Rimfire rifles are popular for recreational shooting, introductory training, target competition, small-game hunting where lawful, collecting, and economical range use. Modern rimfire rifles are available in semi-automatic, bolt-action, lever-action, single-shot, and other configurations with a wide range of stocks, barrels, triggers, sights, magazines, optics provisions, and accessories.

Rimfire Rifles

Rimfire ammunition uses priming compound contained within the rim of the cartridge case rather than a separate center-mounted primer. Rimfire rifle design, ammunition compatibility, action type, and maintenance requirements vary by manufacturer and chambering.

Choosing a Rimfire Rifle

• Caliber: Compare .22 LR, .22 WMR, .17 HMR, and other compatible rimfire chamberings.
• Action: Choose among semi-automatic, bolt-action, lever-action, single-shot, and other manufacturer-specific designs.
• Intended Use: Consider recreational shooting, target competition, training, hunting, collecting, or general sporting use.
• Sights & Optics: Compare iron sights, receiver rails, scope bases, drilled-and-tapped receivers, and optics-ready configurations.
• Fit: Evaluate stock dimensions, weight, length of pull, balance, trigger reach, and overall rifle size.

.22 LR Rifles

.22 Long Rifle is one of the most widely used rimfire chamberings and is available in an extensive selection of sporting, target, training, hunting, youth, competition, and takedown rifles.

.22 WMR Rifles

.22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire rifles are offered in bolt-action, semi-automatic, lever-action, and other designs depending on manufacturer. Ammunition compatibility should be verified from the exact chamber marking.

.17 HMR Rifles

.17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire is commonly offered in bolt-action and other sporting rifle configurations. Barrel length, magazine capacity, sights, and stock design vary by model.

.17 Mach 2 Rifles

Selected manufacturers and platforms may be available in .17 Mach 2. Availability of rifles and ammunition can vary over time.

Rimfire Chamber Compatibility

Rimfire cartridges with similar dimensions or bullet diameters are not automatically interchangeable. Use only ammunition specifically approved for the rifle's exact chambering.

Semi-Automatic Rimfire Rifles

Semi-auto rimfire rifles are popular for recreational shooting, training, competition, and general range use. Magazine design, operating system, controls, and ammunition preferences vary by platform.

Bolt-Action Rimfire Rifles

Bolt-action rimfire rifles are available from entry-level sporting models to precision-oriented target platforms. They may use detachable magazines, tubular magazines, or single-shot actions.

Lever-Action Rimfire Rifles

Lever-action rimfire rifles combine traditional styling with manual lever operation and are commonly offered with tubular magazines. Exact capacity depends on cartridge and magazine length.

Single-Shot Rimfire Rifles

Single-shot rifles provide a simple manually loaded action and are available in youth, training, hunting, target, and traditional sporting configurations.

Youth Rimfire Rifles

Youth-oriented rimfire rifles may use shorter stocks, reduced length of pull, lighter weight, smaller grips, and simplified configurations designed to fit smaller shooters. Proper supervision and safe firearm training remain essential.

Adult & Full-Size Rimfire Rifles

Full-size models generally provide longer stocks, broader adjustment ranges, or larger overall dimensions suitable for adult shooters.

Precision Rimfire Rifles

Precision-oriented rimfire rifles may include heavy barrels, adjustable stocks or chassis systems, refined triggers, extended optic rails, larger bolt handles, and other target-focused features.

Competition Rimfire Rifles

Competition rifles may be configured for benchrest, positional, precision rimfire, action shooting, silhouette, or other sporting disciplines. Equipment requirements vary by competition format.

Rimfire Hunting Rifles

Rimfire rifles are commonly used for lawful small-game and varmint hunting. Hunters should verify current caliber, season, species, magazine, and firearm regulations for their location.

Target Rifles

Target-oriented rimfire rifles may emphasize barrel consistency, adjustable triggers, ergonomic stocks, optics mounting, and stable shooting characteristics.

Takedown Rimfire Rifles

Takedown rifles are designed to separate into major sections for more compact storage or transport. Assembly, locking, inspection, and operation should follow manufacturer instructions.

Rimfire Barrel Length

Barrel length influences overall dimensions, weight, balance, sight radius, and handling. Rimfire rifles are available with a broad range of barrel lengths depending on intended use.

Standard Barrel Profiles

General-purpose rimfire rifles commonly use lightweight or standard barrel contours designed to balance portability and normal sporting use.

Heavy & Bull Barrels

Heavy or bull barrels are common on some target and precision rimfire rifles and typically add weight toward the front of the firearm.

Fluted Barrels

Certain rimfire rifles use fluted barrel profiles for appearance, weight distribution, or other manufacturer-specific design goals.

Threaded Rimfire Barrels

Many modern rimfire rifles are offered with threaded muzzles. Thread pitch and accessory compatibility should always be verified from manufacturer specifications.

Barrel Materials

Rimfire barrels may use carbon steel, stainless steel, carbon-fiber-wrapped construction, or other manufacturer-specified materials.

Barrel Finishes

Finishes can include bluing, stainless, nitriding, Cerakote, phosphate, matte coatings, polished finishes, and other treatments.

Rifling Twist Rate

Twist rate varies according to chambering, barrel design, and manufacturer. Ammunition selection should follow the rifle manufacturer's recommendations.

Rimfire Stocks

Stocks are available in wood, laminate, polymer, composite, chassis, and other configurations. Stock dimensions influence fit and handling.

Wood Stocks

Walnut, hardwood, laminate, and other wood stocks provide traditional styling. Grain, coloration, finish, and weight can vary.

Synthetic Stocks

Polymer and composite stocks can provide weather resistance and reduced maintenance while keeping rifle weight relatively low.

Adjustable Stocks

Some target and precision rimfire rifles provide adjustable length of pull, comb height, buttpad position, or other ergonomic settings.

Chassis Rifles

Rimfire chassis systems may provide adjustable ergonomics, rigid bedding surfaces, accessory interfaces, and compatibility with selected grips or stocks.

Length of Pull

Length of pull is an important factor when fitting a rimfire rifle to an individual shooter. Youth rifles often use shorter dimensions than full-size adult rifles.

Rimfire Magazines

Rimfire rifles may use detachable box, rotary, tubular, internal, or manufacturer-specific magazine systems.

Rotary Magazines

Certain popular rimfire platforms use rotary magazines that arrange cartridges around an internal rotor. Compatibility is platform- and caliber-specific.

Detachable Box Magazines

Many modern rimfire rifles use detachable magazines. Models that appear similar may require entirely different magazines.

Tubular Magazines

Tubular magazines are common on lever-action and selected semi-automatic rimfire rifles. Capacity may differ between cartridge types and rifle models.

Magazine Capacity

Capacity depends on action, magazine design, cartridge, manufacturer configuration, distributor package, and jurisdiction.

Iron Sights

Rimfire rifles may use front blades, posts, bead-style sights, open rear sights, aperture sights, or other fixed and adjustable sighting systems.

Fiber-Optic Sights

Fiber-optic sight elements are available on selected sporting rimfire rifles and can provide increased visibility under suitable lighting conditions.

Peep & Aperture Sights

Aperture sights are found on some training, target, competition, and traditional rimfire rifle designs.

Optics-Ready Rimfire Rifles

Many rimfire rifles include integral rails, scope bases, drilled-and-tapped receivers, dovetail grooves, or other optic mounting provisions.

Rimfire Scopes

Scopes designed for rimfire shooting are available in many magnification ranges. Appropriate rings, bases, eye relief, and mounting height should be considered.

Red-Dot Sights

Red-dot sights are frequently used on recreational and competition rimfire rifles when a compatible mounting interface is available.

Scope Rails

Picatinny, Weaver-style, dovetail, and proprietary receiver interfaces are all found on rimfire rifles. Confirm the exact mounting standard before choosing rings or optics.

Rimfire Triggers

Trigger pull weight, shape, travel, reset, and adjustability vary considerably among rimfire rifles.

Adjustable Triggers

Some rifles include user-adjustable trigger systems within limits specified by the manufacturer. Follow the owner's manual for any approved adjustments.

Competition Triggers

Target and competition-oriented rifles may include lighter or more refined factory trigger systems. Exact specifications vary.

Safety Controls

Rimfire rifle safeties may use cross-bolt, tang, lever, trigger, rotary, selector, or other manufacturer-specific designs.

Bolt Handles

Bolt-action rimfire rifles vary in bolt-handle size, knob shape, lift angle, location, and action design.

Charging Handles

Semi-auto rimfire rifles may use side-mounted, receiver-mounted, top-mounted, or other manufacturer-specific charging handles.

Rifle Weight

Weight depends on barrel profile, stock or chassis, receiver, action, magazine, sights, optics, and installed accessories.

Lightweight Rimfire Rifles

Lightweight models can be convenient for field use, younger shooters, and general recreational shooting, but rifle fit and balance should remain appropriate for the individual shooter.

Heavy Target Rifles

Precision and bench-oriented models may be significantly heavier due to bull barrels, larger stocks, chassis systems, and optics.

Rimfire Recoil

Rimfire cartridges generally produce relatively mild recoil compared with many centerfire rifle cartridges, although perceived recoil still varies with rifle weight, stock fit, and ammunition.

Noise & Hearing Protection

Rimfire firearms can still produce sound levels capable of damaging hearing. Appropriate hearing and eye protection should be used according to range rules and firearm-safety practices.

Rimfire Ammunition Types

Rimfire ammunition may be offered in multiple bullet weights, velocities, bullet profiles, coatings, and intended-use categories. Compatibility and function can vary by firearm.

Standard-Velocity .22 LR

Standard-velocity ammunition is commonly used in recreational and target shooting, but reliable function should be confirmed with the exact firearm.

High-Velocity .22 LR

High-velocity .22 LR ammunition is widely available. Use only ammunition compatible with the manufacturer's stated chambering and specifications.

Subsonic Rimfire Ammunition

Subsonic ammunition is available in selected rimfire cartridges. Cycling reliability in semi-automatic rifles can vary by firearm and load.

Match Rimfire Ammunition

Match-oriented loads are produced for target and competition use. Individual rifles can show different preferences for particular ammunition designs.

Hunting Rimfire Ammunition

Manufacturers offer rimfire ammunition intended for hunting and varmint applications. Cartridge and bullet selection should be appropriate for the lawful intended use.

Rimfire Reliability

Function can be influenced by ammunition, magazine condition, cleanliness, lubrication, chamber condition, springs, and firearm design. Follow manufacturer guidance when diagnosing recurring issues.

Cleaning Rimfire Rifles

Follow the owner's manual for unloading, disassembly, bore cleaning, action cleaning, lubrication, inspection, and reassembly.

Bore Cleaning

Cleaning frequency and methods vary with ammunition, barrel construction, firearm use, and manufacturer recommendations.

Chamber Maintenance

Rimfire chambers can accumulate fouling and residue during normal shooting. Use appropriate cleaning equipment and follow the firearm manufacturer's maintenance instructions.

Bolt & Action Cleaning

Semi-auto and bolt-action rimfire mechanisms should be inspected and cleaned according to their specific designs.

Magazine Maintenance

Magazines should be kept reasonably clean and inspected for damaged feed lips, followers, springs, bodies, or other components.

Dry-Firing Rimfire Rifles

Dry-fire recommendations vary among rimfire firearm designs. Follow the manufacturer's owner's manual rather than assuming a particular rimfire rifle can be dry-fired without restriction.

Replacement Parts

Magazines, stocks, sights, triggers, extractors, firing components, springs, rails, and other parts may be available for popular rimfire platforms. Compatibility is model-specific.

Aftermarket Accessories

Some rimfire platforms support extensive aftermarket stocks, barrels, triggers, optics mounts, magazines, grips, bipods, and other sporting accessories. Verify compatibility with the exact model and generation.

Rimfire Rifle Storage

Rimfire rifles should be stored securely according to applicable law, household circumstances, manufacturer recommendations, and responsible firearm-storage practices.

Rifle Cases

Hard and soft cases are available for rimfire rifles. Interior dimensions should accommodate the rifle's complete length, optics, magazines, and installed accessories.

Gun Safes

Long-gun safes and other secure storage systems can provide controlled access and organized firearm storage.

Transporting Rimfire Rifles

Transportation laws vary by jurisdiction and destination. Review applicable firearm, vehicle, case, and ammunition requirements before travel.

Hunting Regulations

Rimfire hunting regulations vary by species, season, cartridge, location, magazine capacity, and other factors. Always verify current rules for the specific hunt.

FFL Transfer Requirements

Rimfire rifles purchased online generally must be transferred through a federally licensed firearms dealer when required by applicable law. Eligibility and transfer procedures vary by transaction and jurisdiction.

State & Local Restrictions

Firearm, magazine, transfer, hunting, and possession rules vary by jurisdiction and may change over time. Buyers should verify current applicable requirements before ordering.

Compare Exact Model, SKU & UPC

Rimfire rifles with similar names may differ by chambering, action, barrel length, capacity, stock, sights, trigger, optic rail, finish, included magazines, accessories, or distributor package. Verify the exact manufacturer model number, SKU, UPC, and current specifications.

Always Verify Manufacturer Specifications

Rimfire rifle chambering, action type, barrel length, capacity, stock, sights, trigger, optics compatibility, magazine system, weight, finish, included equipment, ammunition requirements, and legal configuration vary by manufacturer and model. Always review the current manufacturer's specifications for the exact rifle being considered.