Recommend accurate .22LR/mag revolver?
I am looking for an accurate but not super expensive revolver in .22LR and/or .22mag. I want it as a plinker but also to hunt squirrels oln occasion. I have been looking at the Ruger Single Six but they cost a little more than I would like to pay for a plinker. Also I heard they are not that accurate. Any other suggestions? Thanks.
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Dan Wesson
Smith 17
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One of the old H&R's would work great. 0 -
I can't think of any that are cheaper than the Ruger. 0 -
As I'm sure you know (but I can't help explaining anyway [:I]), the barrel diameters are different for each cartridge.
.22 LR bullets measure .223, chambers are .222; .22 Mag bullets are .224, the chambers 223. Ergo, on a combination revolver (e.g., Ruger Convertible), even though you'll have a cylinder for each caliber, the barrel is bored for the .22 Magnum, and the .22 LR won't be as accurate in a combination firearm as it would in a revolver .22 LR sole-chambered (e.g., Ruger Bearcat).
The previous posters have all suggested .22 LR revolvers. I concur. My most fun .22 revolver is my Smith 18, but @ 4" vs. Mdl 17 6" barrel, the 17 would be more accurate. And if you find a good buy in the auctions, it'll maintain its value for, like, forever.0 -
The Rugers will stay on a minute-of-ground-squirel at any reasonable range and are about as strong and robust as you can get. The S&W M-17 is a beauty and usually more accurate, but is going to cost considerably more. 0 -
I'd say the Smith 17 is basically the gold standard in .22 revolvers.
Last time I was at the range with mine I was consistently hitting an 8" steel plate. . .at 100 yards. (It did take a few shots to figure out how high to hold it!).
Unfortunately, the Smith .22s aren't cheap, but on the other hand, they will never go down in value, and will effectively last a lifetime. Its also probably the last .22 revolver you'll need to buy, so consider that too.
Short of that, your choices are pretty limited. Ruger is the only one in a "name" brand that won't break the bank (eg like Colt will).
Dan Wessons are good. . .if you can find one, but they're not that cheap anymore. Taurus is out there. . .personally I wouldn't. I'd also stay away from the zinc-alloy framed guns (EG Heritage, Herbert Schmitt, etc). Charter arms has a 4" .22LR with adjustable sights that could work here, though its not going to be as good as a Smith.
On magnum vs LR, in my opinion, you don't need .22 magnum for a plinker. Tin cans don't know or care if they're being hit with a 5 cent .22LR vs a 25 cent .22 magnum.
While .22 magnum makes a lot of sense from a RIFLE, and especially if you want to hunt things bigger than squirrels, I'm not sure how helpful its going to be for just squirrels.
At the 30 yards or less you're probably going to be taking a shot at it with a revolver, I don't think a 1.5 lb squirrel is going to be able to tell the difference if its hit with a quality .22LR vs. a .22 magnum. The limiting factor is probably going to be your ability to connect, not the ballistic power of the round.
Lastly, its my understanding that all current production Ruger revolvers (whether the gun itself is convertible or not) come with the .224 barrels to save on manufacturing costs.
While nominally the .22 magnum rounds are .001" wider, and in theory, therefore these guns should be less accurate with .22LR bullets, I think if you went out and measured them, in practice you'd find quite a bit of variation in the diameter of the actual .22LR and .22magnum projectiles (let alone guns). Consequently, even with the wider bore, you may still be able to find a type of ammo your particular gun does well with.0 -
Ruger Single Six not accurate? I've owned several and they were all as accurate as I could expect. All of mine were older 1970's/80's models. 0 -
Don't forget about the Colt Peacemaker. 0 -
Also, the Colt Diamondback.
My Ruger S/S in stainless with a 6 1/2" barrel was bought in 1979 gets 4" groups at 25 yds in either 22LR or 22mag so it never gets shot.
Why a revolver? It's not like you are going to reload the cases. Have you considered the Ruger or Browning auto's? I feel you would have better luck in getting an accurate 22.0 -
There is really not much gain, if any from a 22WMR out of a barrel, that is shorter than 16 inches. Especially in a revolver. That said, it is my reccommendation you stick to something specifically in 22LR. However, that is not to say that the Ruger Single Six is not accurate. It is plenty accurate, and the most reliable one you will get for the money. Yes, there are copies, but all you are doing is investing money, that you will not be able to get back, from the no name brands...That includes Taurus on the noname brand list too.
If the Ruger is above what you want to spend, then there is probably not much sense in listing the Colt Scout, or Colt Diamondback, the S&W models 34, 63, 17, or 617, or the Dan Wesson's.
Best
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KYD,
I have two of those Bearcats...an older one, and a newer SS one. Love them for what they are.0 -
I.ve taken gound hogs out to 50yds. with my Ruger S-^ with the 22mag.
Used it for squrials out to 25yds.
Accurate enough for them [;)]0 -
+1 on what Tim said. If you want to get a USED revolver, keep in mind that the Smiths and Colt's , even recent production, are going to be more collectible than a concurrent Ruger. So, the offshoot of that is a used Smith or Colts will likely always be more expensive in whatever used category than the Ruger. In other words, the Smiths (like the aforementioned 17)and Colts will still be relatively expensive on the used market compared to the ruger, and a used Ruger (in nice shape of course) will likely reprpesent a better "value" that the others as they do not appreciate in the collectors market as much. I think I would look for a really nice older non collectible( meaning NOT some rare variation) Bearcat in 22 LR only. I have really fond memories of shooting a buddies when we were kids...one of the best 22 revolvers I've ever shot; it's either that or my eyes were that much better in those days! Best in your search. 0
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