years of hunting, I'm more comfortable shooting small animals at 50-75 yards with this caliber.

Yeah, I hear that too but I know for fact that at 92 1/2 yards when I shot Bigfoot, he didn't even break stride and just looked at me and grunted! Y'all probably seen the pics.

From the folks at mcarbo.com (https://www.mcarbo.com/):



This chart could be of some interest if you are a person who believes that Velocity + Energy = Lethality. I'm one of those folks who is a bit suspicious of that formula based on years of collecting animals with many different calibers and arrows, doing autopsies to examine wound channels, and who has come to the conclusion that lethality is a combination of many different factors, most of which I don't understand. My field experience is what leads me here. I do know that if I shoot an animal in the eye socket and the bullet (regardless of caliber) has enough retained explosive power to ruin the brain, it's a lethal shot that doesn't require much tracking or a follow-up shot.

I've been looking at Ruger 22mag with the heavy barrel carbine, in SS and laminate stock. I was waiting on a Marlin with the tube magazine but I might have to get the Ruger. Keep us posted.

CF, pick up a Henry if you want tube fed. Absolutely love mine if you dont mind a lever gun

chicken fried, this is the one I'm working with. Sounds like a pretty good match to what you're looking for!
https://www.ruger.com/products/americanRimfireTarget/specSheets/8368.html

That’s the exact one I’m looking at. CXjchek I do like levers but I like these.

I had a look at one of these this weekend. Nice concept but a little pricey for a 22 LR imo. https://www.ruger.com/micros/customShop/1022.html

That 22 WMR looks nice.

Mikei, what scope do you have on your Ruger?

It's a Mueller 4.5-14 X 40. It's the best inexpensive scope I've ever had! I've got a pile of Leupys and Nikons and Weavers and Redfields, but this one is on a par with or better than any of them. Now, compared to the really high dollar scopes, it's out of its class, but for my needs and wants for 200 yards and under ranges, it works just fine for these old eyes. I've had it mounted on many rifles to do my initial load development and factory ammo selection work, and it always works very well.

I’ll check it out. I’ve been looking at different ones while decide on the rifle.

I've been shooting a Ruger American Predator 22WMR
It seems to really like the CCI JHP ammo.

Killed two coyotes with it right after I got it sighted in. I have a Nikon scope with the ballistic reticle. Ranged them at 167 yards, looked at the chart I printed and taped to the stock, put a little Kentucky wimdage on it, and squeezed it off. It takes a little while for a 22 WMR to travel 167 yards. Hit him in the heart/lungs, he spun and fell. His mate paused long enough for me to chamber another round and hit him/her.

Been shooting 22WMR a long time, and killed lots of fur with it. Not saying it is a reliable killer past 75 yards, but I got lucky twice, with no wind.

Ruger will out shoot my old Marlin, but will never replace it.

chickenfried, if memory serves me (and it doesn't do a very good job of it any more!) I think I paid less than $150 for it at Optics Planet. As mentioned, it's been on a lot of my firearms and has held up nicely over the years.