Rimfire · SAAMI
.22 WMR
Powerful rimfire magnum.
- Caliber
- 0.224″ · 5.69 mm
- Introduced
- 1959
- Case
- Rimfire
- Parent
- .22 Winchester Rimfire
- Primary use
- Hunting, Varmint, Self Defense
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 1959
- Type
- Rimfire
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Winchester
- Manufacturer
- Winchester Ammunition
- Standard
- SAAMI
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Common
- Case capacity
- 9.5 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:16
- Primer
- Rimfire
- Case type
- Rimfire
- Max pressure
- 24,000 psi, SAAMI transducer
- Eff. range
- 125 yd
- Max range
- 1750 yd
- Recoil
- 0.76–0.8 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Introduced by Winchester Ammunition
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .22 WMR. Parent case: .22 Winchester Rimfire.
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 ⌀ | 5.69 | 0.224 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 6.18 | 0.243 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 6.15 | 0.242 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 7.47 | 0.294 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.27 | 0.050 | ✓ |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 26.80 | 1.055 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 34.29 | 1.350 | ✓ |
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 WMR is highlighted below.
Factory loads
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
Firearms chambered in .22 WMR
Lineage
History
Introduced by Winchester in 1959. Designed for longer-range rimfire hunting. Gained popularity with Ruger Single-Six convertible revolvers. Parent case for .17 HMR.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .22 WMR use?
- .22 WMR typically uses a 1:16 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .22 WMR?
- .22 WMR uses a 0.224″ (5.69 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .22 WMR still in production?
- .22 WMR is active; typical availability is common.
- What is .22 WMR used for?
- .22 WMR is primarily used for hunting, varmint, self defense.
- What is .22 WMR based on?
- .22 WMR is derived from the .22 Winchester Rimfire case.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 120 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
