[flyfishr]

Probably a dumb question, i've never thought it out completely.

Why do i need 2 cylinders to shoot .22LR and .22Mag out of the same revolver, but i can shoot .38 Special in the same cylinder as .357 Magnum??

 

[BUCKSLAYER15]

Yea,the .22mag has a larger case diameter than the .22lr,so they are not interchangeable,whereas the .357 mag is just a longer .38,same case diameter.

 

[flyfishr]

i thought that might be it, but when i last compared cases couldn't discern the difference.


Its apparent here:

 

[Woods walker]

the case length difference between a .22 lr and a .22 mag is substancially longer than between a .38 special and a .357 mag.

 

[BUCKSLAYER15]

Put my micrometer on each to compare. .22mag case diameter is .235"--.22lr is .220".

 

[BUCKSLAYER15]

This is from Wikipedia:.22mag base diameter .241"---rim diameter .291". .22lr base diameter .225"---rim diameter .275".

 

[22-rimfire]

If you shoot 22LR in a 22WMR cylinder such as in a Ruger Single Six, you are likely to see many of the LR cases split due to the larger hole size for 22WMR. It may be a safety problem as well in addition to having a difficult time getting the spent LR cases out.