Rimfire Ammo Question

[MaxMan]

Just wondering about the input on this site.

Accuracy .22 LR vs .22 WMR

I asked on another site and was told that the WMR would not be as accurate because there are no precision ammo manufacturers for WMR and it is a hunting round so precision accuracy is not needed. Also, the way the WMR fits in the chamber ( I'm not sur I understand that ).

Anyway, and ideas on the original question.
I asked this because my Baby biathlon Izmash 7-2 is in 22 wmr. I don't hunt. Not sure why I did it but that ship done sailed.

 

[GunnyGene]

I've never noticed any significant difference, and I have both. Imho, a precision built .22wmr rifle and a similarly designed .22lr, should perform similarly, except at longer ranges where the wmr would encounter that nasty transonic barrier. With 32gr Vmax (~ 2200fps mv )from my RPR, that would be right around 170yds (~1100fps) with ~4MOA drop. The LR is subsonic right out of the muzzle, so at say 200yds the lr would likely be more precise/accurate, but with a far greater drop. Point is that it's much more complex than what you were told.

 

[mirglip]

At 50 yards with a rifle and run of the mill everyday ammo, I find the .22 LR to be consistently more accurate in several rifles I've tried, and I've heard from others my experiences were typical. .22 mag advantages kick in beyond 75 yards.

 

[Jeepnik]

Depends entirely on the gun. The only reason there are .22 lr rounds made to tighter tolerances is that it's used in competitions more often.

 

[eveled]

I find .22wmr to be more accurate and more reliable.

Convertible single six barrels are oversized for .22LR so .22wmr is more accurate I figured rifle barrels were the same. But I never checked.

My .22wmr Ruger American is more accurate than my son’s .22LR American.

 

[Joe Chartreuse]

Depends. If you are shooting from a rifle I find the LR to be more accurate, as well as longer barrelled handguns. For short barreled handguns like derringers, NAA revolvers, and probably LCP2s if they made one in WMR (and I truly wish they would), WMRs show an increased accuracy.

 

[Mobuck]

Referring to rifles only since the only 22 WMR handgun I've owned was so dismal I try to forget owning it, I've had two 22WMR rifles and neither came anywhere close to 22LR in accuracy.
Keep in mind, these experiences were 20+ years back so 'things' may have improved.

 

[Cholo]

↑ Maybe you're recoil shy

 

[Jakeintexas]

No difference and it depends on the ammo/gun combination.

The WMR is significantly more expensive (approaching 9mm pricing) but does provide significantly increased power out of a rifle or longer barreled pistol. Out of a shorter barreled pistol you’re better off with .22LR because it’s much cheaper and there isn’t much ballistic difference anyway.

 

[JBP]

Depends entirely on the gun. The only reason there are .22 lr rounds made to tighter tolerances is that it's used in competitions more often.

Definitely agree with that. My heavy barrel 22LR's (10/22T and 3 Mossburg 44 variants) are dead on no matter what I feed them up to 50 yards. My other 22LR's and 22WMR''s are pretty much equal @50 yards. At 100 yards the 22LR will drop a couple of inches.

 

[MaxMan]

↑ Maybe you're recoil shy

Well I did give my K 31 to my son because I didn't enjoy the kick.