Ammo question- just curious
- Thread starter igotta40
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MedWheeler
Member
Yes, the WRF can be safely chambered and fired from guns made for the more-powerful WMR. I hear they make the little NAA Magnums a bit less nasty in hand.
Riomouse911
Member
As Medwheeler posted, they work like a .38 Spl. In a .357 magnum chamber.
The .22 WRF are mad-pricy though, so once that box is gone I doubt you’ll want to buy more
.
Stay safe.
The .22 WRF are mad-pricy though, so once that box is gone I doubt you’ll want to buy more
.Stay safe.
Conelrad
Member
.22's are inherently dirty, moreso in the freebore when shooting LR in a magnum chamber.
Just use a good bore brush and a reliable solvent like Hoppes now & then.
Just use a good bore brush and a reliable solvent like Hoppes now & then.
MedWheeler
Member
If anyone else is still perusing this thread, I have a question about the WRF ammunition the OP pictured above.
If one was to remove the "Zeus" label from the box, they would see the warning "Not For Use In Revolvers." Anyone able to expand on this?
If one was to remove the "Zeus" label from the box, they would see the warning "Not For Use In Revolvers." Anyone able to expand on this?
commygun
Member
Not an expert, but I believe that back in the WRF’s time of popularity, there were a lot of rifles chambered for it. And a lot of crappy “Suicide Special”-type revolvers. I imagine that the ammo manufacturer is concerned about the liability issues associated with using it in those aging revolvers of questionable quality. OTOH, I have a Colt Police Positive Target that I wouldn’t hesitate to run any WRF through. So really, it probably depends on the revolver. But the ammo manufacturer is going to put some distance between our discretion and their liability.
Speedo66
Member
Similar story with the old .44-40, the first successful center fire cartridge. Originally developed for the relatively weak '73 Winchester rifle, and later used by Colt in their SAA revolvers.
When the stronger '92 Winchester rifles came out, the ammo companies came out with a high velocity version of the ,44-40 ammo, with warnings to only use in the '92. After people used it in their '73's, and despite the warnings blew up a few, it was discontinued.
Shockingly, people couldn't be trusted to heed the warnings.
bangswitch
Member
Smith and Wesson does not recommend using .22LR in any of their revolvers that are chambered for .22 MRF. It will fit but more loosely, and the chamber depth does not allow the bullet to engage the throat immediately upon being fired. .22Magnum cases are slightly larger in diameter than .22LR (.241" for .22M vs. .225" for .22LR). The rim of the magnum is also larger, .291" vs .272" I would not think the shorter cartridge would cycle well in a magnum pistol, either, and the extractor may not reliably engage the smaller rim.
I have a Model 48-4 S&W revolver chambered for .22 Magnum; when originally manufactured, an extra .22 LR cylinder was optional, to allow using .22LR in the revolver. That alone says they don't recommend .22LR in a magnum revolver.
I have a Model 48-4 S&W revolver chambered for .22 Magnum; when originally manufactured, an extra .22 LR cylinder was optional, to allow using .22LR in the revolver. That alone says they don't recommend .22LR in a magnum revolver.
.455_Hunter
Member
Why is .22 LR being discussed in a thread about .22 WRF's suitability for firing in a .22 WMR revolver?
Monac
Member
Colt used to make early-style Police Positive Target revolvers in 22 WRF, as well as more common calibers. I have specifically read (in Michael Bussard's "Ammo Encylcopedia", IIRC) that 22 WRF can be used in 22 Magnum revolvers.
The Colt 22 WRF pistols are often in nice shape, because for a long time there was no ammo readily available for them. I don't think S&W, or anyone else I can think of, made 22 WRF revolvers, but I'm always ready to be educated!
The Colt 22 WRF pistols are often in nice shape, because for a long time there was no ammo readily available for them. I don't think S&W, or anyone else I can think of, made 22 WRF revolvers, but I'm always ready to be educated!
NIGHTLORD40K
Member
This is because .22 WRF predates jacketed rimfire bullets- the early loads were externally lubricated like LR bullets. Colt, and perhaps some others, rifled their .22WRF revolver barrels the same as the .22LR barrels and they are too tight for jacketed bullets- excessive pressures, squibs, and stripped jackets left in the bore may result. Unfortunately, almost all .22 WRF ammo found today is jacketed.
If you call Colt, they will confirm that jacketed .22 WRF ammunition should not be used in any of their vintage non-Magnum revolvers. It may be used safely in any gun marked as .22 WMR or .22 Magnum.
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MedWheeler
Member
^^ Sounds along the lines of what I've been reading. Another source also mentioned bullet crimp not being as reliable on WRF vs WMR, leading to the possibility of unseating of bullets in chambers other than the one being fired ("bullet jump.") I only saw one reference to that and, without a sample of WRF ammunition handy, I cannot speculate further.
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