22 Rimfire Confusion

There is a lot of confusion around the 22 Rimfire, but in this episode of Ron Spomer Outdoors, we are going to get to the bottom of it once and for all. Follow along in this episode, where I cover the history and differences of the 22 Rimfire.
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Who is Ron Spomer
For 44 years I’ve had the good fortune to photograph and write about my passion - the outdoor life. Wild creatures and wild places have always stirred me - from the first flushing pheasant that frightened me out of my socks in grandpa’s cornfield to the last whitetail that dismissed me with a wag of its tail. In my attempts to connect with this natural wonder, to become an integral part of our ecosystem and capture a bit of its mystery, I’ve photographed, hiked, hunted, birded, and fished across much of this planet. I've seen the beauty that everyone should see, survived adventures that everyone should experience. I may not have climbed the highest mountains, canoed the wildest rivers, caught the largest fish or shot the biggest bucks, but I’ve tried. Perhaps you have, too. And that’s the essential thing. Being out there, an active participant in our outdoor world.
Produced by: @red11media
Disclaimer
All loading, handloading, gunsmithing, shooting and associated activities and demonstrations depicted in our videos are conducted by trained, certified, professional gun handlers, instructors, and shooters for instructional and entertainment purposes only with emphasis on safety and responsible gun handling. Always check at least 3 industry handloading manuals for handloading data, 2 or 3 online ballistic calculators for ballistic data. Do not modify any cartridge or firearm beyond what the manufacturer recommends. Do not attempt to duplicate, mimic, or replicate anything you see in our videos. Firearms, ammunition, and constituent parts can be extremely dangerous if not used safely.

[@lifeanddaily6583]

My first 22 was a Winchester 22 pump tube magazine...it would shoot the short,long and long rifle ammo...it was made in 1911 and was handed down to me from my grandfather...he was a WW1 veteran and a great man.

[@williambell2188]

👍

[@m118lr]

Certainly the most extensive and comprehensive, informative video I’ve EVER seen and it’s much appreciated Ron!

[@kevinmarrett9532]

I think another reason the 22 short doesn’t go away is because many 22 rifles are tube fed, so shorts give you a nice bump in capacity.

[@MrCrabs231]

Probably also trappers

[@elvinirons5959]

One of the most useful piece of hunting n around the farm weapon u can have, got quite a few in my collection !! I have a all metal frame 22, it’s called the Bronco !!

[@jamessteven4809]

How’s me

[@tomclark9142]

Superb tutorial! With ENORMOUS respect, Ron, the.22 Short came about in 1857, not 1957. You simply mis-spoke, as I’m quite sure you have FORGOTTEN more than I will ever KNOW on the subject

[@frankammirati3385]

I’ve got a old marking glenfield bolt action , I enjoy testing all different kinds of ammo with it just to see how accurate I can’t get a long distance , it’s the perfect cost efficient way to go and also trains me to know my holds .

[@RadOpsTV]

Love the content! Still waiting for you to give the .22 magnum it’s due respect! 😎 my favorite cartridge of all time.

[@lancemiller9110]

.22 mag is the “cat’s ass.” Excellent round for small game up to coyotes (still hear rumors on white tails as well). One of my favorite cartridges of all time.

[@RadOpsTV]

@@lancemiller9110 I have never heard that reference, what do you mean by cats ass? I use a 22 mag to drop feral hogs and coyotes. I also use the KekTec PMR 30 for self defense from those same predators when I’m small game hunting or deer hunting. IMO It’s overkill for squirrels and rabbits, for that I use my .177 break barrel air rifles. What do you use the .22 mag for?

[@SWMissouriOutdoors]

Mine as well. I do some handloading with it, pulling projectiles and replacing them with Nosler 40gr ballistic tip boattails. Some minor changes with powder as well.

[@RadOpsTV]

@@SWMissouriOutdoors awesome bro, what do you like to hunt with your .22 mag?

[@bryantbutlermf]

That’s what I’m saying I’m thinking he don’t know anything about it all he has to say is “sloppy chambers” like we all have a savage 93..upsets me too

[@mikeinlutz]

Growing up in the 60s in Ohio I got a Mossberg 22cal bolt gun, still have it. Used to shoot pigeon off people's roofs with a 22 short with a graphite plug instead of a lead bullet. If I missed the plug wouldn't go thru the roof

[@SWMissouriOutdoors]

Great video, wish you would have included more on the 22WRF. I have found it to be a great load in my 22WMR revolver to meet the middle of 22LR and 22WMR power levels. The 22WRF is standard load of 45gr @ 1450fps from a rifle.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

There is one rimfire that appears on the market periodically that you failed to mention, called the "22 Winchester Rimfire" or 22wrf. It is the predecessor to the time when 22LR was boosted and gained velocities equivalent to the modern loadings. When the 22LR gained velocity, the 22wrf went by the wayside. Later of course the 22wmr became the true rimfire magnum offering about double the 22LR performance. The following diameters from SAAMI website: .22 Short. (.2250") heeled bullet, case diameter same as bullet, straight untapered casing. .22 Long (.2250") heeled bullet, case diameter same as bullet, straight untapered casing. .22 Long Rifle (LR) (.2255") heeled bullet, case diameter same as bullet, straight untapered casing. .22 Winchester Rimfire (WRF) (.2285") straight bullet, inserted inside casing which is larger than bullet, tapered casing (.002" over length). .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (WMR) (.2245") straight bullet, inserted inside casing which is larger than bullet, straight untapered casing.

[@davidjustice1848]

I was trying to think of 22 wrf

[@poopongmcplop3635]

How does the .22 EX LR fit into that lineup ?

[@blightedblue2762]

I just sold my wrf, good little gun but I found ammo rather expensive and tricky to get

[@davidjustice1848]

@@poopongmcplop3635 looks like it's about the same performance as a modern 22lr and modern lr ammo will fire in those guns

[@exothermal.sprocket]

@@poopongmcplop3635 Well, interesting. To be honest this is the first time I've ever heard of such a thing existing. Looks like commercial availability ceased in 1935. Since .22LR improved performance over time, it appears the .22EL had about the same performance as the modern .22LR "high velocity" loadings. Would make sense that the EL version would become unnecessary in this case. I didn't happen to see anything on the SAAMI web document the other day looking at data. Wikipedia says .223" bullet. But as with anything on Wiki, use critical thought and independent research and validation.

[@smokysantana]

You are the first person on KZbin I have seen pronounce aguila correctly. Now there are two of us.

[@leftistsarenotpeople]

The .22 long rifle plus a spotlight = A poacher's delight LOL

[@NHGUIDE88]

And NOW.... 22 lr at 1850 fps with the 21 grain copper-22 !! there are sooooo many different .22 'loads' Great content Sir, well explained!

[@boingkster]

I hate to say it but at 1:08 you mispoke - its 1857 not 1957 for the invention of the 22 Short. Amazing to think they had it sorted out that long ago! Speaking of external lubrication (common for 22LR) the first internally lubricated round was the .44 Russian of 1870 - also by S&W. They recognised that adding lubrication to the nose of a round promoted misfeeds and barrel wear as it picked up debris in use.

[@Hockeyfan9884]

Even before the ending of the video, and am proud to hear even Ron likes grouse, what you have cooking in your pot , is the . 22 you have shot.

[@johnanderson3405]

Fantastic job as always Mr. Spomer. Very informative and well explained. Thanks so much.

[@Mark-qq9cd]

Excellent overview! Cleared up a “muddy” topic. Thanks much. Cheers from Western PA.

[@atch_n_sons]

A Ron Spomer video and a glass of my favorite bourbon ❤

[@johnhebert8556]

Thanks Mr. Spomer!

[@bob_mosavo]

Thanks, Ron 😁

[@reloadrefine]

Love the old CB close range, hole in hole, used to use them on ranches that otherwise would not be allowed to shoot. Great for learning drop and how to utilize your reticles reference points. Great video Ron. Thanks

[@mainenorthwoodshunter3265]

Thank you, Ron, there was a lot of information in this video I did not know. Great video!

[@lcee6592]

Always educational and interesting! The awesome little .22 rimfire!

[@relleknoj]

Thank You

[@garyl6190]

I enjoy the .22 rimfire review. Keep more rimfire content coming and thanks for your most informative and entertaining channel.

[@MrSabram07]

Wow what a great video thank you

[@hoosierplowboy5299]

Excellent primer on the .22 rimfire, sir...thank you!

[@terrysanders2817]

Good voice and good research!

[@JoeZelensky]

Ron, the fastest is the CCI Copper-22. It is a copper-polymer bullet and out of a 16" barrel will do about 1,800fps. Also you forgot the CCI Stinger case which is actually longer than a .22LR but uses a 29gr lead.

[@SWMissouriOutdoors]

Missed the 22WRF as well.

[@JoeZelensky]

@@SWMissouriOutdoors which will fire in .22 WMR rifles.

[@milehighgimpster]

Good rim fire information. Thank you sir.

[@oldmangreywolf6892]

Many older rifles and modern revolvers can fire all three original 22 rim. We now have revolvers with interchangeable cylinders to fire all four 22 rims. I got the remington 550-1 that is an auto that shoots the first three. Would love to get a revolver with the interchangeable cylinder.

[@buckshotaaa]

Hey Ron, Thank you for your very clear and concise presentations on all things firearms. Your delivery is such a refreshing change from all the "shouty" videos we see on here. You're right up there in my opinion. Keep 'em rolling my friend and stay safe. 👍

[@dennisbooth9887]

Thanks Ron! Perfect timing for this video! I just bought my son his first .22LR bolt action (Ruger American Go-Wild) and really appreciate all of this info and advice! I couldn’t agree more that the .22LR is an inexpensive, capable and fun cartridge to shoot!

[@308dad8]

Ron you talking about potential jobs for different 22 cartridges reminds me the time I raised chickens. I raised the meat birds in with the layers and allowed them to reach their potential before slaughtering and after I took several the first time they knew what time it was when I came into the pin, so I started using 22 Shorts out of my daughter’s Cricket by Keystone and they were sufficient and that little rifle was small enough to get in there

[@OntarioBearHunter]

worst are customers that come in " I need some 22 long" " do you mean long rifle?" " no long, what's long rifle?" " uhmm different cartridges from different eras" " never heard of it , I want 22 long" "is it a semi auto rifle?" " yes a 10-22" " then it's long rifle" " no it says long " " I see, would you like 10 boxes?"

[@brian770]

great vid, still have my first .22 , was my grandfathers, a 1951 rem mod. 512 woodsmaster bolt action tube fed with a 24" barrel. just bought my second, a cz jaguar bolt with mags and a 28.5" barrel. love the .22LR. the rem says on the barrel, .22 short / long / LR. have fired all 3 through the cz also with no problems.

[@Vince-ml9gw]

Wonderful video Ron, the 22 is an amazing round

[@chrisaerts6489]

Very interesting.

[@chewy7775]

I still have my rem512 from when I was 16 I’m 53 now. What a great rifle

[@louisgiokas2206]

I have an old (over 50 years) Savage Stevens bolt action .22. It is a tack driver. Actually, my father is from the Springfield, MA area (Chicopee Falls), and when he decided to buy a gun so that he could go shooting with my brother and I, he called one of his boyhood friends who worked for Savage actually making the guns. These were "right off the line". The other gun, by the way, was a 20GA bolt action shotgun. So, I learned with that, although I also shot lots of military arms since my father's best friend was a collector and had an old pig farm in Winchester, VA. they both had been in the Army in WWII. The first pistol I shot was an actual WWII 1911A1. I could hit a 3 oz Dixie cup at ten yards. I was only 10. I also got to shoot a P-08 Luger and an M1 Garrand. Great times. Over the years I have taken lots of squirrels with that .22. I make a great squirrel gumbo in the crock pot. Sorry to go on about that, but it brings back memories.

[@alexpark7139]

Can’t add much to the other comments…other than stressing the value of the .22 rimfire as a training tool. I bother my son and grandsons to death about the importance of gun training and knowledge. Its so common today to see a young man grab a high power rifle and head off to hunt without really knowing what he has in his hands. This is a GREAT coverage of this old cartridge and even with all said…there is sooo much more to the experience of safe gun handling, cartridge choice, target acquisition, placement,..etc…To shoot a gun safely and well…you need to shoot a lot!..And at pennies per round..well…nuff said!…Thanks Pop

[@marsoelflaco5722]

I like 22's. Thanks for the education.✌🏽

[@JDIII4000]

Love all 22s grew up shooting 22CBs at Silhouettes. The only 22 I have yet to see is the 22 extra long.

[@my3sons386]

Good instruction

[@steveshoemaker6347]

Thanks young man....Old Steve🇺🇸

[@smokysantana]

Thanks for not calling it a casing as so many (especially on tv) call it.

[@64samsky]

I got a Cooey for Christmas in1974, I was 10. We used to shoot 22 shorts in my 52 foot long basement. My dad was an Army vet who was an awesome shot. I wish I could shoot as good he could. God rest his soul.

[@joshwinters7290]

Great video Ron! I've shot many a backyard groundhog with my heavy barreled 10/22 using CB's. Works well although having to single hand feed into the chamber and manually ejecting after the shot. Which like you stated won't cycle the bolt, but merely "bumps" it open slightly.

[@mitchelloates9406]

I have an autoloader that's chambered for 22 Short only - a Remington Model 24 - date code on the barrel is September 1922 - it's actually the first production version of John Browning's SA-22 design, that's still made by Browning. I found it hid in the back of a closet after my father passed away about a decade ago. No idea where or when or who he traded with to get it. After taking it apart and cleaning it, to remove decades worth of dirt and grime, the gun is still in remarkably good shape. The action is light enough that you can literally cycle it with one finger.

[@rogernichols9987]

That's why I love my rem.552 mix them up it dose not matter to it who or what you want to up in her. She just spits them out without any problems. Not a tack driver but a squrals head is not a tack

[@adelarsen9776]

Honesty and Integrity are everything. And health. :-)

[@differentfins]

Watching this makes me wanna go do some plinking. .22s are such fun guns with a ton of history!

[@stevencunningham4680]

Howdy Ron , this was a very educational and interesting video. I myself and my 4 sons have 22 rifles. I think everyone should own a 22. I did some checking a while back and found that a 22 short , long or long rifle will slide right into a 22 magnum case. So I cut the primer end of the 22 mag off with a tubing cutter and put 6 of the now made sleeves in a 22 mag revolver then slid a 22 lr in each sleeve , fired all six without any problems. So that is possible and will work in a revolver but not in a rifle unless it's a bolt action. Something for the tool box if the case arises.

[@Hockeyfan9884]

Hi Ron, 40 years ago, I used a .22 " short" for hunting spruce and rough grouse and at times rabbitt ,all wild game in Eastern Canada. I found the .22 Short, very effective at close range, 30 feet plus. If I decided the shot beyond that, I would use the" long " bullet, and at the extreme end, I would use the " long rifle " bullet. These bullets are very effective for small game, so far east many years ago, no rodents, but rather hunted for food, and the .22 was excellent at that.

[@Tim5150B]

Still use my first hunting rifle my parents bought for (10yr old )Christmas in 1975 at JC Penny's, Glenfield 60 w/ squirrel stock. Tack driver with CCI mini-mags on small game.

[@RaisingWolvesBBQ]

I have my dad’s 1936 Winchester Model 67 bolt action. It shoots the short and long rifle really well. My eyes aren’t as good as they used to be but the iron sights work well. Enjoy the content!

[@sethroos2232]

Gotta love those old 22's like my Remington Model 34, short, long, and long rifle is stamped on the barrel. So it's nice to feed it different things for different occasions!

[@kirkboswell2575]

Nice video! As a couple of others have mentioned, there's the 22 WRF - although it's currently in limbo, Winchester still makes an occasional run of it. Predecessor of the 22 WMR. Although not exactly the same, the 22 WRF can be safely fired in a 22 WMR rifle. As far as the 22 long is concerned, I think it is going to disappear. There were a handful of states that limited nighttime coon hunters to the 22 long, but that restriction has largely been dropped now. So the reason for the continued existence of the 22 long has largely disappeared (but i could be wrong about that).

[@craigfinley2507]

I'm glad you poured out the powder I always wanted to know if the shells were filled to the top with powder is most bullets with smokeless the same way not filled to the top. I'm really learning something today thanks good video

[@rick9811]

I just tallied up off my inventory sheet, we only own 9 .22LR firearms! We're slacking! A nice mixture of pumps, bolts, levers, single actions and 2 semi-autos. We also have 3 .22 Mag's to round things out. The only thing the Missus will carry to the Ruffed Grouse fields up north of you is her .22 Henry, she's never missed a bird that I can recall.

[@rick9811]

@Peter Angles I know! We're slacking!

[@rick9811]

@Peter Angles Nope, just our .22LR's and WMR's. We have a "Few" AR's in the vaults.

[@JimmyDickens1]

I used to have some guns chambered in .22, but I lost them all in a boating accident.

[@dwayneelizondomountaindewh6073]

please do a video on the .30 cal carbine ammo. i'd love to see you do your no nonsense disection of that round.

[@TonyYork-KB9RAO]

I switched to 22short for small game 10 years ago, the biggest benifit I see (or hear more specificly) is the report, shorts are usually much quieter than 22lr.

[@kevind7617]

I like the 22 cb shorts for harvesting Yard squirrels in city limits.. pluss you Hear when you miss.. by not hearing the head smack

[@foshizzle5917]

As a young guy myself, my first 22 was my dads single shot cooey. It was a real tack driver. I was wondering if you would do a video on all the 7.62s in the world.

[@jimpalmer4916]

I grew up hunting with a 22 Steven's bolt gun, and have acquired numerous others since then. Out of the handful that I have, the 22 magnums has to be my favorite in the kel tec 30 that is a pistol that actually holds 30 rounds per magazine, but I always just put 28 rounds into it because that's the way I was trained to do it in the usmc, it makes em more reliable,and I ain't kidding either.

[@MarchMadness45]

Just patiently waiting on the video for Remingtons new 360 BuckHammer

[@jameshitchens9045]

My first .22 was a Winchester Model 02 single shot that uses short, long and long rifle. My grandfather used it for squirrels and i used it for bull frogs. I still have it.

[@reneelacewell5496]

Ron, I really enjoy your information, comparisons and tales of your travels and experiences, but I think you mean 1857 when speaking of Smith & Wesson. Please, no dig intended. YHS, campdog

[@jakemarley5783]

Loved taking my marlin model 60 when i was a kid and dumping a tube of mixed up 22's crack, pop, ping. Sounded funny and my grandpa would get livid for shooting up his shorts which he saved for the interior wildlife.

[@kathyarmstrong649]

Way back when, I got some .22 shorts for Christmas. Loaded up my Browning lever action rifle with twenty two of them, Wow! What capacity I thought! Went out for a hunt and came across a old tin tool box so I shot that. Wouldn't go through even one side! Ten year old me thought Man, these shorts are crap! More recently though I've used .22 short to dispatch pests like Pack Rats in the wood pile.

[@blchamblisscscp8476]

With that velocity testing I see a use for this single shot falling block Ithaca lever action I inherited.

[@ramonjrusa]

Wow what great information. Very educational. How about 22 hallow point and 22 snake rounds? Thank you

[@KRN762]

Remington 5 series bolt actions are my favorites. Marlin M25 is another good one. My backyard starling killer is a Remington 511 with .22lr colibri.

[@billyparker2630]

Hey Ron as you said most auto loaders won't cycle the .22 shorts but I have found and it says on the barrel that a Remington model 552 speed master can and will cycle the short with reliability just my input hope you have a good one

[@ericwanderweg8525]

Excellent topic. I kind of wish you went more into detail about the Flobert, which is still used in Europe. It won’t chamber in any of the other 22 lineup 🤦‍♂️

[@algoneby]

Little Story, my older guy friend, grew up poor. Father would give him in grade school age, a few .22 short rounds, and send him to school hiding his .22 rifle in his coat at school He was expected on the way home from school to shoot something for the table at home, and not to waste a single round of ammunition. He shot rabbits, and pheasants. His lunch was usually a piece of bread with mustard on it. So anything he shot with the .22 shorts was greatly accepted for the family food.

[@walth5336]

went shooting today with my Henry Classic in 22... shot some 22 Long because I still have some left over. Still effective enough at say 50 yards. Agree though, get short and long rifle, don't worry about the long any more

[@Cr0wmagnum]

And that is the long and short of it.

[@jefftoonstra5087]

.22 revolvers run all including shotshells too. Only issue really is reduced velocity and accuracy with short barrel

[@joshmatty1077]

Haha, we were crazy Native American kids growing up on the rez running around wit .22 .22 mags, 410s, a couple had 20ga but the smaller stuff was the best all round. Us kids us to shoot .22 LR out of a .22 mag rifle, luckily nothing happened, haha!!

[@jameswalters4358]

Always a crazy diffference but my ruger pistol with a cylinder change will shoot a 22 mg in an 22 mag cylinder and a 22 long or short in a 22 long pistol cylinder. It will literally shoot anything in the single action frame.

[@Pepe46873]

Love my grampas 22 short, great grouse rifle. Also love 22lr. But tried 22wmr and found it useless when compared to the 17hmr. 22lr is great and 17hmr is a laser beam

[@seanmacdermott6555]

Because the bullet and case are the same diameter, you can chamber a long rifle cartridge in a long chamber. BUT the longer bullet will get jammed into the rifling ahead of the chamber. This may do squirrely things to the pressure.

[@chadwallace3598]

Didn’t know there was any confusion 😅

[@rexking3698]

Aguila Pronounced Ag gee la. Spanish for Eagle. Really like the info! I've killed more wild boar with my 22 velocitors than anything. I has more to do with local laws than choice but its effective.

[@josephdipko2547]

Several times, I've gotten a great deal on a "22 rifle" that wouldn't shoot good, because the owner was shooting 22 LR in a 22 wmr rifle. Even after telling them they still wanted to get rid of it...their loss, my gain I guess...

[@timvest8141]

You forgot the Stinger with the slightly longer case. Lol. I recently refinished a Mossberg semi auto that would shoot the SHV, L and LR.

[@kevanhubbard9673]

You could add the other commercially available rimfires to increase the confusion which I think are;4.5mm Flobert,.17 HMR,.17 WSM and 9mm Flobert shotgun.Apart from .17 HMR I think that the rest would be tricky to buy assuming that you manage to aquire a gun to fire them out of to begin with!

[@Hockeyfan9884]

Have to say, not much I had the need for the long rifle bullet , but used the short and long .22 extensivley.

[@ironmikehallowween]

It is the most utilitarian cartridge ever created.

[@eldiablo7862]

I like using the .22 CB/BB caps for squirrels when they get in the attic. A single head shot with no mess or exit takes them right out along with the occasional field rats trying to get into the chicken coop for the feed.

[@Bushy_P]

I love shooting 22short out of my Henry for grouse and squirrel. There is enough power and I can fit more shorts in the magazine of the tube magazine.

[@Olorinii]

I have never in my life seen a 22 Long in the stores.

[@Stroke2Handed]

Back in the mid 80's my Dad made a bullet trap in the basement for the cold rainy days. We'd sit down there and shoot .22 shorts for hours and kill nothing but time.

[@donaldrussell4218]

I've got a box of 22 long rifle CCI 21 GR shooting 1850 FPS.

[@mikem9331]

.22WRF. Still works. Still available.

[@leonardjanda6181]

22 cal BB AND 22cal CB BACK IN THE 60’ although they had to be about 20 years old in metal canisters

[@tubeonline629]

I have a old Remington 550-1 semi auto that was designed to shoot short, long, and long rifle. They have a floating chamber that makes this possible. You don't see many auto loaders that are built with that capability.

[@vincethewoodlander]

Didn't Barney Fife's one bullet, the only bullet he was allowed, turn green? Must not have had a coating.

[@isaiahbond6188]

I love that show!!!

[@gregcampwriter]

We need the primer-only cartridges so as to be able to adorn the opposite wall with a patriotic V.R. without too much disturbance.

[@michaelchen8643]

Ron Spomer here I go left or right First one on the left is 22 short usually a 29 green lead bullet washed in copper The second one is 22 long and it’s basically a 22 long rifle case with a 29 grain bullet instead of a 40 grain bullet Which brings up the third from the left or second from the right and that’s 22 long rifle which is a 40 grain bullet usually The first one on the right is it gonna be 22 magnum I need to most likely has a 40 grain bullet The 22 magnum cases design in such a way so it’s slightly tapered were the rim face is a little bit bigger diameter than the throat or chose the bullet so that you don’t inadvertently put in a 22 long rifle chamber Ron how do I do? 😃😉