Can You Shoot 22 Mag in a Heritage Rough Rider?
The Heritage Rough Rider is a popular single-action revolver known for its affordable price, reliable performance, and nostalgic appeal. It’s a great option for plinking, target shooting, and even hunting small game. But what about the 22 Magnum (22 Mag) cartridge? Can you shoot it in your Heritage Rough Rider?
What is the Heritage Rough Rider?
The Heritage Rough Rider is a single-action revolver designed for casual shooting and hunting. It’s made in the USA and features a solid-frame construction, a 5-shot cylinder, and a variety of barrel lengths. The Rough Rider is often compared to the classic Ruger Vaquero and is known for its excellent accuracy, reliability, and affordable price.
22 Mag vs. 22 Long Rifle
Before we dive into the question of whether you can shoot 22 Mag in a Heritage Rough Rider, let’s briefly compare the 22 Magnum and 22 Long Rifle cartridges. Both cartridges are popular for small game hunting and target shooting, but they have some key differences:
Cartridge | Muzzle Velocity (fps) | Muzzle Energy (ft-lbs) | Range (yds) |
---|---|---|---|
22 Long Rifle | 1,200-1,300 | 120-140 | 50-75 |
22 Magnum | 1,900-2,200 | 240-300 | 100-150 |
As you can see, the 22 Mag has a significantly higher muzzle velocity and energy than the 22 Long Rifle, making it a better option for hunting larger small game and longer-range shooting. However, the 22 Mag is also more difficult to find and more expensive than the 22 Long Rifle.
Can You Shoot 22 Mag in a Heritage Rough Rider?
Now that we’ve discussed the differences between the 22 Mag and 22 Long Rifle, let’s get to the answer to our question. Can you shoot 22 Mag in a Heritage Rough Rider? The answer is: it depends.
Heritage Rough Rider 22 Mag Compatibility
According to Heritage Manufacturing, their Rough Rider revolvers are designed to fire only the 22 Long Rifle cartridge. This is because the Rough Rider’s cylinder and barrel are designed specifically for the lower pressure and slower velocity of the 22 Long Rifle. Shooting 22 Mag in a Rough Rider can lead to:
- Overpressure: The 22 Mag has a higher pressure than the 22 Long Rifle, which can cause the cylinder and barrel to expand and potentially lead to damage or malfunction.
- Accuracy issues: The higher velocity of the 22 Mag can cause the gun to shoot higher and more unpredictable, making it difficult to hit your target.
But…
What if you really want to shoot 22 Mag in your Rough Rider? If you’re looking to shoot 22 Mag, you may be able to modify your Rough Rider to accommodate the cartridge. However, this is not recommended and may void your warranty. Here are some things to consider:
- Cylinder modification: You could potentially modify the cylinder to handle the higher pressure and velocity of the 22 Mag. However, this would require a significant amount of machining and expertise, and may not be safe.
- Barrel modification: You could also modify the barrel to handle the increased velocity of the 22 Mag. However, this would likely require a more extensive modification and may also be unsafe.
- Replacement: If you’re not satisfied with the performance of your Rough Rider with the 22 Long Rifle, you may want to consider replacing it with a different gun that is designed for the 22 Mag.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the Heritage Rough Rider is an excellent choice for shooting the 22 Long Rifle, it’s not recommended to shoot the 22 Magnum in your Rough Rider. The gun is designed specifically for the 22 Long Rifle cartridge and shooting 22 Mag could lead to overpressure, accuracy issues, and potentially damage the gun.
If you’re looking for a gun that can handle the 22 Mag, you may want to consider other options, such as a Ruger Single-Six or a Taurus 94. However, if you’re happy with the performance of your Rough Rider with the 22 Long Rifle, there’s no need to modify the gun or switch to a different cartridge.
Summary
- The Heritage Rough Rider is designed for the 22 Long Rifle cartridge.
- Shooting 22 Mag in a Rough Rider can lead to overpressure and accuracy issues.
- Modification of the cylinder or barrel to accommodate 22 Mag is not recommended and may void your warranty.
- If you want to shoot 22 Mag, consider replacing your Rough Rider with a different gun.
I hope this article has helped answer your question about shooting 22 Mag in a Heritage Rough Rider. Happy shooting!