Winchester 22WCF

JPWatkins

My grandfather had an Winchester Pump 22 rifle. All three of my uncles and my father sware it was a 22 Winchester Center Fire. Not a 22 L/S/LR Rim Fire. I can't find any information on a Winchester pump in 22 WCF. Can you help? Did Winchester ever make a 22WCF pump? If so, I would appreciate details.

Thanks
Jeff

Old-Colts

It was probably a 22 W.R.F (Winchester Rim Fire), which was different from a short, long, or long rifle.

Bert H.

Hello Jeff,

The 22 Winchester Center Fire (22 W.C.F.) was introduced in early 1886 specifically for the Winchester Single Shot Rifle (Model 1885). It was never chambered in any other Winchester Model.

The 22 W.C.F. is the predecessor to the 22 Hornet. It was originally loaded with 13 grains of FFFg blackpowder and a .228" diameter 45 grain cast lead bullet @1600 fps. Shortly after the turn of the century, it was also offered in a smokeless powder loading with identical ballistics.

By the early 1930s, it was discontinued in favor of the slightly redesigned 22 Hornet (same case dimensions except that it used a .223" diameter jacketed bullet). Today, the 22 W.C.F. can be reloaded using the Savage Hi-power bullets and Hornet cases, and to near identical ballistics as the 22 Hornet.

Bert H.

quote:Originally posted by Old-Colts
It was probably a 22 W.R.F (Winchester Rim Fire), which was different from a short, long, or long rifle.


Correct assumption. The Model 1890 was introduced in three different cartridge specific chambers... the 22 Short, 22 Long, and the brand new 22 Winchester Rim Fire (W.R.F.).

The 22 W.R.F. was the predecessor to the 22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (WMR). It was originally loaded with 7 grains of FFFg blackpowder and a 45 grain bullet. Like most other Winchester cartridges, it made the transition to smokeless powder in the early part of the 1900s. 22 W.R.F. ammo can be safely fired in any firearm chambered for 22 WMR, but not vice versa. Remington released their own version of the 22 W.R.F. and called it the 22 Remington Special.

Geri

The 22WRF is still being made. CCI. 45 gr. Bullet. In a old 22mag revolver I had, it shot better than the 22Mag.

JPWatkins

Thanks for all your help and information. I cornered my dad and uncles with your information. They still didn't believe you but dad also remembered that he still had grandpa's ammo box. Guess what we found in the ammo box - 22 WRF ammo. So I think everyone is now convinced it was a 1890 Winchester 22 WRF.

Thanks again,

Jeff

MBK

I just found 3 boxes of antique ammo for that rifle.