.22 Winchester Magnum ballistic test (.22 WMR) handgun vs rifle

22 mag-12 - Copy rangehot-1

 

The .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (or .22 WMR) was introduced in 1959, and in 1960 the Winchester Model 61 was chambered in this cartridge. The .22 Winchester Rimfire (or .22 WFR) is the parent cartridge for the  .22 WMR . By lengthening the .22 WFR by .090″ the .22 WMR was created. The .22 WMR basically uses the same bullet weights available for .22 Long Rifle (or .22LR) but with increased case capacity the .22 WMR can maintain the same velocity at 100 yards as the .22 LR can at the muzzle. This gives the .22 WMR a great edge over the .22 LR as a varmint cartridge.

Can the .22 WMR be used as a defensive cartridge? If asking literally, any cartridge can be used as a defensive cartridge. But is it viable? Well, we set out with a brand new Kel-Tec PMR-30 test sample, a CED chronograph, two blocks of ballistic gel, and ten different rounds that offer a good cross section on what is available. Using the same protocols as I have in past ballistic tests we attempted to offer some information on the round so people could make a more informed decision. No one can tell you what is the prefect round for you to carry but seeking out information can help you narrow down the choices. The point of the .22 Winchester Magnum ballistic test is to provide some of this data. You can find the Kel-Tec PMR-30 review by following this link.

22 mag-1

Clinton Jamieson, taking his turn on the Kel-Tec

22 mag-3

Clinton, offering up a block of ballistic gel to the propellant Gods. No, really he was looking for one of the evasive .22 bullets.

22 winchester magnum rimfire ballistics test (pistol)

The .22 WMR lost some velocity through the 4.3″ barrel length as opposed to a rifle but it was still pretty impressive, as you can see in this chart of the .22 Winchester Magnum ballistic test.

22 winchester magnum rimfire ballistics test (rifle)

Ballistic chart from the CZ 512 Tactical with a 16 1/2″ barrel. As you can see, that added barrel length made all the difference in the world.

rangehot-1

22 mag-1-2

The recovered bullets in front of the boxes they came from PMR-30.

rangehot-2

rangehot-3

The recovered bullets from the CZ 512 Tactical.

IMAG2337

I no longer have the Remington box but this is a photo of it.

22 mag North American Arms revolver ballistic test

RangeHot.com-3

Speer Gold Dot. Hornady Critical Defense, Winchester PDX-1

Dedicated WMR defensive rounds shot through the North American Arms revolver with 1 1/8″ barrel

22 mag-2

The Winchester 40gr FMJ made an impressive wound channel, the other FMJs were very similar.

22 mag-1-3

You can see what the CCI shotshell did from about five feet away from the PMR-30 but they did not offer enough energy to reliably cycle the action. I did not shoot them across my chronograph for obvious reasons. According to CCI the shotshell is 52 grains of #12 shot at 1000 feet per second. It also notes on the website that the shotshell is not intended to cycle semi-automatic firearms.

Now, is the .22 WMR a viable defensive cartridge? Maybe but more so from a rifle. The Hornady Critical Duty preformed very well, in the PMR-30 and CZ 512 Tactical. With thirty rounds on tap in a pistol with very low recoil I could see how this as a great option for camping, fishing, and so forth as well as for someone who is very recoil sensitive while the 512 Tactical utilizes a ten round magazine. I don’t think I would pick the pistol for every day carry but I promise a handful of .22 bullets headed your way would definitely change someone’s mind.  I can for sure see a place for a light, high capacity pistol chambered in .22 Magnum in your safe or tackle box and the 512 Tactical for the provable truck gun. Even if this would not be your choice for a defensive round it is so much fun to shoot you will have to sit on your hands to keep from clapping.

22 mag-15

 

Wrapping up the .22 Winchester Magnum ballistic test.

Acknowledgments

Kel-Tec

CZ-USA

Hornady

Winchester Ammunition

JC’s Firearms

Clear Ballistics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Hunter Elliott

I spent much of my youth involved with firearms and felt the call early on to the United States Marine Corps, following in my father's and his brother's footsteps. Just after high school I enlisted and felt most at home on the rifle range, where I qualified expert with several firearms and spent some time as a rifle coach to my fellow Marines. After being honorably discharged I continued teaching firearm safety, rifle and pistol marksmanship, and began teaching metallic cartridge reloading. In the late 1990s I became a life member to the National Rifle Association and worked with the Friends of the NRA. Around that time my father and I became involved with IDPA and competed together up until he passed away. I began reviewing firearms for publications in the mid 2000s and have been fortunate to make many friends in the industry. Continuing to improve my firearms skills and knowledge is a never ending journey in which we should all be committed. I am also credited as weapons master on a few independent films.

6 thoughts on “.22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire ballistic test (.22 WMR) updated”
  1. The 2 charts showing the ballistics are both of the 22WMR pistol.

    Do you have the chart for the rifle, as stated?

    1. The first chart if from the Kel-Tec PMR-30 and the one just below it is from the CZ 512 and if you scroll a little ways down you will see the one from the NAA mini revolver

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *