Author Topic: Can you shoot .22LR in a Single Shot .22Mag Rifle? (Read 1661 times)

Yukon Gold · « **on:** March 17, 2005, 05:28:09 AM »

I have an old .22Mag/.410 Stevens O/U Rifle, Single shot, break open.

The question is: can you shoot .22LR ammo in a .22Mag, single shot rifle?

quickdtoo · « **Reply #1 on:** March 17, 2005, 06:01:08 AM »

The question maybe should be, should you? The 22Lr case is not only shorter, but it's also smaller in diameter, so you're likely to split the case and end up with it stuck in the chamber, at the least, it will foul the chamber badly. The LR bore is also slightly smaller by .002", so accuracy won't be tops.

http://www.reamerrentals.com/rimfiretable.htm

wink_man · « **Reply #2 on:** March 17, 2005, 06:17:08 AM »

You can, BUT, as Quickdtoo says, not a good idea, because of the chamber differences. You CAN, however, if you purchase a 22 mag to 22 lr adapter from http://www.mcace.com/ , they are 20 dollars for a pack of 3, and they work very well in a Savage 24.
Sincerely,
Garry

Graybeard · « **Reply #3 on:** March 17, 2005, 12:23:40 PM »

Can you yes but should you NO. Case will rupture and darn few rimfire rifles have a good system of keeping the gases and particles out of your face. DON'T DO IT.

BTW I've deleted the suggestion on how to do it posted just before my post in this thread. DO NOT be recommending unsafe practices here.

Lawdog · « **Reply #4 on:** March 17, 2005, 01:49:03 PM »

Quote from: Graybeard

Can you yes but should you NO. Case will rupture and darn few rimfire rifles have a good system of keeping the gases and particles out of your face. DON'T DO IT.

BTW I've deleted the suggestion on how to do it posted just before my post in this thread. DO NOT be recommending unsafe practices here.

I concur with Graybeards statement "DON'T DO IT" completely. Lawdog

Yukon Gold · « **Reply #5 on:** March 17, 2005, 03:00:07 PM »

Thanks for the feedback.

I learn something new every day on this forum. Didn't know that the .22mag case had a different diameter than the .22LR.

If I would have known, I wouldn't have even asked!

That being said, no way I will entertain the idea of putting a .22LR in a .22Mag.

Jack Gilbert · « **Reply #6 on:** March 19, 2005, 07:49:21 AM »

Quite a number of years ago I had a case head rupture with some ammo which had the case head drawn just a little too thin, this according to the manufacturer. As Graybeard noted, you are very apt to get some gas and brass back in your face if this happens. Well, it made for a trip to the emergency room, and they picked the particles out of my eye, a real sweaty palm experience, for sure. I was wearing glasses, but was looking over them at the time as I was shooting uphill.

The brass had been flowing back into the firing pin opening, making the rifle difficult to open, and I should have stopped when I was ahead. This was a .22MRF, by the way.

No permanent damage was done, fortunately. Much like a corneal abrasion from a hard contact lens. It is not an experience I want to repeat, believe me. I almost dropped the rifle when it happened.

Jack

rzwieg · « **Reply #7 on:** March 19, 2005, 07:23:56 PM »

Years back I read an article about some brave soul using .22lr in a Colt Diamondback .22mag (as I recall).Accuracy was suprising ,though the cases burst. I mention this not as encouragement but as a warning. Certainly not a good idea! Remember the cases burst.

S.S. · « **Reply #8 on:** March 21, 2005, 02:38:04 AM »

Maybe if you are lost and starving!
But not just for the heck of it.
It isn't worth a blast of hot gas in the face.