22 magnum size

[akodo]

Question for you guys.

The other day I went shooting bringing along a few 22LR rifles and my uncle brought a 22 magnum Smith and Wesson revolver, probably 1950's or 60's era.

We cleaned the guns afterwards, but I couldn't pass the jag of the generic 22 cal cleaning rod down the barrel of his revolver, even with no patch. I ended up just blasting gunscrubber down the barrel.

What's up with that? I've never tried to clean a 22 magnum with this same rod, but I have cleaned at least 5 different 22LR firearms with it.

Does 22 magnum have a slightly smaller bullet? (like how 303 really has a .311 bullet rather than a .308)

I think I recall reading somewhere that Ruger Single Sixes with changeable cylinders were never very accurate in 22 WMR because the barrel was sized for 22LR not 22 Magnum. But when I looked up the actual bullet diameter on wikipedia I got .224 for 22 WMR and .223 for 22LR

Did 22 WMR used to have a slightly smaller bullet? Did it have the same size bullet but just the bore was normally cut smaller?

 

[T191032]

"I think I recall reading somewhere that Ruger Single Sixes with changeable cylinders were never very accurate in 22 WMR because the barrel was sized for 22LR not 22 Magnum. But when I looked up the actual bullet diameter on wikipedia I got .224 for 22 WMR and .223 for 22LR"


Actually, it's the other way around, from what I understand. The bullet is .224 for the .22WMR and the barrel is sized for the .224, while the .22LR is undersized and not as accurate in .22LR.

"The Truth about Convertible .22LR/.22 WMR Revolvers", Dick Metcalf - "A second consequence is more subtle : All convertible .22LR/.22 WMR revolvers are actually .22 WRM guns, with .22 WMR bore specifications. They have to be, to accommodate the larger .224-caliber jacketed-bullet .22 WMR ammunition. This means that when you use the .22 LR auxillary cylinder in a convertible .22LR/.22WMR revolver, you are actually firing a subcaliber .222 through a .224-caliber bore. The soft lead of a .22 LR bullet will deform. . .but the consequent loss of its original concentricity and balance significantly degrades its in-flight accuracy--as early premium-quality .22 WMR S&W Model 48 owners who tried to use their revolvers fitted with .22 LR cylinders in formal target competition quickly discovered." From Guns & Ammo Special : Complete Book of Rimfires, 2009.

Now, there is a Tool available to "bump" up the .22LR to better size it to the bore, called the Acu'Rzr, made by Frank "Paco" Kelly. I've got one, and love to make full wadcutter shaped .22LRs, but have no Single Six to test the effectiveness with. My Acu'Rzr is an older model, sized L222 (Light .222) and .224 so, that would be interesting. Info about the tool can be found here : http://www.leverguns.com/store/acurzr.html

As for why the jag/rod wouldn't go into your Uncle's revolver, I couldn't answer.


I hope that this helps you.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

One thousandth of an inch in bullet diameter may or may not be significant. The Magnum does however have a larger diameter case. This is because the bullet is not rebated or "heeled" to fit in and be the same diameter as the case.

 

[bobelk99]

If (and it is) the 22WRM is .224 then the barrel bore certainly is no smaller than a 22 rimfire.

The previous posts seem to support this. Now can someone tell why a 22 brush has trouble going down your revolver barrel?

 

[Mal H]

"... but I couldn't pass the jag of the generic 22 cal cleaning rod down the barrel of his revolver, even with no patch."

That makes no sense - as you already know. If you figure it out, be sure to tell us the rest of the story. I can't think of any reason that .22 jag that will fit in a .22LR barrel won't fit in a .22 WMR barrel.

You could slug his revolver barrel to what the actual diameter is. Just remove a bullet from a .22LR and force it through the barrel, then mic it. Or you might look for an undamaged bullet that was fired from the revolver.

 

[Walkalong]

Tight bore can be the only reason.

I have an OMM that started out life as a .22 LR, but was converted to .22 Mag. Very tight bore, but shoots very well. I have the same problem. My normal .22 jag won't work with my standard .22 patches. I have to use a much thinner material. Fortunately they don't need cleaning often.

 

[mnrivrat]

How about a crap load of lead fouling ? corrosion ?

 

[akodo]

the slugging the barrel would work...IF I HAD A FREAKING ROD THAT WOULD FIT DOWN THE BARREL

if it is a gun that gets brought out more than just on rare occasions I figure i'll pick up a 17HMR cleaning kit

 

[harmonic]

I shot some Remingtons out of a Smith m41 and couldn't clean it because I couldn't get the rod through the barrel. All because the Remingtons leaded the barrel so badly.

I had to go back to the range and shoot some CCIs (yes, I know, that's bad) to clear it out enough to get a rod through.

You weren't shooting Remingtons by any chance, were you?