.223/5.56 bullets in a .22lr casing??

Hey guys,

During today's in-class daydream session, I was thinking about how cool it would be to use .223 bullets (higher BC, more accurate..) in a .22lr.

Couldn't you just seat a .223 bullet into a primed+charged .22lr casing and *gingerly* load it into your .22lr, then reap the benefits of a better projectile?

Thanks guys, I'm curious about what you all think!

- TNG

The rim fire bore is 222. The 223 is 224. Not a good way to start your day. While you would have a higher BC the bullet would be so much heavier that it would loose the advantage in velocity loss.

Some guys do/did use the better 223 varmint bullets in 22 Magnums years ago but they have a bigger bore and can handle them plus the weight was the same.

Greg

PS: Regarding accuracy. No other round in the world has had the $$'s spent on it to come to the cutting edge of accuracy than the 22 RF. The match stuff is unreal and nothing we can do on the home front will ever top that stuff. IMHO YMMV

Thanks Greg. But some little pointed 22lr rounds would be pretty neat!

I would finally be able to fit in with the 17 HMR crowd :D

Don't forget, 22LR bullets are "heeled" bullets, 223 bullets are full diameter their entire length.

DM

I don't know if it would work or not but here are some things to consider:22LR is a tiny case that pressure would rise in quickly, 22LR bullets are soft lead & create less pressure to swage to the bore, & would there be room in the chamber for the bullet with the case around it.

If it did fit where would you start at charge. I don't see it even fitting so there would be no worry on the other thoughts.

If you can figure out how to get the bullet into the case and have it work properly, it seems like it'd be a good idea for use in an AR-15 with a .22LR conversion bolt in it - probably be more accurate than regular .22LR due to the bore size difference.

They cannot be seated in the case and still chamber. The .22 LR case is designed for a heeled bullet. The part of the .22 bullet in the case is well under .224.

Walkalong, just realized this via curiosity. I just pulled the bullet out of a .22lr round, and yes, they are heeled. But it seems there is a roll-type crimp on the bullet? My calipers (and this picture) tell me that the bullet and casing are the same OUTER diameter, but alas, the inside of the casing is not quite big enough to accommodate the .224 bullet of the .223 round.

Maybe I'll chuck a bullet in the lathe and file the base down to see if I can get it to fit :cool:

Well, I think you're gonna lose some of your BC advantage. :)

While you would have a higher BC the bullet would be so much heavier that it would loose the advantage in velocity loss.
Well, last I checked, my 22 LR bullets weigh 37-40 grains. While 35 grains is a common weight for .223 REM varmint guns with lower twist rates. The problem, besides not being "heeled" would be the length! These would be for single shot rifles, only!

If you're gonna go to that trouble, you might wanna try some .22 JET bullets. 40 grains, .222" diameter.

Also, don't forget the pressure difference. Even the copper washed 22LR bullets shoot basically like lead. Even if you use the same powder charge and set the OAL to produce the same internal volume (while keeping the bullet off the rifling, of course), a jacketed bullet will probably produce a higher pressure.

Final note: If I understand, correctly, a longer bullet needs a higher twist rate to stabilize. So even if you duplicate the ballistics, they may keyhole!

You're gonna shoot your eye out!

rc

You're gonna shoot your eye out!

rc

Best laugh I've had in a while.

Interesting read otherwise.