What Is .22 Winchester Magnum?

If you have spent any time around rimfire firearms, you have probably seen “.22 Magnum” printed on a box or stamped on a barrel and wondered what it actually is. We want to clear that up. By the end of this post you will know what .22 Winchester Magnum is, where it came from, what it has traditionally been used for, and which KelTec firearms are chambered for it.

What Exactly Is .22 Winchester Magnum?

.22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire, usually shortened to .22 WMR or just .22 Magnum, is a rimfire cartridge. Rimfire means the primer, the small charge that ignites the powder, is built into the rim of the case rather than sitting in a replaceable pocket in the center. It typically launches a .224 inch diameter bullet in the 30 to 50 grain range (a grain is simply a unit of bullet weight), and it runs at higher pressure than smaller rimfire rounds, which is where its extra performance comes from.

One safety point is worth locking in before anything else. .22 WMR and .22 LR are not interchangeable. Do not fire .22 LR in a firearm chambered for .22 WMR, and do not fire .22 WMR in a firearm chambered for .22 LR. The cases are different sizes and the two run at different pressures, so mixing them up is unsafe. Always shoot only the cartridge marked on your barrel, and check your owner’s manual if you are ever unsure.

Where .22 Magnum Came From

Winchester introduced the .22 WMR in 1959. The idea was straightforward: take the older .22 Winchester Rimfire case, lengthen it to hold more powder, and load it to higher pressure to get a faster, harder-hitting rimfire. Interestingly, Winchester was one of the last to actually build a rifle for it. By the time their own Model 61 slide-action rifle was chambered for the round in 1960, other makers had already jumped in with revolvers and rifles of their own.

The cartridge caught on and stuck around. It is often described as the one truly successful rimfire cartridge introduced in the twentieth century, and it has kept a loyal following ever since.

Its traditional role has always been clear. The .22 Magnum earned its reputation as a farm and ranch cartridge, the “step up” rimfire you reached for when a standard .22 was not quite enough. It became a favorite for varmints and small predators such as rabbits, ground squirrels, prairie dogs, foxes, and coyotes, giving hunters more reach and more authority on target while still being an easy, pleasant round to shoot.

As for cost, .22 Magnum sits in a comfortable middle ground. As of mid 2026, it generally runs somewhere in the range of about 20 to 30 cents per round, with a 50 round box commonly landing between roughly 12 and 20 dollars depending on brand and bullet type. That is more than standard .22 LR, which sits under 10 cents per round, but it is still very affordable next to most centerfire ammunition.

What .22 Magnum Is Good For Today

Small Game and Varmints

This is still the .22 WMR’s home turf. The extra velocity and energy make it a capable choice for rabbits, squirrels, and larger pests, with useful reach for a rimfire. Many shooters keep a .22 Magnum around specifically for pest control on the property.

Range Days and Plinking

Rimfire is fun, and .22 Magnum is no exception. Recoil is mild, the report is manageable with hearing protection, and steel targets ring nicely. It is a great cartridge for a relaxed afternoon of putting rounds downrange.

New and Recoil-Sensitive Shooters

Because it is easy on the shoulder and the hands, .22 Magnum is a friendly way to build fundamentals. New shooters can focus on sight picture, trigger control, and safe handling without flinching from heavy recoil. That makes it a genuinely good teaching cartridge.

Find The Right Gun For You

Here is the fun part. KelTec builds two firearms designed around the .22 Magnum, and they are built to work together.

If you want a handgun, take a look at the PMR30, KelTec’s 22 magnum pistol. It is a lightweight, full-size .22 Magnum pistol with a flush-fit 30 round magazine that tucks completely into the grip. It ships with fiber-optic sights for fast target acquisition and an accessory rail if you want to mount a light. For range days, backpacking, or just an easy-shooting handgun, it is a lot of capability in a svelte package. You can see how it fits alongside the rest of our lineup on the KelTec pistols page.

If you want a long gun, the CMR30 is KelTec’s 22 magnum rifle, and here is the clever part: it feeds from the same 30 round magazines as the PMR30 and shares the same control layout, so the two guns feel like family. The CMR30 weighs in around 3.8 pounds, wears a 16 inch barrel with a threaded muzzle for the muzzle device of your choice, and rides on a multi-position collapsible stock that shrinks the overall length to just under 23 inches for easy storage and transport. It comes standard with flip-up sights and ambidextrous controls, and it ships with two magazines. Browse the full KelTec rifles category to compare it with our other long guns.

Owning the pistol and the carbine together is a genuinely smart combination, since one type of magazine and one manual of arms covers both. One quick, important note on those 30 round magazines: magazine capacity rules vary by state and locality and they change, and KelTec restricts sales into certain areas, so please verify the current laws where you live before you buy. When you are ready, our list of retailers is the place to start.

Owning .22 Magnum Responsibly

.22 Winchester Magnum has stuck around since 1959 for good reason. It is a versatile, capable rimfire that shoots flatter and hits harder than a standard .22, and it shines for small game, target work, and teaching new shooters, all while staying easy to handle.

Whichever firearm you choose, we always come back to the same fundamentals. Treat every gun as if it is loaded, store your firearms securely and away from unauthorized hands, and confirm the ammunition matches your firearm’s markings. Most of all, get real instruction from a qualified, licensed instructor. Range time under someone who knows what they are doing will do more for your confidence and safety than anything you read online, including this post. If you ever have a question about your KelTec firearm, our support and owner’s manuals are there to help. to compare, and check our list of retailers when you are ready to handle one in person.ice.