I was thinking how great it would be if you could get a 22LR round with a V-Max bullet. They have them for the 17HMR and 22WRM, why not make them for the 22LR? It would be great for critters and be quite accurate. Just a though. What do you guys think?
Sink a 100 grand or more of your own money in it.
At 1250 or thereabouts feet per second, the performance isn't there.
At $10+ per box, the market isn't either.
Then there is the tiny little problem of barrel diameter. The current rimfire bullet is the same size as the case, at .223, same as bore diameter. Centerfire .22's are mainly .224. Chambers would need to be larger to account for the wall thickness of the case. Bullet makers would otherwise have to spool up yet another set of machinery, in order to service what is pretty much a non-market.
It adds up to a resounding "ain't gonna happen anytime at all". Aside from the whining about the price, there would be no end of the guys that shot coyotes or whatever else with them, and then #####ed about the lack of performance from the bullet.
Get a .22 hornet, and reload for cheaper. Want a rim fire, get the Mag, or a .17. I'm pretty sure they don't believe in you either.
Cheers
Trev