22 LR in 22 Mag, we've kicked around all the other mismatches, Why not ?

[walnutred]

Today I went to the range and one of the revolvers I was shooting has both 22 LR and 22 mag cylinders. After 50 rounds of 22 LR I noticed I had the mag cylinder in the revolver. The cases were slightly bulged but not enough I noticed on extraction and no change in accuracy. I probably had a slight carbon ring in the chamber like shooting 38 Special in a 357 but otherwise no harm that I can see. Do you see any long term negatives to shooting LR in a mag cylinder?

 

[rockquarry]

Neck diameter and base diameter of the magnum are quite a bit larger than the long rifle cartridge as evidenced by your case bulge. I wouldn't do it, but it may not be harmful to the gun. How's accuracy? I would think it would be significantly poorer than with the magnum ammo, but that's only a guess.

 

[BKLooney]

We went shooting rimfire one weekend up on the mtn, .22's and .22 mag. My buddy had a Single Six like mine, he was all over the place on accuracy. He loaded it up for me and I could barely hit anything with it.

He had his magnum cylinder in there and was shooting .22 lr.

Shoot either caliber in it, with the correct cylinder for the caliber, and you could pretty much hit anything you aimed at.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

Just 'cause it fits, no need to commit...!

 

[lihpster]

Since you have both cylinders, I see no need to fire LR in the magnum cylinder. JMHO.

 

[alwslate]

Other than reduction of velocity and accuracy no negatives so fire away

 

[arjay]

Just scrap the chambers while the cylinder is still hot

 

[Dvus]

I Had pretty much the same results, poor accuracy and lower velocity. Cases bulged but no splitting. I wouldn't do it again unless it was a special situation, like snake shot, because accuracy is not a big requirement.

 

[chief38]

When ever I have seen someone shoot .22 LR through a 22 Mag. accuracy was not nearly as good as when the same ammo was shot through a properly sized bore. The diameter's are slightly different.

 

[Green Frog]

Just scrap the chambers while the cylinder is still hot

No need to scrap the chambers, just scrape them clean and keep using them!!

Seriously though, the only concern I would have would be if the chamber is sufficiently loose around the LR case, you might have the case swell or even crack and be hard to eject… a shirttail relative of mine had this happen with his cheap (H&R?) revolver.

As far as damaging the revolver, this would only be likely to occur if you were too careless trying to remove a stuck case and scored the chamber wall. IMHO, the high performance 22LR rounds are so good now that 22 Mag revolvers are becoming less attractive. I’ll stick with my trusty old K22, thank you very much.

Froggie

 

[murphydog]

If you must use different ammo in your .22 MRF/WMR, please see .22 Winchester Rimfire (WRF). If you can find it.

 

[Rammer Jammer]

Bad idea.

Can it be done...sure


Will it blow up your gun? Probably not

Are split cases a sign of possibly damaging your gun? Yes

Use the right tool for the right job

 

[Dvus]

Bad idea.

Can it be done...sure


Will it blow up your gun? Probably not

Are split cases a sign of possibly damaging your gun? Yes

Use the right tool for the right job

Ohh, come on! Next you'll want us to read the instructions when we ALL know that if the part fits, then THAT is where it goes.

Now if you'll excuse me, my new movie on blue-ray just arrived and I need to go set up my VCR.

 

[SweetMK]

Ohh, come on! Next you'll want us to read the instructions when we ALL know that if the part fits, then THAT is where it goes.

Now if you'll excuse me, my new movie on blue-ray just arrived and I need to go set up my VCR.

Somebody needs to test "STINGER" type hyper-velocity ammo in a MAG cylinder,,

Maybe the Hyper-Velocity rounds could produce some cracked cases??