Strange .22 Cartridge.

[mbs357]

I posted this in here because the .22 is primarily a rifle cartridge, and I thought that it fit better here than General. If it doesn't, then I apologize and have no problem with it being moved.
I happened upon a box of strange* .22 cartridges (The box is a "22 Winchester Magnum" box, and I'm pretty sure that's not what they are. Besides, it says jacketed hollow point, these are FMJ.) in my dad's shotshell case; even he doesn't know what they are.
They're rimfire, with "H" written on the bottom (I searched Hornady's website and didn't find anything, as well as AmmoGuide.), their length is between .22LR and .22Mag, they have a 'crimp?' at about the .22LR's case length...it kind of makes it look like someone crimped a LR and a short together. The bullet is flattened at the tip, but FMJ. I tried to get an idea of its width by sticking it in a CCI .22LR box, wouldn't fit (If you're not familiar, CCI uses plastic cases with holes in the width of .223, which is the diameter of .22LR. .22Mag is actually .224 inches.)
Really have no idea what this round is and what it's used in.
I didn't do a search on the forums because I really have no idea what I'd search for.
*edit* Basically, all I really want to know is what to call this round and what I can shoot it in.

*I call 'em strange because I've never seen them before, and I've seen a lot of cartridges. ;D

 

[Byron]

I belive the H is for Henry that Winchester use to put on all rimfire cases.From what you describe,it may be a Winchester Rimfire(WRF) that was more powerful than a LR and less than a 22 Mag. Midway carries this cartridge as Winchester made a run of them some time ago. Byron

 

[Jim Watson]

Sounds like a .22 WRF (Winchester Rim Fire.) I think it originated in 1890 for the Browning-designed Winchester 1890 pump action rifle. If you got the same thing later in a Remington, it would be cataloged as the .22 Remington Special. Also chambered for in Colt revolvers.

Winchester used its casehead diameter as the basis for the .22 WRM (Winchester Rimfire Magum,) One of the ammo companies makes a run of them every once in a while to feed the old guns still in use.

"H" was Winchester's old rimfire cartridge trademark in honor of B. Tyler Henry who brought out the Henry rifle, ancestor of the Winchester product line.

 

[mbs357]

Awesome, thanks for the info.
Sounds to me like its an old cartridge for old guns. Not likely that I'll run across anything for it anytime soon.
It's always cool to have exotic ammo.
Once again, thanks. ;D
*edit* I immediatly looked up it up at Winchester's site after I read the posts, however, a brain fart made me go to Remington's instead...
After I got that straight, I found this searching for "winchester wrf" in Google:

Which is identical minus a copper jacket and a 'silver' case.
Thanks a lot, guys.

 

[45crittergitter]

I believe that crimp in the case is called a cannelure, just like the same thing on a bullet.

 

[mbs357]

Been looking around, and I believe the round was used in a total of 3 firearms...
A pump rifle, a bolt action, and a revolver.
This looks like the pump: http://www.thadscott.com/16021.html
And this site seems to have good info: http://www.chuckhawks.com/22WRF.htm

It says .22 WRF will fit in a .22 Magnum chamber. I guess that means the suspicion I had about being able to shoot it in this .22 Magnum bolt were correct.
Anyone see that as a bad idea? The website above says that CCI reccomends not to...but doesn't really say why.
Not that I REALLY want to shoot these rounds, just...why not? If I can that is.

I believe that crimp in the case is called a cannelure, just like the same thing on a bullet.

Random website off of Google says "A groove around the cylinder of a bullet."
They look just like said marking on a bullet, so I don't see why not.
http://www.bartleby.com/61/94/C0069400.html

 

[sumpnz]

I'd probably try to sell them on Gunbroker/Auction Arms/THR. There's bound to be someone out there willing to pay for them since they'd have a gun so chambered.

 

[mbs357]

Well, the Winchester site appears to have them for sale...and I don't think they're antiques... I guess I'd have to take them to an expert in person to get info on value.
Winchester sells them 50 for around $6 though.
Also, I only have a handful, not like I have hundreds.