.22lr through a .22mag

[Dennis]

Please forgive me if this sounds like a stupid question. I know I can shoot .22mags through my Ruger single six, after a cylinder change. Can I shoot .22lr through something like a lever action Henry's .22mag?

https://www.henryusa.com/rifles/lever-action-22-magnum-rifle/

[edgerly779]

22 lr is smaller diameter different case then 22 mag will not chamber properly might fire but case will separate. Kingransom has cart before the horse.(LOL)
22 lr shorter than mag not other way around.

[GreggieBoy]

Nope. Don't try it since it won't chamber properly.

[bohoki]

ive done it on a single shot firearm

its not wise but it was harmless in the gun i used

but it may blow out an extractor as the case is bound to expand in unexpected ways

i would not fire a long rifle in a magnum henry

[DanGunner]

22Plinkster posted a video recently about shooting a .22LR in a .22 Mag revolver, complete with chronograph readings. They fired, but velocity was cut in calf, cases bulged and one round separated. He did it to demonstrate why one shouldn't do it.

[alpha_romeo_XV]

While the barrel bore is the same for both, the chamber diameter is not. Its not just a longer chamber for 22mag. With a 22LR the bullet and case are the same diameter but not so with a 22mag where the case diameter is larger than the bullet (just like a center fire round). So the 22LR case doesn't expand enough to fill the 22mag chamber after ignition so pressure is lower and velocity is much lower out the muzzle.

For that reason shooting a 22LR from a 22mag chamber is a different scenario than shooting a 380 out of a 9mm or a 38spl out of 357mag.

[tigerpan]

Short answer is not. There is reason you need cylinder change to shoot for different caliber. Just get 22lr version, 22mag is expensive anyway

[newbie1234]

NUP.
Henry made another lever action for: .22LR, .22 Long & 22 Short (Not .22 Mag nor 17 WSM)

[subscriber]

[Dennis]

Thanks for all the replies. I have a feeling it was a no go just because I've never heard anything about it. The answers and video explained in detail why it's not safe. I'm still surprised why they're aren't many options for this round. It clearly out performs .22lr.

[DB>]

From the research I did, the .22wmr is a bit tricky to get operating correctly in a semi-auto, thus why it seems to be primarily an "option" in revolvers, and bolt guns.

I've got two semi-auto 22wmr rifles, they run perfectly, but both took a bit of work to get running like a sewing machine. That said, it's a very "fun" round to shoot, and significantly better ballistics than a .22lr. And it's an oddball enough round that I've had pretty good luck finding ammo in stores (haven't checked since the stupid 2020 panic porn breakout...)

I definitely would NOT suggest trying to run .22lr in a .22wmr chamber, no good can come of it... even though you "can". It'll be loose and sloppy at best, and there are going to be "forces" going in directions they are not intended to be going, which tends to not be good when dealing with explosions... even tiny little pew pew explosions...

[jeremiah12]

Thanks for all the replies. I have a feeling it was a no go just because I've never heard anything about it. The answers and video explained in detail why it's not safe. I'm still surprised why they're aren't many options for this round. It clearly out performs .22lr.

It is most likely costs. Before this latest ammo shortage, a box of 50 .22 mag was in the range of $10 to $14. One could also find 9 mm in that price range and even cheaper for the steel cased Tulammo.

Then the .17 HMR has slightly better ballistics and can be found cheaper so many have switched to that.

I do have a Henry carbine that shoots .22 mag and a S&W 48 no dash I picked up a few years ago that is fun to shoot. Growing up in the 60s my dad had a .22 mag rifle that I shot from time to time and in the 70s he had a few revolvers that I would also shoot. So it brings back memories.

Other than that they are range toys that are expensive to feed. I just returned from Driving to Illinois to visit my son and the only ammo I consistently found on shelves though was .22 mag so I was able to buy enough to last me a couple of years and at normal prices. So I will be shooting these toys more often in the near future.

[crufflers]

It is most likely costs. Before this latest ammo shortage, a box of 50 .22 mag was in the range of $10 to $14. One could also find 9 mm in that price range and even cheaper for the steel cased Tulammo.

I think I got 650 rounds or 13 boxes for $75. That was a local DEAL. Mixed WMR but I think they are all V-Max bullets... Hornady and Win. 650 might be a lifetime supply for my NAA revolver, who knows.

[AR22]

From the research I did, the .22wmr is a bit tricky to get operating correctly in a semi-auto, thus why it seems to be primarily an "option" in revolvers, and bolt guns.

I've got two semi-auto 22wmr rifles, they run perfectly, but both took a bit of work to get running like a sewing machine. That said, it's a very "fun" round to shoot, and significantly better ballistics than a .22lr. And it's an oddball enough round that I've had pretty good luck finding ammo in stores (haven't checked since the stupid 2020 panic porn breakout...)

I definitely would NOT suggest trying to run .22lr in a .22wmr chamber, no good can come of it... even though you "can". It'll be loose and sloppy at best, and there are going to be "forces" going in directions they are not intended to be going, which tends to not be good when dealing with explosions... even tiny little pew pew explosions...

What semi auto 22 Mags you have?

I have a Beautiful Marlin 922M Semi Auto chambered in 22 Magnum...Runs beautiful with no mods..Seems the Ruger 22 Mag semi autos had problems though.

[DB>]

One is a Razor based build, which is "sort of" Ruger Magnum based. Read lots of "negative" build results, so wasn't sure how it would turn out, but I have some experience with 80% 10/22's, so it came out running very well, and I've made a couple small changes so it should stay reliable. Only likes the 9 round mags, but other than that, it's nice...

The other Magnum beastie is an Excel Accelerator (yeah, looks like it belongs in a sci-fi movie...), had to work out some feeding problems, and it's a bit heavy for my tastes, but runs great and the heavy barrel is very accurate. Very different design, but I think my entire gun collection is a bit "different"!