Is it worth seeking out a .22 mag if I have a LR and a ,223 Rem?

Yes! But I’d get a 17hmr before a 22mag

Why yeah...

Duh...

I got one and I have several .22LR's a .17 HMR, .223, .22-204, etc, etc.

I traded for this one and I like it. New T-Bolt with plastic stock. Has extra mag in butt stock.

It's very light and with FMJ bullets, a hog killer and handy packing around gun. With the extra mag, I have 20 rounds without looking for ammo.

I did work on the trigger. It's a clean 3#'s.

DF

There is no comparison between the hummer and the 22 mag..... 17 for tweety birds and wounded prairie dogs, 22 mag for straight hurtin/ killin shiit.....

A .17 HMR with FMJ's will kill a hog, BTDT.

Between the two, I like the heavier .22 WMR bullet for, as you say, just killing stuff...

DF

How come?

What are you planning to shoot with it and at what ranges?

It really depends on what you want to do with it.

I think 22 mag is a good cartridge.
Nothing wrong with trying one just to see how you like it. Its not like you have to buy it a ring..... lol

I have a love/hate relationship with the 22 mag. I'd get one, keep it a while and then decide to get rid of it because ...... not accurate enough, too loud, not enough power, too powerful...... Not to long later, I'd miss it and start looking for another. The last one I bought was and old beat up Marlin tube feed. In bad enough shape I'll not worry about it if something happens to it and accurate enough for about anything I'm likely to shoot at with it. Think I'll just hang onto it because it doesn't cost anything except ammo now that I have it. I keep it handy for vermin around here, although I don't have near as many vermin as when I lived along the creek.


Buy one and see for yourself.

For me personally, accuracy. My hmr predator shoots most ammo well, and some exceptionally so. Same gun in 22 mag just doesn’t keep up. The difference isn’t tremendous, but it’s there.
Depending on ones intentions that may not be a factor

.22mag

Absolutely! Do it.

Shag knows wtf....

The .22 Mag has earned the nickname "The Poachers Gun" and there's good reason for it! It can whack schit dead and not be as loud as a centerfire, you can carry a good supply of ammunition in a small space, and despite what some folks say, is pretty accurate.

I'd suggest a Marlin 25M if you can find one, or an Marlin 883S if you prefer the tube feed. I can hit Egg's at 100 yards with most brands of ammunition with my 883S.

ABsolutely!!!! Got a few myself..

It's a beaver whacker.

had a marlin as a truck gun over the last 30 years....I've dispatched deer that have been hit by cars with it, head shots... it never failed to put them down with one shot...

used it on prairie dogs and sage rats with same results as far out as 200 yds...

Never had a 17 but I sure like a 22 mag. Have 3 rifles and 2 pistols. They have a lot more pop than a 22 lr. Hasbeen

This old gun loonie suggests getting a 22 mag, AND a 17 HMR!

I've got two 22 mags. A Ruger predator and a Winchester 94-22mag.

And a Cooper in 17 HMR

Have owned several over the years, but these three are my all-time favorites.

I own a .223 and a 22 hornet but shoot the rimfires way more.

Virgil B.

No idea and how ever far I can see.

Everyone needs at least one 22 magnum.

17HMR for me. Just ordered a new CZ 457, should be here this week. I love the flat trajectory and that little bullet really hits with a smack. I use mine mostly for rock chucks and jack rabbits. Ranges to 150 or 175 yards = dead critter, over that and the wind starts making things interesting and less than a sure thing. I like to say that they pick up where a 22lr leaves off.

A Ruger 'RAR' Predator, or compact in syn stock.....can be very accurate, quick trigger spring change - ballpoint pen....and they do pack a bigger punch in 22 mag than LR.

If one is only hunting squirrels and rabbits to eat, a LR or 17 might be best, but the WMR has a bit of forgiveness in trajectory.

If I had to have 1 rimfire for hunting/killing, I'd use the 22 WMR, headshots save meat..FWIW.

Since the .22 MAG is a niche cartridge, if you don't know if you have that niche to fill, you should probably wait until it comes into focus.

I've had at least 1 .22 MAG around for over 50 years and I think that it would be hard to find a more useful utility rifle/cartridge combination to have around the camp/farm/ranch than a stainless Marlin 783/883/983.

I am a huge 22mag fan---wouldn't be without one--H&K 300 for a long gun and a Dan Wesson in a revolver--I went thru several long guns before I was happy --ruger,remingtom even a Kodiak but the H&K is my fav!
Had a real nice Taurus 22 mag--nice gun but I'm still more happy with the DW--2" thru 8" barrel sets.

I've got a Kodiak 260, the poster child for unreliable.

I really can't explain why I have a love affair with 22 magnums. I headshot a possum in a tree with one one day. It died right there. My bud with a 17 HMR put one center mass and you couldn't tell it had been hit. I did the same with my 22 magnum. We alternated until we had both hit it a few times. The 22 magnum really rocked that possum. The 17 HMR didn't budge it. In the real world, that means absolutely nothing, but I just like the way the old 22 magnum seems to hit hard. I have 3. My 10/22 magnum is oddly the most accurate. It LOVES 30 grain polymer tip bullets. It routinely puts 3 shots into 1/4 inch at 50 yards and 3 shots into less than an inch at 100. My 22/77 magnum shows a strong preference for 50 grain Federal JHP. It has delivered several 5 shot sub half inch groups at 50 and a number of one inch groups at 100. My American Predator likes Winchester 40gr JHP. It'll crowd MOA at 50 and 100.

My experience tells me that most 17 HMRs and Mach 2s are stupid accurate with just about any available ammo. With a 22LR you can probably find a few loads that shoot great, but you'll have to test quite a bit to find those. I don't think I have ever had a 22 magnum that would give outstanding results with more than one load, but I could always find one load the gun loved. Maybe it's because I quit trying once I found "the" load. It can take a good bit of testing to get there.

Had a Cooper 57 in .22wmr. 17HMR came out so I sent it back and had them rebarrel it to 17hmr.
The Hmr was slightly more accurate but I always wished I'd left it 22 mag. Traded it for an anschutz .22 mag that I later traded off for a 1710HB in .22 lr. I picked up an A-Bolt 22 mag and have had it for at least 10 years. Not as accurate as the Cooper or Annie but it's not going anywhere. Far right in the pic. Wish they'd made a mag in gold medallion to match my 30-06 and 22lr....

due to increasing hog populations in our area, when chasing squirrels i now pack around my .22mags more than 22LR...have killed hogs & 'yotes with various 22LR's, but the 22mag does considerably better for me when taking body shots on hogs & dogs.

most JHP loads are rough on squirrels if you like to eat 'em, but the various FMJ loads, as well as the CCI Gamepoint JSP (and the same load under the Fiocchi brand name) does not wreck 'em too bad. The federal 50gr HP also seems to not expand much on squirrels or bunnies.

Now this thread is getting some traction. Nice pics.

Damn those are some big squirrels

And some damn nice rifles!

Duuude, why do you do this schit to me? I was perfectly happy living amongst my 22LR’s and 17 hmr’s, then you gotta ask about a flip’n 22 mag...Aaahhhh!

I want one...😎

Are the Marlin's pure junk or a good bang for the buck?

How about the CZ American 457? I have a 452 American. It could be a sweet pair.

Sorry dude...Spring fever and I Loooooove .22 rim fires.

Got a 94/22WMR Deeeeeeeeelux about the time they went out of production, mostly just for grins. It shoots well. One of my "buddies" got to shoot it one day on the .50 yard line. 1/4" group of 3 he shot and begged me to sell it to him. Told him it was impolite to upstage someone with their own rifle and BTW, pack sand. Don't recall that I've shot it since. Haven't seen any T-Rex in the 'hood for a long time.

Another option might be a stainless synthetic CZ 455 American in 22 mag. Might be able to grab a new one for 350 or so. Might.

Over the years I've had a dozen .22 magnum rifles from Marlin, Ruger, Winchester, Mossberg, Savage and Ithaca. My Marlin 882 is by far the most accurate of the lot {sub MOA} but it's 29 years old and wasn't made by Remington.

The .17 HMR has it's place. May be more accurate and probably has a bit more range than the .22 WMR.

My 1717 Annie likes 17 gr. TNT ammo.

DF

at their price range, the Marlins are pretty decent guns, have 3 of them in 22mag, quite accurate.....i like 'em and also have several in .22LR. While they don't cycle as smoothly as my Kimber or Anschutz rifles, they do the job....i pack them around quite a bit when running trail cameras & checking feeders, etc on my farm, in case 'yotes or hogs or coons or something that needs shot pops up.

My Mossberg shows a preference for plain jane Winchester 40 grain and their 34 grain Supreme load.
Anybody else find the same?

Marlins tend to be pretty accurate, the one in the picture looks like an 882S with a 4-shot magazine.

I have a $150 XT-22VR that shoots better groups than many more expensive rifles. It shot fine straight out of the box, but I have to tinker with my firearms, so I polished the bore with JB's, disassembled/cleaned the bolt, and installed an MCARBO trigger spring kit. I like Marlin bolt action rimfire rifles, currently have 18 of them.

It would be nice if Anschutz made rifles in stainless, but they don't, so the options in the stainless bolt action rimfire niche look like Marlin or Savage.

Well of course you should!

I've got a Mossberg "CHUCKSTER", a Ruger 77/22 mag, and a Remington 597 22 mag. All are accurate enough and tons of fun. The Mossberg is a real good shooter and I imagine one could be picked up cheap.

I love the 17 HMR as well and have a few of them too.

You should probably own both!

I had a Mossberg chuckster years ago. It was plenty accurate but the bolt handle and scope grooves are too far forward. Makes it hard to operate the action from the shoulder and get a scope mounted back far enough so you don't have to creep the stock.

If you have to ask ... the answer is NO!

Search your feelings and you'll realize the answer is yes & a .22 Hornet

Yes, they have their downfalls and are far from my favorite but a solid budget option in my mind.

Every Mossberg rimfire I've had shoots WAY above its price.

There are a lot of cheap rimfires that shoot very well, but then you will have a cheap rimfire. I draw the line at CZ, below that I'm not too interested. Above that I dream about but never have actually pulled the trigger. Speaking of triggers, I will not own a rifle with any little lawyer blades sticking out of them.

As to the new CZ 457's, I have one ordered that should be here any day. In .17HMR - if it impress I may end up with another in 22LR. I would have to start shooting bigger vermin at shorter ranges to add a .22MAG. And/or start eating them - the 17HMR is pretty destructive.

if you insist on bringing 22 hornet to the party then I raise you 17 remington

My Marlin 917M2S is nearly as accurate as my Anschutz 1502, both are great tree squirrel rifles.

My Marlin XT-22VR is nearly as accurate as my Remington 37s and 40X, all four are great rifles for punching paper.

It doesn't seem logical to me for a person to ignore the opportunity to own an accurate rifle just because it is inexpensive. There are probably more inexpensive accurate rifles on the market now than at any time previously which seems like a good thing to me.

Id really like to hear about the 457. I want to get one in 17 hmr as well.

Nope.

Me and two other buddies took turns owning a Marlin 783 for several years. One of us would buy it from another, keep it a couple years or so and then one of the other two would buy it. I think we each owned it at least two or three times. Don't know that any of us actually shot it for groups it just always seemed to hit whatever we were shooting at. Finally one of the others was ready to sell when neither of the others was willing to buy so it left the family so to speak. After that I owned two different 77/22's that never really satisfied me accuracy wise. I couldn't find anything doing any better than about 1 1/2" at 100. The first one got sold and the second got converted to a 17HMR. When I went for another .22 mag I found another old 783.

When I first got it a few years ago I had a couple boxes of the Winchester 40 grn h.p. grey box ammo leftover. It shot them into just a little over 1/2" at 100 with a couple individual groups bettering that. During the shortage I couldn't find them anywhere. After the shortage I finally found and bought some from two different lot numbers. Both lots are over 1 1/4" three shot groups. The 50 grain h.p.'s are doing just under an inch fairly consistently.

thats the bind I'm in...

I want a 22 mag for a truck gun and then remind myself I have a win 43 in 22 hornet that I never put in the pickup... I fear loosing the magazine if I left it in the farm truck ashtray like we did with my dads Marlin

If you get a stainless Marlin 783/883/983 you'd have a hard time losing the tubular magazine and you can leave it in the truck 24/7/365 with little fear of rust.

Horse Hockey.....everyone should have a 22mag.....preferably a lever gun.

I guess I have to go find me a .22mag Lever gun!

Our state doesnt allow loaded guns in vehicles so Ive been thinking about a SS magazine version. One of them cost less than a factory magazine for my 43.

I grew up with a .22 Magnum Chuckster, then graduated to a .222, .222 Magnum, 6mm and now I'm back to a .221 Fireball. The problem being they are all a whole bunch louder than my peep sighted .22 Magnum Savage M24DL with the 3" 20 gauge barrel. If there is a more practical behind the door or just rambling around gun, I've yet to find it. Back when I started with a .22 Magnum we only had the Winchester 40 grain jhp or fmj bullets and honestly those two did everything that I needed done. Now we have a way better selection of 30-50 grain bullets that cover all the bases. MN. is probably a lot like WI. for varmints and farms and farmers only know what they hear and when my 6mm went off, I'm sure they thought I was shooting their heifers. WI. has had some pretty stringent rules about carrying a centerfire outside of the deer season months and my rimfire .22 Magnum is still a rimfire. My experience with the lighter bullets is that they wind drift more than the heavier ones though I've never owned a .17 anything or can even see it useful for what I shoot.

Considering the sheer number of oak trees in this part of the country - the squirrels around here are nearly 'market weight'..

I corn fed the gray squirrels on my back deck and they looked more like woodchucks. Then a new neighbor moved in that had a taste for squirrel stew and he cut into the population real badly. I miss seeing those big fox squirrels that we used to have. The red squirrels never get a pass, but those grays help liven up the winter and give the dog something to chase.

Ya never seen anything like it. damn near the size of a house cat.

In that case, you'd want a stainless 782/882/982. Marlin makes 2 different magazines for their .17HMR and .22WMR rifles in either blue or silver, a 4-shot and a 7-shot version. I prefer the 4-shot style because it doesn't extend very far below the bottom of the stock and doesn't get in the way when you're carrying it afield.

tzone,

I am a firm believer in owning plenty of rifles in as many chamberings as possible, so I vote yes on a .22 Magnum.

Have owned a bunch over the years, but one of the flaws of the .22 Magnum is that most vary widely in their ability to shoot different kinds of ammo accurately. There's a reason for this, too long to go into here, but if you find a .22 Magnum that shoots various kinds of ammo well, you have a very useful rimfire. Of course, you can determine which ammo a specific .22 Magnum really likes, but during the recent Obama shortages it was all but impossible to find some kinds of .22 Magnum ammo.

A .22 Magnum that shoots different kinds of ammo accurately doesn't have to be expensive. Blackheart already mentioned his Marlin bolt-action, and I have seen more than one Marlin that shot several kinds of ammo nicely. My present .22 Magnum is a Ruger American, and it also shoots just about anything. (Have also owned two Winchester 9422M's, and while both shot VERY well with the ammo they preferred, would also scatter shots into 3" or so with ammo they didn't like.) The Ruger cost me less than $200 at a local gun store.

The .17 HMR is also a favorite of mine, and they generally shoot just about any ammo accurately, and with the right bullet will perform many of the same tasks as a .22 Magnum. Many hunters make the mistake of using mplastic-tipped small-varmint ammo on larger and/or edible game, but .17 ammo includes a deep-penetrating 20-grain game bullet, as well as a FMJ.

That said, the bigger bullets of the .22 Magnum do tend to work better on larger animals,. and the right load can also do very well on smaller varmints. Generally I use a .22 Long Rifle or .17 HMR on the ground squirrels Montanans call "gophers," but last year a friend wangled us permission to shoot a local ranch for the first time. The owners, however, had a couple of rules: We could only use rimfires, but could not use .17 rimfires, because they firmly believe .17's ricochet more than .22 rimfires. The truth is exactly the opposite, but it's their ranch.

My friend brought a .22 Long Rifle, and I brought one too--but also brought the Ruger .22 Magnum, and a bunch of Hornady ammo loaded with the 30-grain V-Max. My friend was VERY impressed with the Magnum's performance, especially after I let him shoot it some--and the next week bought another RAR at a local gun store, which shot the same Hornady ammo just as well. With various other loads my Ruger also works great on those larger/edible animals.

Another virtue of .22 Magnums is they can shoot .22 Winchester Rimfire ammo. The .22 WRF was an 1890 attempt to increase rimfire power over the .22 Long Rifle. The gain wasn't much, the usual load a 45-grain hollow-point at around 1450 fps, but the slightly larger-diameter case was the basic for the .22 Magnum. Every once in a while CCI makes a run of .22 WRF ammo, and I picked up a brick 2-3 years ago. It shoots very well in my Ruger, and to the same point of impact as .22 Magnum at 50 yards, making the rifle even more useful.

I've got a Ruger American WMR (SS), too and it likes just about everything, 30gr. VMaxes, 40gr. CCI HPs, and the 50gr. Federals, too. The only sticking point is POI, which varies quite a bit between the three. No matter. I zero with the 40s and call it good. It's a fair to good shooter in warm weather. In colder weather, it's just common, nothing remarkable.

It's main thing is the handling, mine is short, light, and handy, like having a third arm. That alone makes it a pretty good little rifle, and a keeper.

Yeah, I have the compact RAR. Love the 18" barrel, very handy. I haven't tried 50's, glad to see the work, will order some.

I have the same one, shootin lil sumbitch.

It sounds like I'll have to give the American a look.

I just got a Ruger 96/22 magnum, that I am pretty impressed with. Very good shooter. Around an inch at 100.

Exactly right.. I tried about 5 different types/makers of .22WMR ammo and found just one that the rifle liked... Very common for the .22WMR..

Not an easy find!

No.

Spend the 22 mag money on a suppressor for your 223. You'll turn your 223 into a rifle quieter than a 22 mag, with much better terminal performance by comparison. Also, loading down a 223 to 22 mag levels works great, if you feel the need for that level of performance.

It's all personal preference (and a little 'snobery'). I'm at a point in my life where I'll pay a little more for refinements that are rare on inexpensive guns. Most of these refinements don't make them any more accurate but they do make me happy.

As to the 457, hopefully it will show up today. Would like to get it out this weekend and check it out.

Well, the pursuit of happiness is a foundation right of all Americans.

I agree that there is no question that the average Anschutz is more refined than the average Marlin, but if accuracy is the goal, the incremental increase in the accuracy potential of the Anschutz comes at a steep price.

Very few of the rifles that I shoot, or purchase with the intent of shooting, regardless of their cost, remain in the their factory specs condition for long, as I tend to tinker with my rifle and modify them to fit me and my needs. Some of my Marlins have been restocked with Boyds laminated stocks and most of the rimfire bolt guns have had some trigger work done on them. That said, I like the size and design of the Marlin 900 series synthetic stocks better than most and if it is an option, I prefer stainless to blued CM.

i picked up a couple Ray-Vin 22mag uppers on a whim. years ago had a 22m in something or the other that if you were in front of me you were safe. most inaccurate rifle i ever had. soured me on the 22 mag for years. what a loss in enjoyment!
the ar22mags i have will shoot 1 inch at 100 so regular it gets boring. i use them for ground squirrel control in the alfalfa fields.
have a young friend that uses the 17hmr for just about everything and kills stuff i wouldn't use a .223 on.
take your pick.

I've only got a coupla Garrow Hummers. Ray-Vin's are notorious,for shooting outta battery and he fully aborted 17 Hummer efforts. The Garrow locking lugs,are more than soothin'. Hint.



Have never seen a 22WMR begin to hang with 17 Hummer Precision...'course nobody else has either.(grin)

Hint...................

Mike's locking mechanism and gas system.








Hint................

Anybody use a 22mag semi auto? A buddy who chases coyotes is looking for one and likes the Ruger, but they are like hen's teeth and a hawks nest!!

I've got a couple of Remington 597s that I like to use for shooting called 'cats in tight cover.

I also have a Kodiak 260. It is among the least reliable rifles that I've ever owned.

Ruger 10/22 Magnums tend to be scarce and expensive. I had one that I converted to 17HMR, shot it a bit, converted it back to its original format, and then sold it for about 2x what I paid for it new. It wasn't any more reliable than the Remington 597s.

He wants/needs a Garrow Hummer.

Though I drive a Franklin 17 Whizzum too.



They are a piston gun.




582 Mils dialed on erector.



Mags ain't cheap,but they are rather well made and exceedingly robust.



It runs well.



Hint...................

I have a CZ 512 Tactical and a Kel-Tec CMR 30, both in 22 Mag. They both work well and are more than accurate enough for my uses.

My Clark Custom 18" LW barreled '77 Hummer,shoots a smidge...due the MacaMillion handle,RB trigger and MQ.




Though it pales to my Annie 54 1717D HB,chambered same.

You could not begin to fathom.

Hint...................

Anschutz 100yds.



Hint................

Like you "shoot" either. Hint LAUGHING!

Much to be said for an Anschutz 54 1717D HB,chopped to 20" and nestled in a Bob 75MOA 1913 extended rail,for 40 Mils of inclination,on the otherside of a 125yd zero. Hint.




Hint.




Blueing prep.



Complete.



Pardon my shooting it all and then some.

Hint.

Laughing!....................

Ooopsie...Kchunt Bitch Deleted her Post,about Long Range Rimfire.

What were the fhuqking "odds"?!?

Laughing!...............

Lil bitty scumsucker. 500yds

Which one you gonna grab? .17 or .22mag. Both guns being equally accurate...

Sweetie,

No 22WMR,can hang with Hummer precision.

Describe the wares you "use",to fuel such fhuqking STUPID queries.

Hint.

LAUGHING!.............

I like Savage.



LAUGHING!...............

Ooopsie!.................

Ooopsie!...............

Man them are some ugly fhuuccking guns.

It was a simle question as I've never shot either 500yds.. So in your experience in a 10 mph wind which of the 2 is most effected by the wind?

Plagiarism,is as close as you'll ever get.

Hint.

Laughing!.................

So in other words you don't know.

I shoot all of the wares you Dream about.

Hint.

Pardon my being afforded the luxury,of not being forced to guess............

So the day you took the .17 and the .22mag to the pond which one was most effected by the wind? Why flap your lips with BS?

I enjoy your Imagination and Pretend...fueled by your Brokedick ways.

Hint.

Laughing!...............

I'm happy to dangle slack on the rope. HINT.

Pick a Hummer(both are 18" LW's) and a 17gr 'Max.




Hint.

Laughing!.................

Just saying.



Hint.................

Purty quiet.

Hint.

LAUGHING!.................

It doesn't feel like my dick is broke.... Been close to breaking my dick hitting the ole' twitter on many occasion. Any who let us know how the 500yds .17 vs .22mag in a 10mph wind test goes..

Sweetie,

I set it on a Silver Platter and only someone as fhuqking STUPID as you,could botch same. Congratulations?!?

Hint..................

Purty quiet.

Hint.

LAUGHING!.................

No just worried about how all this will effect your your family.

Purty quiet.

Hint.

LAUGHING!.................

Magnum Research. They have a solid reputation for function and accuracy. This is my favorite model. If you piddle around on Gun Broker, you can see a lot of different models for sale.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/796206234

Most of what they have is too funky for my liking. They do have a few models that appeal to me.

https://shopkahrfirearmsgroup.com/m...rimfire-rifles/?sort=featured&page=1

Have not read the full post but do have a little used Ruger 10/22 Magnum and an early 9422 mag. Would let them go for a fair price but am not interested in giving them away. Not worth a darn with pictures but can do cell phone photos is someone is seriously interested. Please do not waste my time though. The only reason I still have these is I hate to go through all the hassle of selling over the net.

Does your 10/22 magnum have double extractors or single?

Folks will wanna know if the 10/22 spout is slip fit or threaded to receiver.

Hint...............

Single extractor. Stick, you will have to tell me what to look for on your question. Further info: there a a couple places with small dents in the wood. Safe Rash I assume. It has a cheap Simmons scope on it and does have an extra magazine. Serial # is 290-101xx, if that helps. Inherited from my FIL so do not know much about it.

Pull the stock and look at barrel/receiver juncture.

Slip fit.



Threaded will be readily apparent. The slip fit allows an easy in house rebarrel,buy the end user...where as a threaded juncture cain't. Typically,slip-fit "adds" value,due that avenue.

Hint...............

Stick, Appears to be like the one you show, so I am saying slip fit. How much would that affect the price, do you think? Many thanks for the help. Most appreciated.

That's subjective,but I'd personally not buy one that was threaded...............

Again, appreciate the help.

Good info. Thanks.

22 mag is one of my favorite calibers. It seems to punch way above its weight class. I love it for coyotes inside 100 yards. Very quiet with a silencer and accurate.

I hunt g-hogs with a savage 93 22 mag horn. V -maxs and ruger single six 5.5 22 mag cylind for the occasional close shots. I love that combination. I will try it on a coyote since I now have a electronic caller. I enjoy stalking the G-hogs to up the challenge.

You ever killed a thing with either a 17 or .22 mag. besides paper

It can be. Weigh out your needs and excus....errr...reasons to buy one.
Some things that motivated me:
Do you want to shoot SP/HP ammo with decent expanding bullets, at a price a bit cheaper than comparable (ie, not FMJ ball) .223?
Do your local hunting laws prohibit centerfires in some areas, but allow rimfire for varmints? (mine do)
Do you want more power/flatter trajectory than .22lr, and also don't want to bother to reload and pick up brass? (I reload, but am also lazy sometimes)
Do you have a .22 suppressor that can handle .22wmr but not .223? (This also was the case for me.)

If you haven't already bought a Ruger American also check out a CZ455. I bought mine, rationalizing that I could just get a .17HMR or .22lr barrel if I didn't like WMR. Then I bought those barrels anyway.

I have a Savage with an upgraded trigger. I wouldn't buy another Savage. The rifle is just cheaply made. I guess I got what I paid for.Mine is picky about ammo but shoots well with what it prefers. Enlarged hole with Fed 50 HPs at 50 yds 1" at 100 no wind. 30 gn bullets keyhole.
The state I hunt in only allows rimfires for hogs and predators on some of the public lands.
I squirrel hunted with it for a couple of years and it was good as long as you head shot them.
They work well on all kinds of varmints that need killing. Big step up in killing power from a 22lr.

Shoot refuced loads in your 223. Make it a 22 mag. 40-45 grain bullet at 1600-1800 fps is possible.

I have a 222 Remember (Sako A1 varmint). Shoots great with 12 grains 4227 and a 50 grain bullet.

I'd rather have a 22 Hornet ( CZ 527 American) than a 22 mag. Just to have the option to reload it.