.22 Long Rifle, commonly abbreviated .22 LR, is one of the most widely used rimfire cartridges. It is chambered in a large variety of compatible pistols, revolvers, rifles, and specialty firearms and is commonly selected for recreational shooting, training, target competition, plinking, and lawful small-game applications.

Choosing .22 Long Rifle Ammunition

• Firearm Compatibility: Confirm that the firearm is specifically chambered for .22 Long Rifle ammunition.
• Bullet Weight: Compare manufacturer-listed projectile weights and load specifications.
• Projectile Style: Common configurations include round nose, hollow point, flat nose, plated, coated, and specialty bullets.
• Velocity Class: Standard-velocity, high-velocity, subsonic, match, and specialty loads may perform differently in individual firearms.
• Intended Use: Select ammunition appropriate for target shooting, training, competition, recreational use, or lawful hunting.

.22 LR Handgun Ammunition

Many semi-automatic pistols and revolvers are chambered for .22 Long Rifle. Reliability, point of impact, recoil characteristics, and function can vary by firearm and ammunition combination.

.22 LR Pistol Ammo

Semi-automatic rimfire pistols may respond differently to bullet weight, velocity, projectile profile, lubrication, and load design. Follow firearm manufacturer ammunition recommendations.

.22 LR Revolver Ammo

.22 LR revolvers are available in numerous barrel lengths and configurations. Ammunition should match the exact chambering marked on the firearm.

Target .22 LR Ammo

Target ammunition is generally designed around consistent manufacturing and repeatable performance for recreational or formal target shooting.

Match .22 LR Ammo

Match-grade .22 LR ammunition may emphasize tighter production tolerances and consistency for precision-oriented target use. Individual firearms can show preferences for particular loads.

Training Ammunition

.22 LR is commonly used for training because compatible firearms are widely available and the cartridge typically produces relatively mild recoil compared with many centerfire handgun cartridges.

Plinking Ammunition

General-purpose .22 LR ammunition is commonly selected for informal recreational target shooting and other lawful range activities.

Small-Game Ammunition

Selected .22 LR loads are marketed for lawful small-game hunting. Hunters should verify local cartridge, projectile, species, and season requirements.

Standard-Velocity .22 LR

Standard-velocity ammunition is offered by numerous manufacturers for target, recreational, and other sporting applications. Published velocity depends on the test firearm and manufacturer methodology.

High-Velocity .22 LR

High-velocity .22 LR loads are widely available in several bullet weights and projectile styles. Actual velocity varies with barrel length and testing conditions.

Subsonic .22 LR

Some .22 LR loads are marketed as subsonic under specified manufacturer test conditions. Actual projectile velocity can vary with firearm, barrel length, temperature, ammunition lot, and other factors.

Specialty .22 LR Loads

Specialty rimfire ammunition may include reduced-noise, match, hunting, segmented, coated, lead-free, or other manufacturer-defined projectile configurations.

.22 LR Bullet Weight

.22 Long Rifle ammunition is manufactured with various projectile weights. Bullet weight influences manufacturer-listed velocity, trajectory, recoil characteristics, and intended application.

Common 40-Grain Loads

Forty-grain projectiles are common across many .22 LR target, standard-velocity, high-velocity, and general-purpose product lines.

Common 36-Grain Loads

Thirty-six-grain bullets are frequently found in high-velocity hollow-point and recreational ammunition, although exact specifications vary by manufacturer.

Other Bullet Weights

Manufacturers also offer lighter and heavier .22 LR bullets for specialty applications. Verify the published specifications for the exact load.

Lead Round Nose

Lead round-nose bullets are common in .22 LR target, standard- velocity, training, and recreational ammunition.

Hollow-Point Bullets

Hollow-point .22 LR ammunition is offered by many manufacturers, particularly in hunting and general-purpose high-velocity lines.

Plated Bullets

Some rimfire ammunition uses copper-plated or otherwise coated bullets. Coating type and thickness vary by manufacturer.

Lead-Free .22 LR

Lead-free rimfire loads are available for selected applications and jurisdictions. Projectile material, weight, velocity, and firearm compatibility should be checked carefully.

Segmented & Specialty Projectiles

Certain manufacturers offer specialized projectile designs for specific lawful applications. Product construction and intended use should be verified from factory documentation.

Rimfire Priming

.22 Long Rifle is a rimfire cartridge, meaning its priming compound is incorporated into the cartridge rim rather than using a conventional centerfire primer.

.22 LR Case Construction

Rimfire ammunition typically uses manufacturer-produced cases designed specifically for the cartridge. Case material and finish vary among product lines.

Lubricated Rimfire Bullets

Some .22 LR bullets use wax, coating, or other manufacturer-applied lubrication. Appearance and surface treatment vary among brands and loads.

Velocity Ratings

Manufacturer-published velocity figures are based on particular test barrels and conditions. A pistol may produce different measured velocity than a rifle using the same ammunition.

Barrel Length & Velocity

Barrel length can influence measured rimfire velocity. Published figures should be viewed within the manufacturer's stated test conditions.

Accuracy & Ammunition Selection

Individual rimfire firearms can show different accuracy with different ammunition brands, bullet weights, and product lines. Manufacturer specifications provide a useful starting point for compatibility.

Semi-Automatic Function

Semi-automatic .22 LR firearms may function differently with different ammunition types. Use loads consistent with the firearm manufacturer's recommendations.

Revolver Compatibility

Confirm the exact revolver chambering before use. Similar rimfire cartridge names do not necessarily indicate interchangeability.

.22 LR vs. .22 Short

.22 Long Rifle and .22 Short are different cartridges. A firearm's manufacturer documentation should determine which cartridges are approved for that firearm.

.22 LR vs. .22 Long

.22 Long and .22 Long Rifle are separate cartridge designations. Never assume interchangeability without explicit firearm manufacturer approval.

.22 LR vs. .22 WMR

.22 Long Rifle and .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire are different cartridges and are not interchangeable in ordinary single-chamber firearms.

Cartridge Identification

Always identify ammunition by the exact cartridge marking on the box and compare it with the firearm's chamber designation.

Bulk .22 LR Ammunition

.22 Long Rifle is commonly sold in higher-count packages for recreational shooters, training programs, and other high-volume sporting applications.

Boxed .22 LR Ammunition

Smaller-count boxes can be useful for comparing different manufacturer product lines or purchasing specialized ammunition.

Bulk Packs & Jugs

Manufacturers may package .22 LR in cartons, bulk packs, buckets, bottles, or jugs containing larger quantities. Round count varies by SKU.

Ammunition Lot Numbers

Lot numbers help identify specific production batches and may be useful when referencing manufacturer notices or product information.

Factory Ammunition

Commercial .22 LR ammunition should be used according to the ammunition and firearm manufacturers' specifications.

Firearm Manuals

The firearm owner's manual is the primary reference for approved cartridge designation, ammunition restrictions, maintenance, and operating guidance.

Ammunition Storage

Store .22 LR ammunition in a cool, dry location protected from excessive heat, moisture, contamination, impact, and unauthorized access.

Original Packaging

Original factory packaging helps preserve caliber identification, bullet weight, product information, lot number, and manufacturer warnings.

Ammo Boxes

Compatible ammunition boxes and storage containers can provide additional organization and environmental protection.

Moisture Protection

Ammunition should be protected from prolonged exposure to moisture or conditions that could cause corrosion or deterioration.

Temperature & Ammunition Storage

Avoid excessive heat and other storage conditions prohibited by the ammunition manufacturer.

Damaged Ammunition

Cartridges showing corrosion, severe deformation, contamination, case damage, or other obvious defects should not be used.

Ammunition Handling

Keep ammunition in the correct labeled container and separate different cartridge types to reduce the risk of mixing incompatible ammunition.

Range Rules

Shooting ranges may impose ammunition restrictions concerning projectile material, velocity, target type, or other requirements.

Competition Rules

Formal rimfire competitions may specify firearm type, ammunition, projectile characteristics, velocity class, or other equipment requirements.

Hunting Regulations

Wildlife laws may regulate whether .22 LR is permitted for a particular species or season. Verify current hunting regulations before use.

Age Requirements

Ammunition purchase and delivery age requirements depend on applicable law, product classification, retailer policy, and destination.

Online Ammunition Sales

Online ammunition orders may be subject to age verification, carrier requirements, delivery restrictions, or other compliance procedures.

Shipping Restrictions

Ammunition shipping eligibility varies by destination, carrier, local law, and product type. Some locations may prohibit direct ammunition delivery or impose additional requirements.

State & Local Restrictions

Ammunition purchase, possession, shipment, transfer, and use laws vary by state and locality and may change over time.

Transportation

Review applicable firearm and ammunition transportation laws before traveling across state or local boundaries.

Air Travel

Commercial air travel with ammunition is subject to current airline and transportation-security rules concerning packaging, quantity, baggage, and declaration requirements.

Compare Exact Model, SKU & UPC

.22 Long Rifle ammunition with similar names can differ by bullet weight, projectile type, coating, velocity rating, intended use, round count, packaging, case finish, lot, and manufacturer product line. Verify the exact model number, SKU, UPC, and current factory specifications before ordering.

Always Verify Firearm Compatibility

Never select ammunition based only on approximate bullet diameter or a similar cartridge name. The exact ammunition designation must be compatible with the firearm according to its manufacturer.

Always Verify Manufacturer Specifications

.22 LR bullet weight, projectile design, velocity, coating, packaging quantity, firearm compatibility, intended application, and other specifications vary by manufacturer and product line. Always review the current factory specifications for the exact ammunition being considered.