All About .22 Long Rifle
Table of Contents
Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy wanted to go over the
.22 Long Rifle cartridge today. Our goal with this blog post is to provide a brief overview of the cartridge and some of its features, traits, and use cases. Without further ado, let’s talk
.22 Long Rifle.
What is .22 Long Rifle?
Arguably one of the most popular calibers in existence, the
.22 Long Rifle made its debut in 1887. Introduced a year after the introduction of viable smokeless powder, the
.22 Long Rifle quickly took advantage of the benefits of the newer type of propellant. While .22 Short and .22 Long loadings initially used black powder, the smokeless powder utilized by firearms after 1886 made for a more efficient and effective propellant. In a departure from the .22 Long, the
.22 Long Rifle is able to reliably function in semi-automatic firearms. Semi-automatic pistols and rifles in
.22 Long Rifle are some of the most common firearms owned by shooters in the United States. While the cartridge functions in semi-automatic firearms, it also works well in manual action handguns and rifles such as revolvers and bolt action rifles.
Can .22 Long Rifle Be Used in Handguns?
While the name suggests usage in rifles, the cartridge is also widely used in handguns. There are a variety of handguns which have been produced since the cartridge’s debut that have been chambered in
.22 Long Rifle. Many handguns, in both semi-automatic and manual action form, have been present on the market throughout the cartridge’s existence. Simply put, the cartridge is suitable for use in both rifles and handguns.
Purchase .22 Long Rifle Ammo
What is the Difference Between .22 Long Rifle and .22 Long?
The
.22 Long Rifle is longer than the .22 Long cartridge. The loadings typically cover the same grain weights, but the
.22 Long Rifle is capable of higher velocities and generates a greater impulse. This extra impulse allows for the cartridge to be utilized reliably in semi-automatic firearms while the .22 Long is generally unable to reliably work in semi-automatics.
Can .22 Long Rifle be Used for Self-Defense?
.22 caliber cartridges have been utilized for self defense for nearly two centuries. While calibers such as
9mm Luger,
.45 ACP, and
.380 ACP are more popular choices for self-defense these days, the
.22 Long Rifle is often overlooked as a defensive round. A capable shooter can easily put accurate shots on target with a
.22 Long Rifle. The extremely tame recoil impulse paired with the low report allows a shooter to produce tight groupings without a loud and potentially disorienting report. Winchester and
Federal are among some of the companies who make defensive
.22 Long Rifle loadings, helping make the round more viable for self-defense.
Simply put, the
.22 Long Rifle is certainly capable of being employed in a defensive capacity, but there are more optimal offerings on the market worth considering. Centerfire calibers tend to have a much better track record when it comes to reliable ignition when firing when compared to rimfire calibers. Reliable practice and defensive
ammunition is also more plentiful and accessible than
.22 Long Rifle loadings of the same type. Centerfire cartridges like
9mm Luger and
.45 ACP also have a longer track record in duty usage than the
.22 Long Rifle does. If a shooter is particularly recoil sensitive or cannot handle a larger centerfire handgun, a
.22 Long Rifle firearm may be the best choice for them. Having a gun is always better than not having a gun. At the end of the day, a
.22 Long Rifle can certainly get the job done, but there are better, more viable options which are more efficient and effective. Regardless of whether you choose to defend yourself with
.22 Long Rifle or not, you should train and be proficient with your caliber and firearm of choice.
Can You Hunt With .22 Long Rifle?
The
.22 Long Rifle cartridge is suitable for pest control applications and can effectively dispatch a variety of small game. Things such as rabbits, squirrels, foxes, and other small game are among game which can be ethically dispatched by
.22 Long Rifle. Hunters of all types, whether new or experienced, can effectively employ the
.22 Long Rifle cartridge to hunt small game. The cartridge is great for new hunters and shooters as it helps them grow familiar with shooting without being overwhelmed with a stout caliber. Simply put, the
.22 Long Rifle cartridge is suitable for ethical hunting when one uses the proper
ammunition and pursues appropriate game. The cartridge has persisted in this use for well over a century and shows no sign of going away any time soon.
Is .22 Long Rifle Good for Suppressed Use?
The
.22 Long Rifle cartridge is well-suited to suppressor usage. Most
.22 Long Rifle standard velocity loadings are below the threshold of being supersonic in the first place, making standard velocity loadings viable for suppressed use in most cases. The effectiveness of the cartridge when paired with a suppressor is particularly appreciable when a short barrel around 4” is utilized. This is because shorter barrels equate to lower velocities. Pistols, such as threaded variants of Ruger Mk IV pistols, are well-known for being excellent suppressor hosts. The operating system and 4.4” barrels of these handguns let them run a variety of loadings at velocities conducive to use with a suppressor. Of course, purpose-built subsonic loadings also exist for the
.22 Long Rifle, further optimizing the round for suppressed usage. It should be known that some lower velocity loadings may not reliably cycle in semi-automatic firearms. The additional backpressure yielded by a suppressor may help a firearm reliably cycle some of the lower velocity rounds which can struggle to cycle actions.
Can You Shoot Other .22 Out of Something Chambered in .22 Long Rifle?
When it comes to firearms, there are often instances in which a firearm is capable of shooting other calibers than the one it is originally intended to shoot. This is common with firearms chambered in
5.56x45mm NATO being able to accommodate
.223 Remington and firearms chambered in
.357 Magnum being able to shoot
.38 Special ammunition.
When it comes to
.22 Long Rifle, there are some instances in which a firearm chambered in the caliber can safely utilize other caliber(s). This is especially true with the many lever action rifles offered by Henry Repeating Arms. These manual action firearms will not need to depend upon the inertia of the fired round to cycle, allowing them to accommodate
.22 Short and .22 Long
ammunition. To denote this compatibility, the barrel of these firearms is marked “Calibers .22 S/L/LR.”
While some compatibility exists, there are also many instances of incompatibility. Obviously, firearms chambered for smaller calibers cannot accommodate larger calibers. You will not fit a
.22 Long Rifle into a
.22 Short or .22 Long chamber. While a
.22 Long Rifle cartridge can be chambered in a
.22 Magnum chamber, it is not recommended as the cartridge will not be fully supported during firing. There is a high probability of the excess pressure leading to a split casing. Simply put, one should only shoot
ammunition appropriate for use in their firearm.
Purchase .22 Long Rifle Ammo
How Available Is .22 Long Rifle Ammunition?
At this point in time, the market has a wide variety of
.22 Long Rifle ammunition available. The cartridge is supported by loadings offered by manufacturers around the world. Companies such as
Aguila,
Armscor,
Norma,
CCI, and
Remington are among some of the producers of
.22 Long Rifle ammunition. Everything from general purpose loadings to specialty loadings for things such as hunting, suppressed shooting, and match use are produced by
ammunition manufacturers. If a customer is wanting
.22 Long Rifle ammunition, they will have zero issue finding
ammo.
How Available Are Firearms in .22 Long Rifle?
There is no shortage of firearms available in
.22 Long Rifle. Pistols and rifles can be found in a variety of forms and configurations. These firearms encompass manual firearms such as bolt action, lever action, and revolvers and semi-automatic firearms. Companies such as Ruger, Smith & Wesson, Beretta, Henry Repeating Arms, and Tikka are among the companies who manufacture
.22 Long Rifle firearms. At the end of the day, a prospective customer will have zero issue finding a firearm in
.22 Long Rifle if they are after one.
Conclusion
All in all, the
.22 Long Rifle is a versatile round that has stood the test of time. The cartridge continues to be used by shooters of all types and skill levels in the present day. From the first-time gun buyer to the seasoned shooter with a vast collection, the
.22 Long Rifle remains popular and prevalent. We here at True Shot Ammo carry a wide variety of
.22 Long Rifle ammunition in addition to our other offerings. Whether you are after some
.22 Long Rifle or something else, we have got you covered. As always, happy shooting.
Need bulk ammo? At True Shot Ammo, we have a wide variety of handgun ammo and rifle ammo available to purchase. Please visit our website trueshotammo.com, call us at (888) 736-6587, or you can email us at sales@trueshotammo.com for more ammo options.
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