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Since the cases of the .22 LONG and .22LR are the same length,
can I shoot the .22LR cartridges in a rifle designed for .22 LONG cartridges.
I think the only difference between these two is the bullet length and weight.
I guess that I probably could shoot .22 SHORT ammo in my .22 LONG rifle?
I’m having a hard time trying to find any .22 LONG ammo, but .22 SHORT ammo seems to be available.
Jim,
While some rifles chambered for the 22 Long may accept a 22 LR cartridge, the accuracy will be poor. Both the 22 Short and 22 Long were made with a 1:20 rifling twist rate, which is optimum for the smaller bullet that they were loaded with. The longer & heavier 40-grain in the 22 LR will not stabilize properly in a 1:20 barrel. Winchester selected a 1:16 twist rate to get optimum accuracy out of the 22 LR cartridge.
So in answer to your question, you would be much better off shooting 22 Shorts in a 22 Long chambered rifle.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Years ago, I used to shoot CB and BB caps singly loaded into my 22 long M1890. I don’t know how many Sparrows I killed with that old rifle, but probably into the thousands. I used to feed them to my cats.
These rounds were very accurate in my rifle. I also used to shoot long rifles from the same rifle and killed many a rabbit with it.
22 longs were always more expensive than the long rifles and I didn’t have much $$$ then, so I used what was cheap.
I still have that 1907 M1890, and shooting all those weird types of ammo never hurt the chamber or bore. I have not fired that old rifle for over 15 years now. It sits in the back of the safe. I am content to shoot my M62. Big Larry
I guess forgot to mention that the rifle I was talking about is a Winchester 1885 rifle made for .22 Long.
I assume this rifle has the 1:20 rifling twist rate that you mentioned Bert.
Thanks for the information.
I’ll stick with .22 Shorts if I want to shoot for accuracy.
I always use cartridges in .22 lr Z. They are reduced in velocity but accurate up to 25 Meters. They have the bullet from the .22 Short and the case from the .22 lr.
http://www.guncity.com/22-lr-winchester-zimmer-.22-z-long-brick-97153
Steff
I guess that I got lucky on my search for .22 Long ammo.
I found one local gun shop that had quite a few of the CCI .22 Longs in the plastic cases of 100 rounds.
I bought several at $12.95 each. I can get more there if I need to.
I also came across a friend at one gun shop that gave me a 3/4 full CCI case of 100 rounds of .22 Longs.
The last 22 Long ammo I bought was at Ace. Same thing. 100 rd. blue plastic box. Don’t remember what I paid as it was several years ago.
Stockpile all you can. There is very little demand for it and someday, it will all be gone. I think I still have 4 of the original boxes I bought. I don’t find the need to shoot that old M1890 as I have over 75 22’s that will, for the most part, take the LR ammo and I have a 25,000 round stash of that. I had 30,000, but during the ammo shortage all my friends came to me for ammo. Enjoy your 22 Long. It’s part of history. Big Larry
That should keep you shooting for awhile!
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert H. said
That should keep you shooting for awhile!
Bert
Yeah, if I can keep from giving it all away. Last week I gave my Great Grandsons wife a N.I.B. P22 Walther that belonged to my late wife. Also gave her 550 rds. of 22 LR. Yes. I am a good Grandpa. I have given most of the kids in my family a gun or two. One of my Great Grandsons is a Deputy Sheriff in northern Utah. They all shoot and shoot very well. I taught most of them. Big Larry
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