Marlin .22 Mag Magazines: 4, 7, or 10 Rounds?

Marlin .22 WMR ("22 Mag") bolt actions take a 4-round, 7-round, or 10-round detachable box magazine depending on the exact model — never assume by caliber alone. A 7-round magazine is the most common across the lineup, but two rifles that look identical can require different capacities, and none of the three interchange with a .22LR magazine. Match the model number stamped on your barrel to the magazine's product page before you order.

This mix-up happens constantly with Marlin .22 WMR bolt actions. Shooters assume magazine capacity works the way it does on a .22LR plinker, where a 7- or 10-round magazine is nearly universal across the model line. .22 WMR doesn't work that way — the cartridge is longer and wider than .22LR, the magazine body is built around it, and the capacity that fits your specific Marlin depends on the model you own.

Why .22 WMR magazines hold fewer rounds than .22LR

A .22 WMR cartridge is noticeably bigger than a .22LR round — longer overall, with a wider rim and more case taper. That difference matters inside a magazine body that has to stay narrow enough to fit through a Marlin's magazine well. Stack rounds in a single-column magazine and each .22 WMR cartridge uses more vertical space than a .22LR round would, which is part of why a Marlin .22LR magazine can carry 7 or 10 rounds in a body that a .22 WMR magazine can only fit 4 or 7 rounds into. A .22 WMR magazine will not drop into a .22LR magazine well and run reliably, even if it physically fits partway in.

The 4-round magazine: low profile for the field

The 4-round magazine is the smallest capacity ARM builds for the Marlin .22 WMR/.17 HMR bolt-action line, and it sits flush or nearly flush with the bottom of the stock — one less thing to snag on brush while hunting. If your rifle came factory-fitted with a 4-round magazine and you've lost it, don't "upgrade" to a 7-round without checking fitment first; some receivers and magazine wells were built around the shorter body, and a longer magazine simply won't lock in.

The 7-round magazine: the common middle ground

Across Marlin's .22 WMR bolt-action lineup, the 7-round magazine shows up more often than any other capacity. If you're not sure what capacity your rifle originally shipped with, 7-round is a reasonable starting guess — but confirm the model stamped on your rifle before you order, since two Marlin models can share a similar magazine well footprint and still require different feed lip geometry.

The 10-round magazine: maximum capacity for range days

The 10-round .22 WMR magazine is the top capacity ARM builds for the Marlin bolt-action line. Because the .22 WMR case is bigger than .22LR, the 10-round body runs longer than the 7-round version and will extend below the stock line on most rifles — plan for that on a bench rest or bipod. Ten rounds is also useful for varmint work, where you're taking multiple shots in a short window.

Find your model number before you order

Look at the left side of the barrel, near the receiver, for the stamped model number — something like 782, 982, or 917V, stamped directly into the steel. Once you have that number, check it against the list of compatible models on the magazine's product page. Don't rely on caliber alone, and don't rely on a photo. This same approach works whether you're chasing a .22 WMR magazine, a .22LR magazine, or a centerfire magazine for a different rifle entirely.

Common mistakes Marlin .22 Mag owners make

• Buying by caliber alone. "It's a .22 WMR magazine, my rifle is .22 WMR, it'll fit" is the single most frequent reason customers end up returning a magazine.
• Assuming a .22LR and a .22 WMR magazine are interchangeable because the rifles look alike. They aren't.
• Buying the highest capacity without checking fit. A 10-round magazine won't seat in a receiver machined for the shorter 4-round body.
• Skipping the fitment check on listings that don't name a model number at all.

Magazine capacity rules vary by state. We don’t give legal advice — check your state before you order anything above standard factory capacity on our magazine capacity laws by state page.

Which magazine do you need?

• 4-round, black oxide: Marlin 4-Round .22WMR/.17HMR Magazine or nickel
• 7-round, black oxide: Marlin 7-Round .22WMR/.17HMR Magazine or nickel
• 10-round, black oxide: Marlin 10-Round .22WMR/.17HMR Magazine or nickel
• Marlin 922M owners: this rifle uses its own dedicated 7-round magazine, not the general WMR pattern above — see the 922M black oxide or 922M nickel magazine
• Browse every option: Marlin .22 Mag Magazines collection or the Marlin Magazine Guide

Frequently asked questions

What capacity magazines does Marlin make for .22 WMR rifles?

Marlin .22 WMR bolt actions use detachable magazines in 4-round, 7-round, and 10-round capacities. Which one your rifle takes depends on the specific model, so check the model number stamped on your barrel against the compatible models listed on the magazine's product page.

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

No. The .22 WMR cartridge is longer and wider than .22LR, so the magazine body, feed lips, and spring rate are all different. A .22 WMR magazine will not feed reliably in a .22LR magazine well.

How do I find my Marlin model number?

Look on the left side of the barrel, near the receiver, for a small stamped number. Match it to the compatible models listed in the magazine's product description before you buy.

Is a 10-round Marlin .22 Mag magazine legal in my state?

Magazine capacity laws vary by state. We don't provide legal advice — check our magazine capacity laws by state page and verify current law directly with your state before ordering.

Why does my Marlin .22 WMR magazine only hold 4 rounds when the body looks big enough for more?

The .22 WMR cartridge takes up more vertical space per round than .22LR, so a 4-round or 7-round .22 WMR magazine isn't undersized — it's built around the physical size of the cartridge itself.

If you're staring at an empty magazine well with no idea which capacity your Marlin .22 WMR takes, start with the model number on the barrel, match it to the product page, and order once instead of twice.

Buying for a shop, a range, or more than one rifle? See our wholesale purchasing terms for volume pricing.