Rimfire · SAAMI standardized
.22 WRF
Early Winchester rimfire cartridge from 1890, slightly larger than .22 LR.
- Caliber
- 0.2285″ · 5.804 mm
- Introduced
- 1890
- Case
- Rimfire
- Primary use
- Small Game
- Status
- Discontinued
- Introduced
- 1890
- Type
- Rimfire
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Winchester
- Manufacturer
- Winchester Repeating Arms
- Standard
- SAAMI standardized
- Status
- Discontinued
- Availability
- Collector
- Case capacity
- 5 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:16
- Primer
- Rimfire
- Case type
- Rimfire
- Max pressure
- 19,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 100 yd
- Recoil
- 0.3–0.7 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Introduced by Winchester Repeating Arms
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .22 WRF — 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 ⌀ | 5.80 | 0.229 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 6.18 | 0.243 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 6.24 | 0.246 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 7.62 | 0.300 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.27 | 0.050 | ✓ |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 24.51 | 0.965 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 29.97 | 1.180 | ✓ |
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 WRF is highlighted below.
Factory loads
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
Firearms chambered in .22 WRF
1 model in the database chamber .22 WRF. Browse all →
Lineage
Connected reference
History
Introduced by Winchester in 1890 as an improved .22 rimfire cartridge. Uses a slightly larger diameter case than .22 LR and a heeled bullet design. Chambered in various Winchester rifles of the era. Production continued in limited quantities for decades to support older firearms.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .22 WRF use?
- .22 WRF typically uses a 1:16 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .22 WRF?
- .22 WRF uses a 0.2285″ (5.804 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .22 WRF still in production?
- .22 WRF is discontinued; typical availability is collector.
- What is .22 WRF used for?
- .22 WRF is primarily used for small game.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 5 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →