ruger bearcat

[boarmountain]

Can a new bearcat be rechambered in .22 mag?

[Uncle Howie]

It's certainly been done. In short, guys have just reamed the chambers with a .22WMR reamer.
Check around on the various forums- I know there are some threads showing it done.
Good luck!

[Ladobe]

As said it's been done by many folks.   I'd probably want do it to a steel framed Bearcat if it were me just for extra measure.  They started life in the late 50's with alloy frames until the old model Super Bearcat came along in 1971 with it's steel frame.   What the new model Bearcats convertibles have that Ruger supplied with both 22LR and 22MAG cylinders in 1993.   The problem with those was not the frame though, it was the out of battery misuse possibility that lead them to discontinue them.   
 
Don't have any of my early alloy Bearcats anymore, do still have my 1971 Super Bearcat I bought new.   But it shoots so well as a 22LR I'd never alter it.

[boarmountain]

Thanks,guys

[Ranch13]

I don't think it'ld work worth a hoot. A 22 magnum cartridge hangs the nose off the front of my bearcats cylinder, and that's not taking into consideration the rim recess.
Best bet would be do some serious needle in the haystack searching and find one of the 22wmr new model bearcats.

[gcrank1]

And if you do go in search of a reamer be advised that there are revolver cylinder reamers and rifle reamers and they arent likely the same.
If you want a small packable 22M revolver look at the Charter Arms Pathfinder. We have the 22LR 2" and pleased with it; the longer barrel and adj. sight model would make a dandy Kit Gun.