Rough Rider-22Mag hurt accuracy? Length?

[wild cat mccane]

Hey,

I am thinking of picking up a Rough Rider combo. I've read weird things that a 22 or 22mag is more accurate out of the combo model, but not both. Is there anything to it?

Finally, any thoughts on a 4.75 vs 6.5 barrel length?

 

[boom boom]

Not sure on your particular chosen combination.

This is a generic problem in conversions and in this case has to do with difference in .22 LR and .22 Mag barrel bores. Typically you get mediocre accuracy from one or the other of the conversion calibers or sometimes poor accuracy in both. .22 LR bores are .223 while .22 Mag bores are .224 nominally so it depends on the individual mfg. to determine the tradeoff and how tight the mfg tolerances are in barrels.

 

[wild cat mccane]

I am thinking of the 4.75 22/22wmr with the wood grips.

 

[WestKentucky]

I think HRR guns are typically built to 22lr bores. Every one I have heard of shoots 22lr better than mag. Wish I could say the same for my Ruger. I would not be inclined to put many mags through a HRR though. They are good shooters, but with somewhat iffy materials used in its construction to hit the pricepoints they sell at I would worry about frame stretching or cracking. If your intending to shoot mainly 22lr get the HRR. If your looking to shoot many 22mags, you might want to look for a used Ruger.

 

[C.R.]

I have a Rough Rider they are a fun little pistol. It isnt as nice as a Ruger,BUT you can find them on sale for less than $ 150 They have em on sale at Dunams sporting goods near by right now for $129 without the .22mag conversion

 

[Varminterror]

A great number of 22LR pistols have been built for decades using 0.224" bores. Might be worth a phone call to Heritage arms to determine if you're genuinely interested.

On the other hand - I'd be remiss if I didn't point out - if you're looking for supreme accuracy, you're not shooting a Heritage Rough Rider.

 

[Coyote3855]

No experience with the Heritage revolvers, but I'd get the shorter barrel as you indicate is your preference. As a callow youth, I sold a 4" S&W .38 to buy a 6.5" Ruger .357 Blackhawk and never carried it as much as I had the .38. Just too long and awkward in and out of pickups and on/off horses, etc.

 

[Gaucho Gringo]

I have one of the HRR convertibles and shoot the magnum cylinder with .22WRF not .22WMR. It is much more pleasant to shoot and at most .22 shooting distances you don't give up much stopping power. Plus for hunting small game it doesn't destroy as much meat as a .22WMR. I have over 2,000 rounds of it I bought fairly cheap and it will last me the rest of my life(65 now). It is as accurate as .22 LR and mag in the guns I have shot.

 

[antiquus]

The one I had a dramatically different point of aim for the two cartridges, but I had the alloy frame. I expect the steel frame would be better in this respect. Also, some .22WMRF ammo has powder too slow for handguns and give poor results. When I used Federal Gameshok I was disappointed, no better than Stinger CCI .22lr. Winchester Silvertip .22WMRF went out at 200 ft/lbs.