Since the hot magnum rimfires are getting so much success witht the Hornady V-max or its Remington labeled counterpart, I was just curious as to why the formidable .22LR doesn't get to eat these. The little .17HM2 gets to devour these, as well as the .22 Mag and the .17HMR. So what's the deal? I thing a 38-40 grain V-Max would be a heckuva load in a .22 for pretty much anything!

Well wonder no longer. A 22lr is made such that the outside diameter of the case and the driving band on the bullet are the same size. The heal of the bullet fits inside the case so it is necessary for it to be smaller in diameter to fit. A 17 rimfire of either type is actually made similar to most center fire rounds where the heal of the bullet (sans boattails) is the same diameter thru the portion that contacts the rifling.
For a 22 lr to use a Vmax type bullet it would have to be made with two distinct diameters. One for the section inside the case and one for the driving band area. Probably not doable or cost effective....no doubt someone will do it tho.

Just an FYI 22 rimfire magnums are made like the 17s and they do make plastic tipped bullets for those.

Thanks, now that I think about what you just described, I should've known this...through the science of observation! LOL It actually makes alot of sense for this guy! thanks again



I am aware they make them for the .22 mag though.

Another subtile point is that the 22 LR is .223" diameter and the 22 magnum is .224" diameter.

Not that the .001" makes much difference. Sometimes it can.

Good point Tigger! Somewhere in the back of my deep dark abyss...aka my brain, I knew that. I didn't think of it though. Thanks! I guess that does explain a little more.