Marlin 983S 22mag

[Smoke-um if you got-um]

I have absolutely "0" experience with 22 magnums. I've fired countless thousands of 22 LR,L,and shorts since I was a kid in a multitude of rimfire rifles and pistols but have fired "0" 22 magnums. I won this rifle in a raffle today and would like to know if anybody has any pro's or cons, ammo preferences, accuracy tips etc..... Just for the record ,I'm not a novice and have extensive training with rifles,handguns and shotguns, I just have no experience with 22 magnums of any kind.
Any thoughts would be appreciated..............
Thanks, Mike

:cbpour:

[Arisaka99]

Well, magnums are moreexpensive than LR. They are going faster, and they are bigger, does that help any? I am no expert by any means, just figured I'd pass on what I knew.

[9.3X62AL]

I had a predecessor variant of your rifle for some time, the Marlin 783. Mine was not quite as accurate as many bolt 22 LRs, but still was quite useful on varmints to 125 yards. 22 LR on little critters gets a little weak and starts taking a dive at 75 yards. I put a cheepie 3x-9x on the 783, and the rifle would hold about 1.5"-1.75" at 100-125 yards. Once I got the 25-20 WCF on board, the 22 Mag rifle went down the road.

[Combat Diver]

I also had a 783 for nearly 20 yrs before I traded it (dummy!). Rifle would hold 1" at 100yds with a Simmons 2.5x scope firing Winchester 40 JHP or FMJs. There's a lot of newer loads out now so try a few to see how they shoot.

CD

[Smoke-um if you got-um]

Thanks guys,
Did any of you do any accuracy tricks to get them to shoot or use them right out of the box? I know I'm sounding like a complete know nothing but I promise you in center fire rifles I have a fair amount of knowledge. It just made me realize how little I know about rimfires in general when I won[smilie=w: this rifle.......... Truth is I considered using it as a trade toward something else until I decided I would use it as a learning experience.
Thanks,Mike

[Combat Diver]

I got mine used and never did anything to it, except scope it.

CD

[9.3X62AL]

What Diver said. My rifle liked CCI soft-point ammo best. R-P didn't shoot worth beans, and W-W was between those extremes. Buy 50-100 of several ammo makes and types, see what runs best before dropping a bunch of money on a given type. Just like 22 LR, really--you're subject to ammomaker's QC and specs.

[Smoke-um if you got-um]

I was looking at 22 mag. ammo today and did not realize they were now using the v-max bullets in some loads. Made some really nice looking rounds. Appears they may be excellent for groundhogs,crows,feral cats etc.
I appreciate the responses I've received.
Thanks,
Mike

[ReloaderEd]

V Max Hornaday bullets are more accuract the the standard 22 mag bullet. be safe