Skinnier .22s?

zippy13 · October 31, 2010, 02:32 AM

Were old time .22 Rimfire cartridges ever a smaller diameter than they are today?

I ask because: My neighbor's old Colt Lightning .22 rifle has been visiting at the LGS for a tune up. The LGS called to tell him the gun was ready; but, a .22-Short wouldn't easily fit into the chamber, and he didn't want to force it. Were .22s smaller 100-years ago, or does my neighbor need to clean/polish his chamber?

Hawg · October 31, 2010, 05:02 AM

It needs a good cleaning. I've reloaded short cases with bp and fired them from pistols made in the 1850's and they fit just fine.

Bailey Boat · October 31, 2010, 08:28 AM

OR......... someone has been dry firing it and peened the chamber therefore making it harder than normal to chamber a round...... sometimes it can be ironed out and sometimes it can't........

October 31, 2010, 02:32 AM	#1
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	Skinnier .22s? Were old time .22 Rimfire cartridges ever a smaller diameter than they are today? I ask because: My neighbor's old Colt Lightning .22 rifle has been visiting at the LGS for a tune up. The LGS called to tell him the gun was ready; but, a .22-Short wouldn't easily fit into the chamber, and he didn't want to force it. Were .22s smaller 100-years ago, or does my neighbor need to clean/polish his chamber?

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October 31, 2010, 05:02 AM	#2
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	It needs a good cleaning. I've reloaded short cases with bp and fired them from pistols made in the 1850's and they fit just fine.

October 31, 2010, 08:28 AM	#3
Bailey Boat Junior member Join Date: December 10, 2006 Location: NC Posts: 365	OR......... someone has been dry firing it and peened the chamber therefore making it harder than normal to chamber a round...... sometimes it can be ironed out and sometimes it can't........