About 22LR Ammo
Introduced in 1887 by the J. Stevens Arms & Tool Company, .22 long rifle (22LR) is among the most popular and widely used ammunition worldwide.
Its history dates back to the late 19th century, and it has significantly influenced both the sporting and military firearm industries.
Initially designed as a black powder cartridge, .22 LR was designed to provide a compromise between the 22 Short and the 22 Long, aiming to deliver better performance than the Short with less recoil and noise than the Long.
In the early 1900s, significant improvements were made to the cartridge, specifically smokeless powder, which significantly increased its performance.
During World War II, the 22LR ammunition was used extensively by the military as a training caliber for rifles and pistols.
In fact, 22LR can even be used with semi-automatic weapons thanks to its low recoil. However, many owners have reported that the recoil is so low that it does not properly cycle the round.
*This is never a problem with manual action rifles and pistols.
Today, despite being over a century old, .22 LR ammo remains incredibly popular and it’s estimated that billions of .22 LR rounds are manufactured annually.
Its combination of affordability, low recoil, and versatility has endeared it to generations of shooters and hunters, securing its legacy as one of the most influential and enduring cartridges ever produced.
Common Names for 22LR Ammo
Since its initial release in 1887, 22LR ammunition has had many different name variations. Some of the most common include:
- .22LR Ammo
- 22 Long Rifle Ammo
- 22 Rimfire
- 22 Caliber
Common variations of 22LR include:
- 22 Magnum Ammo
- 22 Short Ammo
- 22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (WMR)
- 22 Hornet Ammo
Regardless of your preferred nomenclature, 22LR ammunition has maintained its popularity over the years and is available in the lineup of every significant American ammo manufacturer.
Features of 22 Long Rifle Ammunition
LIGHTWEIGHT
Due to their small size and light weight, shooters can easily carry large quantities of 22LR ammunition with them on the range or in the field.
LOW RECOIL
22 Long Rifle ammunition produces very little recoil, which makes it ideal for beginners, children, and anyone looking for a low impact shooting.
VERSATILITY
22 Long Rifle rounds can be used in a variety of firearms, including rifles, pistols, and even some revolvers. In fact, nearly every major manufacturer produces one or more firearm chambered in 22LR.
LOW NOISE LEVEL
Compared to larger calibers, .22 LR ammunition produces relatively little noise, which makes it a great choice for shooters who want to minimize their noise exposure.
ACCURACY
22LR ammunition is known for its accuracy and precision, making it a great choice for target shooting and small game hunting.
AVAILABILITY
22LR ammo is widely available in-store and online. 22 Long Rifle ammunition is also widely available in numerous variations to best accommodate its intended use (IE) Target shooting, Small Game Hunting, Competition Shooting, Etc.
Popular 22 Long Rifle (LR) Ammo Types
- Aguila Super Extra 40 Grain Copper-Plated Round Nose (CPRN) – Reliable, high-velocity round ideal for target shooting and small game hunting.
- Aguila Super Maximum 30 Grain Copper-Plated Hollow Point (CPHP) – One of the fastest .22 LR rounds with speeds up to 1,750 fps, perfect for varmint control.
- Aguila Colibri 20 Grain Lead Solid Point – A low-noise, powderless round, great for silent plinking and backyard practice.
- CCI Mini-Mag 40 Grain Copper-Plated Round Nose (CPRN) – One of the most popular .22 LR rounds, known for clean burning and reliable cycling.
- CCI Stinger 32 Grain Copper-Plated Hollow Point (CPHP) – A high-velocity hunting round, reaching speeds of 1,640 fps for small game hunting.
- CCI Quiet-22 40 Grain Lead Round Nose (LRN) – A subsonic round that reduces noise, perfect for suppressed shooting and pest control.
- Federal AutoMatch 40 Grain Lead Round Nose (LRN) – Designed for semi-auto firearms, offering consistent accuracy and reliability.
- Federal Champion 36 Grain Copper-Plated Hollow Point (CPHP) – A budget-friendly option for target shooting and plinking.
- Federal Premium Gold Medal UltraMatch 40 Grain LRN – A competition-grade round designed for high-precision shooting.
- Fiocchi Standard Velocity 40 Grain Lead Round Nose (LRN) – A great option for competition and target shooting, offering consistent accuracy.
- Fiocchi Subsonic 40 Grain Hollow Point (HP) – A quiet, low-recoil round, ideal for suppressed shooting and small game hunting.
- Fiocchi Hyper Velocity 31 Grain CPHP – A fast-moving hunting round, great for small game and varmints.
- Remington Thunderbolt 40 Grain Lead Round Nose (LRN) – One of the most affordable and widely used plinking rounds.
- Remington Golden Bullet 36 Grain CPHP – A versatile high-velocity round, great for target shooting and hunting.
- Remington Subsonic 40 Grain LRN – A low-noise, accurate round, excellent for suppressed firearms and backyard practice.
- Winchester Super-X 40 Grain Power-Point (PP) – A high-energy hunting round, designed for deep penetration and rapid expansion.
- Winchester M-22 40 Grain Black Copper-Plated LRN – Optimized for semi-automatic rifles, ensuring smooth cycling and accuracy.
- Winchester Wildcat 40 Grain LRN – A budget-friendly target and plinking round with dependable performance.
Popular 22LR Firearms
Rifles
Ruger 10/22
A semi-automatic rifle known for its reliability and wide availability of aftermarket parts.
Marlin Model 60
A semi-automatic that’s been popular for decades, known for its accuracy and reliability.
Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22
A .22 LR version of the popular AR-15 platform, offering similar handling characteristics.
Savage Mark II
A bolt-action rifle known for its precision and affordable price.
CZ 452/455/457 Series
These bolt-action rifles are highly regarded for their accuracy and build quality.
Henry Golden Boy
A lever-action rifle with a distinctive appearance and smooth action.
Browning BL-22
A lever-action rifle known for its quality craftsmanship and accuracy.
Remington 597
A semi-automatic rifle known for its accuracy and affordability.
Anschütz 64 Series
Highly respected in competitive shooting circles for their precision.
Mossberg 702 Plinkster
A budget-friendly semi-automatic option.
Pistols
Ruger Mark IV
A semi-automatic pistol famous for its accuracy and ease of disassembly.
Smith & Wesson SW22 Victory
A semi-automatic with a modern design, known for its accuracy.
Browning Buck Mark
A semi-automatic pistol known for its reliability and ergonomic design.
Beretta 87 Target
A semi-automatic pistol designed for precision shooting.
Walther P22
A compact semi-automatic popular for plinking and target practice.
Sig Sauer Mosquito/P226-22
A .22LR version of the popular P226, providing similar ergonomics and controls.
Colt Woodsman
An older design that still holds a reputation for quality and accuracy.
Ruger SR22
A compact and ergonomic semi-automatic pistol.
Beretta 21A Bobcat
A small pocket pistol with a tip-up barrel design.
Glock 44
A .22LR version of the popular Glock 19, offering similar handling characteristics.
Revolvers
Ruger Single-Six
A single-action revolver that has been popular for decades.
Smith & Wesson Model 617
A double-action revolver known for its accuracy and craftsmanship.
Heritage Rough Rider
A budget-friendly single-action revolver with a cowboy-style design.
Colt Frontier Scout
A single-action revolver reminiscent of the classic Colt Single Action Army.
North American Arms Mini-Revolver
A very small, compact revolver designed for concealed carry or as a backup gun.
Charter Arms Pathfinder
A double-action revolver known for its affordability.
Smith & Wesson Model 43 C
A lightweight, snub-nose revolver designed for concealed carry.
Taurus Model 94
A budget-friendly double-action revolver.
Ruger LCRx
A lightweight, compact revolver with an external hammer.
Smith & Wesson Model 63
A stainless steel, double-action revolver known for its durability.
22 Long Rifle Ammunition FAQs
QUESTION: Is 22LR reliable?
ANSWER: Yes, 22LR is generally considered to be reliable. However, like any ammunition, it can occasionally experience misfires or other malfunctions.
QUESTION: What is the effective range of 22 LR ammunition?
ANSWER: The effective range of 22 LR ammunition depends on a variety of factors, including the specific firearm, the quality of the ammunition, and the skill of the shooter. However, most 22LR rounds are considered effective out to a range of about 50 to 100 yards.
QUESTION: Is .22LR ammo good for self-defense?
ANSWER: While .22LR ammunition can be used for self-defense, it is generally not recommended due to its relatively low power and smaller size compared to other calibers. However, it can be an effective option for those who are unable to handle larger calibers.
QUESTION: Can 22 Long Rifle ammo be used for hunting?
ANSWER: Yes, 22 Long Rifle can be used for hunting small game such as squirrels, rabbits, and birds.
QUESTION: Can 22 LR ammunition be used in a pistol and a rifle?
ANSWER: Yes, nearly all firearm manufactures product rifles and pistols chambered in 22LR.
QUESTION: Does 22 LR ammunition have a lot of recoil?
ANSWER: No, 22 LR ammo produces very little recoil, making it a great option for beginners, children, and anyone who prefers a low-impact shooting experience.
QUESTION: Is 22LR ammunition expensive?
ANSWER: No, 22LR ammo is widely considered to be an inexpensive caliber to shoot. Save for specialty ammo like match grade ammunition or specialized hunting ammunition.