22 LR vs 22 WMR in revolvers

[Carl N. Brown]

There is very little gain in velocity with the short barrel NAA mini-revolver in .22 WMR vs .22 LR. My impression is the advantage in the NAA Mini is not any gain in velocity, but in the fact almost all .22 WMR cartridges will go bang, but .22 LR cartridges are more likely to have priming issues.

 

[MedWheeler]

Fiv3r writes:

I like the NAA and the .22 magnum enough that I am keeping my eyes open for a 4" mini master to use as a bumming trail gun for light walks when I feel like leaving the .357 at home.

I have a NAA Sheriff waiting for me for that very reason (and because I liked its name.) The selling FFL forgot to include its license copy, so my FFL is delayed in being able to log it through before releasing it to me, so I have to wait a few more days, I guess.

 

[MedWheeler]

Carl N. Brown writes:

..but in the fact almost all .22 WMR cartridges will go bang, but .22 LR cartridges are more likely to have priming issues.

I don't know if either is "better-primed" because both are rimfires, but the crimped case mouths on the WMR does make it less susceptible to moisture/humidity damage..

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I'm a huge fan of the 22 wmr, especially in rifles. It fills a niche between the lowly 22 LR and the Hornet, Fireball, Bee, etc, in my opinion.
In revolvers, the decision between LR and WMR depends greatly on barrel length (for me). I had a NAA mini in ..22WMR and the muzzle blast was brutal. My informal research led me to the conclusion that I was not gaining more than 50 to 75 ft per second over the same weapon (NAA mini) in 22 long rifle (and dreaded pulling the trigger!). I sold it and replaced it with the 22 long rifle version.
However, in a revolver such as the Ruger Single Six, with a five and a half inch or longer barrel, I'm thinking I'm gaining a substantial increase in velocity with the 22 wmr over the 22LR. (300-400 fps).
I've looked at the website, Ballistics By The Inch, and they're findings seem to mirror my thoughts.
I'll add that I've been on many a camping trip/hike with only a Single Six in 22 WMR and felt safe and secure. Of course, I'm in the piney woods of East Texas, and the biggest critter I would fear, other than a meth-head, would be a coyote or bobcat (maybe a hog).
What say, ye? Is the WMR worth the added expense and noise in a revolver?

---
My wife has and used to carry an NAA mini with the .22mag cylinder. Her reasoning was, NOBODY within a half mile was going to miss hearing that thing go off and call the cops. Better than any rape whistle out there.

 

[InTheField]

.22 mags (40 grain Super-X) from my 6 inch SW648 show a doubling of energy levels compared to my 6 inch sw35 .22 36 grain long rifle hollow points (1375 fps for 168 foot pounds vs 965 fps for 76 foot pounds), and a 10 to 20 percent energy advantage over .22 long rifle 36 grain hollow points from a RIFLE. My 4 inch sw651 mag and 3.5 inch 51 mag show similar to very slightly below the energy energy levels to .22 long rifle cartridges from a rifle (essentially the same). Tests were done over a chronograph on my home range and energy figures determined from the resulting velocities. Realize, the hollow point mags had a 9% bullet weight advantage over the hollow point long rifle bullets, helping increase resulting energy levels (it is not all about velocity). Yep, I like my mags!

 

[Antihero]

To give you an idea of the velocities between 22lr and 22wmr in short barrels

 

[WestKentucky]

Absolutely, but only in longer barrels. As mentioned, the gains are relative to barrel length, and are significant in a longer barrel. You go from woodchuck capable to coyote capable in a hurry simply by swapping cylinders. The difference is so significant in fact that I have seriously considered buying a second single action 22 with only the 22lr cylinder and leaving my RSS in 22 mag permanently. If I stumble across a cylinder-less RSS for a song it’s a done deal. The 22mag also seems more accurate out of every convertible gun as well but I can’t nail down the reason as the bores seem to be the same as other 22s.

 

[chicharrones]

View attachment 969689 View attachment 969690
To give you an idea of the velocities between 22lr and 22wmr in short barrels

I'd like to know what gun has that 4.6" barrel in that American Rifleman data.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I'd like to know what gun has that 4.6" barrel in that American Rifleman data.

---
The author doesn't say for sure but it seems likely to be a Ruger NMSS:

 

[CraigC]

The difference is so significant in fact that I have seriously considered buying a second single action 22 with only the 22lr cylinder and leaving my RSS in 22 mag permanently.

That's what I do. Rather than dealing with adjusting sights every time the cylinder is swapped, I dedicate a convertible to one or the other.

 

[doubleh]

I'd like to know what gun has that 4.6" barrel in that American Rifleman data.[/QUO

Chiappa probably. They made one with a fairly short barrel and probably still do. I bought one a few years ago for a plinker. Darn thing had a generous cylinder to barrel gap and anytime you shot it facing into the wind you got stung with hot powder particles, especially with 22 mag. Other than that it was a dandy plinker but I traded it off because of the gap thing. I will say this about the power difference between the two rounds. I shot a lot of caliche rocks with this little gun and the 22 mag was a much more effective gravel maker than the 22 LR.

 

[CraigC]

4 5/8" = 4.62" = Ruger.

Any Colt derivative will be 4¾".

 

[chicharrones]

Chiappa probably. They made one with a fairly short barrel and probably still do. I bought one a few years ago for a plinker. Darn thing had a generous cylinder to barrel gap and anytime you shot it facing into the wind you got stung with hot powder particles, especially with 22 mag. Other than that it was a dandy plinker but I traded it off because of the gap thing. I will say this about the power difference between the two rounds. I shot a lot of caliche rocks with this little gun and the 22 mag was a much more effective gravel maker than the 22 LR.

I wonder how much velocity was lost to that generous cylinder gap?

 

[dbluefish]

Need I say more?

Semper Fi

paul

 

[Antihero]

I'd like to know what gun has that 4.6" barrel in that American Rifleman data.

It's much more than my heritage difference wise. 1100ish for magnums and 1300 or so for stingers in mine

 

[NeroM]

Like 22 Mag, in a rifle. Also have a 22 Mag Mares Leg- it is great.
However in a revolver or short barrel pistol - not optimal and getting very expensive.
Retired 22 mag revolver, replaced it with 38 SPL.
Accurate, easier on my ears in the field, reliable on appropriate game.
22 Mag cartridges, if you can find the, run around 25 cents each.
38 SPL handloads about 20 cents with more power.

 

[3Crows]

The .22 magnum is more in a rifle and more in a revolver. More FPE, more velocity, better bullet, more bang and usually an impressive fireball from revolvers. Hornady has a Home Defense product that is loaded for revolver/pistol use but is fine in rifles also. I shoot .22 Magnum in a Winchester 9422M XTR and a stainless 5.5 inch Ruger Single Six. I have also found that the reliability of .22 magnum round is generally better than .22LR, at least bulk .22LR.

I want that Rock Island .22 Magnum 1911 .

 

[KevininPa]

Another big fan if .22wmr here.
View attachment 969553 .22mag cylinder installed on my SSS on this and many other mushroom hunts, woods walks and scouts. Then 22magnum is standard equipment for camping trips, atv, and horseback rides.

I am also convinced that. 22magnum is slightly more accurate than .22lr in my single sixes.

I had read somewhere that the barrels for the convertible SS is sized for the ever so slightly larger in diameter .22 mag. Ever since I had read I'm still wondering if my late fifties dedicated SS barrel is sized to the long rifle round.

Anybody else have input on this?

 

[jmorris]

It’s been a long time so I’d have to test again to give you numbers but using my single six going from 22 lr to .22 mag put the revolver about where a .22lr rifle was.

Couple that with the extra expense and noise and I imagine the .22 mag cylinder is touching the back of a safe in my house.

 

[CraigC]

The .22Mag out of a handgun is still 150-200fps over the .22LR out of a rifle.

 

[skoro]

What say, ye? Is the WMR worth the added expense and noise in a revolver?

I have a pair of 22LR revolvers, both 4" barrels.

My one 22WMR revolver has a 6" barrel. All are S&W; Models 17, 18 and 48.

That WMR has a lot more mustard than the LRs. In my book, it's worth it. Of course, your intended use is the deciding factor.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I had read somewhere that the barrels for the convertible SS is sized for the ever so slightly larger in diameter .22 mag. Ever since I had read I'm still wondering if my late fifties dedicated SS barrel is sized to the long rifle round.

Anybody else have input on this?

---
The SAAMI minimum specifications for barrel dimensions:

22 LR: Bore: 0.217 in / Groove: 0.222 in

22 WMR: Bore: 0.219 in / Groove: 0.224 in

...and for bullets:

22 LR: 0.2255 - 0.0040 in / 22WMR: 0.2245-0.0040 in

You can slug your bore but you will probably find Ruger splits the difference at 0.2180 in Bore / 0.2230 in Groove. They build strong guns and don't really have to worry about over-pressuring their rimfires with over-tight bores/grooves.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

I have three old Ruger Three Screw Single Sixes. I think 2 of them came with 22 Magnum cylinders, the one on the left and in the center. I'm pretty sure the one on the right only came with the 22 Long rifle cylinder, I'm not really sure at this moment and I am not going to dig them out of the safe right now to make sure. That should tell you right there how much I care about shooting 22 Magnums.






The 6 1/2" barreled one came with the box and some ammo, all ready to shoot. I probably shot some of the Magnum ammo at some time, don't really remember.






That's how much I care about shooting 22 Magnums in a revolver. I probably even have a box of CCI 22 Magnums squirreled away somewhere. Just not interested in shooting them. If I want more power I will grab a 38.

 

[Pat Riot]

I had read somewhere that the barrels for the convertible SS is sized for the ever so slightly larger in diameter .22 mag. Ever since I had read I'm still wondering if my late fifties dedicated SS barrel is sized to the long rifle round.

Anybody else have input on this?

---
The SAAMI minimum specifications for barrel dimensions:

22 LR: Bore: 0.217 in / Groove: 0.222 in

22 WMR: Bore: 0.219 in / Groove: 0.224 in

...and for bullets:

22 LR: 0.2255 - 0.0040 in / 22WMR: 0.2245-0.0040 in

You can slug your bore but you will probably find Ruger splits the difference at 0.2180 in Bore / 0.2230 in Groove. They build strong guns and don't really have to worry about over-pressuring their rimfires with over-tight bores/grooves.

GeoDudeFlorida beat me to it.

I used to have a Ruger Single Six convertible similar to a Vaquero. In .22 Mag it was fairly accurate. In .22LR it sucked for accuracy. I sold it and vowed never to by a convertible .22 again unless I was buying it for the .22 Magnum aspect of it. I have a dedicated .22LR revolver for that round.

Now, I do have an old H&R 686 that does okay in .22 LR but is really accurate in .22 Magnum (edited)

 

[paul105]

Haven't shot my 5 1/2" Freedom Arms M97 in a while. Did limited chrono/accuracy work early on. The .22 Mag cyl was consistently more accurate vs. the LR (limited testing).

Some chrono results:

Fed 36gr HP American Eagle .22 LR .............................. 1,058 fps avg
CCI 33gr HP CCI Stinger .22 LR ...................................... 1,297 fps avg

CCI 30gr TNT Max Mag .22 WMR .................................... 1,648 fps avg
CCI 40gr JHP .22 WMR .................................................... 1,404 fps avg

The M97



Paul