Rifle · Not SAAMI standardized · CIP standardizedObsolete
.22 Winchester Automatic
Winchester's proprietary semi-rimmed rimfire cartridge developed for the Model 1903 semi-automatic rifle.
- Caliber
- 0.2276″ · 5.78 mm
- Introduced
- 1903
- Case
- Rimfire
- Primary use
- Small Game, Target
- Status
- Discontinued
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Introduced
- 1903
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Winchester
- Manufacturer
- Winchester Repeating Arms
- Standard
- Not SAAMI standardized · CIP standardized
- SAAMI
- Not SAAMI standardized
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Status
- Discontinued
- Availability
- Collector
- Case capacity
- 5.8 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:16
- Primer
- Rimfire
- Case type
- Rimfire
- Max pressure
- 14,500 psi, CIP transducer
- Eff. range
- 75 yd
- Max range
- 2200 yd
- Recoil
- 0.2–0.4 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Introduced by Winchester Repeating Arms
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .22 Winchester Automatic — an obsolete/collector cartridge.
Performance
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
SAAMI · verified| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 5.78 | 0.228 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 6.35 | 0.250 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 6.35 | 0.250 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 8.00 | 0.315 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.42 | 0.056 | |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 16.89 | 0.665 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 23.24 | 0.915 | ✓ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .22 Winchester Automatic is highlighted below.
Factory loads
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
Firearms chambered in .22 Winchester Automatic
History
Introduced in 1903 alongside the Winchester Model 1903, America's first semi-automatic .22 rimfire rifle. Winchester's engineers designed a unique cartridge to ensure proper feeding in the new action. Production ended mid-20th century as .22 LR dominance made proprietary cartridges uneconomical.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .22 Winchester Automatic use?
- .22 Winchester Automatic typically uses a 1:16 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .22 Winchester Automatic?
- .22 Winchester Automatic uses a 0.2276″ (5.78 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .22 Winchester Automatic still in production?
- .22 Winchester Automatic is discontinued; typical availability is collector.
- What is .22 Winchester Automatic used for?
- .22 Winchester Automatic is primarily used for small game, target.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 20 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
