Understanding .22 Long Rifle (LR) ballistics requires tracking both its initial speed and its rapid deceleration due to a low-mass, low-aerodynamic projectile.
As the tiny bullet travels downrange, it sheds speed drastically against air resistance, dropping a standard 40-grain High Velocity projectile from 1,235 fps to a mere ~300 fps at an extreme 1,000-yard distance. The charts below map out exactly how fast .22 LR ammunition travels across extreme extended ranges and varying barrel lengths.
At the muzzle, .22 LR velocities typically range from roughly 1,050 fps for heavy subsonic match loads up to an impressive 1,640 fps for ultra-light hyper-velocity hunting rounds.
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.22 LR Velocity Chart at 100 to 1,000 Yards
Note: The .22 LR is practically a 50- to 150-yard cartridge. Data beyond 300 yards represents mathematical model extrapolations. Reaching 500 to 1,000 yards requires extreme mortar-like trajectory angles, and the bullet will enter terminal free-fall/tumbling well before reaching the 1,000-yard mark.
| Distance (yards) | Distance (meters) | Ammunition / Bullet Weight | Barrel Length (inches) | Estimated Velocity (fps) | Velocity Loss from Muzzle (fps) |
| Muzzle (0) | 0.0 m | CCI Mini-Mag 40-gr CPRN (BC: ~0.120) | 18.0 | 1,235 fps (Published) | 0 fps |
| 100 yards | 91.4 m | CCI Mini-Mag 40-gr CPRN (BC: ~0.120) | 18.0 | 985 fps (G1 Calculation) | 250 fps |
| 200 yards | 182.9 m | CCI Mini-Mag 40-gr CPRN (BC: ~0.120) | 18.0 | 835 fps (G1 Calculation) | 400 fps |
| 300 yards | 274.3 m | CCI Mini-Mag 40-gr CPRN (BC: ~0.120) | 18.0 | 725 fps (Extrapolation) | 510 fps |
| 400 yards | 365.8 m | CCI Mini-Mag 40-gr CPRN (BC: ~0.120) | 18.0 | 635 fps (Extrapolation) | 600 fps |
| 500 yards | 457.2 m | CCI Mini-Mag 40-gr CPRN (BC: ~0.120) | 18.0 | 555 fps (Extrapolation) | 680 fps |
| 600 yards | 548.6 m | CCI Mini-Mag 40-gr CPRN (BC: ~0.120) | 18.0 | 485 fps (Extrapolation) | 750 fps |
| 700 yards | 640.1 m | CCI Mini-Mag 40-gr CPRN (BC: ~0.120) | 18.0 | 425 fps (Extrapolation) | 810 fps |
| 800 yards | 731.5 m | CCI Mini-Mag 40-gr CPRN (BC: ~0.120) | 18.0 | 375 fps (Extrapolation) | 860 fps |
| 900 yards | 823.0 m | CCI Mini-Mag 40-gr CPRN (BC: ~0.120) | 18.0 | 335 fps (Near Terminal Velocity) | 900 fps |
| 1,000 yards | 914.4 m | CCI Mini-Mag 40-gr CPRN (BC: ~0.120) | 18.0 | 300 fps (Terminal Free-Fall) | 935 fps |
.22 LR Muzzle Velocity Chart
| Ammunition Type | Bullet Weight (grains) | Barrel Length (inches) | Muzzle Velocity (fps) | Muzzle Energy (ft-lbs) |
| Standard Velocity (Target) CCI Standard Velocity [Manufacturer Spec] | 40 | 18.0 (Standard Rifle) | 1,070 (Advertised) | 102 |
| Standard Velocity (Target) CCI Standard Velocity [Independent Estimate] | 40 | 4.5 (Pistol) | 940 (Estimated) | 78 |
| High Velocity (General Purpose) CCI Mini-Mag CPRN [Manufacturer Spec] | 40 | 18.0 (Standard Rifle) | 1,235 (Advertised) | 135 |
| High Velocity (General Purpose) CCI Mini-Mag CPRN [Independent Estimate] | 40 | 4.5 (Pistol) | 1,060 (Estimated) | 100 |
| Hyper-Velocity (Varmint) CCI Stinger CPHP [Manufacturer Spec] | 32 | 18.0 (Standard Rifle) | 1,640 (Advertised) | 191 |
| Hyper-Velocity (Varmint) CCI Stinger CPHP [Independent Estimate] | 32 | 4.5 (Pistol) | 1,350 (Estimated) | 129 |
| Subsonic (Suppressed use) Federal American Eagle Suppressor [Manufacturer Spec] | 45 | 18.0 (Standard Rifle) | 970 (Advertised) | 94 |
| Subsonic (Suppressed use) Federal American Eagle Suppressor [Independent Estimate] | 45 | 4.5 (Pistol) | 850 (Estimated) | 72 |
Factors Affecting Velocity
- Barrel Length & Friction: Unlike centerfire rifle cartridges that benefit from 20- to 24-inch barrels, the small powder charge in a .22 LR completely burns within the first 12 to 16 inches. Beyond 16 to 18 inches, the friction of the bullet traveling down the bore can actually begin to decrease muzzle velocity. Moving from a rifle to a 4.5-inch pistol barrel typically drops velocity by 150 to 250 fps.
- Powder Charge Classes: .22 LR is distinctly divided into velocity classes. “Subsonic/Standard” loads sit around 1,000–1,080 fps. “High Velocity” loads are heavily packed to achieve 1,200–1,300 fps. “Hyper-Velocity” loads utilize lighter bullets and customized powder to scream out of the barrel at over 1,500 fps.
- Bullet Weight: To achieve Hyper-Velocity speeds without blowing out the rimfire casing, manufacturers reduce bullet mass. A 32-grain bullet can be pushed to 1,640 fps, while specialized subsonic rounds increase bullet mass to 45 or even 60 grains to hit harder while staying quietly below the speed of sound.
- Ballistic Coefficient (BC): The .22 LR has an inherently terrible aerodynamic profile. Its short, blunt, round-nosed design (with a BC typically between 0.110 and 0.150) means it is highly susceptible to wind drift and bleeds off its velocity incredibly fast.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why do target shooters prefer Standard Velocity (subsonic) .22 LR ammo?
High Velocity .22 LR rounds exit the barrel faster than the speed of sound but rapidly slow down. When the bullet crosses back down through the sound barrier (the “transonic zone,” usually around 50 to 75 yards), the dissipating shockwave destabilizes the bullet and ruins accuracy. Standard Velocity ammunition starts subsonic and stays subsonic, providing a much more stable and predictable flight path for precision shooting.
At what distance does a High Velocity .22 LR go subsonic?
A typical 40-grain High Velocity round fired at 1,235 fps will drop below the speed of sound (roughly 1,125 fps, depending on environmental temperature) within the first 40 to 60 yards of flight.
Is a .22 LR still dangerous at 400 yards?
Absolutely. While accuracy is severely compromised and bullet drop is measured in feet rather than inches, a 40-grain .22 LR bullet at 400 yards is still traveling at roughly 635 fps. This retains enough kinetic energy to easily penetrate human skin, clothing, and soft tissue, making it highly dangerous at extreme distances.
Does a longer barrel (like 24 inches) make a .22 LR faster?
No. Because the fast-burning rimfire powder is entirely consumed in the first 14 to 16 inches of the barrel, a 24-inch barrel provides no additional propulsion. Instead, the bullet actually drags against the rifling for the last 8 inches, which can result in a muzzle velocity that is slightly slower than if fired from a 16-inch barrel.