22 magnum not for revolver?

2389 Views 21 Replies 11 Participants Last post by glenwolde, Dec 13, 2017

Lone Eagle

Discussion Starter · Dec 9, 2017

I was at Cabelas this morning for some .22LR and .22 Magnum rounds for my Heritage. On the shelf was a box of CCI 45gr HP, antique looking label, marked WRF. As I was reading the box, it had in bold print, "Not for use in revolvers". It was the only box on the shelf marked that way. I found a stock pick.

Rectangle Liqueur

Pardon the ignorance, but what is this magical unicorn round they had?

I did score some of the elusive CCI Mini-Mags at 9.99/100, no limit. My Winchester 61 loves the mini.

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1 - 20 of 22 Posts

CaptainMorgan

· #2 · Dec 9, 2017

I believe that it's actually different than the Magnum rounds for the Heritage revolvers but I'm not sure.

CaptainMorgan

· #3 · Dec 9, 2017

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/.22_Winchester_Rimfire

Here is the scoop.

NativeTexan

· #4 · Dec 9, 2017

.22 WMR was developed from .22 WRF and is more powerful. .22 WRF will chamber in .22 WMR guns, but probably won't function semi autos. I'm not sure WHY it'd say not to chamber .22WRF in revolvers, though. That's odd.

crossfire

· #5 · Dec 12, 2017

NativeTexan said:
.22 WMR was developed from .22 WRF and is more powerful. .22 WRF will chamber in .22 WMR guns, but probably won't function semi autos. I'm not sure WHY it'd say not to chamber .22WRF in revolvers, though. That's odd.

Not really. The powder used in original WRF ammo was meant for rifle-length barrels and in inefficient in handgun barrels. You probably won't get much more velocity than any of the .22LR hyper loads in a 6" revolver barrel. What you will get is a lot more muzzle flash.

NativeTexan

· #6 · Dec 12, 2017

Until Hornady introduced critical defense some few years ago, ALL .22WMR was also loaded with slow burn powder intended for rifles. No, it wasn't designed for short barreled pistols and revolvers, but it still went bang. Some of the more accurate ammunition in my Black Widow is CCI maximag, which is, of course, intended for rifles. Facts are, you can fire .22 WRF in a .22 mag handgun. And, until just a few years ago, rifle specific ammo was your only choice in a .22 mag handgun.

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olfarhors

· #7 · Dec 12, 2017

Interestingly enough many people equate the power of the 22 WMR from published FPS VS FT LBS, and don't take into account that a 2-4 inch barrel is a long way from a 16-20 inch barrel in velocity.

crossfire

· #8 · Dec 12, 2017

.22 Long, Long Rifle and Magnum all operate at 24 kpsi. The WRF is only 19 kpsi.

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NativeTexan

· #9 · Dec 12, 2017

crossfire said:
.22 Long, Long Rifle and Magnum all operate at 24 kpsi. The WRF is only 19 kpsi.

But, so what? Can it be fired safely in a .22 magnum handgun? OF COURSE it can.

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PT99AF

· #10 · Dec 12, 2017

And .22lr cannot be shot in a 22wmr weapon. Atleast not a revolver

NativeTexan

· #11 · Dec 12, 2017

PT99AF said:
And .22lr cannot be shot in a 22wmr weapon. Atleast not a revolver

Yes, but .22 WRF can. Re-read the OP, folks. That box of WRF says it can't be fired in revolvers. UH?

glenwolde

· #12 · Dec 12, 2017

The rim on the WRF is a tad bigger, and has trouble seating in countersunk chambers, which most rimfire revolvers have. In short it may or may not work. Since most retailers will not accept returns on ammunition this is probably a good warning.

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Sekol

· #13 · Dec 12, 2017

I actually have a very, very old Colt revolver chambered in 22 WRF. It LOVES this ammo!

I have shot this same 22 WRF out of my 22mag Ruger American rifle- and it is very anemic - dropped over 6" at 75 yds compared to CCI 22mag

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NativeTexan

· #14 · Dec 12, 2017

glenwolde said:
The rim on the WRF is a tad bigger, and has trouble seating in countersunk chambers, which most rimfire revolvers have. In short it may or may not work. Since most retailers will not accept returns on ammunition this is probably a good warning.

Ah, something logical.

JimmyA

· #15 · Dec 13, 2017

I have a Model 90 Winchester rifle that uses .22 WRF (Winchester rim fire)
The WRF is not as common as magnum and troublesome to find sometimes.
It's a powerful cartridge and has muzzle velocity around 1,350 fps out of the rifle.

Peacemakr40

· #16 · Dec 13, 2017

I've put 1 box of it through my Heritage RR without a problem with the Mag cylinder. As Miss Sekol stated, it is however pretty anemic compared to true 22 magnum ammo.

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glenwolde

· #17 · Dec 13, 2017 (Edited)

Here's a response from CCI that was posted on another forum:

"The reason for the caution against using the CCI WRF ammunition in revolvers stems from problems with bullets sticking in the bore of WRF revovlers. We have not tested the ammuntion in WMR revolvers. We found, in both Colt and H&R revolvers originally chambered for the WRF, that the bores were from 22 Long Rifle blanks. The small bore, combined with generous barrel-cylinder gaps, and the copper coating of the bullets, worked together to leave the bullet in the bore."

Be careful Sekol.....

I'd always heard it was the rim size thing, which may or may not be valid now, I don't know. Can't recall where I heard that...

Reactions: 2

NativeTexan

· #18 · Dec 13, 2017

Well, that's a little strange because I was of the understanding that a .22 WMR was slightly larger bore than .22LR and that combo guns were of the .22WMR size. Folks have said the .22LR isn't as accurate in such guns due to the larger bore, which is all internet hear say and I've read this in Zines I believe.

Don't guess it really matters as I wouldn't buy any .22WRF for my Black Widow, anyhow.

panfish

· #19 · Dec 13, 2017

NativeTexan said:
Well, that's a little strange because I was of the understanding that a .22 WMR was slightly larger bore than .22LR and that combo guns were of the .22WMR size. Folks have said the .22LR isn't as accurate in such guns due to the larger bore, which is all internet hear say and I've read this in Zines I believe.

Don't guess it really matters as I wouldn't buy any .22WRF for my Black Widow, anyhow.

You have a pet Black Widow?...Never figured you as the spider type....Having a pet spider is odd...And having one that shoot firearms
is even stranger!

Reactions: 1

NativeTexan

· #20 · Dec 13, 2017

panfish said:
You have a pet Black Widow?...Never figured you as the spider type....Having a pet spider is odd...And having one that shoot firearms
is even stranger!

Yes, and it's a rather mean spider, eats .22 magnum ammunition.

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