Rechambering from .22LR to .22WMR

[gundog]

I just received a mossberg m44us that the CMP is selling that has a bad flat spot in the muzzle. I'm going to rent a muzzle crowning tool and recrown this m44us plus a couple more old .22 barrels. While look at Reamer Rentals site I got the idea to rechamber this m44us in .22 WMR. The m44us has a good bit of metal around the chamber so I believe it could handle the higher pressure. Rechambering and a little bolt work should be all I need to do to make a single shot .22 WMR. Is this do able? Sounds like a good project to learn a little about metal working.

[RiverRider]

If I am not mistaken, .22 Magnums have a .224" bore, while the .22LR bore is .222" so this might not be feasible.

[James K]

Those old Mossbergs, like almost all rifles made for .22 LR, have soft barrels intended only for lead bullets. The metal jacketed .22 WMR bullets, with the hotter burning powder, will destroy them in a very short time.

Do not rechamber. Shoot the rifle in the caliber it was meant for and enjoy it.

Jim