22 auto vs 22 long rifle

[Mercury 1951]

I have a Winchester model 1903 auto. Does anyone know if I can use modern 22 long rifle ammo. This gun is in nice condition and all original.

 

[Schandler]

I’m pretty sure aguila made ammo for this rifle in bulk and that was all you could find - not sure if it’s still available today. They offered it by the case only. I do know you can NOT shoot 22 long rifle or 22 long in the 1903 but let others chime in that are more in the know !!

 

[Mercury 1951]

Thanks for coming back, Schandler. I just purchased this rifle today from an estate. Had no idea it was other than a regular 22 until I started researching model and serial number. I like to have ammo for everything in my safes in case they need to be shot . This rifle is so nice that I don't think I would be shooting it anyway, so it will just have to be happy in my safe for awhile. Vintage is 1913 by Winchesters serial listings.

 

[dutch14]

In a quick google of 22 winchester auto vs 22 lr, I found a wikipeda article. But I also seem to remember someone saying it won't interchange sometime in the past. Midwayusa.com lists 22 winchester auto for $53 a box. However, its out of stock. Hope this helps.

 

[Pawnee Bill]

22 Auto and 22 LR are not the same. You might find some 22 Auto on Gunbroker. It is a rare animal.

 

[dutch14]

22 winchester auto made before about 1960, would have likely been made with corrosive priming compound and powder. So extra care cleaning" before the sun goes down" would be required.

 

[Knotwild]

In stock as I type this.

22 Auto

 

[Conaso]

Wiki is your friend... FYI

The .22 Winchester Automatic (also known as the .22 Winchester Auto and occasionally .22 Win Auto) is a .22 in (5.6 mm) American rimfire rifle cartridge.

Introduced for the Winchester Model 1903 semiautomatic rifle,[1] the .22 Win Auto was never used in any other firearm.[1] It will not chamber correctly in other .22 rimfire weapons, nor will other .22 rimfire ammunition, including the very dimensionally-similar .22 Remington Automatic,[2] interchange with it.[1] This feature was to prevent use of black powder rounds, which were still popular when it first appeared, from being used in the M1903, resulting in powder residue rapidly clogging the action and rendering the weapon inoperable.[1]

The power of the .22 Win Auto is comparable to the .22 Long rimfire, and while it fires a heavier bullet,[1] it offers no performance edge on either the .22 Long or the very much more common .22 Long Rifle.[1]