new to .22 wmr (22mag)

**autotech6506** · August 23rd, 2009, 10:23 PM

So I just got a 22 mag smith and wesson revolver and I'm curious about the 22 mag cartidge and it's compatability with 22LR. is it like a .357mag/.38 special deal where I can shoot either out of my gun or can I only shoot 22mag out of it? thanks

**stephpd** · August 23rd, 2009, 11:00 PM

Nope, two different puppies. Never seen a gun that could fire both, could be wrong though. .22lr is sometimes capable of shooting the other .22 rounds like the short and the long.

Here are links to the wiki pages for each:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.22_Short

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.22_Long_Rifle

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.22_Long

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.22_Extra_Long

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.22_Magnum

**autotech6506** · August 23rd, 2009, 11:12 PM

thanks for the links. You are correct it definitely looks like i won't be firing .22LR out of this gun. oh well. i didn't realize there was such a huge difference in the cartridge lengths.

**Franchi20/28** · August 24th, 2009, 01:03 AM

The bore size is the same, but the chamber is different.

the .22 short/long/long rifle is a rebated base bullet, meaning the cartridge case and outside bullet diameter are the same.

The .22 WMR is a .224 caliber bullet with the case roll crimped into the bullet.

Same bullet diameter, but different case and hence chamber diameter.

I have a revolver that shoots both, but it has 2 different cylinders that must be changed to shoot one or the other.

See if you can buy a .22lr cylinder for it.