I just came into possession of 25 acres in Southern VA and the county it lies within limits rifles to .22 caliber (thankfully, they did not specify rimfire only) except for a Spring/Summer season on groundhogs (it's a farming area).

I was thinking about a .22 WMR since I could get both revolver and rifle in that caliber, but then I thought, hey, there might just be something a bit better that I could use for both rifle and pistol. Any thoughts?

221 Rem Fireball...
22 Hornet...


What do YOU want to get?

Do they limit handguns to 22 cal? What do you plan to kill with them? If you can have big bore handguns I wouldn't limit my short-gun to 22 cal just because my long-gun had to be. JMNSHO.

I guess my first question would be exactly how tight are any of the neighbors residences/out buildings. 25 acres is plenty large, if you do have obstacles between your targets and any structures. I say this, as 22lr's and even mags can ricochette around like crazy. For safety sake (if an issue) a properly loaded centerfire with proper varmint bullets will never give you these problems. Bullets like TNT's or Varmint Grenades either kill or vaporize on contact with just about anything. Heck, I would take a 17hmr over a 22LR or mag. A hornet or Bee would be even better.

Craig

In VA there is no season on groundhogs and each county has their own regulations. If it is a county where it's illegal to hunt with rifles over .22 caliber then it's also illegal to hunt with handguns over .22 caliber. But it's ok to use a muzzle loader shooting a 44 caliber XTP at 2000 fps thus illustrating the stupidity of the VA DGIF Board members.

NO handguns at all for hunting. We'd carry one for varmints and snakes only.

I'd prefer something that I could get a wheel gun and a rifle in...I'm betting that .22 WMR is the only thing out there. I like the Henry levers and of course Ruger and S&W revolvers, so just didn't know off-hand if there is any other option out there.

I could go to single shot for both also in Contender I guess.

It's not DGIF, it's a county ordinance.

Here is a .22 Hornet wheelgun. Also there is Taurus's Raging Hornet 22 Hornet.

http://magnumresearch.com/Expand.asp?ProductCode=BFR22H10

dream the impossible and get a Jet- wheel gun and a 22centerfire

Magnum Research offers their BFR in 22 Hornet, and Taurus made a 218 Bee and 22 Hornet revolver, both discontinued.

No problem there, I have a SBH in .44 mag and a couple of 9's. We're both concealed carry permit holders, so we can carry anything we like.

I just thought it would be fun to have a wheel gun and lever gun in the same caliber.

I just also noticed that the VDGIF regs and the actual county ordinance do not match up perfectly. County says .22 cal, and VDGIF regs say .22 RF. What a pain.

LOL

I have had quite a few people laugh at me when I told them I was carrying a 7-30 Waters concealed. It fits great under my frock coat.

LOL

I have had quite a few people laugh at me when I told them I was carrying a 7-30 Waters concealed. It fits great under my frock coat. [/quote]

So does a 7.5" Bisley using a crossdraw slung over my head as a shoulder holster! I forget it's there.

(NOT my normal carry gun folks...only when hunting!)

I've a Henry in .22mag with the heavy octaganal barrel. That is a very nice little gun. Great fun and cheap to feed. If you haven't shot a Henry, give 'em a try, they really are nice.

I'm assuming your talking about hunting varmints and if so the .22 magnum works rather well.Yes there are bigger .22's that'll give you more range but within 100 yards the .22 mag. will put a hurt on critters.Shooting groundhogs , I couldn't tell the difference between my .22 Hornet kills and .22 mag. kills.The groundhogs might take a couple steps after being hit with both where my .22-250 anchors them on the spot,but who cares,dead is dead!

Yep. I think a Henry in .22 mag is in my future, and eventually, a Convertible Single Six.

I think my next varmint gun is going to be a Ruger single six as I already have my grandpa's ole Mossberg "Chuckster".

My vote is for the 22 Hornet... OK I confess that I may have a bias here as I have 3 Contender barrels for it. 10", 12" and 21"
It is great in that you can load it way down for quite loads or pump it up to full power for longer shots and larger varmints.

Price out 22 Mag ammo and then think of the savings on the 22 Hornet reloads. Not to mention the selection of bullets you will have available.

I have seen the Raging Hornet by Taurus and it looks like it could be fun. Me I'd take my Contender Pistol and Carbine.
I've shot the Hornet in NRA Hunter Pistol competition for years and will admit it is one of my favorites.

Ken TN