Rifle · Not SAAMI standardized · Not standardizedObsolete
.22 Winchester Center Fire
Early Winchester centerfire cartridge whose case became the basis of the .22 Hornet..
- Caliber
- 0.228″ · 5.791 mm
- Introduced
- 1885
- Case
- Rimmed
- Primary use
- Small game, Target
- Status
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Introduced
- 1885
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Winchester
- Manufacturer
- Winchester Repeating Arms
- Standard
- Not SAAMI standardized · Not standardized
- SAAMI
- Not SAAMI standardized
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Status
- Obsolete
- Availability
- Collector
- Case capacity
- 14.9 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:14
- Primer
- Small Rifle
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 18,000 CUP, SAAMI crusher
- Eff. range
- 125 yd
- Max range
- 2350 yd
- Recoil
- 0.66 ft·lb
Introduced by Winchester Repeating Arms
Ballistics
Velocity only, no drag model: no published ballistic coefficient is on file for .22 Winchester Center Fire, so this is the shape gravity alone gives the advertised velocity. Drag would steepen it. The tool below solves real loads through their published G1 or G7 model.
Open in Ballistic Compare- Parent case
- —
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
Wikipedia · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 5.79 | 0.228 | ~ |
| Neck ⌀ | 6.12 | 0.241 | ~ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 7.06 | 0.278 | ~ |
| Shoulder angle | 15° | — | |
| Base ⌀ | 7.49 | 0.295 | · |
| Rim ⌀ | 8.69 | 0.342 | · |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.02 | 0.040 | |
| Neck length | 5.98 | 0.235 | |
| Case length | 35.31 | 1.390 | · |
| Overall length | 40.89 | 1.610 | · |
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 Center Fire is highlighted below.
Missing a dimension for .22 Winchester Center Fire? Some case measurements aren't in a published SAAMI/CIP drawing yet. Have a factory or reamer print? Send it → — verified hard-to-find data earns a free Lindcott sticker.
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in .22 Winchester Center Fire
Lineage
Connected reference
History
Introduced 1885 for the Winchester Single Shot; its importance today is primarily genealogical as the parent of the .22 Hornet.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .22 Winchester Center Fire use?
- .22 Winchester Center Fire typically uses a 1:14 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .22 Winchester Center Fire?
- .22 Winchester Center Fire uses a 0.228″ (5.791 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .22 Winchester Center Fire still in production?
- .22 Winchester Center Fire is obsolete; typical availability is collector.
- What is .22 Winchester Center Fire used for?
- .22 Winchester Center Fire is primarily used for small game, target.
Sources & provenance
- Reference Gun Digest Books (Frank C. Barnes) — Cartridges of the World (16th ed.), '.22 Winchester Center Fire (.22 WCF)' entry · grain weights, velocity, bullet ⌀, year
- Secondary CartridgeCollector.net — 22 Winchester Center Fire · bullet ⌀ archived
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
