Grab The Apple - Practical, Rational Lessons for Emergency Preparation and Everyday Self-Reliance

Not looking for an ammo advise per'say, but what should be expected. As a general rule is the .22 magnum more or less accurate than a .22 Long Rifle. Yes, just cheapish ammo, not $32.00 a box ammo.

My point of reference is that today I was shooting my S&W Model 17 that I had reamed out to .22 Magnum. It has an 8 3/8" barrel and (today) I shot both Long Rifle and Magnum cartridges through the magnum cylinder and both did very well (By my standards).

So my question is: As a general rule is the .22 magnum more or less accurate than a .22 Long Rifle. All things being as equal as possible.

Yesterday at 21 Yards, the .22 Mags consintly shot groups 1/2 the size of the .22 LR and remember this is from the same .22Magnum revolver. I was very impressed with both types of cartridges. Also shot both at 55 Yards, and the Magnum groups were 1/3 the size of the Long Rifle groups.

If I had it to do over, I would only ream out (5) five of the cylinders to .22 Magnum, and leave one as a .22 Long Rifle chamber. This project was one of many to create an accurate "Survival" handgun, with small & light cartridges. I have one more S&W model 17 that is on consignment at WWG, I might start over on this project.

I recieved this advise from a fellow member on another forum, which I feel explains my quandry. He said, "I believe all cylinder conversion guns should be more accurate with the 22mag versus the 22lr, fact is that the bullet is closer to the rifling in the 22 mag. Probably why 22 shorts, shot from a rifle that shoots 22 short, longs and long rifle, will not be real accurate as the bullet has too long of a jump to the rifling. Just an opinion of course but usually the same reasoning for controlling the OAL on centerfire cartridges".

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