Who Makes .22 LR Ammo?

Who Makes .22 LR Ammo?

Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to go over who makes .22 LR ammo today. The .22 LR is one of the most popular cartridges in civilian use, often being the first round adopted by new shooters. This cartridge is utilized in a variety of platforms by various end users for many use cases. Today we are going to delve into a brief overview of the cartridge while covering different .22 LR ammo producers and other considerations. Without further ado, let’s talk about who makes .22 LR ammo.

What is .22 LR?

The .22 Long Rifle, often abbreviated as .22 LR, is a long-standing rimfire cartridge which has persisted for well over a century. Initially introduced in 1887 by J. Stevens Arms & Tool Company, the .22 LR was based on the earlier .22 Long cartridge. Notably, the .22 LR is suitable for use in both pistols and rifles, making it versatile and able to be utilized by a wide range of firearms. Additionally, the cartridge operates at velocities conducive to reliable function in semi-automatic firearms. This trait is notable as earlier rimfire cartridges lacked the ability to reliably cycle semi-automatic firearms.

What Firearms Use .22 LR?

At this point in time, shooters will find that a wide variety of firearms utilize the .22 LR cartridge. These firearms span designs such as pistols, revolvers, rifles, and even hybrid shotgun/rifle offerings. Rifles chambered in .22 LR alone can be found in a variety of configurations such as semi-automatic, bolt action, and lever action. .22 LR handguns and rifles can be found in unique forms or in the form of larger caliber firearms in a rimfire offering. For example, pistols such as the Glock 44 and rifles like the M&P 15-22 act as rimfire analogues to centerfire Glock and AR-15 type firearms. These types of firearms in particular allow for users to essentially train their fundamentals on a smaller caliber platform and take advantage of cheaper ammo. Purchase .22 LR Ammo

What is .22 LR Used For?

Shooters employ the .22 LR cartridge for a variety of purposes. Like all calibers and gauges, .22 LR is well-suited to plinking and recreational shooting. Additionally, the cartridge is ideal for training purposes as one can effectively build their skills with .22 LR ammo without having to contend with stout recoil and loud reports. Ammo of this type is generally affordable and bulk .22 LR ammunition offerings make it easy for shooters to stock up. The affordable nature of this round plus and available .22 LR bulk ammo makes it well-suited for the aforementioned use cases of training, plinking, and recreational shooting. The cartridge is also often employed by shooters for small game hunting and competition purposes. Many specialized loadings for these use cases exist and further optimize the cartridge for these purposes.

Who Makes General Purpose .22 LR Ammo?

General purpose .22 LR ammo is produced by a wide range of manufacturers. These loadings will typically feature either lead round nose (LRN), hollow point (HP), and copper-plated solid point (CPSP) or hollow point (CPHP) projectiles. Loadings of this type can easily be found in brass, steel, or even aluminum cased form. General purpose .22 LR ammo offerings tend to be the most affordable offerings in this caliber, making them easily stocked up on by shooters of all budgets. Companies such as Aguila, CCI, Federal, Winchester, and Fiocchi make ammunition of this type. Ammo of this type comes in various quantities. Shooters can often find individual box quantities of either 50, 100, or hundreds of rounds of .22 LR. Bulk ammo quantities include various and case quantities of 1,000 rounds or more. Notably, ammo cans and large case quantities of thousands of rounds can be had, allowing for long range days and stockpiling.

Who Makes .22 LR Defensive Ammo?

Like the name suggests, .22 LR defensive ammo is intended for use cases such as home defense, self-defense, or duty. While the cartridge is not commonly known for its defensive use, there are a number of companies who produce .22 LR loadings for this purpose. Companies such as Federal and CCI produce defensive .22 LR ammunition. These offerings tend to feature lighter projectiles under the 40 grain mark along with unique projectiles. For example, Federal Punch and CCI Uppercut loadings feature 29 and 32 grain projectiles respectively. Projectiles in these types of loadings are typically going to be of the jacketed hollow point (JHP) or flat nose projectiles and are designed to have flat trajectories and high velocities. These traits aid in achieving adequate levels of penetration and expansion to aid in its ability to handle threats.

Who Makes .22 LR Specialty Loadings?

Put plainly, specialty loadings encompass a wide range of .22 LR ammunition that falls outside of the purview of standard or defensive offerings. Notably offerings of this type include competition loadings, lead-free offerings, hunting loads, and subsonic ammo offerings to name a few. Simply put, these loadings are intended for specific use cases. For example, subsonic loadings are capable of achieving optimal suppression in a wide range of firearms when paired with an appropriate suppressor. Companies such as Winchester, CCI, Norma, Aguila, and Fiocchi produce ammunition of this type. These loadings are available in individual boxes, sleeves, and bulk ammo forms, allowing shooters to stock up effectively for their specialized use cases. Purchase .22 LR Ammo

Is .22 LR Ammo Expensive?

Generally speaking, like most calibers and ammo offerings, price is ultimately dependent upon the specifics of a given loading. That being said, even some of the more expensive .22 LR loadings on the market tend to be much more affordable than many of their centerfire counterparts. It is also worth noting that cost of materials and labor come into play when it comes to ammunition as well. This is why general-purpose loadings tend to me cheap and affordable while more specialized offerings tend to demand higher prices. For example, traditional 40 grain LRN loadings intended for practice are going to cost less than some of the more specialized or plated offerings. Of course, one can save on ammo when purchasing bulk quantities as there is usually a price break at the case level.

Is .22 LR Ammo Easy to Find?

At this point in time, shooters will find it is easy to find and purchase .22 Long Rifle ammo. The market is full of various companies that produce .22 LR ammo. The aforementioned companies in the earlier sections represent just a few of the potential suppliers of ammunition of this type. Due to its widespread popularity and use, .22 LR ammunition is present at most places where ammo is sold. Generally speaking, most ammo sellers tend to have both ball ammo and some specialty .22 LR ammo available. Additionally, one can opt to shop for ammo online and effectively expand their potential .22 LR ammo offerings. If one elects to buy .22 LR ammo online, one can easily track down and purchase their favorite loadings as they are not limited by local stocks.

Conclusion

All in all, the .22 LR is well-supported by the industry with loadings being offered by many manufacturers. With loadings tailored for a variety of use cases such as recreation, training, small game hunting, and other specialized roles, shooters can truly find a loading best for their intended use. We here at True Shot Ammo carry a wide range of .22 LR for sale in addition to the rest of our ammunition inventory. Beyond .22 LR, we also offer loadings for popular calibers such as 9mm, 5.56, and 12 gauge to name a few. Put plainly, we carry a wide range of pistol, rifle, rimfire, and shotgun ammunition optimal for shooters of all types. Whether you want to buy .22 LR ammo or purchase bulk ammo of a different type, we have got you covered. As always, happy shooting.