I have an old 1890 .22 i picked up last year. Its chambered in .22 WRF rounds and I was able to get my hands on some new CCI rounds. The issue is they're too wide towards the base and don't chamber. Bit of an outdated cartridge but was hoping someone may have some insight. TIA.
Model 1890 Winchester 22WRF
- Thread starter FatForLyfe
- Start date
- Location
- Western Manitoba
Not sure this is any help to you - go here - https://saami.org/wp-content/upload...1-R2026-Rimfire-FINAL-Approved-2026-05-08.pdf
The 22 WRF is on page 17; the 22 WMR is on page 18. Upper drawing is showing the cartridge - lower drawing is showing the chamber and start of the barrel - note that 22 WRF uses different diameter bullet than does 22 WMR. A friend has a .22 WRF - he had a very hard time to find proper ammo for it - I have several 22 WMR rifles - even local Canadian Tire has ammo for that.
- Location
- Western Manitoba
If you are finding an old rimfire rifle hard to chamber - maybe get a good look at the inside of the chamber - a clear view of it - shine a flashlight in there - best with a bore scope, but your eye should be fine for this. Chamber walls should be shiny like a mirror - some will claim they should have very fine "cross hatch" but I have never seen that - no crud or crap stuck to walls. Depending what has been fired in it previously, the "shiny" should likely extend all the way to the start of the rifling. There is a thing about carbon deposits - can occur from using proper ammo and never cleaning it - can also occur by using smaller than "normal" rounds. Something to check, anyways.
The firing pin might be striking the entrance of the chamber, when this happens metal is pushed into the entrance impeding the new cartridge.
Do not file the metal, the proper way is to swage the metal back into place. Tools are available or your gunsmith may have the tool on hand.
Do not file the metal, the proper way is to swage the metal back into place. Tools are available or your gunsmith may have the tool on hand.
