In some respect the Winchester Magnum Rimfire .22 WMR or .22 Mag has been overshadowed in recent years by the .17 HMR (Hornady Magnum rimfire). This is not really surprising given the statistics with muzzle velocities around 2550 fps the .17 is undisputed king of rimfire rifles when it comes to outright speed. The .17 is also liked by many police authorities as the 17 grain ballistic tipped round is less likely to ricochet than the .22 calibre rimfires. Speed however is not everything and in some respects work against the .17 as the combination of high velocity and the ballistic tipped head many this a devastating little round when it comes to carcass damage.

As most long range target shooters will tell you, it isn't muzzle velocity that's important, but the ability to buck the wind and carry energy is more important. Like many others I used to own a .17. I bought because of the impressive velocity and flat trajectory and let's be honest the ability to pop rabbits at over 150 yds is appealing to most of us. The problem I had with the .17 is that it is a noisy little round and if the wind is blowing it can be a little unpredictable to say the least. The other downside of the little .17 is the destructive nature of the 17gr ballistic tip and its propensity for excessive flesh damage on small game. The final nail in the coffin for me is its nasty habit of injuring Foxes even at relatively close range, because of the frangible nature of the 17gr head even a well-placed shot with a .17 can be deflected by a rib or break up on impact leaving a Fox with a horrible Flesh wound, none of this sits comfortably with me.

After owning the .17 for about a year I found that I had simply stopped using it, preferring to use other rifles most of the time. As cabinet space is an on-going issue and as the .17 spent its life permanently in the gun cabinet it had to go. Wouldn't it be nice to have a rifle which can be used to pop Rabbits well in excess of 100 yds with a round that wouldn't destroy them and also have the capability to humanely despatch Foxes should the opportunity arise? Well the rifle which replaced the .17 can and regularly does accomplish these things. If I could only have 3 rifles there is no doubt in my mind what calibres they would be, the .22LR zeroed for subsonic ammo is a must for everyone, add a .22 WMR and the .243 to the mix and I can accomplish 99% of my shooting needs. There are many appealing things about the WMR, its light enough to carry around for elongated periods and the ammo is cheap but what really makes it stand out from the crown for me is its all-round capability for humanely despatching all vermin and this is what makes the WMR the true general purpose rimfire.

There is a wide range of good ammo available for the .22 WMR typically ranging from 30gr to 50gr. The 2 rounds I really rate are the CCI Maxi-Mag HP +V and the Hornady 30gr V-Max. In my experience the CCI HP+V is better at bucking the wind but the V-max shoots marginally flatter. If you are looking for a competent all-round rimfire then the .22 WMR is the undisputed king of the rimfire calibres for me so if you are looking for an accomplished and confidence inspiring rimfire take a look at the .22 WMR you won't be disappointed.