WMR vs. .22 LR
We simply can’t talk about the WMR without considering its relationship to the gold standard .22 LR. The Magnum is direct kin to the LR, but in a roundabout way. Its proper name is actually .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire, and its pet moniker .22 Magnum. In fact, Winchester first introduced an upsized rimfire cartridge around 1890, dubbed the .22 Winchester Rimfire cartridge.
Now largely obsolete, and not to be interchanged with the younger Magnum, the idea of using a longer case length to compete with the LR was a sound one. However, it wasn’t until 1959 that the round we speak of today came into being. Winchester essentially one-upped itself, elongating the casing even farther and debuting impressive jacketed rimfire bullets to make the WMR a smashing hit.
Related: Rimfire Cartridge Basics
There are too many intricacies to delve through full load data and minutiae here, but in broader terms, this is where the Magnum stands tall over the LR. Muzzle velocity is strikingly impressive, with speeds around 50 percent faster given the most similar projectile. For instance, the Magnum launches a 40-grain bullet upward of 1,900 FPS at the muzzle, while a 40-grain LR checks in between 1,125 and 1,350 FPS.
The Magnum holds greater energy at 100 yards than a comparable LR offers at the muzzle. Lastly, the flatter trajectory keeps the Magnum appealing in every conversation, though it will never top the LR for its commonality, accessibility, and budget-friendly nature.
The Metrics
The .22 WMR’s metrics are all considerably larger than the Long Rifle, including significant gains to length and diameter. The WMR’s case diameter measures 0.242 inches. Its casing checks in at 1.055 inches. The overall length is 1.350 inches, all per SAAMI Cartridge and Chamber drawings.
Of note, the bullet diameter for the Magnum is 0.224, the same as popular centerfire .223 Rem/5.56 NATO rounds, albeit at the lowest end of the projectile weight range. The .22 WMR’s official SAAMI record is dated 1959, though .22 Magnum firearm production didn’t actually commence until 1960.
.22 WMR Metrics:
- Case Diameter: 0.242 inches
- Overall Length: 1.350 inches
- Casing: 1.055 inches
- Bullet Diameter: 0.224 inches
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Muzzle Velocity: 1,900+ FPS (40 grain)
Allure of the .22 Magnum
Why does the .22 WMR continue to hold such appeal, even as the LR is more common and affordable, while the .17 HMR holds the attention of even longer range rimfire shooters and varminters?
With heavier projectiles – say, 50-grainers – hunters can consider the .22 Magnum for larger critters, even up to coyotes, in certain instances. Sure, centerfire rounds are more capable, but they’re also noisier and with significantly increased recoil. The .22 Magnum is useful on appropriately sized game just beyond 150 yards, and on paper even farther.
The one major drawback? For hunters, the Magnum is likely to ruin considerably more meat on smaller game like squirrels and cottontails destined for the pot than the good old LR.
Ammunition Options
There’s no denying the LR offers scads more options in ammunition boxes, bricks, canisters, and buckets. But the range of .22 WMR load types, projectile styles, and weight ranges is more than ample for any type of use, from range time to hunting, pistol specifics to light defense.
A few stand out: Hornady Varmint, CCI Maxi-Mag, Hornady Critical Defense, Federal Personal Defense Punch, Winchester Silvertip, Remington Premier Magnum Rimfire, Federal Game Shok, and Winchester Super-X. There are plenty of premium projectile options, including jacketed choices, hollow points, ballistic tips, and more.
Of note, some of the newer ballistic-tipped loads with lighter projectiles easily break the 2,000-FPS muzzle barrier. For instance, Hornady’s V-Max zooms along at 2,200 FPS with 322 foot-pounds of energy. For slithery and skittery pest control, CCI’s WMR shotshell packed with 52 grains of #12 shot is hard to beat.
Related: Own a .22 Magnum? This Is the WMR Ammo You Need
Firearm Choices
The world of .22 WMR firearms is healthy and growing. There are rifles and handguns of every type, both brand new and decades-used. Snub-nosed wheel guns, though on the lighter end of the power spectrum, continue to hold appeal for the lowest-recoiling defense options. There are too many options to cover here, but here are some of our recently tested favorites and classic darlings.
Henry’s family of Magnum rimfires is rich, with more than a dozen offerings including lever actions, pumps, and that shorty Mare’s Leg handgun. KelTec’s PMR-30 and Smith & Wesson’s M&P .22 Magnum pistols both pack 30 rounds of WMR for a heckuva ball on the range.
Related: Handheld Power Plinkers – Top .22 WMR Handguns
Magnum Research builds a mean Magnum Lite premium repeating rimfire. Let’s not forget past classics that continue to shine, like our beloved T/C Contender, Marlin 57M Levermatic short throw, S&W Model 48/648 wheel guns, Ruger Single Six convertible, and the handy original Savage Model 24, to name a few.
Can You Have It All?
The answer is yes, you can have your .22 LR and eat that Magnum ammo, too. For decades, savvy shooters, plinkers, and hunters have gravitated to firearm combos that can safely fire both Long Rifle and Magnum. But how, you may ask? The simplest answer lies with revolvers, where quick cylinder swaps allow the safe use of both rounds.
That keeps our old classic Ruger Single Six a favored classic that’s still in production to this day. Now, though, we see a surprising number of younger and cheaper designs – looking at you, Heritage Rough Rider combo and Ruger Super Wrangler, among others including quick handgun swaps from North American Arms and Bond Arms.
Why .22 Magnum?
