Rifleman Q&A: .22-Cal. Cartridge Compatibility

by
posted on July 8, 2022
.22-Cal. Cartridge
.22 Winchester Rimfire shown above (l.) next to the .22 Long Rifle cartridge (r).
Photo by Christopher Olsen

Q: I own a Winchester 1890 in .22 Winchester Rimfire and a Model 62 in .22 Long Rifle. Will a .22 LR fit in the WRF chamber and fire without danger to the firearm and user?


A: With few exceptions, it is generally never advisable to attempt to chamber or fire any sort of cartridge other than that for which the firearm is designed and hopefully for which it is marked or otherwise indicated. The exceptions typically include those situations involving a “family” of cartridges, usually straight-walled and headspacing on a rim, where the difference between cartridges is primarily only a matter of case length. It is usually acceptable to fire the shorter cartridge in the chamber for the longer sibling. Examples would include: .38 Spl. in a .357 Mag.; .44 Spl. in a .44 Mag.; .32 S&W in a .32 S&W Long; .45 Colt in a .460 S&W Mag.; .22 WRF in a .22 WMR; and .22 Short and Long in the .22 Long Rifle.

In the case of .22 LR and .22 WRF, the dimensional differences include not only case length but both rim and case body diameter. The .22 LR cartridges will fit loosely in the .22 WRF chamber and rim recess, but they will usually be held at the rim so that attempting to fire the round will usually be successful. Because the small case is largely unsupported, however, it will expand within the limits of the larger chamber, usually splitting from end to end, releasing gas and byproducts of ignition by any avenue available within the firearm, potentially causing harm to the shooter, bystanders and perhaps the gun itself. Removal of the split case from the chamber can also prove to be problematic.

—John W. Treakle, Contributing Editor

Latest

Rem700 Partsview
Rem700 Partsview

Exploded View: Remington Model 700

Since 1962, more Remington Model 700s have been sold than any other bolt-action rifle before or since, and this detailed disassembly guide, exploded view and brief history of the platform, is one worth filing near the toolbox.

Preview: Wildgame Innovations ZeroTrace Portable

The PureION technology employed by Wildgame Innovations’ ZeroTrace line of odor-elimination products chemically neutralizes offending smells—without resorting to an ozone generator—and the company’s Portable unit is the line’s most versatile product yet.

Review: Christensen Arms Modern Precision Rimfire Rifle

The Modern Precision Rimfire from Christensen Arms builds upon time-honored blueprints and is crafted from its maker's flash-forged carbon-fiber technology to create an accurate and fun-to-shoot repeating rifle.

New For 2025: H&K MR A4 Series

Building on its existing commercial line of MR556 and MR762 rifles, HK USA now offers A4 versions of both rifles, as well as large-format pistol variants.

Gun Of The Week: Smith & Wesson Model 1854

Welcome to another American Rifleman Gun Of The Week video, and this time we have a modernized American lever-action to take to the range. Meet the Smith & Wesson Model 1854.

New For 2025: Kimber 2K11

With its new 2K11, Kimber now has a dedicated design based on the 2011 concept that comes loaded with a number of added features.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.