351 Centennial 22 WMR

[Nicksterdemus]

DA Only 1 7/8" brl snubbie w/7 rnd cyl. Seems .22 WRF ammo is more appropriate than the rifle length WMR/Magnum. Although Speers short brl appears to be the best, if you're attempt isn't to disorient w/flash & bang.

Winchester 50/$7.99-250/$37.99
Technical Information Winchester WRF
•Caliber: 22 Winchester Rimfire
•Bullet Weight: 45 Grains
•Bullet Style: Plated Lead Flat Nose

Ballistics Information:

•Muzzle Velocity: 1300 fps [rifle barrel length]
•Muzzle Energy: 169 ft. lbs.
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Less noise and flash than WMR out of the snub
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CCI has a jacketed version WRF that comes w/warning.

CCI-$10.99/50[or 100?] - $94.99/500
Product Information
This cartridge is made for Winchester Model 1890 and 1906 rifles, providing solid performance without harming soft steel barrels. This ammunition is recommended for small game hunting, varmint hunting and pest control. This ammunition is new production and non-corrosive.

SPECIAL NOTES:
•This is not for revolvers. Most 22 WRF revolvers have undersized bores that cannot use a jacketed bullet.
•This WRF ammunition is not 22 Magnum. It is a different cartridge.

•This WRF ammunition is not 22 Winchester Automatic.

Technical Information
•Caliber: 22 Winchester Rimfire (WRF)
•Bullet Weight: 45 Grains
•Bullet Style: Jacketed Hollow Point

Ballistics Information:

•Muzzle Velocity: 1300 fps
•Muzzle Energy: 169 ft. lbs.

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Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel 50ct-$13.49
•Caliber: 22 WMR
•Bullet Weight: 40 Grains
•Bullet Style: Hollow Point
•Case Type: Brass

•Muzzle Velocity: 1050 fps [1 7/8-2" brl]
•Muzzle Energy: 99 ft. lbs
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Federal Game-Shock $10/50-$95/500

•Caliber: 22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire(WMR)
•Bullet Weight: 50 Grains
•Bullet Style: Jacketed Hollow Point

•Muzzle Velocity: 1530 fps
•Muzzle Energy: 260 ft. lbs

If you're going to use too much powder at least this is pushing a 50 gn boolit.
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Winchester Dynapoint-$9/50-$87/500

•Caliber: 22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (WMR)
•Bullet Weight: 45 Grains
•Bullet Style: Plated Lead Hollow Point
•Case Type: Brass

Ballistics Information:

•Muzzle Velocity: 1550 fps

•Muzzle Energy: 240 ft. lbs.

As others too much slow burning powder for 1 7/8" brl, but cheap and does boast 45 gn.
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I'm not sure of S&W stance on using WRF ammo, for old rifles a hundred yrs old or better, but I can guess. CCI states that there's danger in theirs due to being jacketed and that the WRF pistolas of that era were underbored.

In the 351 I don't see the big whoop about using the WRF. I believe CCI is concerned only w/older WRF revolvers designed for lead/plated not jacketed.
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The 351 is on a J-frame and the cylinder for the 22 WMR is shorter than the .38 so, much as a 45 ACP in a 45 Colt window, there's a healthy hole [right at 7/32"] betwixt the crane and cyl face. W/CCI Maxi-Mag 40 gn HP, only .22 mag in the house, there's a good 1/8" of cyl real estate left. Maybe 50gn ammo is longer I'm not sure.

Betwixt the twain there might be 3/8" & S&W isn't going to produce an I frame for rimfire. That's OK, but there's quite the ballistic jump from 2 to 3" in .22 LR.
BBTI - Ballistics by the Inch :: .22 Results

Look at the three 40gn offerings and their differences in FPS at 2 & 3 inches. One being 144' per second. [of which 176.4 would represent 20% of the 2" brl 'ps total] Granted these are solid brl figures, yet this much boost on the rimfire shells is quite dramatic.

Brassfetcher's stats show the 40gn mag bouncing around the speed of sound out of a 2" brl. [Gold Dot Short Brl not listed]

http://www.brassfetcher.com/22 Magnum/22 Magnum Summary Table.pdf

My point being is that 1 7/8" is really too short for rimfire. Works for the .38, but S&W should scrap it in 22 LR/MAG in favor of the three inch. The LR & Mag are far better than swinging a 2x4 or throwing rocks. However, they desperately need that extra 1 1/8" of brl to spool up the little 40-50gn projectile.

The DA only is long yet smooth. Those w/ltd strength might have issues. Mine is smooth & I have no problem w/one hand hold, pulling the trigger and holding on target. That's w/o firing live ammo. I put some spent shotshell hulls in and gave it a whirl. I'm not Popeye though I retain decent forearm strength.

At 11 oz empty even combined w/7 rnds the weight is negligible. The J-frame w/little grips fits my medium hands w/short fat fingers to a T. I like the big white XS sight, the sleek concealed
hmr shape of the frame and no internal lock.

Even though it'd be a mite wider I could see an eight round cyl though I'm happy w/seven. The only thing I'm not thrilled about is the snub brl in a rimfire. In an effort to keep up w/Joneses/sake of stats S&W has shortchanged us in this application.

Under the best stats shown at BBTI 2"/3"brl .22LR:

882'ps/1086'ps 40gn -69'lb ME/105'lb ME

Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel .22 WMR out of 1 7/8" brl is 99'lb.

I can only speculate what a reduced flash/bang .22 WMR would produce out of a 3" brl though I'd like to see the results of a 40 & 50gn. This is a case of desperately needing that extra 1 1/8" for ME's sake. I'll find room S&W. Unlike asking you to retool for an eight rnd cyl it would take little to manufacture a brl basically twice as long. Adding a mere 1 1/8" to overall length and tons of returns in energy for the little rimfires. You're giving up too much for sake of overall length.

I'll send mine in and pay for material & labour. As well w/3" brl I'd buy the LR version.

Thanks colt_saa for pointing out the Centurian faux pas.

ETA:
I knew before purchase that for all practical purpose that there's no ballistic difference betwixt the 22 LR & Mag out of a 1 7/8" brl. Save for the mag ammo being more expensive and, except for the Win WRF and Speer Gold Dot short Barrel, very loud w/lot of muzzle flash. Plus the 40gn projectile in LR out of a 43C has one more round in the cylinder.

I picked up the NOS 351C for the same price of 2 1/2 yrs ago, ever so roughly, and it was available. I wanted to compare it to the 637 w/enhanced action. Somewhat apples to oranges. Seven round 22 mag concealed hmr DA only shares the J frame and 1 1/8" brl of the 637 5 rnd SA/DA 38spl. About 4oz different weight empty though I'm sure the five 38 spl rnds exceed the weight of seven 22 mags.

My 60-15 is five rnds and weighs 24oz empty I believe w/overall length of 7.5". It has the magnum frame w/3" brl. It's a mite chunky and heavy, but it'll digest .357s. The grip is longer, there's an adj rear sight, tall front sight and it's perched on a semi-full lug brl. [lug goes to the end, but it's circumference isn't nearly as large as the brl] The width of the cylinders are almost identical along w/trigger guard and trigger. Hence, a 3" 351C would be a lot more forgiving in pocket carry over the 60-15.

The same 40gn LR previously listed in the 2-3" chart comes out of an 18" brl at 1212'ps/130'ps ME. A 3" 22 mag should hit 140-150'lb ME. I can see a 60gn semi-wadcutter for a 3" wheelgun. At 1040'ps that's 144'lb just under the speed of sound.[50gn would require 1140'ps for 144'lbs]

That sounds sweet to me

ETA:
I step outside to pour granules on a couple of ant mounds and as I close in on the corner I happen to look down in time to see 8-9" of disgruntled copperhead w/mouth wide open attempting to impede my stroll.

Four things I try to always carry out of the house is a firearm, phone, keys & wallet. I had three, yet the phone wasn't in the mix. No way to call inside for a shovel or scattergun. I plugged my left ear w/finger, cocked my head to the right and proceeded to wail w/351C.

As predicted the noise disoriented the snake and he headed for the block foundation as my reign of terror in raining seven rounds in the ground failed to even nick the serpent. In full retreat he was mine for the taking except the shovel was on the back side of the house.

I had to leave for a tator rake and a shovel only to return and cold trail him through the leaves. Eight feet later I had him trapped in a corner and unleashed my fury for lack of aim w/little snubbie.

I missed seven times in a row though I had no problem reeling off the rounds and tried to fire the first round a second time.

 

[Lobster Picnic]

CCI does make a .22 Magnum snake shot, and it's a lot better then the .22 lr shot shells. It'll make a softball-sized pattern at 9 feet. You might load the first 1 or 2 chambers with that, especially if the 351c is going to be what's in your pocket when you stroll outside.

 

[Nicksterdemus]

I have some that I'd shoot out of a SA and I might have to load one in the little DA only. No shortage of brown recluse or copperheads, but the hacienda is off limits for the spiders and the same goes for the poisonous snakes in the yard.

Nobody hardly ever dies of a copperhead bite though some elderly are at risk. I leave them be in the woods, yet my zero tolerance policy in the yard is enforced w/extreme prejudice.

Sadly, my first lawnmower cut sliced a young king snake of the same size. I prefer that they handle it as they appear to enjoy the work.

Earlier I was out front stalking starlings & cowbirds w/9mm glatt garten gun. 1/4 oz load at a blistering 600'ps is just the ticket for under 60'. One hundred and forty-six number nine pellets. Plus, I can position the muzzle close to the target w/o me getting too close for the slithering critters w/no shoulders.

Mostly though I slice 'em w/shovel.

 

[skypilot7103]

I shot some of the snake shot #12 out of my 351c the other day and it is pretty impressive on a pie plate. I would not want any of the shot headed my way. I think I paid $8.95 for twenty rounds not to bad. Plus you do not have to be a great shot to hit the target.
Ed

 

[Nicksterdemus]

It is handy up real close. I have a couple of boxes.
22mag shotshell-52gn-1/8oz #12/175 pellets 1000'ps/115'lb ME.
It's loud where the 9mm rimfire isn't especially in a 22-24" brl. Still, the CCI shotshell has some good patterns up close and puts the 87'lb 9mm to shame in ME.

Last year I shot an adult copperhead square in the head w/22 CB out of a 10" single shot bolt action pistol at point blank range. It went right through and the snake bled like a hog. However it seemed to start recovering and I went for my old standby the spade shovel. Reptiles are prehistoric. Even after lopping the head off the little copperhead it continued to open and close it's mouth a time or two.

I'd even lobby for a 351C w/3 1/8, 3 1/4 up to 3 3/8" brl. There's a lot of energy to be tapped from 2"- 4". The CS40 has a 3 1/4" brl. Of course being a semi-auto they cheat and count the length of the cartridge.

 

[Stainz]

I think you'll find that the Hornady .22 WMR FTX 45gr 'Critical Defense' round was made for the short barrel, ie, ~2", 351C/PD and actually gets over 140 ft-lbs KE in their employ. I keep my 351PD stoked with them, while I plink with CCI MaxiMags as they are less expensive.

Stainz

 

[Nicksterdemus]

Thanks Stainz. I've read about them, yet my meager research shows them running neck n neck w/Speer offering. Sometimes I've read ballistic numbers w/no brl length attributed. Usually it's the rifle length numbers shown or 4-6" of pistol brl. Five & half-six and half appears to be the sweet spot for most pistolas. This is not to say that ammo cannot be tweaked. as the CD and sht brl, to help accommodate concealed carry sidearms. It's just that the dramatic gains 100-150'PS are used up and what's left is 50'PS or less for each additional inch of barrel.

Well, couldn't wait mate and I had a window open on ammo. so I took a peek at the CD stats.
Ballistics Information:
1-7/8" Pistol Barrel:

•Muzzle Velocity: 1000 fps
•Muzzle Energy: 100 ft. lbs.[1lb more than Speer sht brl]


24" Rifle Barrel:

•Muzzle Velocity: 1700 fps
•Muzzle Energy: 289 ft. lbs.

I maintain that 1 7/8" is too short for a .22 WMR/mag. If you'll go to the BBTI link I supplied you'll see on the far left side that the .22 chart starts w/27gn CCI short HP [CPHP or the next column 29gn short CPRN same charge w/2gn more boolit]. There's no dramatic surge betwixt 2-3" The light bullet responds well to a modest charge at all lengths. The charge isn't stacked for a rifle barrel. It's the same notion as these short barrel cartridges out of our .22 mag 1 7/8" brl.

A couple of rows down to the 32gn Stinger hyper-velocity tells a different tale. Much heavier charge responds from 2-7" by about 400'PS where the 27gn only sees about 200'PS improvement of MV. In the next 11" the stinger picks up only about another 150'PS. Stinger LR tops out at 162'lb out of an 18" brl. Which is about half of the energy of a .22 WMR out of a rifle brl.

The brl length and charge should propel the same 40 gn boolit out of a .22 mag pistol as quickly as a 40gn LR out of a rifle brl. According to me. The lowly 35gn .25acp Hornady XTP only reaches 63'lb which is 10lbs shy of my CCI short hp out of a rifle brl.
Of course the little auto has a short brl and is expending energy operating a slide.

I need a chronograph. I have a Heritige SA .22 LR/mag in 3.5 & 4.75". I'd enjoy seeing the results of std & sht brl mag ammo at those lengths.

ETA:
It was my fault for not having a shotshell in the 351C. The longer brl SA was loaded up w/six, but it's been a while since I pulled it out of storage. I've since remidied that w/one shotshell coming out the chute. Save the lawnmower incident that was the first snake I've happened across in the yard.

Picking up a chrono wouldn't be a deal except that I can't find any ammo to shoot through the traps.

 

[Nicksterdemus]

Now that spring has sprung and the I-frame weighs little inside waist holster perhaps I'll throw the 351 into the fray w/couple of CCI mag shotshells outa the chute.

 

[GeoJelly]

Nickster - I'm a little slow on the uptake - is it OK to farr .22 WRF in a magnum revolver? It looks like, from your comments, that it's unsafe in WRF revolvers because of undersized bores. I found two boxes of the stuff last year - for $7 a box - and it's killing me to not be able to fire it. In my case, the .22 Mag would be a Ruger Single-Six ...

 

[Nicksterdemus]

The bores in question concerning CCI were the old 22/22 mag revolvers that used 22 brls. People still shot magnums out of the mag cylinder, but lawyers and all forced CCI to make the staement. Perhaps a jacket mag in a long 22 brl might have an issue

I shoot Winchester 45gn WRF flatnose. They used to make at least one run a year. There's only 1 7/8 brl & I don't see, other than short barrel ammo, how the WMR could be much better.

As is one CCI mag shotshell followed by six WRF.