Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to go over the different types of .22 on the market. Our goal with this blog post is to provide a brief overview of some of the .22 caliber cartridges one may encounter. While most of these calibers are of the rimfire variety, there is one centerfire example worth considering. Without further ado, let’s talk .22 caliber cartridges.
Is All .22 Ammo the Same?
Many shooters will say that they love their .22 and that .22 is one of the most popular calibers on the market. But what .22 are they really talking about? Odds are, they are talking about the .22 Long Rifle cartridge and firearms chambered in the caliber. While the .22 LR may be the most commonly used .22 caliber round today, there are many other .22 caliber cartridges in existence.
Purchase Ammo.22 Caliber Cartridge Snapshot
The following data represents industry-standard specifications for the cartridges discussed in this guide.
|
Cartridge |
Type |
Typical Bullet Weight |
Typical Velocity |
Common Use Case |
|
.22 Short |
Rimfire |
27 – 29 gr |
~1,050 fps |
Pest Control / Gallery Guns |
|
.22 Long |
Rimfire |
29 gr |
~1,030 fps |
Revolvers / Bolt Action |
|
.22 Long Rifle |
Rimfire |
30 – 40 gr |
~1,200 fps |
General Purpose / Training |
|
.22 Magnum |
Rimfire |
30 – 50 gr |
~1,900+ fps |
Small Game Hunting / Defense |
|
.22 Hornet |
Centerfire |
34 – 46 gr |
~2,500+ fps |
Varmint Hunting (150+ yds) |
The Rimfire Staples: Short, Long, and Long Rifle
.22 Short
Introduced in 1857 by Smith & Wesson, the .22 Short has the distinction of being the first American-developed metallic cartridge. The cartridge is well-known for its low volume and noise, making it a popular choice for pest control and plinking. While not as common as the .22 LR, it is still supported by companies such as Aguila, CCI, and Winchester.
.22 Long
Introduced in 1871, the .22 Long is slightly larger than its .22 Short counterpart and featured an increased powder load of 25%. Generally speaking, the .22 Long will not reliably function in semi-automatic firearms and is best suited for lever or bolt action rifles. Today, it is produced in limited quantities by CCI.
.22 Long Rifle
Arguably one of the most popular calibers in existence, the .22 Long Rifle made its debut in 1887. In a departure from the .22 Long, the .22 LR is able to reliably function in semi-automatic firearms. Everything from subsonic suppressor loadings, match ammunition, and hunting ammunition exists for the .22 Long Rifle. At the end of the day, one will have zero issue finding .22 Long Rifle ammo or firearms.
The Powerhouses: .22 Magnum and .22 Hornet
.22 Magnum
The .22 Winchester Magnum (.22 WMR) was introduced in 1959. It features a slightly thicker and longer case, allowing it to achieve higher velocities than its smaller counterparts—reaching up to 2,200 fps. The higher velocity grants the cartridge a greater effective range and makes it much more potent for hunting prairie dogs, foxes, and coyotes.
.22 Hornet
Introduced in 1930, the .22 Hornet differs from the others due to its status as a centerfire cartridge. It is suitable for hunting small game and pests out to about 175 yards. Its effectiveness is owed to high velocities reaching 2,500 to 3,100 fps. As a centerfire cartridge, the .22 Hornet can be reloaded due to its use of traditional style casings and primers.
Considering Compatibility
While each of these .22 caliber loadings is unique, there are some instances in which a firearm chambered in one caliber can safely utilize others. This is especially true with manual action firearms (like Henry lever actions) marked “Calibers .22 S/L/LR,” which do not depend on the inertia of the round to cycle.
However, there are many instances of incompatibility. You will not fit a .22 Long Rifle into a .22 Short chamber. While a .22 LR cartridge can be chambered in a .22 Magnum chamber, it is not recommended, as the cartridge will not be fully supported, leading to a high probability of a split casing. Simply put, one should only shoot ammunition appropriate for use in their firearm.
Conclusion
All in all, these are some of the types of .22 rimfire ammunition on the market. While most people are referring to .22 Long Rifle when mentioning .22 ammo, it is important to recognize that there are in fact other types available. We here at True Shot Ammo carry a wide variety of rimfire ammo in addition to our other product offerings. Whether you are after a .22 caliber loading or something else, we have got you covered. As always, happy shooting.
