S&W model 17

[wild willy]

The biggest issue with a 22 Magnum is that the bore size is different than that of the 22 Long Rifle. That’s the issue …

If you have a rifle, or pistol/revolver, with the correct bore size for the 22Mag cartridge, a 22 Magnum can be great!

That is the biggest issue with the Ruger ‘Single Six’ 22LR/22WMR ‘Convertible’ revolver with the extra cylinder … it’s a 22LR bore.

Are you sure about that I’ve always heard the Single Six convertibles were .224 that .22 Magnum size

 

[ontarget]

I'm still not sure I believe all the hoopla about different bore sizes for SSs and the convertible models.
I'm guessing that any difference in bore size between 22lr and Mag is probably still within the specs for the other.
And knowing that Bill Ruger was all about producing his guns the most efficient and most cost effective ways he could, I just don't see them producing and keeping in inventory 2 different barrels to screw into the same frame that are both within the +/- spec of each other.
I have nothing but my own opinion to back that up, but it's how I think.
A match grade revolver/pistol may be a different story, but we're talking about a plinker here.
ETA the model 17 and model 48 are 2 different revolvers so I could see them having specific bore differences.
However, the model 48 was made in a convertible configuration with a 22lr cylinder. I know where one is for sale right now if any of you are interested.
I just laid eyes on it today.

 

[Riomouse911]

I'm still not sure I believe all the hoopla about different bore sizes for SSs and the convertible models.
I'm guessing that any difference in bore size between 22lr and Mag is probably still within the specs for the other.
And knowing that Bill Ruger was all about producing his guns the most efficient and most cost effective ways he could, I just don't see them producing and keeping in inventory 2 different barrels to screw into the same frame that are both within the +/- spec of each other.
I have nothing but my own opinion to back that up, but it's how I think.
A match grade revolver/pistol may be a different story, but we're talking about a plinker here.
ETA the model 17 and model 48 are 2 different revolvers so I could see them having specific bore differences.
However, the model 48 was made in a convertible configuration with a 22lr cylinder. I know where one is for sale right now if any of you are interested.
I just laid eyes on it today.

And also the S&W Model 53, in .22 Jet. A convertible in Jet and .22 LR were for sale locally. I have also seen .22 Jet/.22WMR combos with different cylinders rather than the Jet chamber inserts.

Stay safe.

 

[Lefty38-55]

I'm still not sure I believe all the hoopla about different bore sizes for SSs and the convertible models.
I'm guessing that any difference in bore size between 22lr and Mag is probably still within the specs for the other.

Bore size for the 22 Mag is 0.224" while the bore size for the 22LR is 0.223". Yes, that's not much, but remember that the chamber size and more importantly, the relation of the chamber mouth to the bore is extremely critical. I've never been a fan of any 'early' Ruger barrel and found them the poorest of any of the large arms makers, however they do seem to have stepped up their game in the barrel area as of late (I feel due to the pressure of Savage coming on strong) as I have a RPRimfire that shoots lights out.

So yes, it could be combination of ... being a Ruger, with a 'just OK' mfg'd barrel of one bore size for 2 calibers, along with sloppy chambers that made the inherent accuracy of one or either caliber to be well, ... sub-par. All I know is that any friend who had the Ruger S-S convertible always complained about accuracy of one round or the other, maybe both.

With that said, there are many other instances out there of other Manufacturers shipping out one barrel size for 2 calibers. A recent notorious example was RIA sending out some 9mm 1911s with a 38 Super barrel. With jacketed bullets, any such bore difference is even worse; as the 1911 I got in 9mm wouldn't hold one minute of barn door! Seriously, 1-2' groups @ 50 feet! Yet after complaining and complaining and finally getting a new/correct '9mm' barrel from them, it would then print 2" groups or better.

 

[ontarget]

Bore size for the 22 Mag is 0.224" while the bore size for the 22LR is 0.223". Yes, that's not much, but remember that the chamber size and more importantly, the relation of the chamber mouth to the bore is extremely critical. I've never been a fan of any 'early' Ruger barrel and found them the poorest of any of the large arms makers, however they do seem to have stepped up their game in the barrel area as of late (I feel due to the pressure of Savage coming on strong) as I have a RPRimfire that shoots lights out.

So yes, it could be combination of ... being a Ruger, with a 'just OK' mfg'd barrel of one bore size for 2 calibers, along with sloppy chambers that made the inherent accuracy of one or either caliber to be well, ... sub-par. All I know is that any friend who had the Ruger S-S convertible always complained about accuracy of one round or the other, maybe both.

With that said, there are many other instances out there of other Manufacturers shipping out one barrel size for 2 calibers. A recent notorious example was RIA sending out some 9mm 1911s with a 38 Super barrel. With jacketed bullets, any such bore difference is even worse; as the 1911 I got in 9mm wouldn't hold one minute of barn door! Seriously, 1-2' groups @ 50 feet! Yet after complaining and complaining and finally getting a new/correct '9mm' barrel from them, it would then print 2" groups or better.

You may be right about rifles such as the RPR. I was talking about SS revolvers which are not intended to be precision shooters, but utilitarian side arms used by most people as plinkers. I doubt they hold SS barrels to tolerances measured in ten thousandths.

 

[bangswitch]

Bore size for the 22 Mag is 0.224" while the bore size for the 22LR is 0.223". Yes, that's not much, but remember that the chamber size and more importantly, the relation of the chamber mouth to the bore is extremely critical.

With that said, there are many other instances out there of other Manufacturers shipping out one barrel size for 2 calibers.

The S&W M48 is like this. Nominal caliber is the .22MRF, but there was a .22LR cylinder and yoke available for it. I don't have the .22LR cylinder for my M48-4, and frankly have only seen a couple on forums. I don't know how the accuracy varied using .22LR in the .22MRF barrel.

 

[wgp]

The 17 is a fine gun. I prefer it to my Colt .22 Diamondback.
In a .22Mag, save up for the Smith 48. They are not cheap but from what I've seen and read they are the best of the .22 mag revolvers. I have a 4", let a 6" get away. Also have a Savage .22 mag rifle and it's so accurate. I don't find any particularly offensive muzzle blast and while they aren't a .45, they do deliver more power than the .22LR and I like that.

 

[Lefty38-55]

The 17 is a fine gun. I prefer it to my Colt .22 Diamondback.

Hot dayum, that Diamondback in 22 is worth some $eriou$ cha-ching $$!

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Very nice! I picked up a 1951 K-22 in the box with tools in January 2022. I added the grip adapter.




And a Model 18-3. The stocks are Herrett's.

 

[James K2020]

Ks are hard to beat.

 

[GooseGestapo]

More important on a revolver than slight differences in bore diameter is the throat in the cylinder. A too loose throat will cause the .22lr slug to excessively obturate and then be misshapen hitting the barrel forcing cone diminishing accuracy. Likewise too tight and the bullet is under sized entering the forcing cone.
Ruger has been notorious for mis-sized forcing cones.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

More important on a revolver than slight differences in bore diameter is the throat in the cylinder. A too loose throat will cause the .22lr slug to excessively obturate and then be misshapen hitting the barrel forcing cone diminishing accuracy. Likewise too tight and the bullet is under sized entering the forcing cone.
Ruger has been notorious for mis-sized forcing cones.

Slow-fire shooters would mark each cylinder charge hole to determine which one produced the best groups and then only load that one, lol. The practice lead to the creation .22 singles like the Colt Camp Perry and H&R USRA model.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I'm still not sure I believe all the hoopla about different bore sizes for SSs and the convertible models.
I'm guessing that any difference in bore size between 22lr and Mag is probably still within the specs for the other.
And knowing that Bill Ruger was all about producing his guns the most efficient and most cost effective ways he could, I just don't see them producing and keeping in inventory 2 different barrels to screw into the same frame that are both within the +/- spec of each other.
I have nothing but my own opinion to back that up, but it's how I think.
A match grade revolver/pistol may be a different story, but we're talking about a plinker here.
ETA the model 17 and model 48 are 2 different revolvers so I could see them having specific bore differences.
However, the model 48 was made in a convertible configuration with a 22lr cylinder. I know where one is for sale right now if any of you are interested.
I just laid eyes on it today.

If you ever see a box of modern jacketed .22WRF, you'll see it says "For rifle only" because the old Colt revolvers all used the same barrel as the .22 LR guns. At the time, the WRF loads used lubed lead bullets just like the Long Rifles. Modern rounds can lose their jackets in the bore and cause all sots of problems. Since the WMR is just a longer WRF, I can see the same issue arising if they use the tighter LR- spec bore. Im assuming anyone making a modern convertible will err on the side of caution and accept slightly less accuracy from shooting LRs by only using a Magnum barrel.