During WWII, farms could buy .22 shorts. Our home was declared a farm (had about an acre plowed as a “victory garden” and kept a couple of milk cows - one for our neighbor who had ten kids). There also was an active trade in .22 shorts between students in elementary school where we lived.
One of my grand fathers .22 rifles shoots shorts. Do they still sell them. I see there are some hand guns now that are shooting .22 magnums.