.22 LR Ammo: The Best Proven Guide

.22 LR is the best-selling cartridge in the world, and probably the first ammunition most shooters ever bought. It’s cheap, quiet, low-recoil, and versatile enough to cover plinking, training, small-game hunting, and pest control from a single caliber. But “just buy the cheapest brick on the shelf” isn’t always the right call — velocity class and bullet type actually matter here more than most shooters realize.

.22 LR Ammo: Standard vs High Velocity vs Subsonic

High velocity is the default for most range and hunting use — it’s what the vast majority of bulk bricks on the shelf actually are. Standard velocity is worth seeking out specifically for target shooting and competition, where its slightly better consistency shows up on paper. Subsonic loads only matter if you’re shooting suppressed — running a supersonic round through a suppressor still produces a crack from the bullet breaking the sound barrier, defeating much of the point.

.22 LR Ammo: Bullet Types

• Lead round nose (LRN): the classic, cheapest option — solid, non-expanding, best for target and plinking.
• Copper-plated round nose: similar performance to LRN with less bore fouling and cleaner feeding in some semi-autos.
• Hollow point (HP): designed to expand, the standard choice for small-game hunting and pest control.

.22 LR Ammo: Best Uses

• Plinking and casual practice: bulk high-velocity LRN or copper-plated — the lowest cost per round by a wide margin.
• Small-game hunting and pest control: high-velocity hollow points for reliable expansion on squirrel, rabbit, and similar game.
• Competition and precision target shooting: premium standard-velocity match ammunition, which shows a real accuracy difference over bulk bricks at distance.
• Suppressed shooting: subsonic loads specifically, not standard bulk ammo.

.22 LR Ammo: Which Should You Buy?

Choose bulk high-velocity LRN if you:

• Are plinking, training new shooters, or shooting high volume
• Want the lowest possible cost per round — this is the same bulk-buying logic covered in our 9mm guide, just at rimfire prices

Choose high-velocity hollow points if you:

• Are hunting small game or dealing with pests around a property
• Want reliable expansion without stepping up to a centerfire caliber

Choose premium standard-velocity match ammo if you:

• Shoot competitive rimfire disciplines or want the tightest groups your rifle can produce
• Are willing to pay noticeably more per round for consistency over bulk-brick pricing

Choose subsonic loads if you:

• Are shooting suppressed and want the quietest possible report
• Understand this trades some terminal performance for noise reduction

Common Buying Mistakes

• Assuming all .22 LR is interchangeable in performance. Velocity class and bullet type matter more in rimfire than shooters coming from centerfire calibers often expect.
• Buying bulk ammo for a suppressed rifle without checking that it’s actually subsonic — most bulk bricks are high velocity and will still crack through a can.
• Overlooking magazine and feed-ramp fit issues. Rimfire semi-autos can be pickier about bullet profile (round nose vs. flat-nose hollow point) than centerfire pistols — if you’re getting feeding issues, try a different bullet profile before assuming the rifle is faulty.

What Experienced Shooters Commonly Recommend

• Most recommended for general use: bulk high-velocity ammo from an established manufacturer, cited most often for reliability across a wide range of rimfire rifles and pistols.
• Most recommended for competition: premium standard-velocity match ammo — shooters consistently report a real, measurable accuracy gain over bulk bricks at 50 yards and beyond.
• Most common problem reported: feeding or ignition issues traced to a specific rifle-and-ammo combination rather than a defect in the ammunition itself — rimfire rifles can be notably particular about which brand and load they prefer.
• Most common buying mistake: assuming bulk ammo will run reliably in every rifle without testing a small batch first.

.22 LR Ammo: Storage & Maintenance

Rimfire ammunition is more moisture-sensitive than centerfire, since the priming compound sits around the entire rim rather than in a sealed primer pocket — store it somewhere cool and dry, ideally in its original packaging, and avoid humid basements or garages for long-term storage. Rimfire firearms also tend to foul with lead and carbon buildup faster than centerfire pistols given typical round counts, so clean the bore and chamber regularly, especially in semi-autos where fouling can start to affect reliable feeding.

Shop .22 LR Ammo at Trigger Ammo Store

Whether you’re stocking up for range days or picking a dedicated hunting or match load, we’ve got your rounds. Shop .22 LR ammo in stock now — from bulk bricks to premium match-grade rounds — and browse our .17 HMR ammo and full rimfire ammo selection if you’re building out a complete rimfire battery.

👉 Stock up — shop .22 LR ammo now →

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💬 Before You Go — What’s Your Rimfire Setup For?

Plinking, hunting, competition, or suppressed? Drop a comment with your rifle or pistol and go-to load — rimfire ammo behaves differently across different guns, so your experience genuinely helps other shooters. And if you didn’t find the load you were after, tell us what you were looking for. Shoot straight! 🎯

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Please buy and use ammunition responsibly and in accordance with all federal, state and local laws. Confirm your specific firearm’s compatibility with subsonic or specialty rimfire loads before relying on them, and check your state’s regulations before using .22 LR for hunting. You must meet all legal requirements to purchase, and ammunition cannot be shipped to every jurisdiction.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between standard and high velocity .22 LR? Standard velocity (~1,070–1,150 fps) tends to be more consistent for target accuracy, while high velocity (~1,200–1,400 fps) is the more common bulk choice for general plinking and hunting.

Is .22 LR good for hunting? Yes, for small game and pest control — high-velocity hollow points are the standard recommendation for reliable expansion on squirrel, rabbit, and similar game.

Why does my rimfire rifle jam with some .22 LR ammo but not others? Rimfire rifles and pistols can be picky about bullet profile and rim thickness. Feeding issues are more often a rifle-and-ammo compatibility issue than a defect — try a different brand or bullet profile before assuming the gun is faulty.

What’s the best .22 LR ammo for a suppressor? Subsonic-specific loads, not standard bulk ammo — most bulk bricks are loaded to high velocity and will still produce a supersonic crack through a can.

Is bulk .22 LR ammo reliable? Generally yes from established manufacturers, but it’s worth testing a small batch in your specific firearm before buying a large quantity, since rimfire reliability can vary rifle to rifle.

What grain weight is standard for .22 LR? 36–40 grains covers the vast majority of standard and high-velocity loads; heavier subsonic loads run up to around 45 grains.

How much does .22 LR ammo typically cost per round? It’s consistently the least expensive centerfire-adjacent ammunition available, especially in bulk brick quantities, though pricing has fluctuated more than most calibers in recent years due to demand swings.

Is .22 LR good for a beginner? Yes — low recoil, low noise, and low cost per round make it one of the most common recommendations for teaching new shooters fundamentals.

Does .22 LR have enough power for self-defense? It’s generally not recommended as a primary defensive caliber due to limited stopping power compared to centerfire options, though it’s sometimes used as a backup or last-resort option.

How should I store .22 LR ammo long-term? Keep it cool, dry, and in its original packaging — rimfire priming is more moisture-sensitive than centerfire since it sits around the entire case rim, so humidity is the main long-term threat.

What’s the difference between .22 LR and .22 WMR? .22 WMR (Magnum) is a larger, more powerful rimfire cartridge with significantly more velocity and energy than .22 LR, at a notably higher cost per round — .22 LR remains the far more economical choice for high-volume shooting.

For official ammunition safety standards and cartridge specifications, visit

SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute)
.

For hunting regulations, wildlife conservation, and federal hunting information, see the

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
.

For public land hunting information and outdoor recreation resources, visit the

Bureau of Land Management
.