.22 LR
Also called: 22 long rifle, .22 Long Rifle, twenty-two
The most common cartridge in the world: cheap, quiet, nearly recoil-free, and ideal for squirrels, rabbits, and learning to shoot.
- Type
- Rimfire
- Bullet diameter
- .223 in
- Case length
- 0.613 in
- Overall length
- 1 in
- Typical bullet weights
- 30 to 40 grains (most are 36 to 40)
- Typical muzzle velocity
- About 1,050 fps (subsonic) to 1,750 fps (high speed)
- Recoil
- Light recoil
- Quarry
- Small game
- Typical range
- Small game out to about 50 yards
- Availability
- Very common and low cost
Safety: Rimfire ammunition is made for rimfire firearms only. Do not mix .22 LR with other .22 rimfire cartridges such as the .22 WMR unless your firearm's markings say it is chambered for both.
What it is good for
- Squirrels, rabbits, and other small game at close range.
- Learning marksmanship, since there is almost no recoil and the report is mild.
- Cheap practice for the habits that carry over to bigger rifles.
Where it falls short
- It is underpowered for anything bigger than small game, and it is not an ethical choice for deer or coyotes.
- The bullet drops quickly past 50 to 75 yards, so range estimation matters.
- Rounds can ricochet or carry a long way, so be sure of your backstop.
Easily confused with
- .22 WMR: a longer, faster rimfire with a bullet of about the same width; it will not safely work in a rifle made only for .22 LR.
Field notes
Introduced in 1887, the .22 Long Rifle has been the standard small-game and training cartridge ever since. Subsonic loads are quiet enough to use without much disturbance, while high-velocity hollow points add a little reach and punch for small game.
Related guides
Numbers are typical factory-load figures, not guarantees. Use only ammunition that matches the cartridge stamped on your firearm and is made by a reputable manufacturer, and follow the manual. Legal game cartridges, minimum calibers, and non-toxic shot rules differ by state and area. Check your state's current regulations; our state resources directory links to each state's official rules. Not sure which rifle to buy? Try our hunting rifle wizard.