September 20, 2022, 01:21 PM | #1 |
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22 LR in a 22 Magnum
What is the problem with shooting 22 LR's from a 22 Magnum cylinder?
i have an NAA mini, I do have both cylinders, but was wondering if it would be "safe" to shoot the 22 LR's from the mag cylinder ? |
September 20, 2022, 01:41 PM | #2 |
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Cases are likely to bulge, split, and bind.
Or not. |
September 20, 2022, 01:43 PM | #3 |
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exactly what I thought would happen
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September 20, 2022, 02:21 PM | #4 |
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Cases will bulge, because the diameter of the .22 Magnum chamber is larger than the diameter of a .22 LR chamber. There will also be considerable blow-by, with resultant reduced muzzle velocity. Cases may or may not actually split.
.22 LR chamber: 0.227" .22 WMR chamber: 0.2441"
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September 20, 2022, 02:47 PM | #5 |
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And, its likely your accuracy will be crap.
Don't do it.
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September 20, 2022, 07:02 PM | #6 |
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With a North American Arms mini-revolver, accuracy is a relative term.
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September 20, 2022, 08:57 PM | #7 |
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If you can find some, 22 WRF works fine in a 22 Magnum chamber. If you have the 22 LR cylinder I see no reason to do that just because 22 WRF is so costly.
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September 21, 2022, 04:13 AM | #8 |
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There are adapters that allow firing .22 LR in a .22 Mag, so if you have a double action that doesn't have a spare .22 LR cylinder you could shoot the cheaper ammo. I'm generally not against shooting .22 LR in a Magnum chamber, except in revolvers because even in a non revolver you lose pressure due to pressure being exerted to expand the case more, but in a revolver you also have the cylinder gap which adds to more pressure loss.
Because of this, I'm generally averse to buying .22 Magnum DA revolvers, except maybe the Taurus Trackers as they have the .22 LR cylinder. For single actions, they all seem to come with both cylinders.
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September 21, 2022, 04:58 AM | #9 |
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Some LR cylinders won't let a magnum fire. I had a Single six like that.
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September 21, 2022, 09:38 AM | #10 | |
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Have you seen .30-06 fired in a .300 WM chamber?
Same thing, smaller scale. Quote:
If the .22 WMR chamber were not so much longer than .22 LR, it could probably be argued that this would smooth the pressure curve and possibly result in increased accuracy and precision. This is a well-discussed phenomena that occurs when fire-forming wildcats or improved chambers. But the long jump from the case mouth to the throat/leade means the bullet can get off-axis and lose all possible benefit from the smoothed pressure curve.
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September 21, 2022, 09:57 AM | #11 |
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After sleeping on it, I wonder why the OP is asking.
He has everything needed to find out. |
September 21, 2022, 10:06 AM | #12 |
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I usually carry my NAA when having a "bigger" gun is not an option,
I have the Magnum cylinder installed and have P/P ammo in it Sometimes I have it at the range and would like to just "fire off" a few rounds, but not mag, just 22 LR and wondered what would happen if I did that. No biggie, just wondering!! |
September 21, 2022, 10:36 AM | #13 | |
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Quote:
FWIW, the 22 Mag operates at the same pressure as a 22LR. That's why they can be chambered in the same rifles. The 22 Mag gets its boost in ballistics by maintaining the same pressure longer. It requires some barrel length to accomplish this. In a very short barreled gun like a NAA mini, there isn't enough barrel length for the 22 Mag to take advantage, so ballistics will be nearly identical to a 22LR. The extra potential of the 22 Mag will be expressed as flash and bang. Compare the velocities with 2" barrels at Ballistics by the Inch: http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/22.html http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/22mag.html
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September 21, 2022, 12:00 PM | #14 |
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With all the reasons detailed, what could be the result is possible spit shaved lead from misaligned bullet or even, spit un-burned powder.
Which could "Put your eye out, Ralphy !!" |
September 21, 2022, 02:54 PM | #15 |
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Did it once by accident . . .
I did it once by accident (I suppose not paying attention does not really count as an accident, but more like an idiotic mistake). Anyway the unsatisfactory results notified me of my goof. Cases were harder to get out of the cylinder and as I recall what little accuracy I had with that mouse gun went out the window.
Life is good . . . so long as you pay attention. Prof Young |
September 21, 2022, 03:23 PM | #16 |
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