One of the many questions we get from shooters while ammo shopping is about the difference between .22 WMR vs. .22 Mag.

We’re here today to clear up any confusion about the .22 WMR vs. .22 Mag. Keep reading to learn more!

.22 WMR vs. .22 Mag Explained

The .22 WMR and .22 Mag are the exact same cartridge. Many cartridges have multiple names. For example, 9mm also goes by “9×19”. The .22 Mag, however, has more names than most cartridges do. 

The following are all names for the .22 Mag:

• .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire
• .22 WMR
• .22 Magnum
• .22 WMRF
• .22 MRF
• .22 Mag
• .22 Win Mag

That’s not confusing at all, right? While the round has all these names, you’ll most commonly see it referred to as .22 Mag or .22 WMR. 

Hornady Varmint Express 22 WMR Ammunition - 500 Rounds of 30 Grain V-MAX

$164.99

CCI Maxi-Mag TNT 22 WMR Ammunition - 500 Rounds of 30 Grain JHP

$160.00

.22 Mag Specs & Velocity

The .22 Mag is a rimfire .22 round, though different from the .22LR. The .22 Mag is slightly larger and more powerful than the .22LR. The round has high velocities compared to the .22LR and the power to take down small to medium game. If you’re curious about more differences between the two rounds, you can check out our previous coverage of the .22LR vs. .22 Mag.

We went to the range to get some independent velocity data on the .22 Mag. The following chart shows chronograph data for various .22 Mag rounds out of a Smith & Wesson M&P .22 Magnum pistol and a Ruger American .22 WMR rifle.

What is .22 WMR?

WMR in .22 WMR stands for Winchester Magnum Rimfire. “Winchester” because the company Winchester designed the round. “Magnum” because the round is more powerful than similarly sized cartridges. “Rimfire” because it is a rimfire round. 

.22 WMR vs. .22 Mag: Cartridge History

Winchester introduced the .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire cartridge in 1959 as a solution to varmint control, specifically in agricultural settings. The round was more powerful and effective than the .22LR and its parent case, the .22 Winchester Rimfire, while being more affordable than centerfire rounds.

Although introduced by Winchester, Marlin was the first firearms manufacturer to chamber a gun in the caliber with the Marlin Levermatic rifle. The following year, Winchester released its own .22 Mag rifle, the Winchester Model 61. By that time, Smith & Wesson and Ruger had produced revolvers chambered in the caliber and Savage had introduced the Model 24 .22 Mag rifle.

.22 WMR vs. .22 Mag: What is it Good For?

In the 60+ years that the .22 Mag has been around, the round has proven itself to be increasingly versatile. 

Winchester introduced the .22 Mag as a cartridge for hunting small game and varmints out of a rifle. The round is known to be effective on small to medium game like coyotes, raccoon, etc. out to 150 yards. 

However, revolvers chambered for the cartridge have also been around since the round’s debut. Shooters originally used these revolvers for hunting, plinking, and pest control, but in modern times have found snub-nose .22 Mag revolvers useful as self defense guns. 

.22 Mag for Self Defense

Modern .22 Mag snubby revolvers typically have a capacity of six or seven rounds. These same guns chambered for .38 Special ammo usually only allow for a five-round capacity. When chambered for .22LR ammo, these same sized guns hold eight rounds.

The recoil of a .22 Mag snubby is only slightly more than that of a .22LR, and much more controllable than a .38 snubby. Ballistically, the .22 Mag tends to penetrate ballistic gel adequately, even when fired from a shorter barrel. These qualities are attractive to shooters looking for an easily concealable everyday carry snub nose revolver.

Guns Chambered in .22 Mag

Due to the cartridge’s increased popularity, there are many different guns chambered in .22 Mag.

Below is a non-exhaustive list of various guns chambered in the caliber, organized by gun type.

.22 Mag Semi Auto Pistols

• Smith & Wesson M&P 22 Magnum
• Walther WMP
• Kel-Tex PMR-30
• Rock Island XT22

.22 Mag Revolvers

• Smith & Wesson Model 648
• Smith & Wesson Model 351
• Ruger LCR
• Ruger LCRx
• North American Arms Sidewinder
• North American Arms Sentinel
• Standard Manufacturing S333 Thunderstruck
• Charter Arms Pathfinder 
• North American Arms Mini
• North American Arms Pug
• Heritage Firearms Barkeep Compact
• Heritage Firearms Barkeep
• Heritage Small Bore Rough Rider
• Smith & Wesson Model 48
• Ruger Single-Nine
• Ruger Super Wrangler
• North American Arms Black Widow
• North American Arms Huntsman
• North American Arms Ranger II
• North American Arms The Sheriff
• North American Arms 1860 The Earl
• Rock Island Armory AL22
• Taurus 942
• Charter Arms Lavender Lady
• Taurus 942 Ultra-Lite
• North American Arms Bug Out

.22 Mag Semi-Auto Rifles

• Savage Arms A22
• Rossi RS22
• Kel-Tec CMR-30
• Volquartsen VT2 Takedown
• Magnum Research Magnum Lite
• Magnum Research Lite 17/22M

22 Mag Bolt Action Rifles

• Christensen Arms Ranger
• Christensen Arms MPR
• Bergara BMR
• Bergara HMR Trainer
• Savage 93 G
• CZ USA 457
• Ruger American
• Tactical Solutions Owyhee Takedown
• Savage Arms B22
• Savage Arms Mark II Minimalist
• Savage 93
• Ruger Precision Rimfire
• Browning T-Bolt
• Crickett Youth
• Keystone Arms Crickett
• Citadel Firearms Trakr

.22 Mag Lever Action Rifles

• Henry Classic
• Henry Frontier
• Henry Small Game
• Henry Golden Boy
• Rossi Rio Bravo
• Henry Magnum Express
• Henry Silver Eagle
• Henry Mare’s Leg (pistol)

22 Mag Pump Rifles

• Rossi Gallery
• Henry Pump Rifle
• Winchester Model 61

.22 Mag Single Shot Rifles

• Chiappa Little Badger
• Chiappa Double Badger
• Chiappa M6
• Crickett Precision
• Springfield Armory M6

Final Thoughts

Hornady Varmint Express 22 WMR Ammunition - 500 Rounds of 30 Grain V-MAX

$164.99

CCI Maxi-Mag TNT 22 WMR Ammunition - 500 Rounds of 30 Grain JHP

$160.00

Now that you know that the .22 WMR vs. .22 Mag is actually the same cartridge, you can make a more informed decision when shopping for the right ammo or gun.

Newer shooters commonly mix up the .22 Mag with the .22 LR, though the two rounds are certainly not interchangeable.

If you’re looking for .22 Mag ammo for your gun, know that Target Barn is stocked with all the top rounds at great prices!