Old thread, but as long as it's resurrected I might as well rant, lol.
Semi-auto 22 WMR? No thanks. The cartridge has inherent issues with semi-auto functionality.
.22 WMR is a beast to get to cycle reliably in semi-autos. The problems run from one end of the spectrum to the other. The trick is that 22 WMR has an exceedingly narrow pressure window between safe to open the action and yet retaining enough energy to cycle the bolt far enough for its case length.
Sometimes, it tends to force actions open before the bullet even leaves the barrel. Other times, it doesn't impart enough momentum into the bolt/slide to achieve full cycling. To counter that, you need a very heavy bolt/slide, or you need a more expensive locking action. While at the same time, making sure the bolt/slide travels far enough so the action can fully cycle.
On top of that, there are still vast differences in performance and powder burn characteristics between different loads and brands. One 40 gr SP load may perform dramatically different than another 40 gr SP load, even if they claim to have the same muzzle velocity.
That's why every (somewhat) successful .22 WMR semi-auto was designed around one or two specific loads, with owners being told to shoot nothing else.
And that is why I will stick to bolt or lever action for 22 WMR.
Edit: Typos
Semi-auto 22 WMR? No thanks. The cartridge has inherent issues with semi-auto functionality.
.22 WMR is a beast to get to cycle reliably in semi-autos. The problems run from one end of the spectrum to the other. The trick is that 22 WMR has an exceedingly narrow pressure window between safe to open the action and yet retaining enough energy to cycle the bolt far enough for its case length.
Sometimes, it tends to force actions open before the bullet even leaves the barrel. Other times, it doesn't impart enough momentum into the bolt/slide to achieve full cycling. To counter that, you need a very heavy bolt/slide, or you need a more expensive locking action. While at the same time, making sure the bolt/slide travels far enough so the action can fully cycle.
On top of that, there are still vast differences in performance and powder burn characteristics between different loads and brands. One 40 gr SP load may perform dramatically different than another 40 gr SP load, even if they claim to have the same muzzle velocity.
That's why every (somewhat) successful .22 WMR semi-auto was designed around one or two specific loads, with owners being told to shoot nothing else.
And that is why I will stick to bolt or lever action for 22 WMR.
Edit: Typos
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