Having both, I have some 22 Mag rifles I've had for going on 40 years now.. use to be one of my favorite rounds...
I probably hold onto the rifles because they mean something to me.. not due to the love of the 22 Mag cartridge anymore...
I've replace Rimfire Mag use to the 17 version...
and if I need 22 Mag velocities, with a 22 caliber.... I load up one of my lightweight 223s to those speeds and specs, with the bullet of my choice...for about the price of a 22 Mag round...
and as referenced above, if I still could use the 22 Mag with a box of rounds for $5.99 still, the 40 grain FMJ, or HP.. I'd still be shooting those two 22 Mag rifles a lot..
but that ship has sadly sailed...
I've sold my .223s (too mundane and common) and use a .22 Hornet, which is even cheaper to load for. I use those Midsouth 34gr. HPs and load them mildly, which ain't much different than the WMR, and in my case, shoots better than my WMR, too. My 455 WMR barrel doesn't really excite me in any way.
