Marlin .22 WMR vs .17 HMR Magazines: What's the Difference?
Here's the good news for Marlin magnum-rimfire owners: your .22 WMR and .17 HMR rifles use the same magazine. The .17 HMR is simply a .22 WMR case necked down to .17 caliber, so the two cartridges share the same case dimensions — and the same magazine. That's why our magnum magazines are marked "22WMR / 17HMR." This guide shows you which one your rifle takes.
Quick answer
.22 WMR and .17 HMR use the same magazine because they share a case. For Marlin bolt-action magnums, choose by capacity: a 7-round or a 4-round magazine. For the Marlin 922M semi-auto, use the 922M 7-round magnum magazine.
What's in this guide
- Why .22 WMR and .17 HMR share a magazine
- Bolt-action magnum magazines (4 or 7 round)
- The Marlin 922M semi-auto
- Don't confuse magnum with .22 LR
- Frequently asked questions
Why .22 WMR and .17 HMR share a magazine
The .17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire (.17 HMR) was created by taking the .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (.22 WMR) case and necking it down to hold a .17-caliber bullet. The case body, rim, and overall length stay essentially the same — only the bullet diameter changes. Because a magazine feeds off the case, not the bullet tip, the two cartridges stack and feed from the identical magazine. That's why you'll see our magnum magazines listed for both calibers together.
Bolt-action magnum magazines (4 or 7 round)
For Marlin bolt-action magnum rifles — models like the 782, 25M, 982, and XT-22M — we make the magazine in two capacities:
- 7-round: the standard-capacity .22 WMR / .17 HMR magazine, in black oxide or nickel.
- 4-round: a shorter, flush-fitting 4-round .22 WMR / .17 HMR magazine — popular for bench shooting where a low profile helps.
Both feed either caliber. Pick capacity based on whether you prefer more rounds or a flush fit.
The Marlin 922M semi-auto
The Marlin 922M is the semi-automatic .22 WMR in the lineup, and it uses its own dedicated magazine rather than the bolt-action version. We make the 922M 7-round magnum magazine in black oxide and nickel. If your magnum Marlin is a semi-auto, this is your magazine.
Don't confuse magnum with .22 LR
This is the one mistake to avoid: .22 WMR / .17 HMR magazines are not interchangeable with .22 LR magazines. The magnum case is larger, so a .22 LR magazine (like the 71900 or 71903) won't feed magnum rounds, and vice versa. Always confirm the caliber marked on your barrel before ordering.
Key takeaways
- .22 WMR and .17 HMR use the same magazine — the .17 HMR is a necked-down .22 WMR.
- Bolt-action magnums: choose a 7-round or 4-round magazine.
- The 922M semi-auto uses its own dedicated 7-round magnum magazine.
- Magnum and .22 LR magazines never interchange — check your caliber.
Frequently asked questions
Do .22 WMR and .17 HMR use the same magazine?
Yes. The .17 HMR is a .22 WMR case necked down to .17 caliber, so the two share the same case dimensions and use the same magazine.
What capacity magnum magazines are available for Marlin?
Our Marlin bolt-action magnum magazines come in 7-round and 4-round versions, both in black oxide or nickel.
What magazine does the Marlin 922M use?
The Marlin 922M semi-auto uses its own dedicated 7-round .22 WMR magazine, available in black oxide and nickel.
Can I use a .22 LR magazine in my .22 Magnum rifle?
No. The .22 WMR / .17 HMR case is larger than a .22 LR, so the magazines are not interchangeable. Match the magazine to the caliber marked on your barrel.
Find your magnum magazine
Shop the 7-round or 4-round magnum magazines, the 922M semi-auto magazine, or browse all Marlin magazines and the Marlin Magazine Guide.
About the author. Rob Haversat is the founder of American Rifle Magazines in Naugatuck, Connecticut, which manufactures OEM-pattern replacement magazines for Marlin and Remington rifles in the USA.