Marlin's XT22M 22 Win Mag Part 2

I shot this rifle for a day or two, then for a week and then was never quite able to put it down. That’s saying a lot considering the number of competing rifles and cartridges currently on the market. So I will put everyone to sleep by sharing my thoughts…ZZzzz.

Pictured above, 22 Short, 22 Long Rifle and 22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire cartridges. At last count, there have been an even dozen full production worthy rimfire cartridges introduced between the 22 BB Cap of 1845 and the 22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire of 1959. Of these twelve cartridges, five have gone obsolete, unable to find a sustaining application. Two of these obsolete cartridges were early attempts at a magnum version of the 22 Long Rifle.

In 1880, 22 Extra Long arrived. It held six more grains of black powder than the 22 Long Rifle, however, when it made the conversion to smokeless powder the resulting velocity was the same as the standard 22 Long Rifle. In addition to the loss of performance advantage, the longer cartridge did not fit standard rimfire actions of the day, so a proprietary firearm was required.

The 22 WRF (Winchester Rimfire) was introduced with their 1890 pump action as an improvement over the 22 Long Rifle of 1887. Numerous manufacturers chambered for the 22 WRF, including Remington who branded the cartridge as the 22 Remington Special. With only a 100 fps advantage over the modern 22 long rifle, and with all associated rifles falling out of production, the 22 WRF went obsolete. Still very popular with collectors, Winchester was still making seasonal runs of this ammo through the late 1990’s.

The current 22 Winchester Magnum arrived ahead of a firearm in 1959, but was whole-heartedly welcomed by Ruger, Smith and Wesson and Savage with chambered handguns and rifles. Today, despite the erosion within the market caused by the 17 caliber rimfires, the 22 WMR is solidly in production with many varieties of ammunition types and virtually any company producing rimfire rifles, chambers for this cartridge. Why?

When comparing these cartridges, both the 22 Long Rifle and 22 Winchester Magnum operate at 24,000 PSI, however, with equal bullet weights of 40 grains, the WMR generates approximately 640 fps greater 24” barrel muzzle velocity. Most of this can be attributed to the magnum’s 9.3 grains of powder capacity, compared to 4.8 grains for the 22 Long Rifle. The 22 Long Rifle has a bore/groove diameter of 0.217”/0.222”. The 22 WMR bore/groove is 0.219”/0.224”. Some insight into why early 22LR/22 Mag convertible handguns lost some accuracy when used with 22 LR ammunition.

The 22 Long Rifle utilizes bore diameter soft lead bullets with a groove diameter driving belt or bands. The bullet’s heel is externally lubricated. The 22 Winchester Magnum bullet has a full groove diameter shank and is not externally lubricated. The Winchester Rimfire Magnum provides significantly higher velocity and kinetic energy than the 22 Long Rifle and it does so with bullets that will expand properly when used on small game and they will be stabile at longer distances.

 Magnum Rimfire Wars…

In 2002, Hornady introduced the 17 HMR (Hornady Magnum Rimfire) cartridge. A 17 grain bullet with a muzzle velocity of 2550 fps, the cartridge has a not insignificant 350 fps advantage over the 22 Winchester Magnum, which it holds onto even at 200 yards. The 17 HMR has half the drop at 200 yards as the 22 WMR, and it provides a few more ft-lbs of energy at the same range. It would seem that the 17 HMR would push the 22 Winchester Magnum into obsolescence, but that has not been the case.

This also wasn’t the case in 1969 when Remington’s 5mm (0.205″) Magnum challenged the 22 Winchester Magnum with it’s similar advantages. In 1969, the 22 Winchester Mag won out with a better performing bullet and because only Remington chambered a rifle for the5mm round. In 2002, the hype over the 17 HMR seemed to reignite interest in the 22 WMR, bringing many of those retired 22 Mag rifles back into service. Winchester’s introduction of their 17 Win Super Mag may have a far greater impact on the 17 HMR than the 22 Magnum by “splitting the 17 Mag ticket”. If speed is the compelling commodity for 17 Mag users, why not move up to the fastest? The 22 WMR would not seem part of the debate.

After initially moving to the 17 HMR shortly after its introduction, I came back to the 22 WMR within a year or so. During that same period, we also designed a few 17 caliber centerfire wildcats as a byproduct of that early enthusiasm. While the little 17 caliber initially demonstrated a significant edge, in both the rimfire and centerfire versions, too much attention to bore maintenance was required to keep the edge.

The 22 WMR is not a bore fouling cartridge, partially because of its larger bore size and partially because of its more moderate velocity, compared to the 17 HMR. Inside 125 yards, the degree of effort required to accommodate the WMR’s increased drop is more academic than practical. If more scoot were needed, the low report 22 Hornet would be next in line with a 35 grain bullet at 3100 fps, not the Win Super Mag as its velocity would just exacerbate problems associated with the 17 caliber bore.

Yeah, yeah. So how did the Marlin shoot?

Surprisingly quiet would come to mind first. Reliably, with positive feed and ejection and with a smooth bolt throw. The rifle looks… big, almost varmint rifle like, but it only weights 6 lbs. It is light to carry, light to hold in shooting position and easy to hold steady. Four types of ammo were tried –

The Marlin XT-22M is a terrific value, enough so that I bought it to help me with squirrel control and when I have a need for relaxing target practice. It’s light weight and easy handling will be a big plus when grandkids come to visit. Nice rifle. Good cartridge.