What Is .22 LR

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Last updated: April 10, 2026

Quick Answer: The .22 Long Rifle (.22 LR) is a rimfire rifle cartridge introduced by Winchester in 1887, making it one of the oldest and most widely used ammunition types in the world. It features minimal recoil and noise with costs around $0.05-0.15 per round, generating billions of rounds manufactured annually for sport shooting, training, and small game hunting.

Key Facts

Introduced by Winchester in 1887, making the .22 LR over 135 years old and one of the longest-produced cartridges in history
Most popular rimfire cartridge worldwide with an estimated 2-3 billion rounds manufactured annually across all producers
Produces minimal recoil and noise due to low powder charge (typically 2.6 grains), making it ideal for youth and beginner shooters
Effective accurate range of 50-100 meters for target shooting with typical muzzle velocity of 1,125-1,200 feet per second
Ammunition costs $0.05-0.15 per round, making it 60-80% cheaper than centerfire cartridges like 9mm or .308 Winchester

Overview

The .22 Long Rifle (.22 LR) is a rimfire rifle cartridge that has held the distinction of being one of the most popular and widely used ammunition types for nearly 140 years. Introduced by Winchester in 1887, the .22 LR was designed as a more powerful successor to earlier .22 cartridges and quickly became the standard for small-bore shooting across target ranges, training facilities, and hunting grounds worldwide.

The cartridge's enduring popularity stems from its exceptional combination of affordability, accuracy, mild recoil, and minimal noise. These characteristics have made the .22 LR the go-to round for introducing new shooters to firearms, training military and law enforcement personnel, competitive target shooting, and hunting small game such as rabbits, squirrels, and birds. Today, manufacturers produce an estimated 2-3 billion .22 LR rounds annually, underscoring its continued dominance in the global ammunition market.

How It Works

Understanding the mechanics of the .22 LR helps explain why it remains so popular among shooters of all skill levels:

Rimfire Design: Unlike centerfire cartridges, the .22 LR uses a rim-mounted primer, meaning the firing pin strikes the rim of the cartridge case to ignite the primer. This design is simpler to manufacture and contributes to the round's low cost.
Powder Charge: The .22 LR typically contains 2.6 grains of black or smokeless powder, producing a muzzle velocity between 1,125 and 1,200 feet per second depending on the specific load. This low energy output results in minimal recoil and blast noise, typically around 140-145 decibels.
Bullet Construction: Standard .22 LR ammunition features a lead bullet weighing 40 grains (heavier match-grade rounds may reach 60 grains) seated in a brass case measuring 0.613 inches in length. The bullet's light weight and small diameter create a flat trajectory at modest ranges.
Ballistic Characteristics: The .22 LR produces approximately 100-150 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle, making it suitable for target shooting out to 50-100 meters with reasonable accuracy. Beyond 150 meters, accuracy diminishes significantly due to velocity loss and wind sensitivity.

Key Comparisons

Comparing the .22 LR to other popular cartridges illustrates why it occupies a unique niche in the shooting world:

Characteristic	.22 LR	.17 HMR	.308 Winchester
Year Introduced	1887	2002	1952
Muzzle Velocity	1,125-1,200 fps	2,550 fps	2,800 fps
Muzzle Energy	100-150 ft-lbs	245 ft-lbs	2,600+ ft-lbs
Effective Range	50-100 meters	150-200 meters	500-1,000+ meters
Cost Per Round	$0.05-0.15	$0.20-0.35	$0.80-1.50
Recoil Level	Minimal	Low	Moderate to Heavy
Noise Level	140-145 dB	150-155 dB	160-165 dB

Why It Matters

The .22 LR remains significant in modern shooting culture and training for several critical reasons:

Beginner-Friendly Training: The minimal recoil and noise allow new shooters, particularly children and adults with recoil sensitivity, to focus on proper shooting fundamentals such as sight picture, trigger control, and breathing without flinching from excessive gun recoil.
Cost-Effective Practice: At one-tenth the price of most centerfire cartridges, shooters can practice extensively without significant financial burden. A shooter can purchase 500 rounds of .22 LR for the cost of 50 rounds of .308 Winchester ammunition.
Competitive Shooting: The .22 LR is the standard cartridge for Olympic shooting sports, including smallbore rifle competitions and prone shooting events. Its inherent accuracy and consistency make it ideal for precision target work.
Small Game Hunting: In rural and agricultural areas, the .22 LR remains the preferred choice for harvesting rabbits, squirrels, groundhogs, and other small game species, particularly where larger calibers would be impractical or dangerous.

The .22 Long Rifle's remarkable longevity in an ever-changing firearms market reflects its perfect balance of performance, economy, and safety. Whether used for competition, training, hunting, or recreation, the .22 LR will likely remain a cornerstone of shooting sports for generations to come, continuing its 135+ year legacy as the world's most popular rifle cartridge.