What is 22 winchester centerfire?

The .22 Winchester Centerfire, also known as the .22 WCF, was introduced by Winchester in 1885 as an alternative to the .44 WCF (aka. .44-40 Winchester) for their lever-action rifles. It was the first rimfire cartridge that could match the power of the .44-40.

The bullet diameter of the .22 WCF was .228 inches, slightly larger than the common .22 Long Rifle cartridge. The cartridge used a brass case with a rimfire primer and was loaded with either a 45 or 50-grain bullet, with a muzzle velocity around 1300 feet per second.

Despite its popularity and success in the late 1800s and early 1900s, the .22 WCF was eventually overshadowed by newer cartridges like the .22 Hornet, .22 Magnum, and .223 Remington.

Today, the .22 WCF is considered a collector's item and is still occasionally used for hunting small game and varmints. It can also be used for target shooting and plinking. However, because ammunition is no longer readily available, it can be difficult and expensive to shoot.