22 Caliber Ammo Types

The term “22 caliber ammo” refers to a wide variety of rimfire and centerfire cartridges, with .22 Long Rifle (.22 LR), .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (.22 WMR), .22 Short, .22 Long, .22 Hornet, .222 Remington, .223 Remington, and .22-250 Remington being important examples. These cartridges are not interchangeable and differ significantly in physical size, bullet velocity, kinetic energy, firearm chambering, and intended use. While rimfire variants like the .22 LR are predominantly used for target shooting and small game, centerfire cartridges such as the .223 Remington produce much higher pressures and velocities suitable for varmints and longer ranges. Selecting the correct 22 caliber ammunition requires matching the specific cartridge designation stamped on the firearm barrel to the proper factory load. Understanding the different types of 22 caliber cartridges ensures safe firearm operation and appropriate ballistic performance for your specific shooting application.

22 Caliber Ammo Types

Ammo Type	Full Cartridge Name	Rimfire / Centerfire	Bullet Weight	Typical Velocity	Typical Energy	Common Use	Source
.22 Short	.22 Short	Rimfire	27 gr	1,105 fps	73 ft-lbs	Pest control, training	CCI Ammunition
.22 Long	.22 Long	Rimfire	29 gr	1,215 fps	95 ft-lbs	Plinking, target	CCI Ammunition
.22 LR	.22 Long Rifle	Rimfire	40 gr	1,070 fps	102 ft-lbs	Target shooting, small game	CCI Ammunition
.22 WMR	.22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire	Rimfire	40 gr	1,875 fps	312 ft-lbs	Small game, varmints	CCI Ammunition
.22 Hornet	.22 Hornet	Centerfire	35 gr	3,100 fps	747 ft-lbs	Varmint hunting	Hornady
.222 Remington	.222 Remington	Centerfire	50 gr	3,140 fps	1,094 ft-lbs	Varmint hunting, target	Federal Premium
.223 Remington	.223 Remington	Centerfire	55 gr	3,240 fps	1,282 ft-lbs	Target, training, varmints	Federal Premium
.22-250 Remington	.22-250 Remington	Centerfire	50 gr	3,850 fps	1,645 ft-lbs	Predator and varmint hunting	Federal Premium

What Are The Different Types Of 22 Caliber Ammo?

The broad category of “22 caliber ammo types” is divided into two distinct ignition systems: rimfire and centerfire. These categories dictate how the primer compound is ignited and heavily influence the pressure limits, case design, and overall power of the ammunition.

Rimfire .22 Ammunition

Rimfire cartridges contain the priming compound inside the rim of the base. When the firing pin strikes the rim, it crushes the compound and ignites the powder charge. The brass case must be thin enough to crush under the impact of the firing pin, which limits the maximum pressure these cartridges can safely handle.

• .22 Short: One of the oldest self-contained metallic cartridges, it features a very short case and a light bullet (typically 27 to 29 grains). It produces low recoil and minimal noise.
• .22 Long: This cartridge uses the same case length as the .22 LR but seats a lighter 29-grain bullet, similar to the .22 Short. It has largely been rendered obsolete by the .22 LR.
• .22 LR: The .22 Long Rifle is the most popular cartridge globally. It combines a heavier bullet (typically 40 grains) with a slightly longer case than the .22 Short, resulting in a highly versatile and inexpensive round.
• .22 WMR: Also known as .22 Magnum, the .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire uses a wider, longer, and thicker case than the .22 LR. It pushes a 40-grain bullet nearly twice as fast as standard .22 LR ammunition, yielding significantly more energy.

Centerfire .22 Caliber Ammunition

Centerfire cartridges house the primer in a distinct, removable cup located in the center of the case base. The cases are substantially thicker and stronger than rimfire cases, allowing them to safely handle massive pressure limits. Because of this, centerfire .22 caliber cartridges are substantially more powerful than .22 LR and require completely different, heavier firearms.

• .22 Hornet: A relatively low-recoil centerfire cartridge designed for varmint hunting. It typically pushes a 35-grain or 45-grain bullet at velocities over 3,000 fps.
• .222 Remington: A highly accurate cartridge that dominated benchrest competition for decades before being largely overtaken by newer designs. It routinely pushes 50-grain bullets past 3,100 fps.
• .223 Remington: Derived from the .222 Remington, this is currently one of the most popular centerfire rifle cartridges in the world. It handles heavier bullets (typically 55 to 77 grains) and provides excellent long-range capabilities.
• .22-250 Remington: A specialized, high-velocity varmint and predator cartridge capable of driving 50-grain bullets at 3,850 fps, resulting in a flat trajectory and rapid energy transfer.

.22 LR Ammo Types

Because of its massive popularity, manufacturers produce several specialized .22 LR ammo types tailored for specific purposes.

• Standard Velocity:Usually loaded with a 40-grain lead round nose bullet traveling around 1,070 fps. Because this speed stays just below the speed of sound, standard velocity ammunition avoids the transonic ballistic turbulence, often making it more accurate than high-velocity loads.
• High Velocity: Features a slightly hotter powder charge to push a 36-grain or 40-grain bullet between 1,200 and 1,300 fps. This provides a flatter trajectory for small-game hunting.
• Hyper Velocity: Uses lighter bullets (ranging from 30 to 32 grains) and sometimes slightly extended cases to achieve velocities exceeding 1,500 fps.
• Subsonic: Specifically loaded to remain below the speed of sound (usually below 1,050 fps) across various environmental conditions. Often paired with heavy bullets (40 to 45 grains), this type is favored for use with suppressors.
• Match / Target: Built with exacting quality control, consistent powder charges, and uniform primer distribution to ensure maximum precision for competitive shooting.
• Hollow Point: Features a cavity in the nose designed to initiate expansion upon impact, improving energy transfer for small game and pest control.
• Round Nose: A solid, uniform bullet shape used primarily for target shooting, plinking, and training, where terminal expansion is unnecessary.

.22 WMR Ammo Types

The .22 WMR offers greater power than the .22 LR, and its ammunition types reflect its primary role as a small game and varmint cartridge.

• Bullet Weights: While 40 grains is the standard, modern .22 WMR ammunition types range from lightweight 30-grain loads to heavy 50-grain loads.
• Hollow Point: Traditional hollow point designs are highly common in .22 WMR for rapid expansion on small game.
• Jacketed Bullets:Unlike most .22 LR bullets which are lead or lightly copper-plated, .22 WMR velocities require true copper jackets (Full Metal Jacket or Jacketed Soft Point) to prevent the bullet from stripping in the rifling and to control expansion.
• Polymer Tipped: Premium hunting loads utilize polymer tips (such as the VNT) to increase the ballistic coefficient, protect the hollow cavity from deformation during feeding, and initiate rapid fragmentation upon impact.
• Hunting Loads: Designed specifically with soft points, hollow points, or polymer tips for maximum energy transfer on targets like coyotes and woodchucks.
• General-Purpose Loads: Feature Total Metal Jacket (TMJ) or Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) bullets designed for target shooting or harvesting edible small game without causing excessive meat damage.

.22 Bullet Types

The types of 22 caliber bullets loaded into these cartridges determine how the projectile behaves in flight and upon impact.

• Round Nose: A smooth, curved nose profile favored for reliable feeding in semi-automatic firearms and aerodynamic stability at lower velocities.
• Hollow Point: Contains an opening at the tip designed to catch fluid and tissue upon impact, forcing the bullet to peel back and expand.
• Flat Nose: Features a flattened tip to deliver more initial shock upon impact compared to a round nose, often used in tubular magazines or specific hunting applications.
• Polymer Tip: A hard plastic insert seated in the nose cavity. It provides an aerodynamic profile in flight and drives backward into the lead core upon impact to force expansion.
• Full Metal Jacket (FMJ): A lead core entirely enclosed in a hard metal shell. FMJ bullets are designed to penetrate deeply without expanding, commonly used in .223 Remington target and training loads.
• Lead Bullets: Unjacketed lead projectiles heavily lubricated to prevent barrel leading. These are standard in most .22 LR standard velocity and match ammunition.
• Jacketed Bullets: A lead core wrapped in a copper jacket. Necessary for high-velocity centerfire cartridges (and the .22 WMR) to keep the bullet intact under extreme rotational and frictional forces.

.22 Caliber Ammo By Cartridge

.22 Short

• Full name: .22 Short
• Rimfire or centerfire: Rimfire
• Typical bullet weight: 27 to 29 grains
• Typical velocity: 710 to 1,105 fps
• Common applications: Pest control, carnival gallery shooting
• Firearms commonly chambered for it: Older pump-action rifles, single-shot gallery rifles, some revolvers
• Main advantage: Extremely quiet and generates almost zero recoil
• Main limitation: Very low energy, severely limiting its effective range

.22 LR

• Full name: .22 Long Rifle
• Rimfire or centerfire: Rimfire
• Typical bullet weight:36 to 40 grains
• Typical velocity:1,050 to 1,280 fps
• Common applications: Target shooting, plinking, small game hunting, training
• Firearms commonly chambered for it: Bolt-action rifles, semi-automatic rifles (e.g., Ruger 10/22), pistols, revolvers
• Main advantage: The most affordable, widely available, and versatile rimfire cartridge in the world
• Main limitation: Lacks the terminal energy required for hunting anything larger than small game and drops rapidly past 100 yards

.22 WMR

• Full name: .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire
• Rimfire or centerfire: Rimfire
• Typical bullet weight: 30 to 40 grains
• Typical velocity: 1,875 to 2,200 fps
• Common applications: Varmint control, medium-range small game hunting
• Firearms commonly chambered for it: Bolt-action rifles, lever-action rifles, magnum rimfire revolvers
• Main advantage: Substantially more range and kinetic energy than the .22 LR
• Main limitation: Ammunition is significantly more expensive than .22 LR and produces a louder report

.223 Remington

• Full name: .223 Remington
• Rimfire or centerfire: Centerfire
• Typical bullet weight: 55 to 77 grains
• Typical velocity: 2,750 to 3,240 fps
• Common applications: Target shooting, tactical training, varmint hunting
• Firearms commonly chambered for it: AR-15 style modern sporting rifles, bolt-action rifles
• Main advantage: Excellent ballistics, high availability, and capable of extreme accuracy at long distances
• Main limitation: Produces more noise and recoil than rimfire cartridges and is often subject to strict hunting regulations regarding big game

.22 Caliber Ammo Types By Use

• Target Shooting: The .22 LR is universally preferred due to its low cost and exceptional accuracy at standard velocities. Centerfire shooters rely on the .223 Remington for high-power rifle competitions and long-range precision.
• Plinking: The .22 LR is the undisputed king of casual target shooting. Its low recoil makes it perfect for new shooters.
• Training:Military and law enforcement frequently use .223 Remington and 5.56x45mm NATO for tactical training. Civilians often use .22 LR conversion kits or dedicated .22 LR trainers to practice fundamentals affordably.
• Small-Game Hunting: For squirrels and rabbits, the .22 LR is standard. A .22 WMR is used when longer shots are required or slightly larger game is targeted.
• Varmint Hunting: Cartridges like the .22 Hornet, .222 Remington, and .22-250 Remington excel at eliminating pests like woodchucks, prairie dogs, and coyotes at extended ranges.
• Competition: Match-grade .22 LR is used heavily in Olympic biathlons and precision rimfire matches.

.22 LR vs .22 WMR

While both are rimfire cartridges firing projectiles of roughly the same diameter, they are not in the same performance class. The .22 WMR utilizes a noticeably larger case, holding significantly more powder.

Feature	.22 LR	.22 WMR
Cartridge Type	Rimfire	Rimfire
Common Bullet Weight	40 grains	40 grains
Typical Velocity	1,070 fps	1,875 fps
Typical Energy	102 ft-lbs	312 ft-lbs
Case Length	0.613 inches	1.055 inches
Common Uses	Plinking, small game	Varmint hunting
Source	CCI Ammunition	CCI Ammunition

In practical application, the .22 WMR has an effective hunting range pushing 125 to 150 yards, whereas the .22 LR is typically constrained to 50 or 75 yards for ethical hunting.

.22 Caliber Ammo vs .22 LR

A crucial distinction for beginners is understanding that “.22 caliber ammo” is a broad designation referring to the diameter of the bullet (roughly 0.22 inches). It acts as an umbrella category encompassing many different cartridges.

The “.22 LR” (.22 Long Rifle) is one specific cartridge within that broad category. All .22 LR is .22 caliber ammunition, but not all .22 caliber ammunition is .22 LR. If someone generically asks for “22 ammo,” they almost always mean .22 LR, but purchasing strictly by the word “22” can lead to buying .22 WMR, .223 Remington, or .22-250 Remington by mistake.

Can All 22 Caliber Ammo Be Used In The Same Gun?

No. Firearms are engineered and chambered for one specific cartridge. The chamber dimensions, action strength, and rifling twist rate must precisely match the ammunition.

A rifle chambered for .22 LR cannot physically chamber a .22 WMR because the .22 WMR case is longer and thicker. Conversely, placing a .22 LR in a .22 WMR chamber is highly dangerous, as the smaller .22 LR case will rupture upon firing. Centerfire cartridges like the .22 Hornet or .223 Remington operate at internal pressures roughly three times higher than rimfire cartridges. Loading a .223 Remington into an improper chamber, even if it could somehow fit, would result in a catastrophic firearm failure and severe injury. Always read the barrel stamp on the firearm and match it exactly to the ammunition box.

.22 Caliber Ammo Sizes And Dimensions

Differences in cartridge dimensions illustrate why .22 caliber ammunition is not universally interchangeable.

Dimension	.22 LR	.22 WMR	.223 Remington
Bullet Diameter	0.2255 inches	0.224 inches	0.224 inches
Case Length	0.613 inches	1.055 inches	1.760 inches
Overall Cartridge Length	1.000 inches	1.350 inches	2.260 inches
Rim Diameter	0.278 inches	0.294 inches	0.378 inches
Case Diameter	0.226 inches	0.242 inches	0.376 inches

Data sourced from SAAMI and C.I.P. specifications regarding maximum cartridge limits.

.22 Caliber Ammo Velocity And Energy

Velocity and energy dictate a cartridge’s effective range. Representative factory loads demonstrate the massive power gap between rimfire and centerfire .22 caliber cartridges.

• .22 LR (CCI Standard Velocity):40-grain lead bullet traveling at 1,070 fps yields roughly 102 ft-lbs of muzzle energy out of a rifle barrel.
• .22 WMR (CCI Maxi-Mag): 40-grain jacketed bullet traveling at 1,875 fps yields roughly 312 ft-lbs of muzzle energy.
• .223 Remington (Federal Power-Shok): 55-grain jacketed soft point traveling at 3,240 fps yields 1,282 ft-lbs of muzzle energy out of a 24-inch test barrel.
• .22-250 Remington (Federal Varmint & Predator): 50-grain jacketed hollow point traveling at 3,850 fps yields roughly 1,645 ft-lbs of muzzle energy.

Velocity and energy vary between individual loads because manufacturers use different powder blends, charge weights, and bullet profiles. A 24-inch test barrel will record higher velocities than a 16-inch carbine barrel because the powder has more time to burn and accelerate the projectile.

.22 Caliber Ammo For Hunting

Small-game hunting (squirrels, rabbits, grouse) is dominated by the .22 LR. It provides adequate lethality with minimal meat destruction.

For varmint hunting (woodchucks, prairie dogs, skunks), shooters often upgrade to the .22 WMR to extend their ethical range.

Predator hunting (coyotes, bobcats) generally requires centerfire .22 caliber cartridges. The .223 Remington, .222 Remington, and .22-250 Remington deliver the deep penetration and massive hydrostatic shock necessary to anchor medium-sized predators quickly. Always consult local hunting regulations, as some jurisdictions mandate specific caliber and energy requirements for certain species.

.22 Caliber Ammo For Accuracy

Achieving maximum precision relies on selecting specific ammunition types. For the .22 LR, standard velocity ammunition (traveling under 1,070 fps) is strongly preferred by target shooters. By keeping the bullet subsonic from the moment it leaves the muzzle, it avoids the destabilizing shockwave that occurs when a high-velocity bullet eventually slows down and crosses the sound barrier in flight.

Match and Target grade ammunition focuses on extreme consistency. Bullet weights are tightly matched, primer compound is spun evenly into the rim, and powder charges are strictly measured. Solid round nose bullets are generally more stable and accurate than hollow points on paper targets. However, no single ammunition type is universally most accurate; rimfire rifles are notoriously picky and shooters must test multiple lots to see what performs best in their specific barrel.

Manufacturer Data vs Independent Testing

When researching .22 caliber ammo types, shooters will find discrepancies between published numbers and real-world results.

Manufacturer specifications are generated under highly controlled laboratory conditions. They utilize standardized SAAMI test barrels (often 24 inches long) fixed to rigid testing rigs. This produces optimal, consistent velocity and energy figures.

Independent chronograph testing and user reports involve off-the-shelf firearms with varying barrel lengths, chamber tolerances, and environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, elevation). A cartridge rated for 1,200 fps by the manufacturer may only clock 1,120 fps when fired from a consumer’s 16-inch hunting rifle. Consequently, shooters should prioritize manufacturer data for baseline comparisons but rely on independent testing to verify how ammunition behaves in their personal firearms.

FAQs

What are the different types of 22 caliber ammo?

The main types are divided into rimfire cartridges (like .22 Short, .22 Long, .22 LR, and .22 WMR) and centerfire cartridges (like .22 Hornet, .222 Remington, .223 Remington, and .22-250 Remington).

What are the different types of 22 LR ammo?

Common types of .22 LR ammunition include standard velocity, high velocity, hyper velocity, subsonic, match/target, hollow point, and round nose.

Is 22 caliber the same as 22 LR?

No. The term “22 caliber” is a general measurement referring to the bullet diameter, encompassing many different cartridges. The .22 LR (.22 Long Rifle) is just one specific, highly popular cartridge within the .22 caliber family.

What is the difference between 22 LR and 22 WMR?

The .22 WMR (.22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire) uses a longer, wider case that holds more powder than the .22 LR. It pushes bullets at much higher velocities, delivering more energy and extending the effective range, but costs more and produces a louder report.

What is the difference between rimfire and centerfire 22 ammo?

Rimfire .22 ammo has the priming compound spun into the base’s rim, requiring a thin case that limits pressure. Centerfire .22 ammo uses a central primer cup and thicker brass, allowing it to withstand massive pressures and generate much higher velocities.

What is the strongest 22 caliber cartridge?

Among common production factory rounds, the .22-250 Remington is one of the strongest and fastest, capable of pushing a 50-grain bullet at 3,850 fps. Other wildcat and specialized cartridges like the .220 Swift offer comparable or slightly higher performance.

What is the best 22 ammo for target shooting?

For the .22 LR, standard velocity round nose ammunition is generally best for target shooting because it remains subsonic, providing a more stable and consistent flight path to the target.

What is the best 22 ammo for small game?

High velocity .22 LR hollow point ammunition is ideal for small game like squirrels and rabbits, as it balances adequate terminal expansion with minimal meat damage.

Can all 22 caliber ammo be used in the same gun?

No. Firearms are chambered for one specific cartridge. You cannot safely load a .22 WMR or a .223 Remington into a .22 LR firearm due to drastic differences in case dimensions and operating pressures.

What are the different types of 22 caliber bullets?

Common bullet types include round nose, hollow point, flat nose, full metal jacket, jacketed soft point, polymer tipped, solid lead, and copper-plated projectiles.

What is the difference between 22 Short, 22 Long, and 22 LR?

The .22 Short has the shortest case and a light bullet. The .22 Long uses a longer case with the same light bullet. The .22 LR uses the longer case of the .22 Long but pairs it with a heavier bullet, making it superior to both predecessors.

Is .223 Remington a 22 caliber cartridge?

Yes. The .223 Remington fires a projectile that measures 0.224 inches in diameter, placing it squarely in the centerfire .22 caliber family.