Sharpshooter’s Guide: Choosing the Right .22 LR for Varmint Hunting

Varmints wreaking havoc on your land?

Whether it’s raccoons raiding your chicken coop or groundhogs digging up your yard, a reliable .22 LR rifle can be your best ally. But not all .22 LR ammo is created equal and choosing the wrong one could mean missed shots, wounded pests, or worse.

If you're wondering which .22 LR for varmint hunting performs best, you're not alone.

In this guide, we’ll break down the top contenders and help you zero in on the perfect rimfire solution for your pest control needs.

The .22 Long Rifle cartridge has stood the test of time and for good reason. It’s affordable, widely available, has minimal recoil, and performs admirably within 50–100 yards when paired with the right rifle.

For small-to-medium varmints like squirrels, rabbits, opossums, and even foxes at closer ranges, the .22 LR offers enough punch with proper shot placement.

However, ammo selection is key. Different bullet types, weights, and velocities affect terminal performance, accuracy, and humane dispatching of game. For those who rely on the rimfire round to keep critters in check, its advantages are clear:

Cost-Effective Shooting
.22 LR ammo is affordable and available in bulk. You can spend hundreds of rounds in a day without breaking the bank—making practice and varmints-feeding both wallet-friendly and effective.

Low Recoil, High Controllability
The .22 LR’s recoil is minimal enough for all shooters to maintain follow-up shot accuracy. This low recoil also reduces disturbance in field settings when hunting cautious varmints like prairie dogs.

Quiet & Pocket-Friendly
Many shooters appreciate that this cartridge can be used with suppressors thanks to subsonic bullets—making shots less likely to spook others or neighboring wildlife. The small amount of noise also makes fieldwork more enjoyable.

Ethical Terminal Performance
Modern .22 LR loads flood the distance with enough kinetic energy and hollow-point design to secure quick, humane kills on small pests. Your success depends less on power and more on placement.

When it comes to eradicating ground squirrels, prairie dogs, and more, knowing your ammo is key. Here are the primary .22 LR load types you’ll encounter:

Standard Velocity (≈ 1,070–1,120 fps)
Popular among trainers, plinkers, and budget-minded hunters, this category is commonly produced by brands like Remington, Federal, and CCI. Great for ranges shorter than 50 yards.

High Velocity (≈ 1,200–1,300 fps)
Midrange power delivered with match-grade precision, often seen in CCI Mini-Mag and Federal Game-Shok. These rounds strike a balance between lower noise and effective field reach.

HP (Hollow Points) & Semi-JHP (Jacketed Hollow Points)
Excelling at controlled expansion, these rounds—like CCI Maxi-Mag HP—are engineered to deliver terminal performance while preserving bullet fragmentation.

Suppressor-Specific (Subsonic)
Rounds like Aguila’s Super Extra Subsonic Kosher are quieter, reducing noise without sacrificing humane shot performance. Ideal for backyard or sensitive-area shooting.

When asking which .22 LR for varmint hunting, consider the following bullet styles and their ideal uses:

Hollow Point (HP)

• Best for: Small game and pest animals under 10 lbs
• Why it works: Expands on impact for greater terminal damage
• Top picks:
  • CCI Mini-Mag 36gr HP – Reliable feeding and consistent expansion.
  • Federal Champion 36gr HP – Affordable with excellent accuracy.
  • Aguila Super Extra 38gr HP – Solid performer at a budget price.

Hyper-Velocity Rounds

• Best for: Slightly larger varmints like raccoons, foxes, or armadillos
• Why it works: Higher muzzle velocity means flatter trajectories and more kinetic energy.
• Top picks:
  • CCI Stinger 32gr HP – Zips out at over 1600 fps, ideal for longer shots.
  • Remington Yellow Jacket 33gr HP – Great expansion with excellent speed.

Subsonic Rounds

• Best for: Backyard pest control with low noise
• Why it works: Lower velocity means quieter report. Great for populated areas or use with suppressors.
• Top picks:
  • CCI Subsonic 40gr HP – Quiet and clean-burning, with good punch.
  • Eley Subsonic Hollow 38gr – Known for superb precision.

Understanding your rifle’s barrel twist rate is essential when selecting the right .22 LR ammo for varmint hunting.

Twist rate refers to the rate at which the rifling inside your barrel spins the bullet—directly impacting how well it stabilizes in flight and, ultimately, how accurately it hits your target.

Lighter bullets in the 32–36 grain range generally perform better with faster twist rates, while heavier projectiles like 38–40 grains benefit from slightly slower twists that allow for smoother stabilization.

This relationship between twist rate and bullet weight is crucial for maintaining accuracy, especially when shooting at longer distances.

1:16” Twist – All-Purpose Performance

• Most factory .22 LR rifles are built with a 1:16” twist rate, which is ideal for stabilizing a wide variety of varmint loads ranging from 30 to 40 grains.
• This makes 1:16” barrels a versatile and reliable choice for general-purpose varmint control.

1:10” to 1:9” Twist – Precision Shooting

• Rifles with faster twist rates—such as 1:10” or 1:9”—are optimized for heavier, high-BC bullets like 40-grain match rounds.
• If you’re shooting at long distances or targeting small critters like prairie dogs or coyotes beyond 150 yards, this setup enhances accuracy and stability for those extended shots.

Your twist rate, bullet grain, and velocity all work together to shape your shooting outcome. Choosing the right combination gives you a major edge in .22 LR varmint hunting, ensuring your shots are clean, stable, and consistent—every time.

The .22 LR continues to reign supreme as the go-to varmint cartridge—thanks to its low recoil, quiet report, reliable accuracy, and affordable price point.

As we’ve explored in this sharpshooter’s guide, understanding how different ammo types and barrel twist rates affect your performance empowers you to make smarter decisions in the field.

Whether you’re just beginning your journey into rimfire varmint hunting or looking to refine your existing setup, choosing the right .22 LR ammunition and barrel configuration can mean the difference between a clean harvest and a missed shot.

From high-velocity hollow points like the CCI Mini-Mag or Stinger to subsonic and match-grade rounds designed for stealth and precision, there's a perfect load for every hunter and scenario.

So, when it comes to deciding which .22 LR ammunition is best for varmint hunting, it all depends on your target species, shooting environment, and specific needs.

Ready to gear up with the best ammo for the job? Visit Ammunition Depot to explore our wide selection of top-rated .22 LR varmint ammo - ALL at competitive prices.

Hunt smart & Shoot straight!