22 Rimfire vs. 22 Centerfire

[fredhorace77]

I always assumed or thought there was a nominal difference in the size of bullet for 22rimfire ie. 22lr verses 22 Centerfire ie. 22-250

I recently purchased a 22lr conversion kit for an AR-15 and this thing shoots amazingly well. How can a 22lr bullet shoot so accurately out of a .223 chambered barrel? Isn't there a difference in bullet diameter?

 

[Archis]

.224" diameter for both .223 Rem/ 5.56 NATO and 22 rimfire cartridges.

 

[Mr.Spradlin]

I would think the twist rate is more the factor. But yes they are both .224

 

[fredhorace77]

Thanks guys I appreciate it.

 

[JohnHenry]

The barrel groove diameter for a 22lr is .222. The groove diameter for a 22 cal centerfire is .224. See attached Krieger info. Click on "list calibers and chambers".

https://kriegerbarrels.com/caliber#bolt

PS: Some info on rifle bullet diameter.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/rifle_bullet_diameter.htm

 

[expiper]

The barrel groove diameter for a 22lr is .222. The groove diameter for a 22 cal centerfire is .224. See attached Krieger info. Click on "list calibers and chambers".

https://kriegerbarrels.com/caliber#bolt

PS: Some info on rifle bullet diameter.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/rifle_bullet_diameter.htm

Thank YOU John Henry,,,,I was just abbout to respond with the facts also ,,,its obvious that you gotta watch what you believe on the internet,,,lots of young people that have spent more time at the keyboard than at the shooting range,,,Roger

 

[dickn52]

MOST but not all 22 RF are 40gn bullet. Other than powder loads, your AR should handle them fine.

 

[Dave Berg]

"its obvious that you gotta watch what you believe on the internet,,,lots of young people that have spent more time at the keyboard than at the shooting range,"

You can't blame it on youth Roger. I know way too many old farts that have spent decades at the range and still don't know their ass from first base. Unfortunately that doesn't stop them from sitting at a keyboard and giving very wrong answers with great authority.

 

[dickn52]

Read the chart. says 22RF is .223 and CF is .224. That is 1 one thousandths right?

 

[NorCalMikie]

Then there's a Guy necking down the 22 RF cases and loading 20 caliber bullets.

 

[Tim s]

If you're going with match caliber rimfires we're down to .2217-.2218" and some down to .2150".

 

[fredhorace77]

The barrel groove diameter for a 22lr is .222. The groove diameter for a 22 cal centerfire is .224. See attached Krieger info. Click on "list calibers and chambers".

https://kriegerbarrels.com/caliber#bolt

PS: Some info on rifle bullet diameter.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/rifle_bullet_diameter.htm

Thank you for the info.

 

[expiper]

fredhorace,,,,it shows character when you apreciate the great answer that John Henry gave you,,,so many times posters ask and ask and never acknowledge the work and effort that many of the shooters on here have put into a lifetime of shooting/reloading/competetion ,,,,Roger

 

[fredhorace77]

fredhorace,,,,it shows character when you apreciate the great answer that John Henry gave you,,,so many times posters ask and ask and never acknowledge the work and effort that many of the shooters on here have put into a lifetime of shooting/reloading/competetion ,,,,Roger

Thank you, although I will admit, I felt stupid for not thinking to search for the material he gave me links to. It's was one of those can't see the forest because of the trees moments...

 

[Boyd L.]

....How can a 22lr bullet shoot so accurately out of a .223 chambered barrel? Isn't there a difference in bullet diameter?

Now that proper bullet/groove diameters have been established, let's answer this question.
The unjacketed .22 LR bullet's base will obturate or "upset" during firing from the pressure created upon ignition of the cartridge, thus filling the bore's grooves and sealing the gas behind the bullet. This allows the bullet to get full velocity advantage and also exit the muzzle as accurately as possible.

.22 LR/.22 Magnum revolvers with interchangeable cylinders operate similarly.