Rimfire .22Mag, .17HMR & .17HM2

toyfj40 · Post by **toyfj40** » Fri Nov 25, 2005 6:19 pm

I saw a thread on another forum that I'd like to ask here...
Why are .22Mag, .17HMR and .17HM2 NOT a Semi-Auto-Pistol cartridge ??

Is it the OverAll-length of the .22Mag vs the Bolt-Cycle-Stroke length ?

No "extra" oomph from the .17 cartridges to deliver their
ballistics AND be able to cycle a bolt, too.. ?

In this same vein, are .22Mag "handgun/revolvers" basically
as waste of powder, as the bullet is gone before the powder is
all burned...? I've never had one to 'chrony'.
I've always thought of the .22Mag as a good Rifle cartridge,
but all-expenses considered... seems .223 is 'cheaper'.

Amorer and design feedback solicited. thanks.

Post by **Bullseye** » Fri Nov 25, 2005 10:59 pm

The main reason is the blowback bolt design of the standard rimfire semi-auto pistol. A magnum cartridge is too powerful to work well in this design. A delayed blowback or rotating bolt will operate with this kind of cartridge but that's not recoil system that works well with the small caliber rimfires.

R,
Bullseye