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Convert Ruger 10/22 .22LR to .22 magnum???

Chris-86GTChris-86GT Member Posts: 16 ✭✭
edited February 2002 in Ask the Experts
I was cleaning the Ruger today and had an interesting thought. Really the only difference between the .22LR and the .22 mag is the length of the shell. Could someone simply change the bolt and barrel to convert his 10/22 from LR to magnum? Of course that would require a new magasine, but would a new receiver be required?
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Comments

  • competentonecompetentone Member Posts: 4,696 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Ruger makes a 10/22 Magnum--they made the receiver out of steel to handle the extra energy; your aluminum receiver just wouldn't hold-up.Besides the cost of doing the conversion would probably be higher than just buying the 10/22 Magnum.You can find the specifics on 10/22 Magnum at Rugers site: http://www.ruger.com
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  • RobinRobin Member Posts: 1,228 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Chris, I hope I'm right on this but I think that the mag. bullet is slightly larger, like .001". I know they are both considered ".22" caliber but actual measurement of the projectile is a little different, I think. I had a Ruger revolver years ago that had interchangable cylinders .22 LR & .22 mag. As I remember, the mag bullets would not even start to go into the LR cylinders. The magnums were pretty accurate but the LR always had flyers all over the targets. A friend told me the reason was slightly different sized bullets. The over all performance differences of .22 LR and .22 mag in rifles, is like the difference between night and day.
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  • SP45SP45 Member Posts: 1,761 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I beleive the difference in the bullet diameter is .0005. Being that they are soft lead they will swage to fit the barrel. The problem is the length of the shell and the increase in pressure. The action on most .22s is not the strongest. There are several that do lend themselves to the conversion. The Remington 510 as it has two locking lugs and is very strong and the Remington 581 as it has six. Both are single shot so you dont have to worry about feed problems. You then have to test the various brands of ammo to find the one that works best.
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  • luger01luger01 Member Posts: 230 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    SP45-"... both are soft lead"????? When's the last time you saw a .22 WMR round?No, trying to modify a .22 LR rifle like the 10/22 to .22 mag is not only a bad thing, but you will spend more than going out an buying a new .22 WMR rifle.Not only is the receiver not strong enough for many .22 WMR rounfs, the dimensions are wrong, the spring is the wrong weight, the barrel will not work without generating excessive pressure, and besides, your FACE is right behind the bolt! Think about what could happen with a dramatic failure.Buy/trade for a 10/22 mag, or look at the many Marlins in .22 mag. All are excellent rifles and more accurate then most shooters.
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