22short vs 22LR

[finesight]

I have shot 22 rifles for 40+ years and never really considered dimensions o

f the different rounds. I have pondered, of late, the difference in length between the 22 short and LR and how or if a rifle chambered only for a short could be lengthened to accept LR's. Since both are using outside lubricated bullets and the fact that the chambers of the two are the same as bore diameters, it appears to me that it would work. Am I correct with my assumptions?

 

[rcmodel]

Yes and no.

In general, if the action strength is good enough, you could lengthen the chamber.

But if it is a repeater of some sort, it won't feed them.

And the rifling twist of a .22 Short barrel will not stabilize the longer Long Rifle bullet, so I would expect bullet key-holing, and dismal accuracy.

LR rifling is generally 1-16" twist.

.22 Short is generally a slower 1-20" twist.

rc

 

[Snowdog]

Just about any .22LR will chamber and fire .22 short. That doesn't mean there won't be cycling issues.

I have an old tube-fed Mossberg bolt action that will feed fire and eject .22 short, long and long rifle. When loaded with .22 short, the tube holds 30 rounds.

However, my marlin model 60 will fire .22 short, but feeding is an issue and the shorter .22 short doesn't have sufficient punch to cycle the action.

If you plan on manually feeding and ejecting the rounds, you shouldn't have any issues.

Some might mention leading problems. Not saying it doesn't happen, but I have yet to run into any significant leading issues.

 

[Fryerpower]

Caution, slight hijack, but related to the first two posts.

I have an old (1960s) Savage tube fed .22 rifle that can take long, short, and a couple other bullet designs (engraved into the barrel). I assume the barrel twist is set up for the hottest round that they expected it to shoot. Probably a .22 LR. How does this higher twist rate affect the accuracy of the .22 shorts? is there such thing as too much spin?

Jim

 

[osteodoc08]

If driven fast enough and with fast enough twist a poorly constructed bullet won't even make it to the target. Not an issue with 22 velocities. Theoretical leading issues but I've never seen any.

My Henry H001T will shoot eject and load any of those CB, Long, Long Rifle loadings. I've used them in revolvers as well.

You should NOT attempt to fire them in a 22 Mag chamber.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

Rifles originally chambered .22 Short Only can be of interest to collectors. It's a niche but some people go GaGa over "gallery rifles" in .22 short, like the old shooting gallery pumps and autos.

 

[finesight]

Regarding the Winchester 1890, if a rifle chambered for LR has a ROT @ 1-16 why then were the SHORTS barreled with 1-20 if 1-16 accommodates all? Maybe the very early model '90's that were chambered SHORT only but I don't see Winchester re tooling for two different rounds based solely from a cost standpoint. However the 1890 was the platform for Winchester's new cartridge, the 22 WRF.

 

[Dr T]

I would not dream of reaming the chamber of my NIB grade Winchester Gallery Gun in 22 Short. I am tempted to shoot it, but am afraid of scratching it (and it is very, very pretty). Right now, it the most valuable thing in the safe...

 

[tuj]

The folks on Rimfire Central would have more to say on this, but I have heard of both rifles and target pistols being converted from 22 short to 22lr. Like others, I would probably not do it if the firearm had any value.

 

[finesight]

If I had some sho nuff Winchester specs on the rifle my question would be answered, but I don't. Not that I'm discounting anyone's word here on the forum. Guess I must be from Missouri originally.

Yes, the 1890 is a beautiful little rifle! I wish Winchester hadn't changed the locking lugs on the 3rd model. The solid frame 1st model and the 2nd are my favorite! I understand that Winchester actually had plans for the rifle to be a little beefed up and chamber 32RF.