.22s and Thoreau

Subsonic .22 Ammo

2011-05-05T08:47:00.000-07:00

From "Tossing Rocks" by Jesse's Hunting and Outdoors:
"At a time when American shooters crane their collective necks to get a glimpse of the newest and particularly the fastest cartridges on the market I find myself suddenly taken by the idea of s-l-o-w. I’m referring to sub-sonic 22LR rounds and for the past few months they have positively fascinated me. For the longest time they seemed to me to be the ballistic equivalent of a slingshot, and why they seem to work so well was a mystery."
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The author goes on to describe the performance of these rounds in a Marlin 880 and a Chinese JW-15. The subsonics didn't perform well for him in the Marlin's Micro-groove barrel. That is why I am happy to have my ancient pre-Microgroove Model 81. It shoots everything well, substantially better than my 39A Mountie with its Microgroove rifling; and its 24" barrel is noticeably quieter with subsonics than any of my shorter-barrelled .22s. And it stabilizes and shoots the 60 grain Aguila Sniper Subsonic well, which would make it a keeper even in the absence of all its other great qualities. So that old M81 has become my primary subsonic .22 rifle.

The subsonics have worked well for me on a variety of small game, too. I haven't noted any lack of killing power. My grandfather, along with many other hunters of his generation, usually hunted with .22 Shorts. He never found the .22 LR ammo to be necessary. These .22 LR subsonics have more killing power than a .22 Short, while not destroying as much meat as a hi-speed .22 LR. That is a good thing, because those small critters don't have much meat to begin with.

.22s Are Your Most Important Firearms

2011-03-03T12:28:00.000-08:00

He makes some very good points. His model 25 reminds me af my old model 81, tube fed bolt action. It has a 24" barrel and when I shoot it with subsonic ammo, the neighbors don't even notice the sound. It is not as quiet as a suppressed rifle would be, but it doesn't require a tax stamp, either.

.22 Winchester Rimfire

2011-01-20T14:12:00.000-08:00

.22 Winchester Rimfire

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

.22 Winchester Rimfire
Type	Rifle
Place of origin	USA
Production history
Designed	1890
Specifications
Bullet diameter	.224 in (5.7 mm)
Neck diameter	.242 in (6.1 mm)
Base diameter	.243 in (6.2 mm)
Rim diameter	.295 in (7.5 mm)
Case length	0.96 in (24 mm)
Overall length	1.17 in (30 mm)
Primer type	rimfire
Ballistic performance
Bullet weight/type	Velocity	Energy
45 gr (2.9 g) standard velocity	1,050 ft/s (320 m/s)	105 ft·lbf (142 J)
45 gr (2.9 g)	1,450 ft/s (440 m/s)	210 ft·lbf (280 J)
40 gr (2.6 g) hollowpoint (high velocity)	1,440 ft/s (440 m/s)	185 ft·lbf (251 J)
Source(s): Barnes & Amber 1972

The .22 Winchester Rimfire (commonly called the .22 WRF) is an American rimfire rifle cartridge.
Introduced in the Winchester M1890 slide rifle, it had a flat-nose slug, and is identical to the .22 Remington Special (which differed only in having a roundnosed slug).^[1] It uses a flat-based, inside-lubricated bullet, which differs from the outside-lube slug of the .22 Short, Long, LR, and Extra Long rounds.^[1]
When introduced, the .22WRF "was the first notable improvement in the killing power" over the .22LR,^[2] and was able to kill cleaner at up to 75 yd (70 m). It is somewhat less accurate than the .22LR.^[1] and is most suited to hunting small game, such as rabbits or prairie dogs.^[2]
A variety of Winchester, Remington, and Stevens single-shots and repeater rifles were offered from 1890 onward, but new rifles are not made for this cartridge. .22 WRF ammunition is periodically offered by commercial makers for use in the old guns.^[1] It can be fired in any rifle chambered for the more powerful .22 WMR.^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Barnes, p.275, ".22 Winchester Rimfire (WRF)".
^ ^a ^b Barnes, p.275, ".22 Winchester Rimfire (WRF).

Sources

Barnes, Frank C., ed. by John T. Amber. ".22 Winchester Rimfire", in Cartridges of the World, pp. 275 & 282-3. Northfield, IL: DBI Books, 1972. ISBN 0-695-80326-3.

.22 CB

2011-01-20T14:08:00.000-08:00

.22 CB

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


A .22 CB cap, .22 short, and .22 Long Rifle
Type	rimfire, target
Place of origin	USA
Production history
Produced	1888
Specifications
Parent case	.22 BB
Bullet diameter	.222 in (5.6 mm)
Neck diameter	.225 in (5.7 mm)
Base diameter	.225 in (5.7 mm)
Rim diameter	.271 in (6.9 mm)
Rim thickness	.040 in (1.0 mm)
Case length	.420 in (10.7 mm)
Overall length	.520 in (13.2 mm)
Primer type	Rimfire
Ballistic performance
Bullet weight/type	Velocity	Energy
29 gr (1.9 g) RN	727 ft/s (222 m/s)	33 ft·lbf (45 J)
30 gr (1.9 g) RN	725 ft/s (221 m/s)	34 ft·lbf (46 J)
Source(s): Cartridges of the World, 11th Edition^[1]

.22 CB Cap (Conical Ball Cap, known as a 6mm Flobert in Europe) is a variety of .22 caliber rimfire ammunition which has a very small propellant charge (usually no gunpowder, just the primer), resulting in a low muzzle velocity of between 350 and 700 ft/s (110 to 210 m/s).^[2] This is similar to the muzzle velocity produced by a low to mid-power .22 pellet gun, however the bullet from a .22 CB cartridge is significantly heavier than a typical airgun pellet and therefore carries more energy. Due to their low power, CB rounds can be trapped by most pellet gun traps. In longer rifle barrels the CB has a very quiet, seemingly non-existent report due to the lack of residual pressure at the muzzle (see Internal ballistics).
The original .22 CB cartridge has the same case as the .22 BB, but there are now low-power .22 rounds sold as .22 CB Short and .22 CB Long which come in the more common .22 rimfire cartridge cases. The longer cases will allow the rounds to be fired in magazine fed firearms, in which the tiny CB Cap cases would jam. So while having the same length, the modern .22 CB Short and the .22 Short are two different cartridges. The CB has a reduced powder load and is kept (as mentioned above) between 350 and 700 ft/s, while the Short with an increased powder amount launches the same 29gr bullet around and above 1000 ft/s.

Specifications

Case length:
- Cap: 0.284 in (7.2 mm)
- Short: 0.423 in (10.7 mm)
- Long: 0.595 in (15.1 mm)
Bullet weight:
- typically 20 to 29 grains (1.30 to 1.88 g)

References

^ Cartridges of the World 11th Edition, Book by Frank C. Barnes, Edited by Stan Skinner, Gun Digest Books, 2006, ISBN 0-89689-297-2 pp. 490, 492
^ Cartridges of the World 11th Edition, Book by Frank C. Barnes, Edited by Stan Skinner, Gun Digest Books, 2006, ISBN 0-89689-297-2 p. 476

.22 BB

2011-01-20T14:05:00.000-08:00

.22 BB

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

.22 BB
A .22 CB cap, .22 short, and .22 Long Rifle; the BB cap is the same length as the CB cap, but uses a round ball
Type	target
Place of origin	USA
Production history
Designer	Flobert
Designed	1845
Specifications
Parent case	tapered percussion cap
Bullet diameter	.222 in (5.6 mm)
Neck diameter	.224 in (5.7 mm)
Base diameter	.224 in (5.7 mm)
Rim diameter	.270 in (6.9 mm)
Rim thickness	.040 in (1.0 mm)
Case length	.284 in (7.2 mm)
Overall length	.343 in (8.7 mm)
Primer type	Rimfire
Ballistic performance
Bullet weight/type	Velocity	Energy
20 gr (1.3 g) rn	780 ft/s (240 m/s)	26 ft·lbf (35 J)
18 gr (1.2 g) rn	780 ft/s (240 m/s)	24 ft·lbf (33 J)
16 gr (1.0 g) rn	750 ft/s (230 m/s)	20 ft·lbf (27 J)
Source(s): Cartridges of the World ^[1]

For the spherical air gun ammunition, see BB (ammunition).

.22 BB Cap (Bulleted Breech Cap) is a variety of .22 caliber rimfire ammunition. .22 BB cap and .22 CB refer to cartridges that are low velocity and project reduced noise. These rimfires closely resemble a .22 caliber air rifle in power and are often used for indoor shooting and close range pest control. Developed for indoor shooting galleries with special "gallery guns", the .22 BB Cap was the first rimfire cartridge, dating back to 1845. It has no separate propellant charge, relying on the impulse created by the primer alone to fire a round lead ball. This results in a low muzzle velocity of around 700 ft/s (210 m/s) or less. More common is the .22 CB ammunition, which fires a slightly heavier conical bullet and is available in a variety of cartridge lengths.

Specifications

Length:
- Case: 0.284 in (7.2 mm)
- Overall: .343 in (8.7 mm)
Bullet weight: 18 gr (1.17 g)

References

^ Cartridges of the World 11th Edition, Book by Frank C. Barnes, Edited by Stan Skinner, Gun Digest Books, 2006, ISBN 0-89689-297-2 pp. 490, 492

.22 Extra Long

2011-01-20T14:02:00.000-08:00

.22 Extra Long

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search

.22 Extra Long
Type	Rifle
Place of origin	USA
Production history
Produced	1880?-1935
Specifications
Bullet diameter	.223 in (5.7 mm)
Neck diameter	.225 in (5.7 mm)
Base diameter	.225 in (5.7 mm)
Rim diameter	.275 in (7.0 mm)
Case length	.750 in (19.1 mm)
Overall length	1.16 in (29 mm)
Primer type	rimfire
Ballistic performance
Bullet weight/type	Velocity	Energy
40 gr (2.6 g) (late smokeless)	1,050 ft/s (320 m/s)	98 ft·lbf (133 J)
Source(s): Barnes & Amber 1972

The .22 Extra Long is a .22 in (5.6mm) American rimfire rifle and handgun cartridge.
Introduced around 1880, the .22 Extra Long was used in Remington, Ballard, Wesson, Stevens, and later (1916) models of Winchester's M1903 and M1904 single shot bolt action rifles,^[1] as well as in Smith & Wesson revolvers.^[1]
Using the same 40 gr (2.6 g) outside-lubricated bullet later adapted for the very much more common .22 Long Rifle,^[1] the Extra Long was loaded with 6 gr (389 mg) of black powder.^[1] Originally, it slightly outperformed the .22LR, but was "not noted for great accuracy",^[1] while later smokeless loads achieved about the same muzzle velocity as the .22LR.
As with the .22 Winchester Automatic^[2] and .22 Remington Automatic,^[3] the .22 Extra Long will not chamber correctly in .22 Long Rifle weapons.^[1] Because it is very dimensionally-similar, however, the shorter .22 Short, .22 Long, and .22 LR will chamber in weapons designed for it^[1] (in the same way .38 Special ammunition can be fired in .357 Magnum weapons, or .44 Special rounds in .44 Magnums).
The power of the .22 Extra Long is comparable to the standard velocity .22 Long Rifle,^[1] which is very much more commonly chambered and sold.
The .22 Extra Long ceased to be offered commercially in 1935.^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ Barnes, p.274, ".22 Extra Long".
^ Barnes, p.275, ".22 Winchester Automatic".
^ Barnes, p.275, ".22 Remington Automatic".

Sources

Barnes, Frank C., ed. by John T. Amber. ".22 Extra Long", in Cartridges of the World, pp. 274, 282, & 283. Northfield, IL: DBI Books, 1972. ISBN 0-695-80326-3.

.22 Long

2011-01-20T13:57:00.000-08:00

.22 Long

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Not to be confused with the more common .22 Long Rifle.

.22 Long

Type	Rimfire
Place of origin	USA
Production history
Produced	1871
Specifications
Parent case	.22 Short
Bullet diameter	.223 in (5.7 mm)
Neck diameter	.224 in (5.7 mm)
Base diameter	.225 in (5.7 mm)
Rim diameter	.272 in (6.9 mm)
Rim thickness	.042 in (1.1 mm)
Case length	.595 in (15.1 mm)
Overall length	.798 in (20.3 mm)
Primer type	Rimfire
Ballistic performance
Bullet weight/type	Velocity	Energy
29 gr (1.9 g) RN	1,038 ft/s (316 m/s)	67 ft·lbf (91 J)
Source(s): Cartridges of the World ^[1]

.22 Long is a variety of .22 caliber (5.6 mm) rimfire ammunition. The .22 Long is the second oldest of the surviving rimfire cartridges, dating back to 1871, when it was loaded with a 29 grain (1.9 g) bullet and 5 grains (0.32 g) of black powder, 25% more than the .22 Short it was based on. It was designed for use in revolvers, but was soon chambered in rifles as well.^[1]
In 1887 the .22 Long case was combined with the heavier 40 grain (2.6 g) bullet of the .22 Extra Long of 1880 to produce the .22 Long Rifle giving a longer overall length, a higher muzzle energy and superior performance as a hunting and target round, rendering the .22 Long and .22 Extra Long obsolete. For a time there was a price difference between the .22 Long and .22 Long Rifle and the .22 Long held on with budget minded shooters until the price advantage finally disappeared. No new firearms are designed specifically to use .22 Long and the largest 3 producers of .22 Long ammunition ceased production (although it continues to be made by CCI, Aguila, and others). Many .22 Long Rifle guns will chamber and fire the shorter round, though the .22 Long generally does not generate sufficient energy to operate semi-automatic guns. The one prominent survivor of the .22 Long is the .22 CB Long, a long-cased version of the .22 CB.
While the original .22 Long loading used the same powder charge as the .22 Long Rifle, the .22 Long bullet was significantly lighter, and the combination did not result in higher velocities for the .22 Long when fired from a rifle. The large barrel volume to chamber volume ratio of a .22 rimfire rifle means that the powder gasses have expanded as far as they can well before the bullet reaches the muzzle of a normal length rifle barrel, and the light .22 Long bullet has less inertia than the .22 Long Rifle. This means that the .22 Long bullet (and to a lesser extent the .22 Long Rifle in most loadings) actually slows down significantly before it exits the barrel.
Since the .22 Long Rifle performs as well in a short handgun barrel as the .22 Long and outperforms it significantly in a long rifle barrel, the development of the .22 Long Rifle assured the .22 Long's path to obsolescence.
In a sense, though, descendants of the .22 Long still live on, though they are not sold as such. Modern Hypervelocity loadings of the .22 Long Rifle use bullets as light as 30 grains (1.9 g), and special blends of powder to make full use of a rifle barrel to generate velocities far higher than normal loads, and chamber pressures high enough to cycle semi-automatic firearms reliably. The most well known of these is the CCI Stinger, which actually goes so far as to stretch the case length slightly, so that with the short, light bullet, the overall length is still within the max overall length for the .22 Long Rifle.

Specifications

Length:
- Case: 0.595 in (15.1 mm)
- Overall: 0.880 in (22.4 mm)
Bullet weight: 29 gr (1.88 g)

References

^ ^a ^b Cartridges of the World 11th Edition, Book by Frank C. Barnes, Edited by Stan Skinner, Gun Digest Books, 2006, ISBN 0-89689-297-2 pp. 490, 492

.22 Magnum

2011-01-20T13:51:00.000-08:00

.22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

(Redirected from .22 Magnum)

Jump to: navigation, search

For other .22 caliber variants, see .22 (disambiguation).

.22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire
.22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire
Type	Rimfire
Place of origin	USA
Production history
Designer	Winchester
Designed	1959
Manufacturer	Winchester
Produced	1960–Present
Specifications
Parent case	.22 WRF
Bullet diameter	.224 in (5.7 mm)
Neck diameter	.240 in (6.1 mm)
Base diameter	.241 in (6.1 mm)
Rim diameter	.291 in (7.4 mm)
Rim thickness	.046 in (1.2 mm)
Case length	1.052 in (26.7 mm)
Overall length	1.35 in (34 mm)
Primer type	Rimfire
Ballistic performance
Bullet weight/type	Velocity	Energy
30 gr (1.9 g) HP	2,200 ft/s (670 m/s)	322 ft·lbf (437 J)
40 gr (2.6 g) JHP	1,910 ft/s (580 m/s)	324 ft·lbf (439 J)
50 gr (3.2 g) JHP	1,650 ft/s (500 m/s)	300 ft·lbf (410 J)
Source(s): Cartridges of the World ^[1]

The .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire, more commonly called .22 WMR, .22 Magnum, or simply .22 Mag, is a rimfire rifle cartridge. Originally loaded with a bullet weight of 40 grains (2.6 g) delivering velocities in the 2,000 feet per second (610 m/s) range from a rifle barrel, .22 WMR has also been loaded with bullet weights of 50 grains (3.2 g) at 1,530 feet per second (470 m/s) and 30 grains (1.9 g) at 2,200 feet per second (670 m/s).

History

The .22 WMR was introduced in 1959 by Winchester, but was not used by Winchester until the venerable Model 61 slide rifle could be chambered for it, well into 1960.^[2] By that time, Smith and Wesson and Ruger had revolvers for it, and Savage had come out with the Model 24, a .22/.410 combination rifle. It was the only successful rimfire cartridge introduced in the 20th Century.^[3]
The .22 WMR uses a larger case than the more popular .22 Long Rifle, both in diameter and length. The .22 WMR case is a lengthened version of the older .22 WRF (.22 WRF may be fired in a .22 WMR but not vice versa). The .22 WMR's case is thicker than that of the .22 LR, allowing higher pressures. The combination of more powder and higher pressures gives velocities over 2,000 feet per second (610 m/s) from a rifle using a 30-grain (1.9 g) bullet, and 1,500 feet (460 m) per second (460 m/s) from a handgun. A .22 WMR round will not fit into the chamber of a .22 LR firearm but is possible to chamber and fire .22 LR rounds in a .22 WMR firearm. This is potentially hazardous due to the difference in case diameter. When fired, the .22 LR case expands in the chamber, which can cause the case to split open or become stuck. Also, the long rifle bullet will travel in the magnum chamber unsupported for .4" before entering the barrel causing leading in the chamber.

Uses

Since the .22 WMR generally uses the same weight bullets as the .22 Long Rifle, it is generally used in similar situations. The 40-grain (2.6 g) .22 WMR at 100 yards (91 m) still retains the velocity of a .22 LR at the muzzle, which can provide improved penetration at all ranges, and more reliable expansion at longer ranges with expanding bullets.
If sighted in for maximum point blank range on a 3-inch (76 mm) high target, the 40-grain (2.6 g) .22 WMR can reach ranges of nearly 125 yards (114 m). This makes the .22 WMR an effective short to medium range varmint rifle cartridge. The relatively quiet sound of firing (with hearing protection) and negligible recoil also make it a very pleasant round to shoot for extensive periods.

Firearms using .22 WMR

The .22 WMR operates at pressures beyond what normal blowback actions typically handle. It first appeared in the Savage Model 24 combination rifle, followed by Winchester's own Model 61. A number of single-shots and repeaters were offered in .22WMR, and the self-loading Jefferson Model 159.^[2] Until the 1990s, most .22 WMR firearms were bolt action rifles. In the 1990s semi-automatic .22 WMR rifles were introduced by Sturm Ruger, Savage, and Marlin, and more recently Remington. .22 WMR revolvers are made by by Taurus, North American Arms, Tanfoglio, Heritage Arms, and Sturm Ruger. .22 WMR semi-automatic pistols were produced by Grendel, AMT and Kel-Tec the former two now defunct (AMT has been since resurrected by High Standard). The Grendel, AMT and Kel-Tec designs used specially designed chambers with flutes or gas ports, designed to lubricate the long, thin cartridge with gases from the chamber, overcoming the Blish effect and allowing easy extraction of the cartridge.^[4]

Ammunition

.22 WMR Ratshot

The .22WMR is little more than an enlarged, more powerful version of the much earlier .22 WRF^[2] (which can also be fired in any weapon chambered for .22WMR).^[5] It was for a time the most powerful rimfire round available,^[6] and even outperformed the .22 WCF.^[7]
While more powerful than the .22 Long Rifle, ammunition is not available in as large a variety as .22 LR. Availability is also not as great, either; while the .22 WMR is by no means hard to find, nearly every retailer that sells ammunition will carry .22 LR. The price of .22 WMR is substantially higher than almost all .22 LR, though it is less expensive than the new .17 Rimfire calibers. Since many of the rifles that chamber the .22 WMR use tubular magazines, bullet noses are generally flat or blunt to allow smooth feeding.^[8] Recently, new bullets have emerged from Remington, CCI, and Hornady and have 30 or 33-grain (2.1 g) polymer plastic ballistic tips.^[9]^[10]^[11]

.22 Long, .22 LR, and .22 Winchester Magnum, respectively.

While a pointed bullet is not going to rest against the primer of the round in front of it (as in a centerfire cartridge), a pointed bullet could still hang on the manufacturer's stamp, which is found in the middle of the base of the cartridge.
Bullets for the .22 WMR are generally unlubricated lead with heavy copper plating, in either solid nose or hollow point style designed for small game hunting or pest control (varmint hunting).
Due to the limited selection of commercial ammunition, the .22 WMR was the case used by a small but dedicated group of wildcatters for handloading high performance rimfire ammunition. Generally these loads would use more aerodynamic pointed bullets, the same type used by .22 caliber centerfire cartridges. While often heavier than standard .22 WMR bullets, the sharp nose and tapered tail retained velocity better, and delivered more energy downrange. Other wildcatters would neck the .22 WMR down to smaller calibers, such as .20 (5 mm) and .17 (4.5 mm) or even smaller, in an attempt to get maximum velocity and the flattest possible trajectory.^{[citation needed]}

Applications

The .22 WMR is effective out to 125 yd (115 m) on varmints such as fox or coyotes, but may be too destructive for small game (under 50 yd [45 m]), such as rabbits or prairie dogs or anything intended for eating, unless full metal jacketed or similar non-expanding bullets are used.^[2]

References

^ Cartridges of the World 11th Edition, Book by Frank C. Barnes, Edited by Stan Skinner, Gun Digest Books, 2006, ISBN 0-89689-297-2 pp. 490, 492
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Barnes 1972, p.275, ".22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire".
^ Frank C. Barnes, ed. Stan Skinner. Cartridges of the World, 10th Ed.. Krause Publications. ISBN 0-87349-605-1.
^ "AMT AutoMag". http://www.highstandard.com/amt_automag.html.
^ Barnes 1972, p.275, ".22 Winchester Rimfire (WRF)".
^ Barnes, p.275, ".22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire".
^ Barnes 1972, p.275, ".22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire".
^ Sparano, Vin (2000). The Complete Outdoors Encyclopedia. New York: St. Martin's Press. ISBN 9780312267223.
^ "Remington Magnum Rimfire: 22 Win Mag PR22M1 33-grain AccuTip-V". Remington Arms Company, Inc.. Archived from the original on 2008-05-30. http://web.archive.org/web/20080530170242/http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/rimfire/magnum_rimfire.asp. Retrieved 2008-06-17.
^ "CCI: Varmint 0073 22 Magnum RF V-MAX 30-grain poly-tip". CCI. http://www.cci-ammunition.com/ballistics/rimfire.aspx. Retrieved 2008-06-17.
^ "Hornady: 22 WMR 30-grain V-MAX". Hornady Manufacturing, Inc.. http://www.hornady.com/shop/?page=shop%2Fbrowse&category_id=9b26ee2729baf268e4ae1c61acde17cc. Retrieved 2008-06-17. ^{[dead link]}

Barnes, Frank C., ed. by John T. Amber. ".22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire", in Cartridges of the World, pp. 275. Northfield, IL: DBI Books, 1972. ISBN 0-695-80326-3.
Cartridges of the World 11th Edition, Book by Frank C. Barnes, Edited by Stan Skinner, Gun Digest Books, 2006, ISBN 0-89689-297-2 p. 479

External links

Chuck Hawks' page on the .22 WMR
Chuck Hawks on .22 WMR ammunition selection
The .22 WMR TODAY, Guns Magazine, June, 2001 by C. Rodney James
Three .22 WMR Loads From Remington, Handguns Magazine, by Phil W. Johnston
Reloading Techniques: .22 Win. Magnum Rimfire, Performance Shooter, April 1996

.22 Long Rifle

2011-01-20T13:43:00.000-08:00

.22 Long Rifle

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

.22 Long rifle
.22 Long Rifle – Subsonic Hollow point (left). Standard Velocity (center), Hyper-Velocity "Stinger" Hollow point (right).
Type	Rimfire cartridge
Place of origin	United States
Production history
Designer	J. Stevens Arm & Tool Company
Designed	1887
Specifications
Case type	Rimmed, Straight
Bullet diameter	.223 in (5.7 mm)
Neck diameter	.225 in (5.7 mm)
Base diameter	.225 in (5.7 mm)
Rim diameter	.275 in (7.0 mm)
Rim thickness	.040 in (1.0 mm)
Case length	.590 in (15.0 mm)
Overall length	.985 in (25.0 mm)
Rifling twist	1-16
Primer type	Rimfire
Ballistic performance
Bullet weight/type	Velocity	Energy
40 gr (2.6 g) Solid^[1]	1,080 ft/s (330 m/s)	104 ft·lbf (141 J)
38 gr (2.5 g) Copper-plated HP^[1]	1,260 ft/s (380 m/s)	134 ft·lbf (182 J)
31 gr (2.0 g) Copper-plated HP^[1]	1,430 ft/s (440 m/s)	141 ft·lbf (191 J)
30 gr (1.9 g) Copper-Plated RN^[2]	1,750 ft/s (530 m/s)	204 ft·lbf (277 J)
32 gr (2.1 g) Copper-Plated HP^[2]	1,640 ft/s (500 m/s)	191 ft·lbf (259 J)
Source(s): ^[1]^[2]

The .22 Long Rifle rimfire cartridge is a long established variety of ammunition, and in terms of units sold is still by far the most common in the world today. The cartridge is often referred to simply as .22 LR and various rifles, pistols, revolvers, and even some smoothbore shotguns have been manufactured in this caliber. It is occasionally referred to by its metric designation of 5.6x15mmR. The cartridge originated from the Flobert BB Cap of 1845 through the .22 Smith & Wesson cartridge of 1857, and was developed by the J. Stevens Arms & Tool Company in 1887^[3] by combining the casing of the .22 Long with the 40-grain (2.6 g) bullet of the .22 Extra Long. For many decades, it has been a very popular cartridge around the world. It is one of the few cartridges that are accepted by a large variety of rifles, as well as pistols. Virtually every manufacturer of cartridge firearms makes at least one model chambering it, and this has been true for more than a century. The .22 Long Rifle and related cartridges (.22 Short, .22 Long and .22 Extra Long) use a heeled bullet, which means that the bullet is the same diameter as the case, and has a narrower "heel" portion that fits in the case.

Popularity

The low cost, minimal recoil, and relatively low noise make the .22 LR an ideal cartridge for recreational shooting, initial firearms training, and pest control, and it is often purchased in bulk. The round is popular among novice shooters and experts alike. .22 LR is commonly packaged in boxes of either 100 or 50 rounds, and is often sold by the brick, a carton containing either 10 boxes of 50 rounds or loose cartridges totalling 500 rounds, or the case containing 10 cartons totalling 5,000 rounds.
.22 LR ammunition is available in a very wide variety, and a very wide price range. Bullet weights range from 20 to 60 grains (1.3 to 3.9 g), velocities from 575 to 1,750 ft/s (175 to 530 m/s). "Promotional" loads for plinking can be found for under US$20.00 per brick ($0.04 per cartridge), while precision target rounds can cost US$80.00 to upwards of US$250.00 per brick. As of June 2010, a box of 50 standard quality FMJ rounds goes for US$3–5. For comparison, a box of similar quality FMJ 9x19 mm Parabellum, another popular and relatively inexpensive round for semi-automatic handguns, costs around US$15 per box of 50. It is common to shoot well over a hundred rounds on a single shooting range visit. For rifle shooting, the price difference is even more dramatic as powerful rifle cartridges like .308 Winchester and .30-06 Springfield can approach and exceed US$1 per cartridge. For this reason especially, .22 LR is commonly used by hunters for off-season target practice. They are also the ammunition used by Boy Scouts for the rifle shooting merit badge.
The low recoil of a .22 LR cartridge makes it ideal for introductory firearms courses. Due to their lack of shooting experience, most novice shooters are surprised and frightened by the recoil of handguns and rifles chambered even for rounds considered mild by experienced shooters. Starting with calibers above the shooter's comfort level frequently leads to the beginner developing a habit of flinching in an attempt to counter the anticipated recoil and ruining the correct posture and follow-through at the most critical phase of the shot. This habit is difficult to undo after it is developed. With the high recoil out of the picture, any other errors in marksmanship technique are easier to identify and correct than they would be on the more powerful guns.
AR-15 upper receivers and M1911 slide assemblies are available for this round. CZ Model 75 handguns also have a fixed barrel upper pistol conversion kit to make it shoot .22 ammunition. These ".22 conversions" allow shooters inexpensive practice while retaining the handling characteristics of their chosen firearms (minus the recoil and muzzle blast). Additionally, .22 kits allow practice at indoor ranges which often prohibit high-power rifles. The 'fun factor' from shooting a high powered pistol or rifle with low energy bullets when converted to .22 is another reason for the conversion kits as well as the much lower costs for practice ammunition. Owners of guns that use gas systems, such as converted AR-15 style rifles, normally avoid firing unjacketed .22LR ammunition. Unless the bullet is covered with a copper jacket, the lead from the bullets will eventually clog the gas port inside the barrel and require extensive gunsmithing to clear out.
Annual production is estimated at 2–2.5 billion rounds.^[4]^[5]

Performance

Two .22 LR rounds compared to a .45 ACP cartridge.

.22 LR is effective to 150 yards (140 m), though practical range tends to be less. After 150 yards the ballistics of the round are such that the large "drop" will be difficult to compensate. The relatively short effective range, low report, and light recoil has made it a favorite for use as a target practice cartridge. The accuracy of the cartridge is good, but not exceptional; various cartridges are capable of the same or better accuracy. A contributing factor in rifles is the transition of even a high-velocity cartridge projectile from supersonic to subsonic within 100 yards (91 m). As the bullet slows, the shock wave caused by supersonic travel overtakes the bullet and can disrupt its flight path, causing minor but measurable inaccuracy.^{[citation needed]}
When zeroed for 100 yards (91 m), the trajectory of the standard high-velocity .22 LR with a 40-grain (2.6 g) bullet has a 2.7-inch (69 mm) rise at 50 yards (46 m), and 10.8 inches (270 mm) drop at 150 yards (140 m).^[6] A .22 LR rifle needs to be zeroed for 75 yards (69 m) to avoid over-shooting small animals like squirrels at intermediate distances.^[6]
As a hunting cartridge, the .22 LR is mainly used to kill small game such as rats and squirrels. It is also highly effective on rabbits at distances closer than 150 yards (140 m) and on ground hogs, marmots, and foxes closer than 80 yards (73 m). It has been successfully used on large creatures such as coyotes, but range should be limited to no farther than 65 yards (59 m); head and chest shots are mandatory with the most powerful .22 cartridge the hunter can use accurately.
A .22 LR bullet is far less powerful than larger cartridges, but dangerous nonetheless; in fact its deceptive "low-power" reputation can make it more dangerous because some shooters do not pay it the same respect as larger cartridges, and shoot it carelessly. It can easily kill or severely injure humans and large animals.^[7]^[8] Even after flying 400 yards (370 m), a stray .22 bullet is still traveling at approximately 500 ft/s (150 m/s), which can inflict a very serious wound, and a standard .22 cartridge can have a ballistic range of up to a 1.5 miles (2,400 m).^{[citation needed]} Ricochets are more common in .22 LR projectiles than for more powerful cartridges as the combination of unjacketed lead and moderate velocities allows the projectile to deflect - not penetrate or disintegrate - when hitting hard objects at a glancing angle.^{[citation needed]}
.22 Long Rifle bullets are generally either plain lead (for standard velocity loads) or plated with copper or gilding metal (for high velocity or hyper velocity loads). The thin copper layer on the bullet functions as a high velocity lubricant reducing friction between the bullet and the barrel, thus reducing barrel wear. It also prevents oxidation of the lead bullet. Lead tends to oxidize if stored for long periods. Oxide on the bullet's surface could increase its diameter enough to either prevent insertion of the cartridge into the chamber, or - with hyper velocity rounds - cause dangerously high pressures in the barrel, potentially rupturing the cartridge case and injuring the shooter. Standard and subsonic cartridges use a wax lubricant on lead bullets for the same purpose at lower velocities.

Variants

There are a variety of different types of .22 LR loads. They are often divided into four distinct categories, based on nominal velocity:

Subsonic, which also includes "target" or "match" loads, at nominal speeds below 1,100 ft/s (340 m/s).
Standard-velocity: 1,000–1,135 ft/s (300–346 m/s). Common velocities are around 1,125 ft/s (343 m/s).
High-velocity: 1,200–1,310 ft/s (370–400 m/s) per second.
Hyper-velocity, or Ultra-velocity: over 1,400 ft/s (430 m/s).

Subsonic

The subsonic .22 CB Long (no gunpowder).

Standard Velocity

Standard velocity rounds have a slightly supersonic muzzle velocity of around 1,125 ft/s (343 m/s), and a "normal" bullet weight of 40-grain (2.6 g). Standard velocity cartridges generate near or slightly-supersonic velocities. These rounds generally do not develop these velocities in handguns because the short barrel does not take full advantage of the slower powder. The downside to supersonic rounds is that the bullet often drops to subsonic speeds on its way to the target which can degrade accuracy. The extra power and penetration, however, more than make up for the slight loss in accuracy for applications such as small game hunting.

High Velocity

High-velocity, copper-plated .22 LR rounds

The Long Rifle was originally loaded with black powder. The first smokeless powder loads were intended to match the standard velocity of the original black powder rounds. Smokeless powder is more efficient than black powder, and the cartridge cases could hold more powder. Smokeless powder loads called "high speed" or "high velocity" were offered by the major ammunition makers giving a typical velocity increase of twenty percent (1,200 feet per second (370 m/s) to 1,300 feet per second (400 m/s) while still using the standard 40-grain (2.6 g) solid or 36-grain (2.3 g) hollow point lead bullet.

Hyper velocity

Many .22 LR cartridges use bullets lighter than the standard 40-grain (2.6 g), fired at even higher velocities. Hyper velocity bullets usually weigh around 30-grain (1.9 g) to 32-grain (2.1 g) and can have a muzzle velocity of 1,400 feet per second (430 m/s) to 1,800 feet per second (550 m/s) per second. This higher velocity is partially due to the use of lighter bullets.
The CCI Stinger was the first hyper velocity .22 LR cartridge, and provided a significant increase in velocity and energy over standard .22 LR rounds. The Stinger case is longer than that of the Long Rifle (approx. .71 inches (18 mm) versus .595 inches (15.1 mm) for the Long Rifle) but the plated hollow point bullet is lighter and shorter at 32-grain (2.1 g), giving the same overall length as the Long Rifle cartridge. A powder with a slower burning rate is used to make the most use of the length of a rifle barrel. (Most .22 Long Rifle powders increase velocity up to about 19 inches (480 mm) of barrel length; the powder used in the Stinger increases velocity up to the longest .22 barrel length tested by the NRA, 26 inches (660 mm).)
Later hyper velocity rounds were introduced by other makers based on the Long Rifle case with lighter bullets in the 30-grain (1.9 g) weight range and slow burning rifle powder loadings. The overall length of many of these cartridges was less than the standard overall length of the standard Long Rifle. One example was the Remington Viper.
The CCI Velocitor hyper velocity round uses the standard Long Rifle case size and a standard weight 40-grain (2.6 g) bullet of proprietary hollow point design to augment expansion and trauma for hunting. This cartridge has a muzzle velocity of 1,435 feet per second (437 m/s) per second. Due to the better ratio of bullet mass to air resistance, Velocitor performs better at longer range compared to the light bullets of other hyper velocity rounds.

Shot cartridges

.22 Rat-shot.

Special .22 LR caliber shot cartridges, usually loaded with #12 shot, have also been made. These are often called "rat-shot" or "snake-shot" due to their use in very short range pest control. Such rounds have either a longer brass case that is crimped closed, or a translucent plastic "bullet" that contains the shot and shatters upon firing. In specially-made .22 bore shotguns, the shot shells can be used for short range skeet shooting and trap shooting at special, scaled-down, clay targets.

Full metal jacket

During World War II, a full metal jacketed version of the .22 LR was developed for the suppressed High Standard HDM pistol.^[9] .

Cartridge construction

The standard .22 rim fire cartridges (BB, CB, short, long, long rifle) differ in construction from most other cartridges in the way the bullet is constructed and held in the case. In "normal" cartridges, the bullet is inserted completely within the "neck" of the cartridge case, being held in place by tension from the case neck around the bullet bearing surface and, in some cases, a small crimp at the very top of the case around a cannelure (groove) in the bullet. Military grade ammunition also use a sealant around the case neck (and primer) to prevent intrusion of moisture (or other foreign matter) that may affect reliability. The sealant also acts as a glue, assisting in bullet retention. Bullets for the standard .22 RF (does not include the .22 Rim Fire Magnum or .22 WRF/.22 Remington Special) are constructed with a "heel" (stem) on the rear of the bullet which is inserted into case and the case mouth is then crimped around that stem, leaving the majority of the bullet bearing surface exposed and making the diameter of the case and the bullet the same (see picture below right). Note that the .22 WMR case diameter is larger than the bullet. This construction method has an inherent weakness in that it provides only minimal protection for the cartridge from exposure to moisture or other elements that adversely affect ammunition reliability. One may take one of these cartridges, hold the case with the fingers of one hand and the bullet between the fingers of the other hand and actually turn (twist) the bullet without turning the case (a little resistance may be encountered at first). This means that the seal between the bullet and case is minimal. Overall reliability of todays rimfire ammunition is extremely high, but is considerably less reliable than centerfire ammunition.

Cartridge length

A .22 Long, .22 LR, and .22 Winchester Magnum, respectively.

The .22 LR uses a straight walled case. Depending upon the type and the feed mechanism employed, a firearm which is chambered for .22 LR may also be able to safely chamber and fire the following shorter rimfire cartridges:

.22 BB, in cap, short or long lengths
.22 CB, in cap, short, long, and long rifle lengths
.22 Short
.22 Long

.22 Long Rifle may also be used in firearms chambered for the obsolete .22 Extra Long.
The .22 Winchester RimFire, also called .22 WRF and identical to the .22 Remington Special, and later .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire, also called .22 Magnum or .22 WMR, use cases different from the .22 LR. The .22 WRF and .22 WMR use a straight wall case, larger in diameter than the "normal" .22 rim fire and does not use a heeled bullet. While .22 WRF may be fired in a .22 WMR, firing a .22 S, L or LR in a .22 WMR firearm will likely result in gas leakage at the breech and may cause a potentially dangerous case rupture. Such use always will result in bullet metal fouling in the .22 WMR chamber throat and degraded accuracy with the smaller rounds.

Usage

Today, .22 LR is mainly being used for hunting small pests, for sports shooting, for plinking, and for inexpensive training. The .22 LR is the choice for several ISSF shooting events: 50 metre rifle three positions, 50 metre rifle prone, 50 metre pistol, 25 metre pistol, 25 metre rapid fire pistol and 25 metre standard pistol; Bullseye, plus divisions of metallic silhouette and pin shooting, most high school, collegiate, Boy Scouts of America, British Air Training Corps, Australian Army Cadets, Appleseed Project and 4H shooting events, and many others. Good quality .22 LR ammunition can be quite accurate. Its main advantages are low cost, low recoil, low noise and high accuracy-to-cost ratio. Its main disadvantage is its low power; it is better suited for use on small game and other small animals;^[10] as a defensive cartridge, it is considered inadequate, though the small size allows very lightweight, easily concealable handguns which can be carried in circumstances where anything larger would be impractical. Despite their limitations, .22 LR pistols and rifles can be lethal and are often used for self defense simply because they are prevalent, inexpensive, and widely available to civilians.
Semi-automatic rifles firing .22 LR cartridges often will work properly only when firing standard or high velocity .22 LR ammunition; subsonic rounds will often not cycle their actions properly. Bolt-action or lever-action rifles, however, can utilize any of the variants (high velocity to subsonic).
The tiny case of the .22 LR and the subsonic velocities (when using subsonic ammunition) make it well suited for use with a firearm suppressor (also known as silencers or sound moderators). The low volume of powder gases means that .22 LR suppressors are often no larger than a bull barrel; the Ruger 10/22 and Ruger MK II are common choices, because of their reliability and low cost, and the resulting product is often nearly indistinguishable from a bull barrel model (although weighing far less). Where firearm suppressors are only minimally restricted, a .22 LR firearm with a suppressor is often favored for plinking, as it does not require hearing protection or disturb the neighbors. Local government agencies sometimes use suppressed .22 LR weapons for animal control, since dangerous animals or pests can be dispatched in populated areas without causing undue alarm.
The .22 LR has also seen limited usage by police and military snipers. Its main advantage in this role is its low noise, but it is usually limited to urban operations because of its short range.^[11]^[12]
The Israeli military used a suppressed .22 LR rifle in the 1990s for riot control and to "eliminate disturbing dogs prior to operations," though it is now used less often as it has been shown to be more lethal than previously suspected.^[11] Some other examples include the use of suppressed High Standard HDM pistols by the American OSS, which was the predecessor organization of the CIA.^[9] Francis Gary Powers was issued a suppressed High Standard for the flight in which he was shot down. Suppressed Ruger MK II pistols are in current use by the US Navy SEALs.

Specifications

.22 Long rifle maximum CIP cartridge dimensions. All sizes in millimetres (mm). The common rifling twist rate for this cartridge is 406 mm (1:16 in), 6 grooves, land width = 2.16 mm, Ø lands = 5.38 mm, Ø grooves = 5.58 mm.

.22 Long Rifle cartridge dimensions in inches.

Muzzle velocity (nominal):

40-grain (2.6 g) lead: 1,082 ft/s (330 m/s) .22 LR Subsonic
36-grain (2.3 g) copper plated lead: 1,328 ft/s (405 m/s) .22 LR High Velocity

Note: actual velocities are dependent on many factors, such as barrel length of a given firearm and manufacturer of a given batch of ammunition, and will vary widely in practice. The above velocities are typical.
According to the official C.I.P. guidelines, the .22 LR case can handle up to 205 MPa (30,000 psi) copper crusher (measuring method crusher conformal) pressure. In C.I.P. regulated countries, every rifle cartridge combo has to be proofed at 125% of this maximum C.I.P. pressure to certify for sale to consumers.
References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "Federal Cartridge Co.". http://www.federalcartridge.com/ballistics. Retrieved 2007-09-25.
^ ^a ^b ^c Simpson,Rich. "Remove pesky rodents with sure-shot rimfire rifles."The Times-News (Twin Falls, Idaho, USA) 2008-03-28.
^ Kokalis, Peter: Weapons Tests And Evaluations: The Best Of Soldier Of Fortune, page 331. Paladin Press, 2001.
^ "Forensic Analysis: Weighing Bullet Lead Evidence". Board on Chemical Sciences and Technology. 2004. Archived from the original on 2009-06-10. http://www.webcitation.org/5hQn4z7AA. Retrieved 2007-09-09.
^ Simpson, Layne. "Rimfire Hunting Cartridges". Petersen's Hunting. Archived from the original on 2009-06-10. http://www.webcitation.org/5hQn5O2Gn. Retrieved 2007-09-09.
^ ^a ^b "Hornady's New .17 Mach 2". http://www.chuckhawks.com/17_M2.htm. Retrieved 2007-09-25.
^ "BBC NEWS | Northern Ireland | Playground shooter avoids prison". News.bbc.co.uk. Last Updated:. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7092484.stm. Retrieved 2008-09-08.
^ "BBC NEWS | World | Europe | Man kills eight at Finnish school". BBC News. November 7, 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7082795.stm. Retrieved 2008-12-26.
^ ^a ^b Kokalis, P. G (2002-08). "OSS Silenced Pistol". The Small Arms Review 5 (11). Archived from the original on 2009-09-03. http://www.webcitation.org/5jW8yKn6p. Retrieved 2009-08-25.
^ "Federal Premium: Ballistics Detail". http://www.federalcartridge.com/ballistics/Ammo_Ballistics.aspx?id=48&firearm=3&bc=0.139&muzzvel=1240&bulletwgt=40. Retrieved 2007-09-25.
^ ^a ^b Ruger 10/22 Suppressed Sniper Rifle
^ SV-99 Sniper Rifle

External links

.22 Short

2011-01-20T13:36:00.000-08:00

For the first real post, let's address our first .22 rimfire cartridge; indeed our first-ever metallic cartridge of any stripe:

.22 Short

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

.22 Short
.22 Short, left; .22 Long Rifle, right
Type	Rimfire
Place of origin	USA
Production history
Manufacturer	Smith & Wesson
Produced	1857
Specifications
Bullet diameter	.223 in (5.7 mm)
Neck diameter	.224 in (5.7 mm)
Base diameter	.225 in (5.7 mm)
Rim diameter	.273 in (6.9 mm)
Rim thickness	.040 in (1.0 mm)
Case length	.423 in (10.7 mm)
Overall length	.686 in (17.4 mm)
Primer type	Rimfire
Ballistic performance
Bullet weight/type	Velocity	Energy
27 gr (1.7 g) RN	1,164 ft/s (355 m/s)	81 ft·lbf (110 J)
29 gr (1.9 g) RN	830 ft/s (250 m/s)	44 ft·lbf (60 J)
49 gr (3.2 g) RN	1,132 ft/s (345 m/s)	140 ft·lbf (190 J)
Source(s): Cartridges of the World ^[1]

.22 Short is a variety of .22 caliber (5.6 mm) rimfire ammunition. Developed in 1857 for the first Smith and Wesson revolver, the .22 rimfire was the first American metallic cartridge^[2]. The original loading was a 29-grain (1.9 g) or 30-grain (1.9 g) bullet and 4 grains (260 mg) of black powder. The original .22 rimfire cartridge became designated the .22 Short with the introduction of the .22 Long cartridge in 1871. Developed for self defense, the modern .22 Short, though still used in a few pocket pistols and mini-revolvers, is mainly used as a quiet round for practice by the recreational shooter. The .22 Short was popularly used in shooting galleries at fairs and arcades; several rifle makers produced "gallery" models for .22 Short exclusively. Due to its low recoil and good inherent accuracy, the .22 Short was used for the Olympic 25 m Rapid Fire Pistol event until 2004, and they were allowed in the shooting part of modern pentathlon competitions before it switched to air pistols. .22 Short blank cartridges are used in several makes of starting pistols.

Overview

.22 Short cartridge.

North American Arms model NAA22S mini-revolver, chambered in .22 Short.

Most .22 Short bullets are made of lead (usually coated with grease or wax or copper plated) in round nose or hollow point styles. Bullets for use at shooting gallerys were often made of compressed powdered metal that disintegrated on impact to avoid ricochets and over-penetration of backstops. The standard velocity .22 Short launches a 29-grain (1.9 g) bullet at 1,045 feet per second (319 m/s) with 70 ft·lbf (95 J) of energy from a 22 in (559 mm) rifle barrel and can penetrate 2 inches (51 mm) of soft pine.^[1]
As a hunting round, the high velocity hollow point Short is useful only for small game such as tree squirrels and rabbits. For small game hunting in general, the greater energy and wider ammunition selection of the .22 Long Rifle make it a more popular choice. In the American South, the .22 Short hollow point is still very popular for use on raccoons, which are treed at night using dogs and shooting is at close range. In some states, the .22 Short is the only legal round to use for such hunting.^{[citation needed]}
Although the .22 Long Rifle has surpassed the .22 Short in the market place, many ammunition companies still produce .22 Shorts, and in a fairly wide variety. Most makers utilitilse the standard 29-grain (1.9 g) solid round nose bullet and 27-grain (1.7 g) hollow point bullet weights for the .22 short. CCI makes several types: a CB Short at 727 ft/s (222 m/s), Target Shorts at 830 ft/s (250 m/s), their standard Short round with plated round nose bullet at 1,080 ft/s (330 m/s), and a high speed hunting load with plated hollow point bullet at 1,105 ft/s (337 m/s). The .22 Short high-velocity exceeds the performance of the .22 Long and the .22 Short has displaced the .22 Long as an alternate to the .22 Long Rifle for many .22 shooters. Fiocchi makes their Exacta Compensated Super Match SM200 with lead round nose at 650 ft/s (200 m/s). Remington produces a high velocity plated round nose at 1,095 ft/s (334 m/s). Aguila makes both a match lead round nose at 1,095 ft/s (334 m/s), and a "high speed" round with plated bullet also listed at 1,095 ft/s (334 m/s). Also available is the fine RWS R25 match ammunition at 560 ft/s (170 m/s). Eley also makes their Rapid Fire Match cartridge at 750 ft/s (230 m/s).
Most of the target oriented and CB shorts are very quiet, due to being subsonic. When fired from a full-length rifle barrel, most .22 Short loadings are as quiet, if not quieter, than the average air rifle.
The Aguila SSS (SubSonic Sniper) round uses a .22 Short case with a 60-grain (3.9 g) bullet (twice the weight of the .22 Short bullet and half again as heavy as the .22 Long Rifle bullet) giving an overall length of a .22 Long Rifle round, making categorizing the SSS problematic: while the SSS case size is .22 short, the firing chamber of the barrel must be .22 LR dimensions to accept the SSS cartridge.

.22 Short caliber rifles

There have been many rifles chambered for the .22 Short over the years, but none are currently in production. Many rifles in .22 Short were made between 1901–1940, mostly intended for gallery shooting and small game hunting. Remington and Winchester produced the most rifles in .22 Short. Remington has made their Model 24 and Model 241 "Speedmaster" semi-autos as well as their Model 12 and 121 "Fieldmaster" pump actions in .22 Short. Remington's Nylon 66GS Gallery Special (1962 to 1981) was one of the last .22 Short-only rifles made especially for shooting gallery use. Winchester produced a variety of different rifles in .22 Short caliber including the 1873 lever action, 1885 single shot (in both Low Wall and High Wall variations), Model 1890, 1906 and 62A pump actions, Model 74 semi-auto and the Model 61 pump action. Many of their bolt action rifles were available on a special order basis in .22 Short. Browning/FN also produced their dainty takedown semi-auto in .22 Short, on the same John Browning design upon which the Remington Model 24 is based.
Note that many of these rifles are now collectors’ items, particularly the Winchesters, and demand a premium in price over the same rifle chambered in .22 Long Rifle.
It should also be noted that many rifles marked ".22 Short, Long and Long Rifle" (or ".22 S, L, LR") will not shoot Short rounds with the same degree of accuracy as they will a Long Rifle nor as accurately as a rifle designed for .22 Short exclusively. This is due to the .22 Short round using a 27–29 grain bullet, which requires a barrel with a 1-20 to 1-24 twist. A rifle for "Short, Long and Long Rifle" will normally have a 1-16 twist, which is proper for .22 Long Rifle rounds using 40 grain bullets. In addition, the excess chamber length needed to allow chambering of .22 LR cartridges requires the bullet from a .22 Short to travel a short distance before it engages the rifling, which is detrimental to accuracy. If one is intending to shoot only Shorts and wants a high degree of accuracy, one would be best served with a rifle designed and chambered for the Short only.

References

^ ^a ^b Cartridges of the World 11th Edition, Book by Frank C. Barnes, Edited by Stan Skinner, Gun Digest Books, 2006, pp. 476, 490, 492. ISBN 0-89689-297-2.
^ The Gun Digest Book of .22 Rimfire: Rifles-Pistols-Ammunition. Gun Digest Books. 2005. ISBN 0873499085.

.22 Rimfire Cartridges by Chuck Hawks

Blog Under New Ownership

2011-01-20T13:27:00.000-08:00

I used to read this blog (the original one) on a somewhat regular basis, but forgot to check it for awhile. A few minutes ago as I write this, I was checking the links on my site, Woods Loafing. Imagine my surprise when I clicked on this link and was told the page doesn't exist!
I've always thought .22s And Thoreau was a great name, so I decided to grab it and try to preserve it. I'm not exactly sure what I'll put here, but it will obviously need to reflect the fun and simplicity of affordable .22 rifles, pistols and revolvers.
Guest posts are welcome.