.22 WRF in a Model 651 OK?

[c good]

Winchester is making jacketed .22 WRF again. I've seen it says to not use in revolvers. I'm aware of the differences between the .22 WRF and .22 WMR/.22 Magnum.

I'm seeing mixed information on the use in the 651. Anyone have any personal experience with this ammo in .22 Mag revolvers?

Thanks for any info. c good

 

[GeoJelly]

I have used almost two boxes of the CCI version with zero issues - in a couple of different Ruger SA’s. No sticky cases or any other indications of problems. I have fairly bad eyesight so I can’t really comment on accuracy as nothing shoots well for me anymore. From the warnings on the CCI box, you would think they are charged with weapons-grade plutonium or something!

 

[DWalt]

I think the concern regards use of the “new” WRF cartridges in an old revolver chambered in .22 WRF due to the slightly larger bullet diameter. I had one of those once, a Colt Police Positive. No problem at all in firing the new WRF in a WMR-chambered revolver.

 

[nedlate]

I have not done it. I do see the WRF bullet diameter is about .004 larger than the WMR.
Do you feel the WRF might be more readily available then the WMR or cheaper?
I have several boxes of the WRF and now I am curious!!
Ed

 

[DWalt]

The old .22 WRF cartridge pre-dated the high-velocity .22 Long Rifle, and was superior to the Standard Velocity .22 LR of that time. It had about the same ballistics as the .22 LR HV, so it was basically made redundant in the 1930s and the .22 WRF then died off as a viable caliber. I don’t quite understand why it has returned, other than to make owners of old WRF-chambered guns happy, or to provide a lighter load for use in newer WMR-chambered guns. I’d bet it won’t last long in the marketplace, so if you happen to be an owner of an old .22 WRF gun, you should stock up on the ammo while you can.

 

[c good]

I have not done it. I do see the WRF bullet diameter is about .004 larger than the WMR.
Do you feel the WRF might be more readily available then the WMR or cheaper?
I have several boxes of the WRF and now I am curious!!
Ed

Not necessarily more available or cheaper. Mostly heard it was a little more pleasant to shoot as it has less velocity and possibly more accurate due to lessened recoil. It's like a .38 special compared to a .357 Magnum.

The .22 Mag is pretty loud of my 4 inch barrel on the 651. I'm aware I would need to clean the cylinder charge holes of carbon if I Used the WRF and then went back to the WMR.....

 

[DWalt]

Yes, it is the equivalent of firing a .22 LR HV in a .22 WMR gun. Assuming that there are some who want to do that. I suspect not very many do.

 

[Buford57]

My first cartridge handgun was a Colt Frontier Scout in .22 WRM. It came with 2 bricks of .22 Remington Special, aka .22 WRF, which shot just fine.

 

[ColbyBruce]

I shoot .22 WRF out of my S&W 650. Cleaning the chambers does take a little more work though.

 

[Wyo]

Back in my college days in the early ‘70’s we often hunted big jack rabbits at night with spotlights. I mostly used .22 WRF in the magnum cylinder of a Ruger Single Six because, at the time, the WRF cost about half what the WMR did and it seemed to kill those big jacks just about as well. I thought it was definitely more effective than the high speed .22LR. I probably fired 3000-4000 rounds of WRF in the Ruger and never had a problem of any kind. I still occasionally use them in the same gun now, mostly for old time’s sake, and I’ve still never had a problem. I think those cartridges would be fine in your S&W.