The main .22 LR ammo types include Subsonic, Standard-Velocity, High-Velocity, and Hyper-Velocity ammunition, categorized primarily by muzzle velocity. Projectile variations include Lead Round Nose (LRN), Copper-Plated Hollow Point (CPHP), Solid Copper-Plated Lead, and specialized Shot or Frangible loads. Subsonic and standard-velocity target loads are engineered for maximum accuracy and quiet suppression use, while high-velocity and hyper-velocity hollow points are designed for small-game hunting and pest control. Because the .22 Long Rifle is the most popular rimfire cartridge in the world, all of these varieties are widely produced and globally available to civilian shooters.
22 LR Ammo Types
The .22 LR (Long Rifle) cartridge is exceptionally versatile, with performance profiles that change dramatically depending on the powder charge and bullet weight. Unlike centerfire cartridges, .22 LR bullets are almost universally heel-seated lead projectiles, often lubricated with wax or coated in copper wash to reduce barrel fouling. Choosing the right load requires balancing muzzle velocity against your firearm type, as switching from a supersonic hyper-velocity round to a standard target load will alter your point of impact and cycle reliability in semi-automatic rifles.
Below is a comprehensive comparison of the core .22 LR ammunition types based on published manufacturer data:
| Ammo Type | Typical Velocity Tier | Typical Bullet/Projectile | Main Purpose | Typical Weight | Key Characteristic |
| Subsonic | Under 1,100 fps | 40 gr Lead Round Nose / Hollow Point | Suppressed shooting / quiet hunting | 40 to 45 gr | Stays below the speed of sound; eliminates sonic crack |
| Standard-Velocity | 1,120 to 1,135 fps | 40 gr Lead Round Nose (LRN) | Target shooting / match competition | 40 gr | Optimized accuracy; rarely breaks the sound barrier |
| High-Velocity | 1,200 to 1,310 fps | 36 to 40 gr Copper-Plated Hollow Point | General small-game hunting / plinking | 36 to 40 gr | The most common tier; balances flat trajectory and energy |
| Hyper-Velocity | 1,400+ fps | 30 to 32 gr Copper-Plated Hollow Point | Maximum velocity pest control | 30 to 32 gr | Extremely flat trajectory and high initial energy |
| Shot Cartridge | Varies (~1,000 fps) | Tiny lead pellets (#12 shot) | Pest control / snakes at close range | ~25 gr payload | Miniature “snake shot” shell for close-range use |
22 LR Subsonic Ammo
.22 LR subsonic ammo is engineered to travel below the speed of sound (roughly 1,080 fps at sea level), preventing the loud “crack” of a sonic boom. Loads like the Federal American Eagle Suppressor (45-grain CPRN) or CCI Quiet-22 prioritize minimal noise. When paired with a firearm suppressor, subsonic .22 LR is exceptionally quiet, making it a favorite for pest control around residential areas or quiet target practice. Many subsonic hunting rounds utilize a hollow point design to ensure the bullet expands even at lower impact velocities.
22 LR Standard-Velocity Ammo
.22 LR standard-velocity ammo is typically loaded with a 40-grain lead round nose projectile traveling between 1,120 and 1,135 fps. Because these rounds hover right around the sound barrier, they are favored by target shooters and competitive marksmen using bolt-action rifles or match pistols. Brands like Eley Target and Norma TAC-22 focus entirely on consistent powder charges and uniform bullet dimensions to achieve tight group accuracy at 50 to 100 meters without the destabilizing turbulence caused when a bullet transitions from supersonic to subsonic flight.
22 LR High-Velocity Ammo
.22 LR high-velocity ammo is the most common and universally recognized rimfire tier on the market. Iconic loads like the CCI Mini-Mag utilize a 36-grain copper-plated hollow point or a 40-grain solid lead round nose traveling around 1,250 to 1,280 fps. High-velocity ammunition provides a flatter trajectory and significantly more energy transfer than standard-velocity rounds, making it the premier choice for hunting small game like squirrels and rabbits while maintaining reliable cycling in semi-automatic pistols and rifles like the Ruger 10/22.
22 LR Hyper-Velocity Ammo
.22 LR hyper-velocity ammo pushes lightweight projectiles to absolute limits, achieving muzzle velocities between 1,400 and 1,750 fps. Famous examples include the CCI Stinger (32-grain hollow point at 1,640 fps) and the Aguila Interceptor.These rounds use lighter bullets (30 to 32 grains) and specialized fast-burning powders to deliver a very flat trajectory and high initial muzzle energy. They are designed for long-range varmint hunting where hydrostatic shock and rapid expansion on small pests are prioritized over precision match accuracy.
22 LR Shot Cartridges
.22 LR shot cartridges, commonly referred to as “rat shot” or “snake shot,” replace the solid bullet with a small plastic capsule filled with tiny lead pellets (usually #12 shot). Upon firing, the capsule breaks open as it leaves the barrel, spreading a small pattern of shot. This specialized ammunition is intended strictly for close-range pest control, such as eliminating snakes, mice, or wasps at distances under 10 feet where precision aiming with a solid bullet is difficult.
22 LR Ammo Types Compared
Different .22 LR ammo types explained by their optimal application:
- Match Competition & Target Shooting:Standard-velocity 40-grain LRN ammunition (such as Eley or Lapua) is engineered for absolute mechanical accuracy at 50 yards.
- Suppressed Shooting:Subsonic ammunition prevents the sonic crack, offering the quietest possible shooting experience when paired with a suppressor.
- Small Game Hunting: High-velocity copper-plated hollow points (like CCI Mini-Mag or Winchester Super-X) provide the ideal balance of expansion, penetration, and terminal energy for squirrels and rabbits.
- Varmint & Pest Control: Hyper-velocity rounds maximize speed and drop flat over longer distances to cleanly dispatch small agricultural pests.
- General Plinking & High-Volume Practice:Budget-friendly bulk packs (such as Federal AutoMatch or Remington Thunderbolt) offer cheap, reliable practice for semi-automatic range days.
How To Choose 22 LR Ammo
Choosing the right .22 LR ammunition types depends on your firearm’s action type and your intended use. If you are shooting a semi-automatic rifle or pistol, look for ammunition explicitly labeled for semi-autos (such as standard or high-velocity copper-plated loads) to prevent failure-to-feed malfunctions, and avoid ultra-slow quiet loads that lack the recoil energy to cycle the bolt. If you are hunting small game, select high-velocity hollow points to ensure the bullet expands on impact. Finally, always test several brands through your specific .22 firearm, as rimfire barrels are notoriously selective and often group one brand of ammunition significantly better than another.
Pros And Cons Of Different 22 LR Ammo Types
Subsonic Ammo
- Pros:Incredibly quiet especially with a suppressor; avoids transonic destabilization.
- Cons: Lower velocity means a more arched trajectory at longer distances; may fail to cycle heavy semi-automatic actions.
Standard-Velocity Ammo
- Pros: Exceptional target accuracy; gentle recoil; reliable functioning in bolt-actions and target pistols.
- Cons: Slower speeds reduce terminal expansion on small game compared to high-velocity alternatives.
High-Velocity Ammo
- Pros: Highly versatile; reliable cycling in almost all semi-automatics; good balance of speed and energy.
- Cons:Supersonic crack prevents it from being truly quiet.
Hyper-Velocity Ammo
- Pros:Maximum speed and flat trajectory; devastating terminal impact on small varmints.
- Cons: Higher cost per round; lighter bullets can lose momentum rapidly past 75 yards.
FAQs
What are the different types of 22 LR ammo?
The main types include Subsonic, Standard-Velocity, High-Velocity, and Hyper-Velocity ammunition, alongside specialized shot cartridges.
What is .22 LR subsonic ammo?
Subsonic ammo travels below the speed of sound (under 1,100 fps), eliminating the sonic crack and making it ideal for quiet shooting with a suppressor.
What is .22 LR standard-velocity ammo?
Standard-velocity ammo travels around 1,120 to 1,135 fps and uses a solid 40-grain lead bullet, optimized for target shooting and match competition.
What is .22 LR high-velocity ammo?
High-velocity ammo travels between 1,200 and 1,310 fps, usually featuring a copper-plated hollow point designed for small-game hunting and general plinking.
What is .22 LR hyper-velocity ammo?
Hyper-velocity ammo exceeds 1,400 fps (with rounds like the CCI Stinger reaching 1,640 fps), using lightweight bullets for flat trajectories and high energy.
What is the difference between standard velocity and high velocity .22 LR?
Standard velocity stays close to the sound barrier to maximize target accuracy, while high velocity uses heavier powder charges to increase speed, flat trajectories, and hunting energy.
Can you use .22 LR for self-defense?
While .22 LR is primarily used for target practice and small-game hunting, compact .22 pistols are sometimes chosen for concealed carry by individuals who cannot manage the recoil of larger calibers, though centerfire cartridges are universally preferred for defense.
What is .22 LR rat shot?
Rat shot (or snake shot) is a specialized rimfire shell containing tiny lead birdshot instead of a solid bullet, used for pest control at very close ranges.
Why do some .22 LR bullets have copper coating?
The copper wash (plating) reduces lead fouling in the firearm barrel and prevents the soft lead from oxidizing or deforming in storage or during high-speed feeding.
What is the effective range of .22 LR ammo?
The effective practical range for accurate small-game hunting or target shooting is generally within 100 to 150 yards, though the bullet is physically capable of traveling over a mile.
Why won’t my semi-auto .22 rifle cycle subsonic ammo?
Subsonic ammunition generates lower backpressure and reduced bolt velocity, which is often insufficient to overcome the heavy return springs in semi-automatic blowback rifles.
What is the most accurate .22 LR ammo type?
Standard-velocity, 40-grain lead round nose match ammunition (such as Eley or Lapua) is widely considered the most accurate because it stays stable as it transitions across the sound barrier.