.22 LR explained: the most popular rimfire cartridge

.22 Long Rifle, abbreviated 22 LR by SAAMI, is a rimfire cartridge used in many rifles and pistols for target shooting, plinking, practice and small game. CCI describes it as the world’s most popular cartridge, and SAAMI lists it as 22 Long Rifle, 22 LR. (SAAMI, CCI)

What .22 LR is

SAAMI lists the cartridge’s full name as 22 Long Rifle and its abbreviation as 22 LR. The common written form “.22 LR” is the same cartridge name in ordinary shooting use, with the decimal point added to describe the caliber. (SAAMI)

It is a rimfire cartridge. SAAMI defines a rimfire cartridge as a rimmed design in which the rim has a cavity for the priming mix. SAAMI also states that, in a rimfire cartridge, the rim provides the cavity into which the priming mixture is charged. Winchester explains the operation in plain terms: the firing pin crushes the cartridge rim to ignite the primer. (SAAMI glossary, SAAMI rim glossary, Winchester)

Winchester’s rimfire education sheet identifies the main ammunition components as the bullet, powder, primer and shellcase. In .22 LR, those parts are packaged in a small rimmed case, and the priming material is associated with the rim rather than a separate center primer. (Winchester, SAAMI glossary)

A short history of .22 LR

CCI states that Stevens Arms Company developed the .22 Long Rifle cartridge in 1887. CCI also says that it remains the world’s most popular cartridge. (CCI)

American Rifleman reports the same 1887 origin and describes the early combination as using the 40 grain bullet from the .22 Extra Long in the .22 Long case. That historical detail helps explain why the cartridge name includes “Long Rifle,” even though modern .22 LR appears in many handguns as well as rifles. (American Rifleman)

The reasons it stayed popular are visible in current ammunition education material. Winchester describes plinking as high volume recreational shooting that gives shooters practice with relatively little recoil or noise. Winchester also lists target shooting and hunting among common rimfire use categories, while telling readers to consult local hunting regulations before going afield. (Winchester)

SAAMI specifications for .22 Long Rifle

SAAMI says its American National Standards contain dimensional information for cartridges and firearm chambers, along with performance characteristics. SAAMI’s standards page lists SAAMI Z299.1 to 2026 for rimfire ammunition, and the 2026 rimfire standard includes .22 Long Rifle. (SAAMI standards, SAAMI rimfire standard)

Key SAAMI .22 Long Rifle sporting data includes:

| SAAMI item | Listed value | |, -|, -:| | Full name | 22 Long Rifle | | Abbreviation | 22 LR | | Maximum average pressure | 240 psi/100, equal to 24,000 psi |

Source: SAAMI Z299.1 to 2026 Rimfire

SAAMI’s .22 Long Rifle velocity table includes 25 to 42 grain bullets, with listed nominal instrumental velocities from 735 fps to 1,625 fps. (SAAMI)

Those numbers are standard reference values, not promises for every firearm. SAAMI cautions that there should be no expectation that its recommended velocities can be duplicated from tests using firearms. (SAAMI)

Common .22 LR load categories

Modern .22 LR ammunition is sold in many bullet weights, bullet styles and velocity levels. The examples below are from CCI’s 2026 catalog and SAAMI’s 2026 rimfire standard.

| Example load | Bullet | Catalog velocity | |, -|, -|, -:| | CCI Standard Velocity | 40 grain lead round nose | 1,070 fps | | CCI Sub Sonic HP | 40 grain lead hollow point | 1,050 fps | | CCI Quiet 22 | 40 grain lead round nose | 710 fps | | CCI Mini Mag | 40 grain copper plated round nose | 1,235 fps | | CCI Velocitor HP | 40 grain copper plated hollow point | 1,435 fps | | CCI Stinger | 32 grain copper plated hollow point | 1,640 fps |

Source: CCI 2026 catalog

Standard velocity style loads

A common example is CCI Standard Velocity .22 Long Rifle, listed as a 40 grain lead round nose at 1,070 fps. (CCI catalog)

Subsonic and low noise examples

CCI lists Sub Sonic HP as a 40 grain lead hollow point at 1,050 fps. CCI also lists Quiet 22 as a 40 grain lead round nose at 710 fps. CCI warns that some low noise .22 LR loads may require manual cycling of the action in semi automatic firearms. (CCI catalog)

Faster catalog examples

CCI lists Mini Mag as a 40 grain copper plated round nose at 1,235 fps, Velocitor HP as a 40 grain copper plated hollow point at 1,435 fps and Stinger as a 32 grain copper plated hollow point at 1,640 fps. SAAMI’s .22 Long Rifle table includes nominal velocities up to 1,625 fps in its 25 to 42 grain listings, while the CCI Stinger catalog example is a specific manufacturer load listing. (CCI catalog, SAAMI)

Bullet types and typical uses

The sourced examples above show several common .22 LR bullet types:

• Lead round nose, such as CCI Standard Velocity and CCI Quiet 22. (CCI catalog)
• Lead hollow point, such as CCI Sub Sonic HP. (CCI catalog)
• Copper plated round nose, such as CCI Mini Mag. (CCI catalog)
• Copper plated hollow point, such as CCI Velocitor HP and CCI Stinger. (CCI catalog)
• Shot load entries, since SAAMI’s .22 Long Rifle velocity table includes a 25 grain #12 shot listing. (SAAMI)

Winchester lists target shooting and hunting as common rimfire use categories. It describes plinking as recreational shooting that provides practice with relatively little recoil or noise. Winchester identifies squirrel, rabbit and groundhogs as examples of small game, and it tells readers to consult local hunting regulations before going afield. (Winchester)

Rifles and pistols chambered for .22 LR

Many firearm types have been chambered for .22 LR. The important safety point is to follow the firearm’s exact markings and manual, not just the general cartridge family name.

Official examples include:

| Firearm example | Official source statement | |, -|, -| | Ruger 10/22 rifle | Ruger states that Ruger 10/22 rifles are chambered for 22 Long Rifle rimfire cartridges only. | | Ruger Mark IV pistol | Ruger’s catalog lists Mark IV pistols in 22 LR with 10+1 capacity. |

Sources: Ruger 10/22 manual, Ruger catalog

This is why the exact chamber marking matters. A Ruger 10/22 manual statement says .22 LR only. (Ruger 10/22 manual)

Safety, backstops and range of travel

The small size of .22 LR does not remove the need for full firearm safety rules. SAAMI’s firearm safety rules include being sure of your target and what is beyond it, using the correct ammunition, and always wearing eye and ear protection when shooting. (SAAMI firearm safety rules)

Backstop choice is especially important.

What to check before shooting or hunting

Before using .22 LR, check the firearm manual and chamber marking for the exact ammunition the firearm is designed to use. SAAMI’s safety rules say to use the correct ammunition, and the Ruger 10/22 manual shows that some firearms are .22 LR only. (SAAMI firearm safety rules, Ruger 10/22 manual)

For hunting, confirm the current rules with the responsible wildlife agency for the place, species and season. Winchester’s rimfire education sheet says to consult local hunting regulations before going afield. (Winchester)