The .22 LR stands for .22 Long Rifle, which is a specific and highly popular rimfire cartridge known for its low recoil and low cost. The name denotes its approximate bullet diameter of 0.22 inches and its historical evolution into a longer casing than earlier rimfire iterations. Factory ammunition typically features bullet weights ranging from 36 to 40 grains. It is commonly used for target shooting, competitive marksmanship, training, and small game hunting. Because it offers a relatively quiet report and excellent short range accuracy, it remains one of the most widely used rimfire cartridges in the world today.
What Is 22 LR?
| Specification | .22 LR | Source |
| Full Name | .22 Long Rifle | SAAMI / C.I.P. |
| Cartridge Type | Rimfire | SAAMI / C.I.P. |
| Rimfire / Centerfire | Rimfire | SAAMI / C.I.P. |
| Bullet Diameter | 0.2255 inches (SAAMI max) | SAAMI / C.I.P. |
| Common Bullet Weight | 36 to 40 grains | CCI / Federal Premium |
| Case Length | 0.613 inches (15.6 mm) | SAAMI |
| Overall Cartridge Length | 1.000 inches (25.4 mm) | SAAMI |
| Typical Muzzle Velocity | 1,070 to 1,435 fps | CCI / Winchester |
| Typical Muzzle Energy | 102 to 183 ft-lbs | CCI / Winchester |
| Common Uses | Target shooting, training, plinking, small game | Hunter Education Organizations |
What Does 22 LR Stand For?
The term “.22” refers to the approximate diameter of the bullet, measuring roughly twenty-two hundredths of an inch. The “LR” stands for “Long Rifle”.
This designation separates it from earlier, shorter cartridges in the same caliber, specifically the .22 Short and .22 Long.The round is a rimfire cartridge, meaning the priming compound is spun into the hollow rim of the base rather than housed in a central primer.The .22 LR is a specific, standardized cartridge with exact dimensional limits, not just a generic label for any firearm that shoots a .22 caliber projectile.
22 LR Cartridge Type
The .22 LR is exclusively a rimfire cartridge.
A rimfire cartridge features a thin copper or brass casing where the bottom rim is hollow and filled with a shock sensitive priming compound. When the firearm trigger is pulled, the firing pin strikes the outer rim to crush the compound and ignite the gunpowder inside. This differs from a centerfire cartridge, which uses a thick solid base containing a replaceable, standalone primer cup in the center. Rimfire cases must be thin enough to be crushed by the firing pin, which inherently limits the maximum chamber pressure the cartridge can safely handle compared to thick centerfire brass.
22 LR Dimensions
Cartridge dimensions are standardized globally, but minor discrepancies exist between the American Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute (SAAMI) and the European Commission Internationale Permanente pour l’Epreuve des Armes à Feu Portatives (C.I.P.). For example, SAAMI lists the maximum bullet diameter as 0.2255 inches, whereas C.I.P. drawings list the maximum projectile diameter as 5.72 millimeters (0.2252 inches).
| Dimension | Specification | Inches | Millimeters | Source |
| Bullet Diameter | Maximum outer projectile width | 0.2255 | 5.73 | SAAMI |
| Case Length | Maximum length of empty brass | 0.613 | 15.6 | SAAMI |
| Overall Cartridge Length | Maximum loaded total length | 1.000 | 25.4 | SAAMI |
| Rim Diameter | Maximum width of the rim | 0.278 | 7.1 | SAAMI |
| Case Diameter | Maximum width of the body | 0.226 | 5.7 | SAAMI |
22 LR Bullet Weights
The most common bullet weights for the .22 LR range between 36 and 40 grains, though lighter and heavier specialty rounds exist.
- 36 Grain: Often found in high velocity hollow point ammunition designed for small game hunting. The lighter weight allows for higher muzzle velocities, improving expansion upon impact.
- 38 Grain: A frequent choice for copper plated hollow point loads seeking a balance between the speed of a 36 grain bullet and the momentum of a 40 grain bullet.
- 40 Grain: The traditional, standard weight for .22 LR. It is widely used in standard velocity, subsonic, and match grade target ammunition because it retains energy well and provides consistent flight characteristics.
Bullet weight directly affects velocity, energy, and trajectory.Lighter bullets can be pushed to higher speeds, resulting in a flatter initial trajectory but faster energy loss over distance.Heavier bullets start slower but resist wind deflection better and carry their momentum further downrange.
22 LR Velocity
Velocity in .22 LR ammunition is broken into several distinct categories based on manufacturer loads. Actual velocity is highly dependent on the barrel length of the specific firearm being used.
- Standard Velocity:Typically travels around 1,070 feet per second (fps).This is common for target shooting because it avoids the turbulence caused by breaking the sound barrier.
- High Velocity: Generally ranges from 1,200 to 1,328 fps. This is the most common off the shelf ammunition for general plinking and hunting.
- Hyper Velocity: Pushes lighter bullets (often 30 to 32 grains) at speeds up to 1,640 fps or more. CCI Stinger is a prominent example.
- Subsonic: Deliberately loaded to stay below the speed of sound, usually traveling around 1,000 to 1,050 fps. These are often paired with sound suppressors for extremely quiet operation.
22 LR Energy
Muzzle energy measures the kinetic power of the bullet as it leaves the barrel, calculated using the bullet’s weight and velocity.
For a standard velocity 40 grain bullet traveling at 1,070 fps, typical muzzle energy is published at 102 foot-pounds (ft-lbs).A high velocity 36 grain hollow point traveling at 1,260 fps generates about 127 ft-lbs of energy.Hyper velocity rounds like the 32 grain CCI Stinger reach 1640 fps, generating approximately 191 ft-lbs of muzzle energy. These figures represent published manufacturer data from standard 18.5 to 24 inch test barrels; shorter handgun barrels will yield much lower velocity and energy figures.
What Is 22 LR Used For?
The .22 LR is heavily relied upon for practical applications that do not require massive kinetic energy.
- Target Shooting and Competition:From casual steel plate shooting to Olympic biathlons, .22 LR is universally used due to its high inherent accuracy and minimal recoil.
- Training: It is the primary cartridge used by hunter education organizations and instructors to teach new shooters the fundamentals of marksmanship without inducing recoil flinch.
- Plinking: Recreational shooting at informal targets is cost effective due to the inexpensive nature of the ammunition.
- Small Game Hunting:Where legal, high velocity hollow point .22 LR is highly effective for harvesting squirrels, rabbits, and small pests at close range.
22 LR vs 22 WMR
The .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (WMR) is a significantly larger and more powerful cartridge than the .22 LR. They are not interchangeable. Firing a .22 LR in a .22 WMR chamber is highly dangerous due to the difference in case diameters.
| Feature | .22 LR | .22 WMR |
| Cartridge Type | Rimfire | Rimfire |
| Common Bullet Weight | 36 to 40 grains | 30 to 50 grains |
| Typical Velocity | 1,070 to 1,640 fps | 1,530 to 2,200 fps |
| Typical Energy | 102 to 191 ft-lbs | 300 to 324 ft-lbs |
| Case Size | 0.613 inches length | 1.055 inches length |
| Common Uses | Target shooting, small game | Varmint hunting, self defense |
22 LR vs 22 Short and 22 Long
The .22 Short, .22 Long, and .22 Long Rifle all share the same approximate bullet diameter, but they have distinct case lengths, powder charges, and bullet weights.
The .22 Short was designed in 1857 with a 0.421 inch case and typically utilizes a 29 grain bullet.The .22 Long uses a 0.613 inch case (the same casing later used for the .22 LR) but retains the lighter 29 grain bullet of the .22 Short.The .22 LR combined the 0.613 inch case of the .22 Long with a heavier 40 grain bullet and a modified powder charge.
While many manual action firearms chambered in .22 LR can safely fire .22 Short and .22 Long ammunition, semi automatic firearms usually fail to cycle the smaller, lower pressure cartridges properly.
22 LR vs .22 Caliber
The term “.22 caliber” strictly refers to the internal bore diameter of a firearm barrel or the width of a projectile (approximately 0.22 inches). It is a generic size category, not a specific ammunition type.
A cartridge labeled “.22 LR” is one exact application of that caliber. There are dozens of other completely different cartridges that are technically “.22 caliber” but have massive centerfire casings, such as the .223 Remington or .22-250 Remington. Knowing a firearm is “.22 caliber” is not enough to select the correct ammunition; the specific cartridge name is required.
22 LR Effective Range
The range of a .22 LR bullet varies greatly depending on how range is defined.
- Maximum Projectile Range:A .22 LR bullet fired at an upward angle can travel over a mile (up to 2,000 yards) before hitting the ground, making safe backstops critical.
- Effective Range:For harvesting small game, the round carries enough kinetic energy to be effective up to roughly 100 to 150 yards.
- Practical Accurate Range:Wind drift and bullet drop become severe past 100 yards.While competitive shooters stretch the round to 200 yards or more, practical field accuracy for most hunters maxes out around 75 to 100 yards.
22 LR Accuracy
Quality .22 LR rifles paired with match grade ammunition can be exceptionally precise.
Accuracy depends heavily on ammunition consistency, as slight variances in primer compound and powder drop can cause vertical stringing on the target.High velocity .22 LR ammunition inherently suffers an accuracy penalty at longer distances because the bullet transitions from supersonic to subsonic speed (the transonic zone) around 50 to 100 yards.This transition creates a disruptive shockwave that destabilizes the lightweight bullet. Consequently, serious target shooters almost exclusively use subsonic standard velocity ammunition to avoid this disruption entirely. Wind is also a major factor, as the slow, light projectiles are easily pushed off target by crosswinds.
22 LR Ammunition Types
To accommodate varied uses, manufacturers load several specific categories of .22 LR ammunition:
- Standard Velocity:Primarily for target practice and competition, maintaining subsonic speeds to preserve accuracy.
- High Velocity: Uses slightly more powder to push bullets faster, resulting in a flatter trajectory for hunting.
- Subsonic: Specifically formulated to stay well below the speed of sound, mitigating the loud crack of the bullet in flight.
- Round Nose (RN): Solid lead or copper plated bullets optimized for smooth feeding and target penetration.
- Hollow Point (HP): Bullets featuring a cavity in the nose designed to expand forcefully upon impact with soft tissue.
- Match Ammunition: Manufactured with extremely tight tolerances on rim thickness, bullet weight, and powder charge for peak consistency.
Manufacturer Data vs Actual Performance
The velocity and energy specifications printed on a box of .22 LR ammunition represent controlled testing under ideal conditions.
Manufacturers typically acquire these numbers using long, solid test barrels (often 24 inches) in climate controlled laboratories. When a shooter fires that same ammunition through a standard 16 inch hunting rifle, independent chronograph testing will routinely show lower velocities than advertised. Furthermore, if fired through a short handgun barrel, much of the powder burns outside the muzzle, causing actual velocity and energy to drop drastically compared to the box rating. Because rimfire ignition can be somewhat irregular, user reported results emphasize testing multiple brands of ammunition to see which load actually performs best in a specific firearm.
FAQs
What is 22 LR?
The .22 LR is a highly popular, low recoiling rimfire cartridge utilized globally for target shooting, training, and small game hunting.
What does 22 LR stand for?
The “22” refers to the approximate 0.22 inch diameter of the bullet, and “LR” stands for Long Rifle, which distinguishes its longer casing from older rimfire rounds like the .22 Short.
Is 22 LR rimfire or centerfire?
The .22 LR is strictly a rimfire cartridge. Its primer compound is spun directly into the hollow rim of the cartridge base rather than being a separate, centrally located component.
What caliber is 22 LR?
The .22 LR is a .22 caliber cartridge, firing a projectile that measures a maximum of 0.2255 inches in diameter according to SAAMI specifications.
How big is a 22 LR bullet?
The projectile itself is just under a quarter inch in diameter (0.2255 inches), and the entire loaded cartridge has a maximum overall length of exactly 1.000 inch.
What is the typical 22 LR bullet weight?
Common factory ammunition features bullet weights ranging from 36 to 40 grains, with 40 grains being the traditional standard.
How fast does a 22 LR bullet travel?
Velocity varies by load and barrel length, but standard loads travel around 1,070 feet per second, while high velocity loads travel around 1,200 to 1,328 feet per second.
What is 22 LR commonly used for?
It is most frequently used for marksmanship training, recreational plinking, competitive target shooting, and hunting small game like squirrels and rabbits.
Is 22 LR the same as 22 Magnum?
No. The .22 LR and .22 WMR (Winchester Magnum Rimfire) are entirely different cartridges. The .22 Magnum is longer, wider, operates at higher pressures, and is not interchangeable with .22 LR.
What is the difference between 22 LR and 22 Short?
The .22 LR utilizes a longer 0.613 inch case and heavier bullet (typically 40 grain), while the .22 Short uses a 0.421 inch case and a lighter bullet (typically 29 grain), making the LR much more powerful.
Is 22 LR good for small game?
Yes. When used within practical accuracy limits, a high velocity hollow point .22 LR is highly effective for humanely harvesting small game animals.
How far can a 22 LR bullet travel?
If fired at an upward angle, a .22 LR bullet can travel up to 2,000 yards (more than a mile) before landing, meaning shooters must always have a safe backstop.