As the .22 Magnum travels downrange, a standard 40-grain bullet sheds its speed rapidly due to its light weight and low ballistic coefficient, dropping to roughly 310 fps at 1,000 yards. At the muzzle, velocities measure roughly 1,875 fps for standard 40-grain hunting loads and up to 2,200 fps for lighter 30-grain polymer tipped projectiles. The charts below detail these velocity measurements across extreme distances and varying barrel lengths.
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.22 Magnum Velocity Chart at 100 to 1,000 Yards
Note: The .22 WMR (.22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire) is a rimfire cartridge designed for hunting small game within 100 to 125 yards. Data beyond 200 yards represents mathematical model extrapolations. Firing a tiny rimfire projectile at 1,000 yards requires extreme mortar like trajectory angles, and the bullet will enter terminal free fall long before reaching that distance.
| Distance (yards) | Distance (meters) | Ammunition / Bullet Weight | Barrel Length (inches) | Estimated Velocity (fps) | Velocity Loss from Muzzle (fps) |
| Muzzle (0) | 0.0 m | 40-gr CCI Maxi-Mag JHP (BC: ~0.112) | 20.0 | 1,875 fps (Published) | 0 fps |
| 100 yards | 91.4 m | 40-gr CCI Maxi-Mag JHP (BC: ~0.112) | 20.0 | 1,310 fps (G1 Calculation) | 565 fps |
| 200 yards | 182.9 m | 40-gr CCI Maxi-Mag JHP (BC: ~0.112) | 20.0 | 970 fps (Transonic/Subsonic) | 905 fps |
| 300 yards | 274.3 m | 40-gr CCI Maxi-Mag JHP (BC: ~0.112) | 20.0 | 780 fps (Extrapolation) | 1,095 fps |
| 400 yards | 365.8 m | 40-gr CCI Maxi-Mag JHP (BC: ~0.112) | 20.0 | 650 fps (Extrapolation) | 1,225 fps |
| 500 yards | 457.2 m | 40-gr CCI Maxi-Mag JHP (BC: ~0.112) | 20.0 | 550 fps (Extrapolation) | 1,325 fps |
| 600 yards | 548.6 m | 40-gr CCI Maxi-Mag JHP (BC: ~0.112) | 20.0 | 480 fps (Extrapolation) | 1,395 fps |
| 700 yards | 640.1 m | 40-gr CCI Maxi-Mag JHP (BC: ~0.112) | 20.0 | 420 fps (Extrapolation) | 1,455 fps |
| 800 yards | 731.5 m | 40-gr CCI Maxi-Mag JHP (BC: ~0.112) | 20.0 | 380 fps (Extrapolation) | 1,495 fps |
| 900 yards | 823.0 m | 40-gr CCI Maxi-Mag JHP (BC: ~0.112) | 20.0 | 340 fps (Extrapolation) | 1,535 fps |
| 1,000 yards | 914.4 m | 40-gr CCI Maxi-Mag JHP (BC: ~0.112) | 20.0 | 310 fps (Terminal Free-Fall) | 1,565 fps |
.22 Magnum Muzzle Velocity Chart
| Ammunition Type | Bullet Weight (grains) | Barrel Length (inches) | Muzzle Velocity (fps) | Muzzle Energy (ft-lbs) |
| 30-grain Polymer Tip Hornady V-Max [Manufacturer Spec] | 30 | 20.0 (Standard Rifle) | 2,200 (Advertised) | 322 |
| 30-grain Polymer Tip Hornady V-Max [Independent Estimate] | 30 | 4.5 (Revolver / Pistol) | 1,700 (Estimated) | 193 |
| 40-grain Jacketed Hollow Point CCI Maxi-Mag [Manufacturer Spec] | 40 | 20.0 (Standard Rifle) | 1,875 (Advertised) | 312 |
| 40-grain Jacketed Hollow Point CCI Maxi-Mag [Independent Estimate] | 40 | 4.5 (Revolver / Pistol) | 1,400 (Estimated) | 174 |
| 45-grain FTX (Defensive) Hornady Critical Defense [Manufacturer Spec] | 45 | 1.8 (Snub Nose Revolver) | 1,000 (Advertised) | 100 |
| 50-grain Jacketed Hollow Point Federal Game-Shok [Manufacturer Spec] | 50 | 20.0 (Standard Rifle) | 1,530 (Advertised) | 260 |
Factors Affecting Velocity
- Rifle vs. Handgun Barrel Length: The .22 Magnum is heavily dependent on barrel length to achieve its advertised speeds. It uses slower burning powders than the standard .22 LR. While a 20 inch rifle barrel will push a 40 grain bullet to nearly 1,900 fps, firing that same cartridge out of a 4.5 inch revolver drops the velocity to around 1,400 fps, accompanied by a loud muzzle blast from unburnt powder.
- Bullet Weight: Velocity scales directly with the weight of the projectile. Ultra light 30 grain bullets are pushed to blistering speeds of 2,200 fps for explosive expansion on small varmints. Heavier 50 grain bullets are slowed down to roughly 1,530 fps but offer significantly better penetration for hunting tough animals like coyotes.
- Ballistic Coefficient (BC): The .22 Magnum fires blunt, lightweight projectiles with very poor aerodynamics. The typical G1 BC hovers around 0.110. Because of this, the bullet hits a wall of air resistance and sheds speed rapidly, losing nearly 600 fps in just the first 100 yards of flight.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How does the .22 Magnum compare to the .22 Long Rifle?
The .22 Magnum case is longer, wider, and holds significantly more powder than the .22 LR. While a standard .22 LR pushes a 40 grain bullet at roughly 1,200 fps, the .22 Magnum pushes that exact same weight at nearly 1,900 fps. This gives the .22 Magnum a much flatter trajectory and vastly more striking energy for hunting.
Can I shoot .22 LR ammunition in a .22 Magnum firearm?
No. This is highly dangerous. The .22 Magnum cartridge case has a larger diameter than a .22 LR case. If you place a .22 LR in a .22 Magnum chamber, it will be loose. When fired, the case will likely rupture, venting high pressure hot gases into the action and potentially injuring the shooter.
At what distance does a .22 Magnum go subsonic?
Fired from a rifle, a standard 40 grain bullet traveling at 1,875 fps will drop below the speed of sound (roughly 1,125 fps) just before the 150 yard mark.
What is the effective hunting range of the .22 Magnum?
For reliable hollow point expansion and ethical kills on small game or varmints, the .22 Magnum is highly effective out to 100 or 125 yards. Beyond that distance, the bullet loses too much velocity to guarantee a clean harvest.