Author Topic: Difference between .22 Magnum and the .22 WMR (Read 4064 times)

coyote trapper1928 · « **on:** February 26, 2005, 08:09:25 AM »

Hi:

Can someone tell me what is the difference between the .22 magnum and the .22 WMR ? Are they the same ammo?

coyote trapper1928

getom59 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 26, 2005, 10:11:30 AM »

I don't know exactly what the differences are but I do know there's a difference between the older .22 WRF (I think it's Winchester Rimfire) and the newer .22 WMR (Winchester Magnum Rimfire) rounds. These two cartridges are not interchangeable. In regards to your exact question about the differences between the .22 magnum and the .22 WMR they are one in the same. A lot of people now days call the .22 WMR a .22 magnum and visa versa.

jh45gun · « **Reply #2 on:** February 26, 2005, 11:53:59 AM »

Correct they are the same call it 22 mag or 22 WMR. The WRF was lower powered and had a shorter case I think. The WRF can be shot in a 22 mag but not not the other way around a 22 mag CANNOT be shot in a older WRF. Jim

Joel · « **Reply #3 on:** February 28, 2005, 05:22:16 AM »

The 22 Magnum and the 22WMR (Winchester Magnun Rimfire) are one and the same. The 22 WRF is slightly shorter than the Mag and uses a heavier (45 gr) bullet than the Mag. I say uses because Hornady is once again making 22 WRF. When I was a boy I had a 22Mag/.410 Savage 24 O/U that we hardly ever shot the 22 Mags in. Used it with the WRF's as a squirrel rifle; it being a cleaner killer and more powerful round the the 22 Long Rifle. The 22 Mag back then was only available as a Hollow Point and blew every thing up. The 22 WRF had two loadings: a 40 gr HP that was discontinued by the time I shot the cartridge and a 45 gr flat nosed truncated cone bullet at 1500 fps that was a great small game round. I duplicate that load in my 22 hornet using 4.0 grs of Unique and the Speer 46 gr flatpoint bullet designed for the Marlin lever in 218 Bee. With all the re-newed emphasis on rimfires being shown these days, nice to see the re-birth of a cartridge that can be used for edible game. Don't know if anyone will ever make a rifle these days for the 22WRF, but if they did, I'd sure buy one, and not for just nostalgia. It was/is a great little cartridge.

jh45gun · « **Reply #4 on:** February 28, 2005, 10:17:51 AM »

Joel, Just use it in a 22 mag

Joel · « **Reply #5 on:** February 28, 2005, 11:52:27 AM »

Yep, like I said in the post....I did that. I'd still like to see one chambered, though, for the WRF to do away with the bullet jump caused by the shorter case.

S.S. · « **Reply #6 on:** March 04, 2005, 06:34:11 AM »

CCI and Winchester now produce the .22 WRF
and they shoot perfectly in my .22 WRM weapons.
They are just a bit shorter. They are deadly accurate
from my Ruger single six. and my Marlin model 25mn.
The CCI version is a jacketed hollowpoint and is
excellent for Coons, Opposum or feral dogs. they
are not nearly as loud as their Magnum brothers either.

Joel · « **Reply #7 on:** March 04, 2005, 07:06:01 AM »

Nice to hear that. I notice in my new Midway catalog that the CCI offering is listed with a velocity of only 1300 fps....a couple of hundred fps slower than the originals. Probably doesn't make that much difference at <100 yds. I'll be ordering a H&R Ultra Varmit in 22 Mag here shortly....with the WRF's it'll be my new rimfire(really like the Hornet using that Unique load) squirrel rifle. Hopefully.