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Greetings,
I have a single antique Winchester rifle: a Model 1885 Low Wall (manufactured in 1888), chambered in .22 Short. I have owned it since 2013 and never fired it. I would like to shoot it a bit before I sell it.
I am wondering whether I can safely shoot modern .22 Short cartridges in this rifle. I know that the general rule is, don’t shoot smokeless in a gun designed for black powder. On the other hand, I’ve read that Winchester manufactured the Low Wall for pistol cartridges that contained a lot more powder than a .22 Short, and it does appear to be a robust action.
Someone suggested using CB caps, but I have concern about a projectile getting stuck in the bore.
— Douglas Johnson
April 15, 2005
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Hello Doug,
You can shoot any commercially manufactured 22 Short ammo that you find on the market today. Single Shot low-wall is capable of safely shooting cartridges all the way up to the 44 WCF (with a 200-grain bullet). It is not possible to damage your rifle unless you shoot it with an obstructed bore.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 1, 2013
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Douglas D Johnson said
Someone suggested using CB caps, but I have concern about a projectile getting stuck in the bore.
I’ve shot many of them in a 30″ brl. There’s a special variety for indoor shooting called “Colibri,” & those might lodge in a long brl.
Bert H. said
Hello Doug,You can shoot any commercially manufactured 22 Short ammo that you find on the market today. Single Shot low-wall is capable of safely shooting cartridges all the way up to the 44 WCF (with a 200-grain bullet). It is not possible to damage your rifle unless you shoot it with an obstructed bore.
Bert
Thank you — that’s the answer I was hoping for!
