22LR in 22 Extra Long

[zdc1775]

Ok let me start by stating that this is probably a stupid question, and I usually don't ask very many of those.

My FIL just asked me to refurbish his old 22. It is a Winchester Model 1904 single shot chambered for 22 short, long, and extra long. After doing a lot of research it seems that the LR is just a long case with an extra long bullet. I also read that the extra long was slightly more powerful. That being the case it would seem to be safe to fire LR in it.

So let me know if you have any experience with this issue.

Also any information on the rifle would be nice.

 

[Walkalong]

Anything chambered for .22 Long Rifle can shoot .22 Long or .22 Short, but if it is an auto it may not cycle.

 

[MedWheeler]

Appears safe and okey-dokey to me. Just won't work the other way around (.22EL in a gun chambered for .22LR or smaller.)

The bullet used is the same as that used in a .22LR cartridge; only the case size and pressures differ.

Read more here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.22_Extra_Long

 

[rcmodel]

Yes, you can shoot .22LR in it.

However, I would stick to standard velocity .22LR and not high-Speed or other hyper-sonic loads like Stingers.

The Extra Long was more powerful then the .22 LR of the day.

But only because it held slightly more black powder then the .22LR black powder load.

Which made it much less powerful then todays high-Speed .22 LR ammo.

rc

 

[Carl N. Brown]

My notes on .22 rimfires evolution

Year Cartridge   Case  Bullet  Overall   Description
1845 BB          .284"  20 GR   .343"  Flobert Bullet Breech cap round ball
1857 Short       .423"  29 gr   .686"  Smith & Wesson cartridge #1
1871 Long        .595"  29 gr   .798"  ¿Frank Wesson?
1880 Extra Long  .750"  40 gr  1.160"  ¿?
1887 Long Rifle  .595"  40 gr   .985"  J. Stevens Arms & Tool Co
1888 CB          .284"  20 gr   ----   Conical Bullet version of BB*
1975 CCI Stinger .710"  32 gr   .985"  almost extra long case, semi-S bullet

I would not shoot high velocity cartridges in a gun designed in the blackpowder days; my son-in-law inherited a very old .22 rimfire rifle and had me clean it up and test it. I fired only modern .22 CBs in the Long case in it, very low pressure rounds. It shot minute-of-rabbit out to 25 yards.

 

[zdc1775]

Thanks. Just wanted a little assurance that the rifle wouldn't blow up on me or someone else. It will probably see mostly 22 shorts but one day it might be in the hands of someone a little less careful than I.

 

[22-rimfire]

If you shooting LR's in it, choose standard velocity LR's such as CCI SV.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Shot what you want in it. Those guns are proof tested enough to handle it.