.22 LR Ammo Guide: Velocities, Rimfire Basics and Quiet Loads

This .22 LR ammo guide covers how .22 Long Rifle works, the velocity classes on the box, which loads cycle a semi-auto, and what we stock at our Phoenix warehouse. Today our .22 shelf is one specialty load, Aguila Colibri, kept from the 50-round box up to the 1,000-round case. We say that plainly so you can tell whether it fits your rifle before you order.

What .22 Long Rifle is

.22 Long Rifle dates to the late 1800s and is the most produced cartridge in the world. It is a rimfire: the priming compound sits inside the folded rim of the case, and the firing pin crushes the rim to fire it. That design is cheap to make and gives very low recoil and noise, which is why .22 LR is the usual first cartridge for new shooters, small game hunters and anyone practicing fundamentals. Rimfire cases cannot be reloaded, because the priming is part of the case.

Not every ".22" is interchangeable. .22 LR, .22 Short, .22 WMR (Magnum) and .22 Hornet are different cartridges, and .22 LR does not fit a .22 WMR chamber safely. .22 Short and .22 Long can usually be fired in a .22 LR chamber, but they may not cycle a semi-auto. Check the marking on your barrel.

Velocity classes on the box

• Standard velocity: usually just under the speed of sound, around 1,050 to 1,150 feet per second, often with a 40 grain bullet. Common for target shooting.
• High velocity: around 1,200 to 1,300 feet per second with 36 to 40 grain bullets. This is the usual load for semi-auto rifles and pistols because it has the energy to cycle the action.
• Hyper velocity: lighter bullets pushed faster still, aimed at varmints.
• Subsonic: kept below the speed of sound to avoid the supersonic crack, often with heavier bullets, popular with suppressors.
• Low-noise and primer-powered: loads like Colibri that run far slower and quieter than any of the above.

The .22 we stock: Aguila Colibri

Aguila Colibri .22 LR 20 grain solid point (1B220337) drives a light 20 grain bullet with the priming compound alone, so it leaves the muzzle at only a few hundred feet per second. The result is one of the quietest .22 loads made. From a rifle-length barrel it sounds closer to an air rifle than a .22. It is used for backyard pest control where legal, indoor and basement practice traps, and teaching new shooters who flinch at noise. We cover the low-noise angle in quietest .22 LR ammo.

It is not a general-purpose .22, and you should know these limits before you buy it:

• It will not cycle a semi-auto. In a Ruger 10/22 or similar rifle, every shot needs a manual cycle. It suits bolt-action, lever-action and single-shot rifles and in revolvers.
• Watch for a stuck bullet in long barrels. With so little energy, a bullet can occasionally stop in the bore of a long barrel. If a shot sounds unusually weak, stop and check that the bore is clear before you fire again.
• Short effective range. It is a close-range load, so practice and pest control distances should stay short.

Other .22 lines come and go. Check .22 Long Rifle and rimfire ammo for what is listed today.

Storing and shooting .22

Rimfire priming is more sensitive to rough handling and storage than centerfire, and an occasional dud is normal for any .22. If a round fails to fire, keep the muzzle pointed safely and wait at least 30 seconds before opening the action, in case it is a delayed ignition. Store .22 sealed, cool and dry. In Phoenix that means indoors, not in a vehicle or a hot garage. See how long ammo lasts in storage.

Buying, shipping and pickup

You must be 21 or older to order any ammunition from us. Orders ship UPS Ground from Phoenix, with shipping charged by weight. See where we ship. Phoenix-area shooters can call 480-623-4515 and pick up Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, with ID.

.22 LR questions

Will Aguila Colibri work in a Ruger 10/22?

It will fire, but it will not cycle the action, so you have to work the charging handle by hand after every shot. For normal semi-auto shooting use a high-velocity .22 LR load. Colibri suits bolt, lever and single-shot rifles and revolvers.

Is .22 Long Rifle the same as .22 Magnum?

No. .22 WMR (Magnum) has a longer, wider case and runs at higher pressure. .22 LR should not be fired in a .22 WMR chamber, and .22 WMR will not fit a .22 LR chamber. Match the box to your barrel marking.

Why is .22 LR ammo not reloadable?

The priming compound is spun into the rim of the case during manufacture, and firing crushes that rim. There is no primer pocket to replace, so a fired .22 case cannot be reloaded.

Is .22 LR quiet enough to shoot in my backyard?

Low-noise loads like Colibri are quiet, but sound is not the only issue. Discharging a firearm is regulated by state law and by distance from occupied buildings, and the rules near Phoenix depend on where you live. Check local law before shooting anywhere other than a range, and always know what is behind your target.

More answers in our ammo FAQ.