Remingtion 597 .22 WMR - Yeh or Neh?

D

dhayes

New member
I am seriously considering the Remington 597 .22 mag for my night time coyote rifle. I will top it with a light force 170. Does anyone have anything good or bad to say about that rifle? I want a semi-auto and the law says I must use a rimfire at night.
 
I have one that I put a volquartsen hammer in that will shoot just over 1" groups at 100 yds. Some people have had trouble with theirs, I never have, (knock on wood). I have shot 2 coyotes with mine both under 100yds. Don't use it any more for coyotes as they run aways before expiring. Mine shoots the Winchester premier 34gr HP's the best.
 
i cant belive im saying this...but...you can still find ru--ruger (man that hurt) 22 mags around..there alot better then remington...MHO i can be wrong /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif but probuly not /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif...

Ryan /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif
 
I don't want to start an arguement, but I think 22mag is too small for coyotes, not matter what range. Yes, I know, there have been lots of coyotes shot with a 22 mag, but for ethical, clean kills, you owe it to the sport to shoot a round that will kill coyotes cleaner and more consitantly than a 22 mag.

That being said, I think the 597 in 22 mag or 17 HMR are a blast to shoot and great for small varmints, up to woodchuck. The first one I bought (17HMR) new shot poorly and had a lousy trigger, so I sold it. I bought a used one about a year ago and it is a real shooter.

Personal opinion.....I had bad luck with the BSA Sweet 17 scope I bought for the new one. The elevation turret stripped before I got it sighted in.
 
I have 2 597s a 17 HMR and a 22 Mag. They both shoot consistant groups once you get the ammo right.
The trigger is kinda nasty. I am a thinking to try the replacement trigger.

I killed a coyote with the 22 mag, I hit it about 5 times at 55 Yards and didn't find it untill 6 months later.

We got a coyote with a 17 hmr this year with a hit to the cabeza. I have since moved up to the 223 for the coyotes. IMO Neither 597 has the HP to consistantly take coyotes humanly.

I wwouldn't part with either 597, once I got them dialed in, the right ammo, the right scope, they are great for ground squirels.

Danny (Hayes)
 
Last edited:
Quote:
I don't want to start an arguement, but I think 22mag is too small for coyotes,



I'd much prefer to carry my .223 at night but the Michigan DNR says "nothing larger than a rimfire for night hunting"

I have been keeping my eye open for a ruger but the last one I saw sold for $625. I have a hard time paying that much for a rimfire...
 
I agree the .22 mag is too small, but it's all we can use in NC on Gamelands. I'd love a semi auto, since you have a bit more firepower than a bolt. Since shots need to be under 75 yards IMO, accuracy does not need to be perfect,just good enuff. If you can, get some Coyote Killer .22 mag stuff. It's potent (2265 fps with a 35 grain VMax) It's the most powerful I've found, but it costs something like $20.00 box of 50. You can find it under a websearhc for "Coyote killer". So yes to the Remmy 597 if it will shoot 3 MOA.
 
I have a 597 22 mag and consider it to be a decent rifle. Accuracy has been acceptable with anything I've shot.

Reliability/function has been excellent with the exception of the Winchester Supremes mentioned by someone earlier. The jagged edge of the hollow point has caused me a few failures to feed.

I need to get the Volquartsen hammer for mine to lighten the trigger pull and I won't have a complaint.

The big thing the 597 has going for it over the 10/22m is the size. If you're a fairly good sized man you'll appreciate the size of the 597 over the Ruger.

I don't have access to them right now but I believe I have links on my other computer which has a photo essay on installing the hammer and steel extractor, if anyone is interested.

Instead of the light V-Max type ammo I'd be real interested in trying out some of the heavier offerings that may be available. If I had to depend on it for coyotes (and I don't) that's what I'd look for.

FWIW, I keep a 597M right inside the house as a pest rifle. It has dropped five or six coyotes with a shot through the ribs using the standard Win 40 gr. HP's. at the 50 to 75 yard mark. I also got to watch a 125 yard one hunch up and trot off with what should have been a chest shot.

Good luck and I hope you can get that stupid law changed some time in the future.
 
Quote:

I don't have access to them right now but I believe I have links on my other computer which has a photo essay on installing the hammer and steel extractor, if anyone is interested.




Please post this info.
Thank you in advance

DannyH
 
If you want a good, let me restate that, great 22 mag autoloader......look no farther that the BRNO ZKM611, they were imported into the U.S. from I think 1994-2001 and are becoming very hard to find(as well as expensive anywhere from $500.00-$900.00 depending on condition). The guns are very accurate for a 22 mag with their hammer forged barrel, walnut stock, and very handy/comfortable to carry. I will post Pics of mine when I get time to take some!
 
What is the price for a volquartsen hammer?

While we are on the subject of .22 mags, I'm looking to buy one in excellent condition, and/or I have a .223 savage 12FV single shot available for trading (see classifieds) the price has been reduced.


"If you want a good, let me restate that, great 22 mag autoloader...."

I'm looking to buy a good (great) daytime hunting rife in .223, maybe a bushmaster predator, or a ruger mini 14 target. Either of these choices will be a ton of cash. So I don't want to spend alot on my night rifle. I will be buying the .22 mag 1st as I already own a .243 savage (but it's heavy for coyote hunting).

As far as my night time .22mag , I'm just looking for a fair priced, decent quality semi-auto. The 597 seems to fit the bill, and the blue barrel and black stock seem to match the night just perfectly.
 
i have one in the 17hmr lamanated stock and bull barrel.they say its to light for yotes but the seven i have killed with mine would have a diff story.the volquartsen hammer is they way to go.
 
a friend has the .17HMR and says it's the most accurate .17HMR he's fired.

I have been "looking" at these as well. Recently on another forum someone mentioned the Marlin .22 MAG auto-loader, but I don't want to hi-jack your thread here.

Let us know what you end up with and how you like it.

I use a .22 MAG for fox and coon here in OH and it does a good job. I use the Federal 50 gr.HP's. The Marlin bolt gun likes these the best.
 
I also use the fed. 50s in my savage 22 mag,they shoot very well.
and hit hard.velocity may be lower,but they make up for it in down range energy.
iblong.
 
I just traded my .223 single shot savage for a 597 22wmr and some cash. It's on its way!

Next on my list is a lightforce 170 and a volquartsen hammer

Night hunting starts Oct 15th here in Michigan

thanks for all your input everyone...
 
Back
Top