Marlin .22 WMR vs .17 HMR Magazines: What's the Difference?

If your Marlin bolt-action or semi-automatic is chambered in .22 WMR (Winchester Magnum Rimfire) or .17 HMR (Hornady Magnum Rimfire), it uses the same magazine — the two calibers share the same case dimensions, so American Rifle Magazines builds one magazine family that covers both. What matters is capacity and finish, not caliber, when you're choosing between the two. What does not carry over is compatibility with .22 LR: a magnum magazine will not fit a .22 LR rifle, and a .22 LR magazine will not fit a .22 WMR or .17 HMR rifle. Here's the full picture.

Why .22 WMR and .17 HMR Share a Magazine

.17 HMR was developed from the .22 WMR case, necked down to a smaller bullet diameter. The overall case length and rim dimensions are close enough that a magazine built around one cartridge feeds the other reliably. That's why American Rifle Magazines' .22 WMR/.17 HMR magazines are labeled for both calibers rather than sold as two separate lines — one magazine, two chamberings.

What that magazine will not do is feed .22 LR. .22 LR is a smaller, lower-pressure rimfire cartridge with different case dimensions, and it's built around an entirely separate magazine family — the 71900/71901 and 71903 patterns. Mixing the two up is the single most common fitment mistake on Marlin rimfire rifles, because the rifles can look nearly identical from the outside.

Which Marlin Models Take the .22 WMR/.17 HMR Magazine

This magazine family fits the following Marlin bolt-action models: 882SS, 982S, 882, 982, 25MN, 925M, 782, 25M, 980, 17V, 917V, 17VS, 917VS, XT-22WMR, and XT-17HMR. If your rifle carries one of these model numbers, you're in the .22 WMR/.17 HMR family regardless of which of the two calibers it's chambered in.

The Marlin 922M is the exception within the magnum rimfire family — it's a semi-automatic rifle chambered in .22 WMR that uses its own dedicated 7-round magazine, engineered specifically for the 922M platform. It is not a universal .22 WMR magazine, and the standard bolt-action .22 WMR/.17 HMR magazine will not work in it. See our Marlin 922M 7-Round magazine if that's your rifle.

Choosing a Capacity: 4, 7, or 10 Rounds

American Rifle Magazines builds the .22 WMR/.17 HMR pattern in three capacities, each available in black oxide or nickel:

• 4-round — black oxide or nickel. A shorter magazine that sits closer to flush in the well.
• 7-round — black oxide or nickel. The most common factory-original capacity for these bolt-action models.
• 10-round — black oxide or nickel. More rounds between reloads, useful for varmint hunting or extended range sessions.

Every capacity is built from heat-treated steel with a steel follower and a metal floor plate, and every capacity fits the same model list above — the decision is about how many rounds you want on hand, not which rifle you own.

.22 WMR vs .17 HMR: Which Round Should You Shoot?

Since the magazine is identical either way, the choice between .22 WMR and .17 HMR comes down to the ammunition, not the magazine. .17 HMR is known for a flat trajectory and strong accuracy at longer rimfire ranges, which suits varmint work where precision at distance matters. .22 WMR carries more bullet weight and hits harder at moderate range, with slightly less flat a trajectory than .17 HMR. Both are established, reliable magnum rimfire cartridges — the right one depends on the range and game you're shooting, not on magazine compatibility, since either way your Marlin runs the same magazine.

Why Buy the US-Made Factory-Pattern Version

Magnum rimfire magazines run at higher pressure than .22 LR, and feed lip geometry matters more, not less, as a result. A magazine that isn't built to the correct tolerance can hesitate, double-feed, or fail to lock the bolt back on the last round. American Rifle Magazines manufactures every .22 WMR/.17 HMR magazine in the USA from heat-treated steel, to the dimensions of the original factory part — not an imported universal magazine sized to fit "most" magnum rimfire bolt guns. That difference shows up the first time you run a full magazine through the gun at the range: a correctly-toleranced magazine locks in without play and feeds every round the same way, round after round.

It also matters for anyone who owns more than one magnum rimfire Marlin. Because the fitment list above spans nearly a dozen model numbers built over several decades, a single correctly-built magazine can serve as a spare across your whole collection of magnum-chambered Marlins, as long as they're on this model list — no need to track down capacity-specific parts for each individual rifle.

Field Reliability Tips for Magnum Rimfire Magazines

Keep the feed lips and follower clean and lightly oiled rather than heavily greased — magnum rimfire ammunition runs dirtier than standard .22 LR, and a magazine packed with old lubricant collects that residue fast. If you notice the bolt failing to lock back on an empty magazine, check the follower for grit before assuming the magazine itself is worn. And if you're storing a magazine loaded for an extended hunting season, cycle it every few weeks rather than leaving it loaded and untouched in a safe all year — this keeps the spring and follower moving freely when you need them to.

Confirm Your Model First

Because .22 LR and .22 WMR/.17 HMR magazines can look similar at a glance and neither will force-fit into the wrong rifle without damage, always confirm your exact model number — stamped on the left side of the barrel — against the Marlin Rifle Magazine Guide before ordering. If your rifle is a rebadged Marlin sold under a store brand, the same fitment logic applies; check the rebadge table in the guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put .22 WMR ammunition in a magazine built for .17 HMR, or vice versa?

Yes — the magazine is built to handle both calibers, since they share compatible case dimensions. The same physical magazine works with either round.

Will a .22 WMR magazine fit my .22 LR Marlin?

No. .22 LR uses a completely separate magazine family (71900/71901 or 71903 pattern). The magnum magazine will not fit a .22 LR rifle.

Does the Marlin 922M use this same magazine?

No. The 922M is a semi-automatic .22 WMR rifle that requires its own dedicated 7-round magazine engineered specifically for that platform, not the standard bolt-action .22 WMR/.17 HMR magazine.

What's the difference between the 4, 7, and 10-round versions besides capacity?

Nothing else — all three are built from the same heat-treated steel with the same follower and floor plate, and they fit the same list of Marlin models. Longer magazines extend further below the stock at higher capacities.

Shop Marlin .22 WMR / .17 HMR Magazines

All capacities and finishes above are US-made, in stock, and ship from our shop in Connecticut. Confirm your model against the Marlin Rifle Magazine Guide, then choose the capacity and finish that fits how you shoot. Before ordering an extended-capacity magazine, check magazine capacity laws by state. Browse the full lineup in Marlin .22 Mag Magazines, or see our wholesale rifle magazine purchasing terms for bulk orders.