.22 WMR
Encyclopedia
The .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire, more commonly called .22 WMR, .22 Magnum, or simply .22 Mag, is a rimfire rifle cartridge
. Originally loaded with a bullet weight of 40 gr delivering velocities in the 2000 feet per second (609.6 m/s) range from a rifle barrel, .22 WMR has also been loaded with bullet weights of 50 gr at 1530 feet per second (466.3 m/s) and 30 gr at 2200 feet per second (670.6 m/s).
, but was not used by Winchester until the venerable Winchester Model 61|Model 61 slide
rifle could be chambered for it, well into 1960. By that time, Smith and Wesson and Ruger
had revolver
s for it, and Savage
had come out with the Model 24, a .22/.410 combination rifle
. It was the only successful rimfire cartridge introduced in the 20th Century.
, both in diameter and length. The .22 WMR case is a lengthened version of the older .22 WRF (.22 WRF may be fired in a .22 WMR but not vice versa). The .22 WMR's case is thicker than that of the .22 LR, allowing higher pressures. The combination of more powder and higher pressures gives velocities over 2000 feet per second (609.6 m/s) from a rifle using a 30 gr bullet, and 1500 feet (457.2 m) per second (460 m/s) from a handgun
. A .22 WMR round will not fit into the chamber of a .22 LR firearm but is possible to chamber and fire .22 LR rounds in a .22 WMR firearm. This is potentially hazardous due to the difference in case diameter. When fired, the .22 LR case expands in the chamber, which can cause the case to split open or become stuck. Also, the long rifle bullet will travel in the magnum chamber unsupported for .4" before entering the barrel causing leading in the chamber.
If sighted in for maximum point blank range on a 3 inches (76.2 mm) high target, the 40 gr .22 WMR can reach ranges of nearly 125 yard. This makes the .22 WMR an effective short to medium range varmint rifle
cartridge. The relatively quiet report and negligible recoil also make it a very pleasant round to shoot for extended periods.
The .22 WMR can take down small game such as rabbits, groundhogs, prairie dogs, foxes, and even coyotes at close range.
actions typically handle. It first appeared in the Savage Model 24 combination rifle, followed by Winchester's own Model 61. A number of single-shots and repeaters
were offered in .22WMR, and the self-loading
Jefferson Model 159. Until the 1990s, most .22 WMR firearms were bolt action rifles. In the 1990s semi-automatic
.22 WMR rifles were introduced by Sturm Ruger, Savage, and Marlin
, and more recently Remington
and Kel-Tec
. Revolvers in .22 WMR are made by Taurus
, North American Arms
, Tanfoglio
, Heritage Arms, and Sturm Ruger. The Argentine EDDA submachine gun
uses the .22 WMR round. Semi-automatic pistols for this cartridge are (or were) produced by Kel-Tec
, Grendel
and AMT
, the latter two now defunct (AMT has been since resurrected by High Standard). The Grendel, AMT and Kel-Tec designs used specially designed chambers with flutes or gas ports, designed to lubricate the long, thin cartridge with gases from the chamber, overcoming the Blish effect
and allowing easy extraction of the cartridge.
(which can also be fired in any weapon chambered for .22WMR). It was for a time the most powerful rimfire round available, and even outperformed the .22 WCF
.
While more powerful than the .22 Long Rifle
, ammunition is not available in as large a variety as .22 LR. Availability is also not as great, either; while the .22 WMR is by no means hard to find, nearly every retailer that sells ammunition will carry .22 LR. The price of .22 WMR is substantially higher than almost all .22 LR, though it is less expensive than the new .17 Rimfire
calibers. Since many of the rifles that chamber the .22 WMR use tubular magazines, bullet noses are generally flat or blunt to allow smooth feeding. Recently, new bullets have emerged from Remington, CCI, and Hornady and have 30 or 33 gr polymer plastic ballistic tips.
While a pointed bullet is not going to rest against the primer of the round in front of it (as in a centerfire cartridge), a pointed bullet could still hang on the manufacturer's stamp, which is found in the middle of the base of the cartridge.
Bullets for the .22 WMR are generally unlubricated lead with heavy copper plating, in either solid nose or hollow point style designed for small game hunting or pest control (varmint hunting).
Due to the limited selection of commercial ammunition, the .22 WMR was the case used by a small but dedicated group of wildcatters
for handloading
high performance rimfire ammunition. Generally these loads would use more aerodynamic pointed bullets, the same type used by .22 caliber centerfire cartridges. While often heavier than standard .22 WMR bullets, the sharp nose and tapered tail retained velocity better, and delivered more energy downrange. Other wildcatters would neck the .22 WMR down to smaller calibers, such as .20 (5 mm) and .17 (4.5 mm) or even smaller, in an attempt to get maximum velocity and the flattest possible trajectory
.
or coyote
. When loaded with hollow-point bullets, it is too destructive for small game (under 50 yd [45 m]), such as rabbit
s or prairie dog
s or anything intended for eating.
In 2011, Speer released a .22 magnum version of their Gold Dot Personal Protection ammo and Hornady of their Critical Defense ammo. Both are optimized for the short barrels found in self-defense handguns. Both are made for self-defense.
Cartridge (firearms)
A cartridge, also called a round, packages the bullet, gunpowder and primer into a single metallic case precisely made to fit the firing chamber of a firearm. The primer is a small charge of impact-sensitive chemical that may be located at the center of the case head or at its rim . Electrically...
. Originally loaded with a bullet weight of 40 gr delivering velocities in the 2000 feet per second (609.6 m/s) range from a rifle barrel, .22 WMR has also been loaded with bullet weights of 50 gr at 1530 feet per second (466.3 m/s) and 30 gr at 2200 feet per second (670.6 m/s).
History
The .22 WMR was introduced in 1959 by WinchesterWinchester Repeating Arms Company
The Winchester Repeating Arms Company was a prominent American maker of repeating firearms, located in New Haven, Connecticut. The Winchester brand is today used under license by two subsidiaries of the Herstal Group, Fabrique Nationale of Belgium and the Browning Arms Company of Morgan, Utah.-...
, but was not used by Winchester until the venerable Winchester Model 61|Model 61 slide
Pump-action
A pump-action rifle or shotgun is one in which the handgrip can be pumped back and forth in order to eject a spent round of ammunition and to chamber a fresh one. It is much faster than a bolt-action and somewhat faster than a lever-action, as it does not require the trigger hand to be removed from...
rifle could be chambered for it, well into 1960. By that time, Smith and Wesson and Ruger
Sturm, Ruger
Sturm, Ruger & Company, Incorporated is a Southport, Connecticut-based firearm manufacturing company, better known by the shortened name Ruger. Sturm, Ruger produces bolt-action, semi-automatic, full-automatic, and single-shot rifles, shotguns, semi-automatic pistols, and single- and double-action...
had revolver
Revolver
A revolver is a repeating firearm that has a cylinder containing multiple chambers and at least one barrel for firing. The first revolver ever made was built by Elisha Collier in 1818. The percussion cap revolver was invented by Samuel Colt in 1836. This weapon became known as the Colt Paterson...
s for it, and Savage
Savage Arms
The Savage Arms Company is a firearms manufacturing company based in Westfield, Massachusetts, with a division located in Canada. The company makes a variety of rimfire and centerfire rifles, as well as marketing the Stevens single-shot rifles and shotguns...
had come out with the Model 24, a .22/.410 combination rifle
Combination gun
A combination gun is a break-action hunting firearm that comprises at least two barrels, a rifle barrel and a shotgun barrel, often but not always in an over and under configuration; side-by-side variations are known as cape guns. A ' refers to a combination gun that has three barrels...
. It was the only successful rimfire cartridge introduced in the 20th Century.
Dimensions & Loading
The .22 WMR uses a larger case than the more popular .22 Long Rifle.22 Long Rifle
The .22 Long Rifle rimfire cartridge is a long established variety of ammunition, and in terms of units sold is still by far the most common in the world today. The cartridge is often referred to simply as .22 LR and various rifles, pistols, revolvers, and even some smoothbore shotguns have...
, both in diameter and length. The .22 WMR case is a lengthened version of the older .22 WRF (.22 WRF may be fired in a .22 WMR but not vice versa). The .22 WMR's case is thicker than that of the .22 LR, allowing higher pressures. The combination of more powder and higher pressures gives velocities over 2000 feet per second (609.6 m/s) from a rifle using a 30 gr bullet, and 1500 feet (457.2 m) per second (460 m/s) from a handgun
Handgun
A handgun is a firearm designed to be held and operated by one hand. This characteristic differentiates handguns as a general class of firearms from long guns such as rifles and shotguns ....
. A .22 WMR round will not fit into the chamber of a .22 LR firearm but is possible to chamber and fire .22 LR rounds in a .22 WMR firearm. This is potentially hazardous due to the difference in case diameter. When fired, the .22 LR case expands in the chamber, which can cause the case to split open or become stuck. Also, the long rifle bullet will travel in the magnum chamber unsupported for .4" before entering the barrel causing leading in the chamber.
Uses
Since the .22 WMR generally uses the same weight bullets as the .22 Long Rifle, it is generally used in similar situations. The 40 gr .22 WMR at 100 yard still retains the velocity of a .22 LR at the muzzle, which can provide improved penetration at all ranges, and more reliable expansion at longer ranges with expanding bullets.If sighted in for maximum point blank range on a 3 inches (76.2 mm) high target, the 40 gr .22 WMR can reach ranges of nearly 125 yard. This makes the .22 WMR an effective short to medium range varmint rifle
Varmint rifle
Varmint rifle is an American English term for a small-caliber firearm or high-powered air gun primarily used for varmint hunting — killing non-native or non-game animals such as rats, house sparrows, starling, crows, ground squirrels, gophers, jackrabbits, marmots, groundhogs, porcupine,...
cartridge. The relatively quiet report and negligible recoil also make it a very pleasant round to shoot for extended periods.
The .22 WMR can take down small game such as rabbits, groundhogs, prairie dogs, foxes, and even coyotes at close range.
Firearms using .22 WMR
The .22 WMR operates at pressures beyond what normal blowbackBlowback (arms)
Blowback is a system of operation for self-loading firearms that obtains energy from the motion of the cartridge case as it is pushed to the rear by expanding gases created by the ignition of the propellant charge....
actions typically handle. It first appeared in the Savage Model 24 combination rifle, followed by Winchester's own Model 61. A number of single-shots and repeaters
Repeating rifle
A repeating rifle is a single barreled rifle containing multiple rounds of ammunition. These rounds are loaded from a magazine by means of a manual or automatic mechanism, and the action that reloads the rifle also typically recocks the firing action...
were offered in .22WMR, and the self-loading
Semi-automatic rifle
A semi-automatic rifle is a type of rifle that fires a single bullet each time the trigger is pulled, automatically ejects the spent cartridge, chambers a fresh cartridge from its magazine, and is immediately ready to fire another shot...
Jefferson Model 159. Until the 1990s, most .22 WMR firearms were bolt action rifles. In the 1990s semi-automatic
Semi-automatic rifle
A semi-automatic rifle is a type of rifle that fires a single bullet each time the trigger is pulled, automatically ejects the spent cartridge, chambers a fresh cartridge from its magazine, and is immediately ready to fire another shot...
.22 WMR rifles were introduced by Sturm Ruger, Savage, and Marlin
Marlin Firearms
Marlin Firearms Co., formerly of North Haven, Connecticut, is a manufacturer of high power, center fire, lever action, and .22 caliber rimfire rifles. In the past, the company made shotguns, derringers and revolvers...
, and more recently Remington
Remington
- People :* Eliphalet Remington , American firearms designer* Philo Remington , American firearms and typewriter manufacturer, son of Eliphalet Remington* Frederic Remington , American painter and sculptor...
and Kel-Tec
Kel-Tec
Kel-Tec CNC Industries Inc. is a United States manufacturer of firearms. Founded in 1991 and based in Cocoa, Florida, the company has manufactured firearms since 1995, starting with small, affordable semi-automatic pistols and expanding to rifles. Kel-Tec is a privately-owned Florida corporation....
. Revolvers in .22 WMR are made by Taurus
Taurus (manufacturer)
Forjas Taurus is a manufacturing conglomerate based in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Beginning as a tool and die manufacturer, the company now consists of divisions focusing on firearms, metals manufacturing, plastics, body armor, helmets, and civil construction.-History:Taurus produced its first...
, North American Arms
North American Arms
North American Arms is a United States company, headquartered in Provo, Utah, that manufactures small pistols and mini-revolvers.The company was originally named Rocky Mountain Arms...
, Tanfoglio
Tanfoglio
Fratelli Tanfoglio S.N.C. is an Italian gun manufacturing company. Their current weapons are used extensively in sport competitions and for personal defence. Tanfoglio is located in Gardone Val Trompia - Italy, and is known for its broad sport pistol catalogue...
, Heritage Arms, and Sturm Ruger. The Argentine EDDA submachine gun
EDDA submachine gun
The EDDA submachine gun is a submachine gun of Argentine origin. The weapon is chambered in the .22 WMR round and is fed by a 30 round box magazine....
uses the .22 WMR round. Semi-automatic pistols for this cartridge are (or were) produced by Kel-Tec
Kel-Tec PMR-30
The PMR-30 is a full-size semi-automatic pistol being developed by Kel-Tec and is expected to be available sometime in 2011. It has a single action trigger pull of and a manual safety device. It is chambered in .22 Magnum and the factory shipped magazine will have a capacity of 30 rounds...
, Grendel
Grendel P30
The Grendel P30 is a semi-automatic pistol chambered in .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire. Designed by George Kellgren, it uses a 30-round Zytel magazine and was available with a 5 or 8 inch barrel. A carbine version was also offered...
and AMT
AMT AutoMag II
The AMT AutoMag II is one of four autoloading handguns chambered in .22 WMR, the others being the rare Grendel P30, the Excel Arms Accelerator Pistol, and the newest Kel-Tec PMR-30.-History:...
, the latter two now defunct (AMT has been since resurrected by High Standard). The Grendel, AMT and Kel-Tec designs used specially designed chambers with flutes or gas ports, designed to lubricate the long, thin cartridge with gases from the chamber, overcoming the Blish effect
Blish lock
The Blish Lock is a breech locking mechanism designed by John Bell Blish based upon his observation that under extreme pressures, certain dissimilar metals will resist movement with a force greater than normal friction laws would predict. In modern engineering terminology, it is considered to be an...
and allowing easy extraction of the cartridge.
Ammunition
The .22WMR is little more than an enlarged, more powerful version of the much earlier .22 WRF.22 Winchester Rimfire
The .22 Winchester Rimfire is an American rimfire rifle cartridge.Introduced in the Winchester M1890 slide rifle, it had a flat-nose slug, and is identical to the .22 Remington Special...
(which can also be fired in any weapon chambered for .22WMR). It was for a time the most powerful rimfire round available, and even outperformed the .22 WCF
.22 Winchester Centerfire
.22 Winchester Centerfire was a small centerfire cartridge introduced in 1885 for use in the Winchester Model 1885 single shot rifle. Factory manufacture of ammunition was discontinued in 1936...
.
While more powerful than the .22 Long Rifle
.22 Long Rifle
The .22 Long Rifle rimfire cartridge is a long established variety of ammunition, and in terms of units sold is still by far the most common in the world today. The cartridge is often referred to simply as .22 LR and various rifles, pistols, revolvers, and even some smoothbore shotguns have...
, ammunition is not available in as large a variety as .22 LR. Availability is also not as great, either; while the .22 WMR is by no means hard to find, nearly every retailer that sells ammunition will carry .22 LR. The price of .22 WMR is substantially higher than almost all .22 LR, though it is less expensive than the new .17 Rimfire
.17 Rimfire
.17 Rimfire may refer to a number of different cartridges or firearms that use them. The cartridges all use rimfire cases and fire .17 inch bullets...
calibers. Since many of the rifles that chamber the .22 WMR use tubular magazines, bullet noses are generally flat or blunt to allow smooth feeding. Recently, new bullets have emerged from Remington, CCI, and Hornady and have 30 or 33 gr polymer plastic ballistic tips.
Bullets for the .22 WMR are generally unlubricated lead with heavy copper plating, in either solid nose or hollow point style designed for small game hunting or pest control (varmint hunting).
Due to the limited selection of commercial ammunition, the .22 WMR was the case used by a small but dedicated group of wildcatters
Wildcat cartridge
A wildcat cartridge, or wildcat, is a custom cartridge for which ammunition and firearms are not mass produced. These cartridges are often created in order to optimize a certain performance characteristic of an existing commercial cartridge.Developing and using wildcat cartridges does not...
for handloading
Handloading
Handloading or reloading is the process of loading firearm cartridges or shotgun shells by assembling the individual components , rather than purchasing completely assembled, factory-loaded cartridges...
high performance rimfire ammunition. Generally these loads would use more aerodynamic pointed bullets, the same type used by .22 caliber centerfire cartridges. While often heavier than standard .22 WMR bullets, the sharp nose and tapered tail retained velocity better, and delivered more energy downrange. Other wildcatters would neck the .22 WMR down to smaller calibers, such as .20 (5 mm) and .17 (4.5 mm) or even smaller, in an attempt to get maximum velocity and the flattest possible trajectory
External ballistics
External ballistics is the part of the science of ballistics that deals with the behaviour of a non-powered projectile in flight. External ballistics is frequently associated with firearms, and deals with the behaviour of the bullet after it exits the barrel and before it hits the target.-Forces...
.
Applications
The .22 WMR is effective out to 125 yd (115 m) on varmints such as foxFox
Fox is a common name for many species of omnivorous mammals belonging to the Canidae family. Foxes are small to medium-sized canids , characterized by possessing a long narrow snout, and a bushy tail .Members of about 37 species are referred to as foxes, of which only 12 species actually belong to...
or coyote
Coyote
The coyote , also known as the American jackal or the prairie wolf, is a species of canine found throughout North and Central America, ranging from Panama in the south, north through Mexico, the United States and Canada...
. When loaded with hollow-point bullets, it is too destructive for small game (under 50 yd [45 m]), such as rabbit
Rabbit
Rabbits are small mammals in the family Leporidae of the order Lagomorpha, found in several parts of the world...
s or prairie dog
Prairie dog
Prairie dogs are burrowing rodents native to the grasslands of North America. There are five different species of prairie dogs: black-tailed, white-tailed, Gunnison's, Utah and Mexican prairie dogs. They are a type of ground squirrel, found in the United States, Canada and Mexico...
s or anything intended for eating.
In 2011, Speer released a .22 magnum version of their Gold Dot Personal Protection ammo and Hornady of their Critical Defense ammo. Both are optimized for the short barrels found in self-defense handguns. Both are made for self-defense.
See also
- 5 mm caliber5 mm caliberThis article lists firearm cartridges which have a bullet in the to caliber range.*Length refers to the cartridge case length.*OAL refers to the overall length of the cartridge.All measurements are in mm .-Rimfire cartridges:...
- List of handgun cartridges
- List of rifle cartridges
- List of rimfire cartridges
External links
- Chuck Hawks' page on the .22 WMR
- Chuck Hawks on .22 WMR ammunition selection
- The .22 WMR TODAY, Guns Magazine, June, 2001 by C. Rodney James
- Three .22 WMR Loads From Remington, Handguns Magazine, by Phil W. Johnston
- Reloading Techniques: .22 Win. Magnum Rimfire, Performance Shooter, April 1996