Ruger Single Six Convertable

[Waveski]

This has probably come up here before , but here goes:

I own the venerable Ruger Single Six with optional .22 mag cylinder. Is there not a difference in bullet diameter between the .22 lr and .22 magnum? And , if so , how is it that the bore rifling effectively handle the smaller bullet? By extension , is the smaller bullet less accurate out of that bore?

This is a head scratcher for me , but there is probably a simple explanation...

 

[Sistema1927]

.224 versus .222, yes, it might make a slight difference. However, the greater variable is the amount of free travel of the .22 LR prior to engaging rifling.

But, most people don't buy the Single-Six for precision shooting. It does just fine for what it was designed.

 

[Iggy]

I sure killed a heck of a bunch of Jack Rabbits with mine using 22 LR before I found out it wasn't accurate.

 

[ThomasT]

I have responded to this before on THR and TFL. I measured 6 different 22LR bullets and everyone was at least .224 to .226 in diameter. I have never seen a 22lr bullet that miked .222. Those that I measured were all as big or bigger than a 22 mag bullet. So far as can see it is a non issue.

I did take out my single six and tried all the different 22lr loads I owned. Thats where I found the difference. Not in bullet diameter but in what brand of ammo my gun shot best. That was more important than a microscopic difference in bullet diameter.

 

[SlayerOfBunnies]

I sure killed a heck of a bunch of Jack Rabbits with mine using 22 LR before I found out it wasn't accurate.

Same here but for squirrels.

 

[TruthTellers]

IMO, the point of having a convertible .22LR/.22Mag isn't so you get the best velocity and accuracy out of the .22 LR you shoot, it's to be able to shoot it and shoot it safely.

 

[ROAshooter]

"IMO, the point of having a convertible .22LR/.22Mag isn't so you get the best velocity and accuracy out of the .22 LR you shoot, it's to be able to shoot it and shoot it safely."

Hummmm the point of a convertible is to be able to shoot two types of ammunition....out of the same gun........whats that got to do with safety?

 

[gbran]

I have good accuracy with both my 22lr and 22wmr cylinders, but I've often wondered is there a difference in bore size for a 22wmr handgun versus a 22lr handgun? And in a convertable, is the bore sized for one or the other? I suspect in the Ruger it's sized for the 22lr and it just does OK with the wmr.

Anybody know?

 

[PapaG]

I was so surprised with the accuracy of my convertible single six using the lr cylinder that I invested in a mount and scope. It was the equal of my 617 and just about as good as the old 41. 22 mags, not so much. Still not bad.

 

[ThomasT]

I have good accuracy with both my 22lr and 22wmr cylinders, but I've often wondered is there a difference in bore size for a 22wmr handgun versus a 22lr handgun? And in a convertable, is the bore sized for one or the other? I suspect in the Ruger it's sized for the 22lr and it just does OK with the wmr.

Anybody know

So far as I know from what I have read the SS has a .224 bore. Twenty Two shooters are always wishing it was a .223 bore. Does Ruger really hold a bore to a .001 tolerance? I don't know and don't care. I just try several different ammo types in both calibers and shoot what works best. Or I just shoot what I have and normally never notice the difference when shooting from a field position.

Most guns unless they are just really poorly made will out shoot most of the shooters using them. Remember its a poor mechanic who blames his tools.

 

[cat_IT_guy]

Pretty sure I read that they were sized for the larger .22wmr barrels, but that the generally soft .22 lr bullets would sufficiently fill the barrel for most intents and purposes. I've never shot my SS for groups, specifically. It shoots straighter than I can hold with either 22 or WMR. Maybe off a bench with a scope I could tell..... but again not really the point of a convertible, IMO.

 

[gbran]

Subject with red dot.

[/IMG]

 

[cfullgraf]

Don't tell my Single Six convertible that it is not supposed to be accurate shooting 22LR ammunition.

In 30 years of owning it, I probably have not fired a box of 22 Magnum through it. I think I could lay my hands on the magnum cylinder.

 

[gbran]

Bought my SS new in 1984 and almost exclusively use the wmr cylinder. It is generally more accurate than me.

 

[Hondo 60]

I did take out my single six and tried all the different 22lr loads I owned. Thats where I found the difference. Not in bullet diameter but in what brand of ammo my gun shot best. That was more important than a microscopic difference in bullet diameter.

+1 ^^^^

My 22s are not that fond of Federal lead or Winchester plated.

Fiocchi Hi-Velocity (which I haven't seen in several years)
and Remington Thunderbolts (the cheap stuff) seem to be as accurate as I am.

 

[rcmodel]

Also keep in mind the .22 LR bullet is very soft lead, with a semi hollow base like a Minie ball.

It is able to 'Slug Up' under firing pressure to fit any reasonable bore size.

Witness how well it shoots in 100 year old rifles of who knows what bore size!,,

The .22 LR is a remarkable achievement in it's ability to remain accurate in any bore size or shape you shoot it in.

As for convertibles?

I have a Colt Scout SAA that is more accurate with .22 LR then with .22 WRM.

rc

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

What rcmodel said.

The .22 WMR is a jacketed round. .22 LR is not, though it's often plated. Lead will work quite well in a barrel bored for .22 WMR, slightly under sized as it is.

.22 LR is actually supposed to be .223 or .2255. Any barrel that's bored with rifling to handle .22 WMR has sufficient rifling engagement to grab ahold of a .22 LR as well, "slug up" effects or no.


From Wikipedia on the .22 LR:

"Because the .22 long rifle round commonly uses a heeled lead or lightly plated bullet, the nominal bullet diameter is larger than the nominal bore diameter to prevent excessive lead fouling that can occur when shooting lead bullets that are the same or slightly smaller than the groove diameter. SAAMI specifies a nominal bullet diameter of 0.2255 with a tolerance of -0.004, while the specified bore diameter is 0.222. In practice, 0.224 or slightly larger bullets are common, with barrel groove diameters commonly around 0.223."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.22_Long_Rifle#Cartridge_dimensions

So, with the typical barrel groove diameter of .223, the .22 LR and the .22 WMR will engage the rifling quite satisfactorily.


Here's the Wikipedia on the .22 WMR, for additional reading:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.22_Winchester_Magnum_Rimfire

 

[bannockburn]

I have a .22 mag cylinder for my Single Six but haven't gotten around to using it yet.

 

[TimSr]

Most pistol calibers typically use a slightly larger lead bullet than the jacketed counterpart by .001-002". This is not unique to 22 rimfire.


Ammo is by far the greater accuracy factor, and varies greatly from brand to brand.

 

[Waveski]

Excellent input , thank you all. The comment by RC was noteworthy ,

"Witness how well it shoots in 100 year old rifles of who knows what bore size!

The .22 LR is a remarkable achievement in it's ability to remain accurate in any bore size or shape you shoot it in."

In closing , My Ruger SS , Herrett grips ...

 

[Wil Terry]

TOSS THIS INTO THE MIX AND THINK ABOUT IT !!! The tolerances of the BBLS used by Ruger on all those old single Six/Super Single Six pistols we all love and revere was .224" plus/minus .002" and ALL of the BBLS were the seconds from the barrel company producing them. SO...you can have a .222" BBL that shoots everyting just great, a .224" BBL that does just fine mostly, or a .226" tube that sometimes with some 22LR ammunition is NOT what we desire for accuracy, but may do just fine with 22WRM and damned fine with W-W 22WRF cartridges.
And so it goes...

 

[Waveski]

"and ALL of the BBLS were the seconds from the barrel company producing them. "

I don't know what you mean by that ...?

 

[bannockburn]

Waveski

I like the Herrett stocks on your Single Six. Do they still make them as I couldn't find any info on them on Herrett's website. They remind me of an oversized grip that a company called Mustang Grips use to make for Blackhawks and Super Blackhawks. A buddy of mine has them on his Super Blackhawk and they make a world of difference when firing full house loads through the gun.

 

[Saleen322]

Please don't tell my single-six convertible that it can't shoot. I have it convinced it is pretty accurate!

 

[Waveski]

I found the Herretts used at a gun show in California. It was a stroke of luck ; I had been looking for months. The originals did not fit my hand well ; pinky finger had no place to go.

Still would like to know what the business being seconds meant....

Saleen - Very nice. From a rest , I presume. Scope?