Major Sights
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Westlock, AB
What does it say on either the barrel or receiver of the gun. Then that is your answer.
(In other words: NO don't do that.)
(In other words: NO don't do that.)
.22lr in .22mag
- Thread starter Bryan
- Start date
I've chambered several LR revolvers to Magnum for the backpackers. Usually just 1 or 2 chambers. They end up with a lightweight revolver that they can carry lots of ammo for, geared mostly to emergency use. But between the LR and Mag the selection of ammo is huge.
Besides the fact that many rifles have been made that are marked ".22 Short, Long, or Long Rifle," any .22LR firearm can safely fire .22 Short or Long (which has the same case as LR). Whether or not a particular firearm will feed properly with them is another question.
When headspace is set by the case rim, case length is not critical for safe functioning. That anyone would think it unsafe to shoot .22 Short out of a .22LR chamber is astounding. Somebody better tell all those people that have been shooting .38 Special out of their .357s that they are doing something dangerous.
The rule that one should only use ammunition, for which the firearm is marked, is a general one that does have exceptions in a few special cases.
Besides the fact that many rifles have been made that are marked ".22 Short, Long, or Long Rifle," any .22LR firearm can safely fire .22 Short or Long (which has the same case as LR). Whether or not a particular firearm will feed properly with them is another question.
When headspace is set by the case rim, case length is not critical for safe functioning. That anyone would think it unsafe to shoot .22 Short out of a .22LR chamber is astounding. Somebody better tell all those people that have been shooting .38 Special out of their .357s that they are doing something dangerous.
The rule that one should only use ammunition, for which the firearm is marked, is a general one that does have exceptions in a few special cases.
Do I have to go back now and bold what is written in the brackets?
There is no problem with shooting a .22LR out of a .22WMR as long as you have a chamber adapter. You can buy these or make them. The easiest way to make them is to trim the rim off of a fired .22WMR case and carefully file the inside of it until a .22LR will slide in easily. Polishing the inside of it after you enlarge it will make it easier to extract the fired .22LR case as it expands slightly and will stick if the inside surface is rough.
I've done this in both .22WMR revolvers and .22WMR single shot rifles. The tricky part is to remove the chamber adapter after you are done. If it fits loosely enough, a boresnake going the wrong way will generally remove it. If it gets wedged in though, it can be really tough to get it out.
I've done this in both .22WMR revolvers and .22WMR single shot rifles. The tricky part is to remove the chamber adapter after you are done. If it fits loosely enough, a boresnake going the wrong way will generally remove it. If it gets wedged in though, it can be really tough to get it out.
Firearms safety is everyone's responsibility, period. Using a gun is inherently more dangerous than NOT using one, on that..we can all agree. However (and I've said this before in other threads)...if ever there was a firearms practice to be discouraged, it would HAVE to be looking at the data stamp on the side of the barrel and saying "AHhhh....think I'll do it my way...some guy on some forum said it might work. Now what was that adapter thing...? Screw it, should work". For the 1% of shooters who are on a collision course with the Darwin awards no matter what, is it not WAY, WAY better to say~LOOK AT THE DATA STAMP, USE THAT AMMO, PERIOD!
I think anything else (meaning any other "advice") is irresponsible quite frankly. This question pops-up in the rimfire forum frequently as though their relatively low power poses no risk. WRONG. Suggesting there is a way around the data stamp might plant the idea that it's OK in higher calibers. "Gee...can I shoot .223 in my 22-250~they both have a "22" in them..?"
If you own ANY gun that you can't find proper ammunition for, don't shoot it. It's an easier, no-fail, safe rule to follow.
I think anything else (meaning any other "advice") is irresponsible quite frankly. This question pops-up in the rimfire forum frequently as though their relatively low power poses no risk. WRONG. Suggesting there is a way around the data stamp might plant the idea that it's OK in higher calibers. "Gee...can I shoot .223 in my 22-250~they both have a "22" in them..?"
If you own ANY gun that you can't find proper ammunition for, don't shoot it. It's an easier, no-fail, safe rule to follow.
I don't mind. At least anyone new to guns can rest comfortably knowing that on CGN, at least 3 guys will correct you if you appear to state something factually incorrect...so if you're seeking advice here you can be sure what you get is quality.
Some have stated that shooting a 22 LR round in a 22 WMR would be inaccurate.
While I would never recommend one shoot a 22LR in a Magnum chamber, the bore sizes are close enough, and the 22LR bullet would probably upset enough to seal the bore.
This is certainly evidenced by the Ruger, S&W and other "convertible" revolvers, which come with two cylinders, one for LR one for WMR.
I have a S&W Model 48, and it is quite accurate with either type of ammo, when fired out of this revolver. [Of course, I use the proper cylinder]
Regards, Eagleye.
While I would never recommend one shoot a 22LR in a Magnum chamber, the bore sizes are close enough, and the 22LR bullet would probably upset enough to seal the bore.
This is certainly evidenced by the Ruger, S&W and other "convertible" revolvers, which come with two cylinders, one for LR one for WMR.
I have a S&W Model 48, and it is quite accurate with either type of ammo, when fired out of this revolver. [Of course, I use the proper cylinder]
Regards, Eagleye.
mudgunner49
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
OK, I've got to chime in on this. I fully understand that all these folks who say "what is on the barrel only" and why they say it, and generally abide by that myself, but there is some real silliness on here also.
As a disclaimer, I've been shooting avidly and extensively for 40 years and handloading for almost as long. I bought my first handgun over 30 years ago and purchased my first .22 from a hardware store in NB as a minor (with Dad's consent) before the advent of the FAC. Not as long as some one here but as long or longer than most.
Simple physics tells us that if a chamber/barrel will contain the pressures of the WMR then the lower pressures of the LR should be no problem at all. So what's the weakest link??? The cartridge casing of course - the case is merely a gasket that seals the chamber (rear of the barrel) against gas leakage. It stands to reason that if the gasket can't seal completely there will be gas passing it and exiting the barrel.
Obviously, at high pressure this is dangerous and potentially harmful. In the case of the LR case letting go there's usually enough to give the shooter a face full of hot gas and powder residue, maybe some brass particles.
Will the LR case split?? Almost always. Is the rifle going to "blow up"?? Highly doubtful - pics or it didn't happen.
Having said all of this, I have fired LR thru the WMR cylinder in several of my Ruger six-guns with no ill effect and accuracy was still pretty good (3-4" at 25m). I even gave it a try thru my 77/22 Mag and a Savage 83-something. Sorry to disappoint those predicting catastrophe but I have no pictures of a destroyed rifle to show, merely a somewhat fouled chamber and some marginally split casings.
Should you do it?? Of course not. Could you if you "had" to??? In all honesty - absolutely.
* no puppies, kittens or baby wallabies were harm during the testing described herein...
As a disclaimer, I've been shooting avidly and extensively for 40 years and handloading for almost as long. I bought my first handgun over 30 years ago and purchased my first .22 from a hardware store in NB as a minor (with Dad's consent) before the advent of the FAC. Not as long as some one here but as long or longer than most.
Simple physics tells us that if a chamber/barrel will contain the pressures of the WMR then the lower pressures of the LR should be no problem at all. So what's the weakest link??? The cartridge casing of course - the case is merely a gasket that seals the chamber (rear of the barrel) against gas leakage. It stands to reason that if the gasket can't seal completely there will be gas passing it and exiting the barrel.
Obviously, at high pressure this is dangerous and potentially harmful. In the case of the LR case letting go there's usually enough to give the shooter a face full of hot gas and powder residue, maybe some brass particles.
Will the LR case split?? Almost always. Is the rifle going to "blow up"?? Highly doubtful - pics or it didn't happen.
Having said all of this, I have fired LR thru the WMR cylinder in several of my Ruger six-guns with no ill effect and accuracy was still pretty good (3-4" at 25m). I even gave it a try thru my 77/22 Mag and a Savage 83-something. Sorry to disappoint those predicting catastrophe but I have no pictures of a destroyed rifle to show, merely a somewhat fouled chamber and some marginally split casings.
Should you do it?? Of course not. Could you if you "had" to??? In all honesty - absolutely.
* no puppies, kittens or baby wallabies were harm during the testing described herein...
I have done this and it works, very tedious though. Not really any practical purpose, more just to see if it could be done.
Yes, I have done it....once.
The gun fired, bullet travelled through the barrel. No big deal.
However, the .22lr case expanded a little bit. I wont do it again.
You can try it, but I dont recommend it.
BUT NEVER SHOOT A .22WMR in A .22LR GUN !!!!
.22wmr is .223 calibre, while the .22lr is. 222 calibre
The gun fired, bullet travelled through the barrel. No big deal.
However, the .22lr case expanded a little bit. I wont do it again.
You can try it, but I dont recommend it.
BUT NEVER SHOOT A .22WMR in A .22LR GUN !!!!
.22wmr is .223 calibre, while the .22lr is. 222 calibre
mudgunner49
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
You can't - because it won't fit...
