[Spike12]

So given you can shoot a .38spl round in a gun designed and bored for .357mag...

How come you can't (or not supposed to) shoot .22LR ammo in a .22WRM bolt, lever or single-shot rifle?

There must be a valid reason since Single Six gun ship with two cylinders.

But Henry gets away with it in their level guns(?).

IOWEGAN to the rescue?

 

[Hans13]

I have a Henry. You can't shoot LR from a Mag chamber because the Mag round is barely wider. This is so you can't chamber it in a LR. The LR cartridge would burst to the width of the Magnum case (most likely splitting it in the process).

 

[weblance]

357 and 38 Special have the same diameter casing. 22 Long Rifle and 22 WMR DO NOT have the same diameter casing. Take a close look at the picture, and you will see why you shouldnt fire Long Rifle in a Magnum chamber.

 

[Spike12]

Ah, so it's a case DIAMETER problem, not a length issue like 38/357.

Thanks for the good answers folks!

 

[North country gal]

Exactly, case diameter. You could probably safely shoot a few rounds of 22 LR in a 22 mag - some folks have done it by accident - but sooner or later you'll likely get a burst case or other issue. Accuracy, of course, would be pathetic, since the 22 LR bullet would not be properly supported in the chamber as it makes its way to the rifling.