I found an article at (I hope this is right) www.beartoothbullet.com/tech_notes/archive_tech_notes.htm/1
that makes mention of an adapter that the author used in his .223 over 20 gauge Savage 24. If the link doesn't work this is the jest of what is wrote..."It also shoots very respectable when used with an adaptor to fire .22LR, and even better with an adaptor to shoot .22WMR. I've never really heard of such a thing and was wondering if there are such adapters 1. do they really work 2. where can a guy get one?
Thanks.

I have seen them advertised from time to time in the back of gun magazines. They last one I recall seeing was in a copy of Shotgun Times I think. They also had some that did this for thirty caliber rifles as well, I can't recall what it adapted them to though.

It was basically a chamber insert. It allows one to use cartridges with smaller cases but the same diameter bullet, i.e., .30 M1 carbine ammo in a .30-06 or .308. Obviously a single-shot proposition. Adapters were also available for pretty much any .22 caliber centerfire to shoot .22 rimfire ammo, but I'm not sure how they got around the firing pin placement issue.

This company is currently making multi caliber adapters

MCA Sports/Ace Bullet Company
Anchorage, Alaska.

They do have a web site

I'd never heard of one of these things. I was doing a little research on a Savage 24 222/20ga that I'm buying off here and I came across that article. I'd definitely be interested in an adapter for the .222. Sure seems like it'd make it a nice all purpose or truck gun.

Thanks! I'll have to check that out...of course I can't get on "weapons" web sites on my work pc. Some how this site slides by that stupid content filter. Anyway I'll check it out when I get a chance.
Thanks again.

Ebay has them every now and then.

I had an MCA adapter in .22LR built for use in my 338-06. Accuracy was non-existant. Bullets tumbled & sprayed all over the place. You could not consistently hit a tennis ball at 10'. On a plus note they were honorable enough to refund my purchase price.

The Hammond Game Getter out of Edmonton is another story - accurate & hard hitting.

http://www.mcace.com/adapters.htm

I have used several of the MCA chamber adapters/inserts.

The 22 LR in 22 Magnum has worked the best.

The 22 LR in 30-30 works OK.

The 22 LR in 22-250 works, but it isn't more than minute-of-rabbit at 50 feet.

The 22 Hornet in 22-250 works, but not good enough to waste ammo on.

Jeff

I sent the folks at MCA an email. Hopefully they can help me out. Looking for 22LR and/or 22WMR in .222. If I get what I need I'll be sure to post up how they work out.
Thanks again

In general these are very inaccurate. For instance, a .22LR adapted to a .22 centerfire would end up with the bullet jumping about 1.5" before contacting the rifling. The twist rate would also be wrong. I would think that trying to fire a .22LR in some .30 caliber rifle would produce horrible accuracy. further, velocity would be about like shooting a 2" barrel pistol, maybe even an unrifled pistol.

Someone used to make a drop in .22LR assembly, with semiauto mechanism and a magazine, which replaced the whole AR15 bolt carrier assembly. The idea was to let service rifle match shooters practice indoors in the winter. But the device was so inaccurate that some shooters I know preferred to buy a whole upper assembly in .22LR, barrel included, and mount it on their AR15 lower assembly.

If you go out to www.mcace.com and click on "Adapters", you'll go to a page that lists the chamber adapters that Ace Dube makes. The 22LR in 222 is in the left-hand column, 6th from the top, and the 22 MRF in 222 is in the right-hand column, 5th from the top.

Jeff

Don't get too busy theorizing about why a chamber adapter would not work, because some of them do.

The .22 LR conversion kits for the 1911A1 Colt, SIG 220, Beretta 92, and Browning High Power also work.

The .22 LR conversion kits for the AR-15 work because the .22 LR cartridge is chambered where the 5.56mm bullet would be. The US Army used them extensively for training in the 1980s.

Carbine Williams even developed a .22 LR conversion for the 1919 Browning .30 MG, during WWII.

A simpler thing is to shoot reduced handloads in your centerfire or buy a .22 LR in a rifle that closely matches your large centerfire:
A-Bolt .22 LR
A-Bolt .22 WMR
Ruger 77/22
Springfield Trainer
Mauser .22 Trainer
Enfield No. 8 trainer built from a No.1 MkIII
Enfield .22 trainer built on a No. 4 MkI

If you say so.

Jeff

I am curious about these. Are they effective out to 50 yards?

BMT

50 yards would be pushing it. More of a 10 - 25 yard unit. The target below was shot at about 50'.

I will take the rifle out this weekend & try it at 50 yards - now you have my curiosity up.

Velocity shown for each power level.