Winchester Wildcat .22 only can use .22 LR? - The Firearms Forum

captbly · 04-06-2009, 02:17 PM

Straight from the manual,

"The Winchester Wildcat rifle must only be used with 22
Long Rifle rimfire ammunition as designated on the barrel.
Do not shoot 22 Short or 22 Long ammunition, blanks or
bird shot cartridges."

Any idea what that is? I called Winchester and really didnt get an answer out of the guy...just that you can only shoot whats on the barrel. I asked him if it was just because of the magazine, Could I single load them? He said well the shell size is different. I said ok, figured i would call again and see if I got someone else there.

pawn · 04-06-2009, 02:39 PM

If you aren't familiar with 22 ammo, pretty much everything you commonly find will be 22 long rifle. Liability for potential mishaps with shorts or longs is likely the reason for the disclaimer.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.22_Long_Rifle

captbly · 04-06-2009, 02:45 PM

The cartridge is basically identical though between the .22 long and the .22 Long Rifle. So why couldnt it shoot either?

TOOHSOTKIL · 04-06-2009, 03:55 PM

Why is this in the reloading/ammo forum. Rimfire seems the logical place, why was it moved?

You can shoot anything you desire, all rifles that were designed to shoot all .22 fodder.......and even mix them up; ie: Remington 550, Remington 552 Marlin 39 and all others are chambered for the .22 long rifle.

The three above will shoot all and even mixed too, short-long-short-long rilfe-long-short.

If you shoot a steady diet of .22 short you risk ringing the chamber, it will take some time though.

And shooting shot shells will not harm the barrel, so we can put that issue at rest before that rumor spreads again.

04-06-2009, 02:17 PM	#1
captbly Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 3	Winchester Wildcat .22 only can use .22 LR? Straight from the manual, "The Winchester Wildcat rifle must only be used with 22 Long Rifle rimfire ammunition as designated on the barrel. Do not shoot 22 Short or 22 Long ammunition, blanks or bird shot cartridges." Any idea what that is? I called Winchester and really didnt get an answer out of the guy...just that you can only shoot whats on the barrel. I asked him if it was just because of the magazine, Could I single load them? He said well the shell size is different. I said ok, figured i would call again and see if I got someone else there. -->

04-06-2009, 02:39 PM	#2
pawn Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Crossville, TN Posts: 1,469	Re: Winchester Wildcat .22 only can use .22 LR? If you aren't familiar with 22 ammo, pretty much everything you commonly find will be 22 long rifle. Liability for potential mishaps with shorts or longs is likely the reason for the disclaimer. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.22_Long_Rifle __________________ Take care when you get information. The truth is generally seen, rarely heard. -Balthasar Gracian

04-06-2009, 02:45 PM	#3
captbly Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 3	Re: Winchester Wildcat .22 only can use .22 LR? The cartridge is basically identical though between the .22 long and the .22 Long Rifle. So why couldnt it shoot either?

04-06-2009, 03:55 PM	#4
TOOHSOTKIL V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Curracus Posts: 318	Re: Winchester Wildcat .22 only can use .22 LR? Why is this in the reloading/ammo forum. Rimfire seems the logical place, why was it moved? You can shoot anything you desire, all rifles that were designed to shoot all .22 fodder.......and even mix them up; ie: Remington 550, Remington 552 Marlin 39 and all others are chambered for the .22 long rifle. The three above will shoot all and even mixed too, short-long-short-long rilfe-long-short. If you shoot a steady diet of .22 short you risk ringing the chamber, it will take some time though. And shooting shot shells will not harm the barrel, so we can put that issue at rest before that rumor spreads again.