Sounds like its a WMR, but they didn't want to acknowledge Winchester so they called it a Magnum Rimfire instead. Kind of like how some companies call a .357 SIG a .357 Auto.

 

That's kinda what I was thinking; I saw a box of 22 WMR ammo that specifically said not to use it in revolvers so I thought I'd double check w the knowledgeable folks here at RFC before I did anything foolish.

I asked the clerk "why no revolvers?" and he said he figured it was on account of the rounds being loaded too hot for pistols.

 

The 351pd is chambered for 22 win mag. I have its brother the 351C, same gun just hammerless and it is a 22 mag. As previously stated they either don't really know to call it the WMR or they are avoiding the use of the name Winchester. This is more likely but seems strange as winchester doesn't make nor ever made revolvers.

Wheelgun

 

LOL, I was just reading in another thread that you had that gun and was wondering how ya liked it?

I just got mine a couple days ago and can't wait to shoot er!

Thanks for the feedback!

 

I saw a box of 22 WMR ammo that specifically said not to use it in revolvers

What kind was it? Shot cartridges?

I have only seen this warning on 22 WRF ammo, but never on 22 WMR.

 

+1 I have a couple of boxes of CCI WRF's the say not for use in revolvers. After asking around I was told at one point some manufacturers were making .22Mags using .22LR frames, cylanders, etc. CCI simply didn't want the liability of having an underbuilt .22Mag revo blowing up with their loads.

Shouldn't be an issue with a solid .22Mag revo like a Single Six with the proper cylinder.

 

I regret not paying more attention to the brand of cartridges but they were not shot loads. They were kinda cowboy lookin, maybe by Winchester.

While we're at it, whats the difference between 22 WRF and 22 WMR? Now I'm gettin really confused!!

 

While we're at it, whats the difference between 22 WRF and 22 WMR? Now I'm gettin really confused!!

The .22 Winchester Rimfire aka the Remington .22 Special is a cartridge that predates and is the parent cartridge of the .22 Magnum, which is essentially a longer version of it (similar to the .38 Special/.357 Magnum, but with a .22). It never really got popular as its velocity sits between that of the LR and WMR, but it still around today as some like to use it to reduce damage to small game with their .22 Magnum rifles.

 

I think the warning was only one the 22 WRF ammo, it has a lead bullet rather than jacketed so maybe it has a bigger chance of spitting at the cylinder gap.

 

Funny thing is the CCI WRF's I have are JHP's. They jacket is a true copper jacket, not a copper wash or glaze. Their shape and design of the hollowpoint leads me to beleive they'll be very devastating rounds for small game. To this point I have only shot one single round out of my 25MN for gits and shiggles. The recoil and report sure seemed to bridge the gap between a standard LR and Mag round.

I think they'll be absoluetly perfect for small game out of my newly acquired Single Six. If I rember correctly they also cycled fine in the mag on my MN while testing them.

 

Ok sweet, thanks 3six13!

WRF should shoot just fine outta my revolver then if I ever stumble across it.

I'm sure I'll mostly shoot the "defense" loads out of it, but I like knowing what my revolvers and pistols are capable of shooting. I've been shooting 22 magnums outta a Single Six for years so as long as I stick to those loads I'm sure I'll be ok. Smith and Wesson must have wanted to avoid the word Winchester as was discussed above. That makes a certain amount of sense I suppose. Hope I get to the range soon so I can shoot this puppy!

 

I've been trying to find WRF locally just to fit in my RR revolver. I luv it with 22 WMR, but it is LOUD. The WRF is downloaded from the more powerful WMR, but in a short barreled revolver, the energy is almost the same. Half of the energy in a WMR is expended after the round leaves the barrel creating lots of noise, but not much in a speed diference.
In my 22 mag rifles, much different story. There, the WMR really shows it's stuff. The WRF, not so much.
Squirrels don't seem to notice the difference.

 

OK I just checked at the store.
That was Winchester WRF (shorter case than WMR) that was labeled "not for use in revolvers".
What the heck? I would think it would be great in revolvers! Maybe it could damage the cylinder so that WMR wouldn't shoot correctly. Just a guess.

 

Read my first post above. It depends on YOUR particular revo and your confidence in it.
Better yet, read this. Great info. http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=417659

 

Nail Gun, thanks! That thread definitely helped clear things up.

With my j-framed smith, I'll be going for the biggest bang possible, so the WRF shouldn't really be much of an issue for me.

 

You guys got me all mixed up!!

I got a S&W Model 48 made in 1959, what bullets do I put in it!!??

Too many MRF's WMF's, BFH's

This is my only gun I am not sure what to feed, please help, I will make sure to get rid of the wrong stuff, if you can be specific.

Thank you

 

You guys got me all mixed up!!

I got a S&W Model 48 made in 1959, what bullets do I put in it!!??

Too many MRF's WMF's, BFH's

This is my only gun I am not sure what to feed, please help, I will make sure to get rid of the wrong stuff, if you can be specific.

Thank you

Easy, what does your barrel indicate?

I feel like I confused the issue by discussing WRF's. As an attempt to claify, WRF (Winchester Rim Fire) is a baby WMR (Winchester Magnum Rimfire). Think of a WRF as a 38 Spcl and a WMR as a .357 Magnum. If you have a WMR revo, you can shoot WRF's. Much like you can shoot 38 Specials out of a .357 Magnum. But you can not do the reverse in either.

CCi is puting a warning on its boxes of WRF ammo because they want to protect themselves from liability. Prior to the WMR development there were some revolvers made for the WRF round. CCi has determined some of those WRF revolvers were modified .22LR's. Due to their age and the fact the WRF is indeed a magnum as compared to an LR, they may not safely take the pressures of whr WRF. I guess it's safe to say they don't have that warning on their WMR ammo because the majority (if not all) WMR revolvers were purpose built and actually designed for a higher pressure round.

IF you have a 22 "Magnum" (WMR) revolver that can safely shoot WMR's you can safely shoot WRF's.

 

I very well may be mistaken! I definitely started this thread to learn, not to teach! I reckon, as far as I'm concerned, if a particular cartridge is labled by the maker as not for use in revolvers, I'll follow that advice. I got to thinkin that if revolvers can shoot 22 s, l or lr then a WMR should shoot WRF.

Today at the range, I ran 50 Winchester dynapoints and 50 cci maximag hps thru the 351pd and didn't really get the most awesome results outta either one, but then this was the first trip w this little Smith so I'm bound to get better. At this point I'm happy to blame the ammo. I plan to try some different types asap so I'll try to keep y'all posted.

Sweetmk, I know this probably didn't help, but I'm sure someone can answer your ? for you. I hope, cause I wanna know too!

 

Haven't tried any myself yet, but I hear those new 30gr ballistic tip WMRs are more accurate, even out of pistols. I plan on trying them in my Single Six Hunter soon.

 

Thank you nailgun!! Now the search of my ammo will be for fun, not fear!! I would love to try some WRF in the 48, she is a noisy beast with WMR's!!

If I ever find a Single Six 22 Hunter, the discussion will be moot!!