Rifleman Q&A: .22-Cal. Cartridge Compatibility

by
posted on July 8, 2022
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
.22-Cal. Cartridge
.22 Winchester Rimfire shown above (l.) next to the .22 Long Rifle cartridge (r).
Photo by Christopher Olsen

Q: I own a Winchester 1890 in .22 Winchester Rimfire and a Model 62 in .22 Long Rifle. Will a .22 LR fit in the WRF chamber and fire without danger to the firearm and user?


A: With few exceptions, it is generally never advisable to attempt to chamber or fire any sort of cartridge other than that for which the firearm is designed and hopefully for which it is marked or otherwise indicated. The exceptions typically include those situations involving a “family” of cartridges, usually straight-walled and headspacing on a rim, where the difference between cartridges is primarily only a matter of case length. It is usually acceptable to fire the shorter cartridge in the chamber for the longer sibling. Examples would include: .38 Spl. in a .357 Mag.; .44 Spl. in a .44 Mag.; .32 S&W in a .32 S&W Long; .45 Colt in a .460 S&W Mag.; .22 WRF in a .22 WMR; and .22 Short and Long in the .22 Long Rifle.

In the case of .22 LR and .22 WRF, the dimensional differences include not only case length but both rim and case body diameter. The .22 LR cartridges will fit loosely in the .22 WRF chamber and rim recess, but they will usually be held at the rim so that attempting to fire the round will usually be successful. Because the small case is largely unsupported, however, it will expand within the limits of the larger chamber, usually splitting from end to end, releasing gas and byproducts of ignition by any avenue available within the firearm, potentially causing harm to the shooter, bystanders and perhaps the gun itself. Removal of the split case from the chamber can also prove to be problematic.

—John W. Treakle, Contributing Editor

Latest

Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy Compact 3.5" AOS black pistol handgun right-side view
Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy Compact 3.5" AOS black pistol handgun right-side view

Gun Of The Week: Springfield Armory Prodigy Compact 3.5” AOS

For this episode, we’re on the range with a double-stack, M1911-style handgun that’s more compact and lightweight than we’re used to seeing. This is the Springfield Armory Prodigy Compact 3.5” AOS chambered for 9 mm Luger.

The Armed Citizen® Aug. 1, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Budget Pistol Rigs With AIM Surplus

It's still possible to pull together a budget-friendly, name-brand pistol rig for $300 to $400, if you play your cards right.

Nextorch Celebrating 20th Anniversary—A Timely Preparedness Reminder

Nextorch North America is celebrating the company’s 20 years of providing lighting solutions for consumers, law enforcement professionals and military forces around the world.

Rifleman Review: Smith & Wesson M&P 22 Magnum

One of Smith & Wesson's recent additions to its M&P handgun line is the M&P 22 Magnum, and there's a lot more going on in this gun, technologically, than it appears at first glance.

New For 2025: Beretta BRX1 Ranch

Beretta has expanded its BRX1 straight-pull action into a "ranch rifle" configuration, providing a handy, lightweight platform that still includes some of the groundbreaking features of the original BRX1 rifle.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.