.22 Mag Reliable?

A

ajacobs0289

Inactive
Hello,

I'm farily new to the shooting world and I'm looking at purchasing a .22 mag Ruger LCR Revolver and wanted to know if .22 mag comes in a centerfire cartridge? I hear that centerfire are more reliable than rimfire, is this true?

Thanks,
AJ
 
I've run many CCI .22 mags through my NAA and every time it goes off.

There is (or was) lots of very cheap ammo for .22lr and .22mag. The cheapest stuff is not reliable. The good CCI stuff is.
 
.22 WMR (Winchester Magnum Rimfire) is, as its name implies, rimfire ammo, not centerfire. There are .22 caliber centerfire cartridges out there, such as the .22 Hornet, but there are far fewer firearms available in .22 Hornet than there are in .22 Magnum Rimfire.
 
Rimfire cartridges were the first modern ammunition (and guns) developed in the 1800's. The centerfire priming was developed a little later and was much more reliable in terms of ignition. Rimfire cartridges were popular in the mid to late 1800's and as machining improved, centerfire priming was universally adopted in the last quarter of the 1800's more or less. Most rimfire calibers died a slow death except for the 22 rimfire (SH, L, LR, 22WMR, and 17 HMR).

Military needs drove centerfire development.

So, centerfire cartridges are generally more reliable than rimfire especially if you are comparing to 22LR. The 22WMR is a slightly different animal, but still a rimfire. They are very reliable and there are few fail to fires (FTF's). So, your consideration of the LCR in 22 Mag is okay.

There is no centerfire 22 Mag. <Chopped out "offending stuff" that several people seem to take exception to.>

Probably better to just choose a 38spl revolver or the Ruger LCR in 38 spl.

There are centerfire rifle cartridges that are equivalent to the 22 mag. These are generally not chambered in handguns except for something like the Thompson Contender (single shot).

"Caliber" refers to a bullet diameter (in inches). European cartridges used the metric system generally with such names as 9mm.
 
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I've been shooting the .22Mag for over 25yrs and have never had a single misfire.


There is (or was) lots of very cheap ammo for .22lr and .22mag.
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Nor have I ever heard of "cheap" .22Mag ammo. It is all high quality and in no way comparable to cheap bulk .22LR.
 
From what I've read the .22LR would be better than the .22 Mag in a gun with a short barrel.

The .22 Mag was developed as a rifle cartridge with a slower burning powder.

In something like a LCR the .22 Mag bullet has left the barrel before the powder has finished burning. IOW, the .22LR is more powerful if fired from a short barrel.

Ruger (I think) even makes a .22 Mag revolver with a 6.5" barrel to optimize the ballistics of the cartridge.

I've also read that there are "special" .22 Mag cartridges for shorter barrels. But, why bother?

I'd use CCI 40gr CPRN Mini-Mags in the LCR-22LR. Other tests have shown that they are faster than the Velocitors from short barrels. CCI shows the Velocitors being faster, but those results were from rifle barrels.

.22LR's are also much cheaper to shoot than the .22 Mags.
 
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In revolvers, probably the 327 Ruger Mag (32 caliber) would be about equivalent to a 22 Mag. (I'm guessing as I am not a big fan of the 327.)
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If I read the data correctly, .327 Magnum falls between .38 Special +P and .357 Magnum, closer to the latter in velocity and recoil. Much more powerful than .22 Mag.
 
From what I've read the .22LR would be better than the .22 Mag in a gun with a short barrel.

The .22 Mag was developed as a rifle cartridge with a slower burning powder.
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I don't know where you heard that. It gets repeated often but it ain't true. Unless you consider 300-400fps slower to be "better". Powders are chosen for the cartridge and its pressure range, not barrel length. So the same powders that will yield the highest velocities in the .22Mag in rifle length barrels, are the same that will yield the highest in handgun barrels.


In revolvers, probably the 327 Ruger Mag (32 caliber) would be about equivalent to a 22 Mag.
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Uh, what???
 
Please.... you don't have to say it twice. I remember now that the 327 is more powerful than a 38spl. So, let's drop it. :) Not a caliber I have much interest in...

Maybe the 32 H&R? ....

Why not say something constructive rather than criticizing?
 
(I'm guessing as I am not a big fan of the 327.)
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My intention (regardless of what you'll likely think) is not to beat up on your mistake, but this isn't an opinion poll where folks talk about their favorite color and what kind of vegetables are best served with a steak. In your post -- you are clearly attempting to give advice so it's pretty much ridiculous when you say something that is not only preposterous... it's then backed up with a statement that claims you are guessing (?! poorly!) and you are doing so because you aren't a big FAN of it?! :confused:

That's ludicrous. It's like saying that "Chevettes were really lousy cars and broke down all the time so if someone is driving one directly AT YOU and he's got it floored, don't even bother jumping out of the way because it's most likely going to quit running and the wheels will fall off before the jalopy hits you... or probably, I don't know, because I always kinda hated Chevettes..."

Oh for sure, that entire rant was of no value whatsoever.

I run 115 grain .327 slugs at 1,375 fps and 85 grain XTP's at 1,520 fps and I haven't yet even advanced these loads to their full potential. That's 150-300 feet per second MORE than .22 Magnum from an LCR, with 2.5 to 3 times the bullet weight.

To say that the two aren't even close would be to make a gross understatement.

Apologies if this reality check seems personal -- it is no such thing. It's about the quality of discussion on this forum...which I feel is important, even if it ruffles some feathers.
 
yep... more misinformation in this thread than any I've read lately...

the 22 Mag the Op is referring to, is a rim fire... ( BTW... the 22 LR is a heal seated bullet, the 22 Mag is conventionally seated... the case of a 22 LR is more or less the same diameter as the bullet... the case of the 22 Mag is bigger, so the bullet can slip into the case mouth ) ... so these cartridges are not interchangeable, it's not safe to fire a 22 LR in a 22 Mag chamber... generally the heal seated design is not though of as being as reliable as a conventionally seated cartridge... however, the issue with LR cartridges is mostly the bulk packaging, or poor manufacturing... you can buy match grade 22 LR ammo that will go bang every time, if you want to spend the money...

BTW... I could see myself getting a 22 Mag Ruger... so IMO, it's a viable choice

BTW #2... there are several 22 Mag short barrel offerings, that kick butt on 22 LR out of the same length barrel

BTW #3... there are 22 Mag center fire cartridges out there, though they are not current commercial cartridges... the 22 CCM, & I have my own 22 MCF loosely based on both the CCM & the old 22 Velo-Dog cartridge... in this hobby, you can never say never, & never say always ;)
 
I looked at the LCR in 22 mag yesterday. Yes, it is one I might consider. The 22 mag from a revolver has quite a bit more punch than a 22LR. But it is extremely loud.

Oh for sure, that entire rant was of no value whatsoever.
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You said it, not me. Yes, Sevens, I do take it personally. I could make no sense what so ever out of your analogy about a chevette.
 
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There's a thread in this forum titled ".22 MAG for carry?"

This is from post #42:
"The 22mag cartridge is loaded with power designed to be fired in rifles. This slower burning powder is not suited for the shortest of barrels associated with concealed carry weapons. In my tests.....years ago....the 22 short out penetrated the 22 mag in cardboard....by about 60 percent. The guns were NAA 22 mag and beretta jetfire 22 short."

And here's some info from searching .22 MAG in a short barrel:
"NAA Black Widow (2" barrel)

Speer 40 grain GDHP-SB: Average velocity = 970 fps; Extreme Spread = 48 fps
Win. 40 grain Super-X JHP: Average velocity = 1025 fps; Extreme Spread = 79 fps"

Those velocities are nowhere near 300-400 fps faster than .22LR Mini-Mags from a short barrel.
 
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years ago
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http://www.midwayusa.com/product/454100/winchester-supreme-elite-self-defense-ammunition-22-winchester-magnum-rimfire-wmr-40-grain-pdx1-jacketed-hollow-point-box-of-50

Hornady Critical Defense Ammunition was purpose built for concealed carry guns and designed to deliver reliable and controlled expansion regardless of target every time..

1-7/8" Pistol Barrel:
•Muzzle Velocity: 1000 fps
•Muzzle Energy: 100 ft. lbs.


http://www.midwayusa.com/product/994134/hornady-critical-defense-ammunition-22-winchester-magnum-rimfire-wmr-45-grain-flex-tip-expanding-box-of-50
 
"1-7/8" Pistol Barrel:
•Muzzle Velocity: 1000 fps
•Muzzle Energy: 100 ft. lbs."

That's a little better than the .22LR Mini-Mag, BUT it comes at the expense of two less shots in the LCR.

And the higher cost of ammo would likely reduce practice, which would likely mean that the "two less shots" are also less accurate.
 
The 22mag cartridge is loaded with power designed to be fired in rifles. This slower burning powder is not suited for the shortest of barrels associated with concealed carry weapons.
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This is nonsense posted by someone who does not understand ballistics. No rimfire cartridge has "rifle powder". Some folks falsely believe that powder burns all the way down the bore. That faster powders burn more quickly and thus yield higher velocities in short barrels but this is pure myth. The powder is burned by the time the bullet leaves the cartridge case. What exits the muzzle is expanding gasses. The magnums have, surprise, surprise, powders that work best in magnum revolver cartridges. The .17HMR typically uses Lil Gun. So no, they are not "designed for" rifles. Like I've already said, powders are chosen for the cartridge's capacity and pressure range, not barrel length. The .22Mag, like any other magnum revolver cartridge, will attain highest velocities with slower burning powders like 2400, 296/H110 or Lil Gun. Regardless of barrel length. Yes, they do benefit from rifle length barrels but so do revolver cartridges. Big surprise, the .22Mag, .357Mag, .41Mag, .44Mag and .45Colt all gain 300-400fps from rifle barrels. This is the same kind of crap with the .357 out of a short revolver barrel and the myth that it does not offer anything over the .38Spl. It's simply not true.

I've chronographed standard 40gr .22Mag loads at 350-400fps faster out of a 5½" barrel than high velocity 36gr loads.

The specialty .22Mag carry loads have bullets designed to expand at lower velocities and low flash powders. Powders designed for low flash, not optimum velocity.
 
Personally I would simply like to know why AJ is interested in the LCR in 22 Mag versus the LCR in 22LR or 38spl. Has anyone heard of empties sticking inside the 22 Mag cylinder (difficult extraction) like happens with the 22LR version with some ammunition? Since I have only shot Federal Lightnings in my LCR-22 so far (and they sometimes stick), I simply raise the question in the light of information AJ might use in choosing the LCR in 22 mag.

In case you don't know, it is not a good idea to shoot 22LR's in a 22 Mag revolver. Some confuse this thinking it is like owning a 357 mag revolver and shooting 38 spls.
 
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