.22 WMR vs .22 LR: Rimfire Showdown for Everyday Shooters

You're crouched in a brush line at dawn, eyeing a pesky groundhog raiding your garden from 125 yards out. Do you grab the trusty .22 LR for that budget-friendly ping and minimal fuss, or step up to the .22 WMR to flatten it with extra reach and wallop? If you're stocking a rimfire for backyard pests, squirrel hunts, or just burning through tins at the range, this face-off cuts through the clutter.

 I've chased squirrels through Virginia hardwoods with a beat-up .22 Long Rifle single-shot and nailed coyotes on Arizona flats using a scoped .22 Magnum revolver—thousands of rounds later, I know their quirks. The .22 LR's been the people's champ since 1887: cheap, quiet, everywhere. The .22 WMR hit in 1959 as Winchester's answer for more poke without jumping to centerfire. We'll weigh recoil, ballistics, field performance, and practical data with hard numbers and no spin.

.22 WMR vs .22 LR: Quick Comparison Chart   

Your range-bag reference, pulled from chronos and hunts across loads.

Category	.22 WMR	.22 LR	Edge To
Recoil Energy	Low (0.6 ft-lbs)	Negligible (0.2 ft-lbs)	.22 LR
Muzzle Velocity	1,800-2,200 FPS	1,000-1,600 FPS	.22 WMR
Muzzle Energy	300-350 ft-lbs	100-150 ft-lbs	.22 WMR
Effective Range	150-200 yards	75-100 yards	.22 WMR
Bullet Drop @ 100 yd	-2 inches	-6 inches	.22 WMR
Hunting Fit	Coyotes, larger varmints	Squirrels, rabbits	.22 WMR
Ammo Cost (2025)	$0.30-$0.50/round	$0.05-$0.15/round	.22 LR
Reliability	Solid, but rimfire quirks	Mass-produced, occasional duds	Tie

Are The Two Calibers Interchangeable?  

Many shooters, both experienced and new, may wonder if these two rimfire calibers are interchangeable. Despite sharing a similar projectile diameter and bullet weight in most cases, the two rounds are generally not readily interchangeable. I say “generally” here because there are some cases in which interchangeability can be achieved, though this typically requires one to swap some of the parts on their gun. A common example is prominent with single action revolvers like the classic Ruger Single-Six. This .22 revolver is typically available with two cylinders, one for .22 LR and another for .22 Magnum. In this case, a shooter can easily swap between either caliber with a simple cylinder change. Another example comes to us in the form of some of the bolt action rimfire rifles offered by CZ. Notably, the 457 line from CZ features swappable barrels and magazines which allow end users to accommodate .22 LR, .22 WMR, and even .17 HMR ammo. Of course, these caliber swaps are more involved and in-depth than a simple cylinder swap of a revolver, but this is mainly due to the fact that each round requires a specific chamber. In the case of the revolvers, this is accomplished by the cylinder swap while the CZ rifles feature caliber specific chambers with their barrels. In short, one should not expect out of the box interchangeability between .22 WMR and .22 LR unless they have a specific type of firearm which allows for the swap to be done safely and properly.

Recoil and Handling: Beginner-Friendly Both Ways   

Rimfires aren't about pounding your shoulder—they're for marathon sessions without the wince. The .22 LR barely registers at 0.2 ft-lbs in a 5-pound rifle; it's why kids start here, stacking cans all day with zero drama. The .22 WMR ups it to 0.6 ft-lbs—still whisper-soft, but noticeable in a lightweight pistol. I've run 500-round days with both; the magnum's extra nudge builds better habits for follow-ups on moving targets like rabbits flushing from cover.

Velocity and Energy: The Power Gap   

Speed kills pests, and .22 WMR eclipses the .22 LR in this regard. A 40-grain jacketed hollow point screams out at 1,900 FPS, packing 320 ft-lbs muzzle—double the .22 LR's 1,200 FPS and 140 ft-lbs punch. That edge shines when varmints toughen up; .22 LR's lighter loads fragment fast on squirrels but glance off coyote skulls past 50 yards. .22 WMR drives deeper, holding 200 ft-lbs at 100—enough to anchor without overkill.

Load Tip: High-velocity .22 LR ammo offerings like certain CCI loadings can reach velocities of 1,640 FPS, closing the gap for plinking, but .22 WMR's case holds more powder for consistent thump across different grain weights.

Trajectory: Reaching Out Without the Rainbow   

Flat arcs mean fewer misses on skittish critters. Zeroed at 50 yards, .22 WMR drops 2 inches by 100—laser-like for prairie dogs popping heads at distance. .22 LR arcs quicker, shedding 6 inches at the same mark; it's dialed for close-quarters woods work but demands holdover past 75. Wind? .22 WMR's heavier slugs (30-50 grains) buck gusts 30% better.

Field Hack: For longer pokes, .22 WMR pairs with a 3-9x scope; I've dropped woodchucks at 150 without dialing, where .22 LR would rainbow over.

Hunting Applications: Matching Game to Gun   

Both rule the small game world, but scale matters. .22 LR dominates squirrels and rabbits—quiet, meat-saving expansion from 36-grain hollow points leaves meat intact for the pot. Step to coyotes or foxes, and .22 WMR takes over: 40-grain V-MAX shreds vitals at 125 yards without ruining pelts. It's legal for deer in some states with restrictions, but stick to varmints—over 200 ft-lbs ethical minimum.

Small Game vs Predator Picks  

•.22 LR: Backyard bunnies and tree rats; subsonic loads whisper for suburban stealth.

•.22 WMR: Pack predators and groundhogs; supersonic zip handles brush better.

Ethics Note: Always confirm state regs—some cap .22 LR for fur bearers, greenlighting .22 WMR for larger game.

Self-Defense Sidebar: Last Resort Only   

Rimfire cartridges aren't known for being optimal defense calibers, but in a pinch? .22 WMR's energy rivals .380 ACP with less kick—multiple hits from a pocket revolver can deter. .22 LR? Volume over power; 10 rounds beat one dud. But reliability bites: Rimfire primers flake out more than centerfire. I've had .22 LR stovepipes in wet weather—fine for range, suboptimal for streets. Go 9mm or .45 for serious protection; rimfires are best suited as hunting or fun guns.

Ammo Supply and Pricing: Feeding the Habit   

.22 LR wins wallets: Bulk packs hover $0.08/round in 2025, crates everywhere for impulse buys. .22 WMR? Specialty status bumps it to $0.40—worth it for performance, but stockpile for hunts. Reloading? Neither's prime, but .22 WMR brass reforms easier from spent cases.

Saver Move: Buy match-grade .22 LR for groups, reserve .22 WMR for field loads—saves $100 per 1,000 rounds.

Ballistics Breakdown: Yardage by the Numbers   

Chrono data from 18-inch rifle barrels, 50-yard zeros—tweak for your setup.

.22 WMR Ballistics   

Bullet Weight	Muzzle Velocity (FPS)	Muzzle Energy (ft-lbs)	50 yd Drop (in)	100 yd Drop (in)	150 yd Energy (ft-lbs)
30 gr V- MAX	2,200	322	0	-2	180
40 gr JHP	1,910	324	0	-2.5	200
45 gr FMJ	1,550	240	-0.5	-3	150

.22 LR Ballistics

Bullet Weight	Muzzle Velocity (FPS)	Muzzle Energy (ft-lbs)	50 yd Drop (in)	100 yd Drop (in)	100 yd Energy (ft-lbs)
30 gr HP	1,640	191	0	-4	120
40 gr RN	1,235	135	0	-6	90
45 gr Sub	1,000	100	-1	-8	70

Wrap It Up

.22 LR for endless plinking and small fry, .22 WMR if your hunts push boundaries. Both keep the tradition alive—grab quality stacks at True Shot Ammo. We've got everything from bulk ammo to precision and hunting ammunition offerings for all your rimfire ammo needs with deals on pricing and shipping galore. Check trueshotammo.com and gear up for the field. Take your best shot!