This guide has everything you need to get started in the .22 Long Rifle world – cartridge ballistics, ammo types, applications, the best ammo brands for each, beginner-friendly .22LR guns, scopes, suppressors, and more.
Table of Contents
What 22 Long Rifle is and what rimfire means
The .22 Long Rifle (.22LR) is a rimfire cartridge, and it’s been the most popular round in America for over a century, since it was created in 1887. The round was derived from the .22 Long cartridge but loaded with a heavier 40gr bullet.
In case you don’t know what rimfire means. The main difference between rimfire and centerfire is ignition. A centerfire cartridge ignites by the firing pin hitting the primer in the center of the case head, while a rimfire’s priming compound is spun into the hollow rim of the cartridge, and when the firing pin crushes this rim, this ignites the primer and then the main powder charge.
This design allows for simpler, less expensive manufacturing but limits the cartridge to lower pressures compared to centerfire ammunition (22LR operates at maximum pressures around 24,000 PSI).
The rimfire design fundamentally affects several aspects. Rimfire firearms can be built lighter and cost significantly less since they don’t need to withstand the high pressures.
As for the ammo, the thin brass case required for reliable rim ignition also means .22LR ammo is inherently less consistent than centerfire ammo, with higher rates of misfires and velocity variations. You also can’t reload rimfire cases since the rim gets deformed when fired.
22 Long Rifle ballistics and ammo types
Standard .22LR ammo with a 40-grain bullet will leave the barrel at about 1,070 to 1,150 fps generating approximately 100-130 ft-lbs of energy.
High-velocity loads can reach 1,200-1,400 fps, while hyper-velocity rounds like the CCI Stinger achieve up to 1,640 fps using lighter 32gr bullets.
Basically, there are 4 types of .22 Long Rifle ammo:
- Subsonic: Anything under 1,100 fps. It’s quiet, especially with a suppressor, but has less energy. This ammo is used by hunters and for suppressed shooting.
- Standard Velocity: Around 1,070-1,150 fps. Used for training and target shooting.
- High Velocity: 1,200+ fps. These bullets fly farther and, thus, are often used for hunting and pest control.
- Hyper Velocity: Pushing 1,400+ fps, these are great for precision shooting due to even flatter trajectory.
CCI Standard Velocity 22 LR 40 Grain Lead Round Nose Ammo, 100rd/box
$12.99
Price accurate at time of writing
What is 22 Long Rifle good for?
So, the .22 Long Rifle round is quiet, low power, and cheap, while .22LR rifles are lightweight, versatile (to a certain and very accessible. Now, let’s see what the .22 Long Rifle is good for.
Hunting with .22 Long Rifle
The .22LR is more than enough for small game animals like rabbits, prairie dogs, squirrels, raccoons, and other similarly sized varmints and pests, out to about 100 yards. For .22 Long Rifle firearms are lightweight and very affordable, you can often see them at farms and homesteads.
For those curious whether .22LR can kill a deer, well… Yes, the .22LR round is capable of killing a deer but hunting deer with the .22LR is illegal in most of the U.S. states because the cartridge doesn’t have enough power to kill such a large animal humanely and quickly. Although the .22 Long Rifle has been historically used to take down large animals like a grizzly bear and an elephant, .22LR bullet is too small, has limited velocity, and is susceptible to wind drift to achieve the precision required to effectively target a deer’s brain stem or vital organs, especially given the tough bone structure and movement of the animal.
The .22 restriction extends beyond just .22LR – some states ban any .22 caliber cartridge for deer hunting, including the .223 Rem/5.56 – the classic AR15 chambering.
22 Long Rifle for Defense
This is a hot topic. Is the .22 Long Rifle the best choice for defense? No. A centerfire pistol cartridge like 9mm is objectively better. However, a .22LR is a whole lot better than nothing. Its main advantage is extremely low recoil, which allows for fast follow-up shots.
For recoil-sensitive shooters, a quality .22 pistol, carbine, or rifle (depending on the application) can be a viable option. But you have to understand its limitations: the so-called “stopping power” is marginal and you must be very accurate with your shots. If the attacker wears a winter jacket or multiple layers, .22LR rounds may struggle to achieve the desired penetration depth. Plus, the rimfire ignition system can also be less reliable than centerfire, especially in colder weather.
22 Long Rifle Precision Shooting and Competitions
The .22LR has found tremendous success in precision shooting disciplines, particularly with the growth of NRL22 (National Rifle League .22), Rimfire PRS, and other rimfire competitions. These matches have you shooting at targets of various sizes at 40-200 yards or more. It’s an incredible way to master shooting fundamentals like reading wind and compensating for bullet drop without the cost of centerfire ammo.
For precision shooting, the .22 Long Rifle effective range is generally 200-250 yards, though skilled shooters can achieve hits at 300+ yards. Wind drift becomes increasingly significant at longer ranges – a 10 mph crosswind can push a .22LR bullet 33-85 inches off target at 400 yards.
Training and Plinking with 22 Long Rifle
This is perhaps the most common use. The low cost, low recoil, and low noise make it the ultimate training tool. You can shoot all day for the price of a few boxes of centerfire ammo. This allows you build muscle memory and fundamentals without developing a flinch.
AR-pattern rifles chambered in .22LR, like the S&W M&P 15-22, are fantastic for practicing tactical drills on the cheap because they have the same controls as a standard AR-15.
22 conversion kits are also available to convert existing AR-15s to .22LR by swapping the bolt carrier group and magazines. Glock conversion kits are popular as well.
If you’re not training for proficiency with AR style firearms, you can try the Ruger 10/22. This platform has a massive aftermarket support and can grow with your skills.
SMITH & WESSON M&P 15-22 Sport MOE SL Rifle
$514.99
Price accurate at time of writing
- Action: Semi-Automatic
- Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
- Barrel length: 16.5"
- Capacity: 25rd
- Sights: Folding Magpul MBUS
- Thread: N/A
- Weight: 4.9 lbs
Choosing a .22LR Firearm
Bolt-Action Rifles
These offer the best potential for accuracy. The action is rigid and simple. Models like the CZ 457 or Tikka T1x are incredibly popular because they shoot great right out of the box. If you want to go all out, rifles like the Anschutz 54 action represent the gold standard in rimfire accuracy, capable of sub-half-inch groups at 50 yards with premium ammunition. These competition-grade rifles often cost $2,000+ but deliver Olympic-level performance.
CZ 457 Varmint 22LR Turkish Walnut Rifle
$677.99
Price accurate at time of writing
- Action: Semi-Automatic
- Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
- Barrel length: 20.5"
- Capacity: 5rd
- Sights: No Sights, Integrated 11mm Dovetail
- Thread: 1/2 - 28 SR
- Weight: 7.08 lbs
Semi-Automatic Rifles
The Ruger 10/22 dominates the semi-auto .22LR market, with over 7 million sold worldwide. It’s reliable, affordable, and the aftermarket support is endless. You can build a 10/22 into literally anything you want. The S&W M&P 15-22 is another excellent choice if you want that AR-15 feel.
RUGER 10/22 22 LR Semi-Automatic Rifle
$291.99
Price accurate at time of writing
- Action: Semi-Automatic
- Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
- Barrel length: 18.5"
- Barrel: Stainless steel
- Receiver: Stainless steel
- Capacity: 10rd
- Sights: Gold Bead front, Adjustable rear
- Thread: N/A
- Weight: 4.2 lbs
Lever-Action Rifles
For a bit of classic fun, lever guns from Henry are hard to beat. They’re smooth, reliable, hold 15-16 rounds in their tubular magazines, and just plain cool. Beyond Henry, the Browning BL22 has a great value, while Rossi lever guns are good for beginners.
The versatility of lever-action .22s make them excellent for teaching traditional shooting skills and hunting small game in areas where semi-automatics might be restricted.
BROWNING BL-22 Grade I 22 LR Lever Action Rifle
$719.99
Price accurate at time of writing
- Action: Semi-Automatic
- Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
- Barrel length: 20"
- Capacity: 15rd
- Weight: 5 lbs
Pistols and Revolvers
The Ruger Mark IV and Smith & Wesson SW22 Victory are top choices for accurate, reliable semi-auto pistols. For revolvers, something like the Heritage Rough Rider is an affordable way to get into single-action shooting.
The Walther P22, Taurus TX22, and Ruger SR22 are compact options suitable for concealed carry training, though their small size can affect reliability with some ammo types.
TAURUS TX22 Compact 22LR Pistol
$279.99
Price accurate at time of writing
- Action: Single-Action
- Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
- Barrel length: 3.6"
- Capacity: 13rd
- Weight: 16.50oz uploaded
Choosing the right .22 Long Rifle ammo for the application
Hunting Ammo
For hunting applications, expanding bullets are preferred to maximize energy transfer and ensure quick, ethical kills. High-velocity copper-plated hollow points (CPHP) like CCI Mini-Mag 36gr, Winchester Super-X 40gr, and Federal American Eagle 38gr are all great for hunting. Aguila Interceptop CPSP 40gr is also good for small critters.
CCI Velocitor CPHP 40gr and Winchester Hyper Velocity 40gr can be good for hunting larger small game like foxes or beavers due to deeper penetration.
CCI Mini-Mag Segmented HP 40gr also do the job but are often best reserved for pests due to significant meat damage.
* Prices accurate at time of writing
Match Ammo
This is where you spend a bit more money. 22LR ammo like Eley Tenex, Lapua Midas+, and SK Long Range Match is made to incredibly tight tolerances. Most precision shooters test multiple lots to find ammunition that performs best in their specific rifle.
Every rifle is different
Every rifle has its own preference. Ammo that shoots with tack-driving accuracy in one person’s CZ 457 might perform poorly in another’s Ruger 10/22. Factors like barrel length, twist rate, and the individual characteristics of the firearm play a huge role with the .22 Long Rifle.
So buy a few different types of ammo and test them yourself. See what groups best in your rifle from a cold barrel. This approach saves you from buying a large brick of ammo your gun simply doesn’t like.
For Plinking
For just having fun, bulk 22LR packs are the way to go. Federal, CCI, and Winchester all make reliable and affordable bulk ammo. You can get a box of 500 rounds for a pretty good price and shoot for hours. When testing, pay attention to dirt and smell as additional factors.
Choosing 22 Long Rifle scope
A dedicated rimfire scope is a good idea. The main difference is the parallax setting. Most centerfire scopes are parallax-free at 100 or 150 yards. Rimfire scopes are typically set for 50-60 yards, down to 25 yards, which is a much more common distance for .22LR shooting. For general use, a 2-7x or 3-9x magnification is perfect.
Competition shooters often prefer 4-16x or 5-25x scopes with first focal plane reticles and tactical turrets for precise adjustments.
LEUPOLD VX-Freedom Rimfire 2-7x33mm Rimfire MOA Reticle Riflescope
$299.99
Price accurate at time of writing
Choosing a .22 Long Rifle suppressor
You may know that .22 Long Rifle is the least loud round, but how loud is it? Unsuppressed .22LR generates 140-150 dbs, well above the hearing damage threshold. A good rimfire suppressor can bring that down to around 115 dbs, which is about as loud as a nail gun. Rimfire suppressors are typically made of aluminum or titanium and are user-serviceable, which is important because .22LR is a dirty round and you’ll need to clean the baffles.
Also, integrally suppressed barrels combine the barrel and suppressor into a single unit, often achieving superior suppression due to the longer length and ported barrel design.
22LR barrel length and suppression
The Velocity Sweet Spot
Most 22LR ammo reaches peak velocity somewhere between 12 and 16 inches of barrel length. Beyond that point, you’re often seeing a plato or even slight velocity decreases as the bullet slows down from friction. This means a 20-inch barrel isn’t necessarily better than a 16-inch one for velocity.
For keeping high-velocity ammo subsonic, many shooters report that around 4 to 4.5 inches is where most bulk pack ammo stays below the sound barrier.
The Sound Difference Reality
Shorter barrels are noticeably louder when suppressed, even with subsonic ammunition. The difference between a 4-inch pistol and a 16-inch rifle with the same suppressor and ammo is clear enough that people standing nearby can tell them apart. The reason is gas pressure. Longer barrels give the expanding gases more time to cool and lose pressure before exiting the muzzle.
Practical Barrel Length Recommendations
Here’s what seems to work well:
For dedicated suppressor hosts: 8 to 12 inches appears to be the sweet spot. You get most of the velocity benefits without excessive length, and the sound signature remains pleasantly quiet.
For maximum quiet: Longer is generally better.
For pistols: 4 to 4.5 inches keeps high-velocity ammo subsonic while maintaining reasonable overall length when suppressed. Going shorter than 3.5 inches often results in noticeably louder reports.
Ammo Considerations
Standard velocity ammo (around 1,050 fps) tends to stay subsonic in most barrel lengths, while high-velocity loads need shorter barrels to avoid breaking the sound barrier. Many experienced shooters simply stick with standard velocity ammo like CCI Standard rather than buying premium subsonic ammunition.
Temperature also plays a role. Cold weather can actually make some standard velocity ammo go supersonic out of longer barrels.
Choosing a gun range to practice
When you’re starting out, look for a range with 25, 50, and 100-yard target options. Some indoor ranges have weird rules about rimfire ammo, so an outdoor range is often a better bet. Steel targets are great for the instant feedback of hearing that “ping.”
Cleaning your .22LR rifle
Because of the unjacketed lead bullets and dirty powder, .22LR firearms get fouled up faster than centerfire guns. You’ll want to clean the barrel and action regularly to maintain reliability and accuracy. A competitive shooter might clean every 100-150 rounds. For casual shooting, every 250-500 rounds is probably fine. A bore snake is great for a quick clean at the range.
Top reasons to get a 22 Long Rifle
It’s Cheap: You can shoot all day without breaking the bank.
Great for Training: Low recoil and noise make it perfect for learning fundamentals.
It’s Versatile: From plinking to hunting to competition, it does a lot of things well.
It’s Fun: At the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about. There’s a simple, pure joy in spending an afternoon knocking over cans or punching holes in paper with a .22.
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