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Sure there are select cases where it is possible or practical. .38 Special/.357 Magnum as you point out, I believe there are revolvers that let you shoot .45 AC
by Arrath 4y ago
Sure there are select cases where it is possible or practical. .38 Special/.357 Magnum as you point out, I believe there are revolvers that let you shoot .45 ACP or .45 Long Colt with a cylinder swap, as well as the same for .22LR and .22 WinMag.
However in the GP's context, the typical small arms ammunition for NATO (5.56x45mm and 7.62x51mm) and the Warsaw Pact (5.45x39mm, 7.62x39mm, 7.62x54R) are not close to being interchangeable.
- LinuxBender 4y agoI've fired .22LR out of my .22 WinMag. It's possible but the casing will sometimes split as there is more room for expansion. The particular cheap brand of .22LR I was using only did this about 10% of the time. Not a big deal for a bolt action but I could see that leading to jams in autoloaders.
- Arrath 4y agoI was thinking of the Ruger Single Six, where you swap cylinders to shoot the two rounds. Not sure I'd want to try it in an autoloader. The difference in cartridge length not fully engaging the bullet into the throat can't be good for it. E: Not to mention the excess fouling in the chamber and even back into the action. Cleaning that is no fun.