shooting .22 short

[bangswitch]

What issues would one run into if shooting a .22 short in a bolt action rifle that says ".22 LR only" on the barrel? As far as that goes, what is the issue with .22 long, since the case is the same length as a .22LR ?

Reason I ask is, I have a couple hundred .22 short, from ages ago. The stuff is at least 30 years old, maybe more. I have a Savage Springfield Model 187N .22 semi-auto that says ".22 S, L, and LR" on the barrel, which I find rather odd, because it will not cycle when shooting shorts, and jams about half the time trying to feed them. It runs perfectly on LR's.

I also have a Marlin XT22 bolt action, but it says ".22 LR only" on the barrel. I'd like to shoot up these .22 shorts and get rid of them, but it would be easier single loading them in the bolt action, rather than trying to feed them through the semi.

 

[illinoisburt]

Only issue with using the shorter rounds in a bolt action is they will leave lead and lube inside the chamber that will have to be removed before you go back to shooting the longer rounds. Otherwise will work just fine single loaded.

 

[Onward Allusion]

All dimensions except for OAL and case length are identical. Rim thickness is identical. I can't see why you can't shoot 22 short out of a bolt gun chambered in 22LR.

 

[bangswitch]

Only issue with using the shorter rounds in a bolt action is they will leave lead and lube inside the chamber that will have to be removed before you go back to shooting the longer rounds. Otherwise will work just fine single loaded.

This was my thought also. No big deal, as I'd do a thorough de-leading and chamber/barrel cleaning after shooting all those old shorts anyway. The other thing I had thought of regarding the Marlin's limit to LR's is that if it approved shooting shorts, somebody would try to load them in the stick magazine and they would probably not feed correctly. The Springfield has a tubular magazine, but as stated, it just doesn't like shorts, even though it's supposed to be okay.

 

[illinoisburt]

It's kinda funny these days. My wife has her dad's old winchester 62. Has no issue with shorts, longs, or LRs. Can mix/match in the tube and all feed and shoot just fine, just the LRs start to stick/not close after a box or two of shorts.

 

[joustin]

I single load them in my Marlin bolt action and they work well

 

[Panzerschwein]

Single load them and they should work okay.

Should be good medicine for squirrelios. Almost time for tree rat season!

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

My cz452 feeds and ejects them just fine, but in reality .22 lr is much cheaper.

 

[BCRider]

If they are leading the chamber then something is wrong. Powder fouling and wax lube build up I can see. But if there's leading then something ain't right.

Box magazines typically don't do well with anything other than the stock length of the LR round. But you can easily single load pretty much any bolt action provided the scope doesn't stop the fat fingers from getting in far enough.

Needless to say anything semi auto won't work well. Not enough energy to cycle the action. But I've even heard of folks single loading shorts into Ruger 10/22's. Likely need skinnier fingers than I've got but it works.

 

[MCgunner]

Feeding is finicky enough in some bolt guns, anyway. Single shooting 'em is the best bet. My old Remmy works fine with 'em, but it's labeled short, long, long rifle. But, shouldn't this be in the rifle forum?

 

[AverajeJo]

The chamber is different design to accept both short and lr. I have a marlin that is designed to shoot both. However if it does not say on the gun that it can shoot both you should not.

 

[Wishoot]

I've run some through my Henry Lever and haven't had any issues. Never tried them in a bolt however.

 

[243winxb]

Shorts may not be accurate depending on the riflings twist rate in the barrel. I know this happens with handguns, not sure about rifles. When changing ammo between types/brands, the difference in bullet lube has changed POI and group size for at least the first 10 shots fired. After 10, accuracy returns to normal. But best to clean the barrel when going to new ammo.

 

[airedaleman]

The Springfield was designed to shoot only long rifles as an autoloader. It has to be used as a manually operated gun when shooting shorts and longs.

 

[bangswitch]

Not interested in accuracy, just whether any untoward damage would occur. Sound like a 'no', beyond some lead or powder residue fouling the chamber ahead of the short cases. That I can remedy.

I want to get rid of them, but don't like the idea of just disposing of them. As hard as ammo can be to find at all sometimes, it leaves a bad taste to throw it away.

 

[Water-Man]

No damage, just not as accurate.

 

[243winxb]

No damage

 

[Art Eatman]

Pretty well answered.