22

[Riverratpete]

I should know this but here it is. Can a 22 Magnum rifle shoot regular 22 long rifle rounds? not shorts. I was looking at a Marlin bolt action the other day and would like it for target shooting and squirrel hunting but want to be sure of what I'm buying.

[icehousebob]

You CAN NOT safely shoot .22 long rifle cartriges is a 22 mag. The mag case is a larger diameter and if the LR shells are fired in the gun, the cases will split open in the chamber. That can ruin the chamber and possibly blow hot gas back at the shooter.

[Muddog]

I do beleve a .22LR is .222. A .22 mag Is .223.

There are some revolvers that shoot both but you have to change the cylinder. They are not target guns!

[lunker651]

Like icehousebob said you cannot shoot .22 LR in .22 magnum guns. The .22 LR is a little smaller in diameter than the .22 mag. It will still fire using the .22 Lr in .22 mag guns but you are risking serious injury to yourself. I used to have a revolver that shoots .22 mag and it can shoot the .22 LR too. But you are talking about a rifle so it's different. I wouldn't try it, like I said before, you're risking injury to yourself and others around you. Using the right ammo for your gun is the best way to go.

[Muddog]

Isn't that what I said?

The bore on the .22LR cylinder for the revolver is smaller to keep the case from rupturing. The barrel bore will still be to big for the rifling to properly engage the smaller .22LR bullet.

In my book. The .22RFmag is a poor round unless you plan to use it at 125yds or less. The .17RFmag or the .22Hornet are far better rounds. Or even the .17HM2 would be far better.

A .270win will fit in a .280rem (.277-.284) but I wouldn't want to try it.

Bottom Line is don't do it.

I once had a .22RFmag and tried to target shoot with it. The weather ( temp, pressure and others(speed of sound) ) would effect the round to much. I think it is becase the bullet comes out of the barrel just above Mach2 (22in barrel) Some times and sometimes just below Mach2.

The .17HM2 starts out just below Mach2 and with its pointed bullet stays there alot longer. Thus no buffiting like you get with the .22RFMag.

If you do go with the .22RFMag take it target shooting at differant times of the year. Low pressure, High pressure, high temps and low temps. See how your groups change.

My rifle was a Ruger 77/22 with a 22in barrel. You may have better luck with a 24in barrel. I would go with the .17HM2 if targets and squirrels are what you are after. It's a good 100yd round that I would not fell bad about shooting up into trees.

[Riverratpete]

Thanks for the info,it was what I thought but I guess I had never really seen a 22 mag Rifle before, pistol yes, Rifle no.

[The_Duckslayer]

I have a 22 Mag. I won it at a DU banquet. With the hollow points that I have for it now it will do a J O B on the pesky varmints! Fun to plink with and it wont send ya to the poor farm either. Take care and N Joy the Hunt././Jimbo