Best 22 LR Ammo 2027: Top Picks for Plinking, Practice and Quiet Shooting

For most .22 LR shooting in 2027, a 40 grain round nose such as CCI Mini-Mag or CCI Standard Velocity is the strongest all-round choice, and Aguila Colibri is the pick when quiet matters more than power. The right box depends on your gun: semi-autos need enough power to cycle, while bolt guns and revolvers run almost anything.

Updated October 2026 for 2027.

Top picks for 2027

1. CCI Mini-Mag 22 LR 40 grain copper-plated round nose (0030). A long-running high-velocity load. CCI lists 1,235 fps and 100 rounds per box. It suits semi-auto rifles and pistols that need a strong load to cycle, and general plinking and small game. We do not stock this load.

2. CCI Standard Velocity 22 LR 40 grain lead round nose (0035). CCI lists 1,070 fps, which is below the speed of sound on a standard day. It suits accuracy practice and bolt guns, and it is quieter than high-velocity loads. Some semi-autos may not cycle it. We do not stock this load.

3. Federal Champion Training 22 LR 40 grain lead round nose (AM22). Federal lists 1,200 fps and 325 rounds per package, marketed for target shooting. It suits high-volume plinking in semi-autos. We do not stock this load.

4. Aguila Super Extra 22 LR High Velocity 40 grain (1B220328). Aguila lists 1,255 fps for its 40 grain high-velocity load. It suits semi-autos and general use. We do not stock this load.

5. Aguila Colibri 22 LR 20 grain (1B220337). A powderless round: the primer alone pushes a 20 grain lead bullet. Aguila lists 420 fps and 8 ft-lb at the muzzle, 50 rounds per box and 1,000 per case, and designs it for bolt actions and revolvers. It will not cycle a semi-auto. Its quiet report suits new shooters and short-range practice at a range or other place where shooting is legal and safe. We stock it: Aguila Colibri 20 grain, in 50, 100, 250, 500 and 1,000-round packs.

How we picked

Picks are based on manufacturer specifications, published standards from SAAMI, FBI-protocol statements only where the manufacturer itself publishes them, law-enforcement adoption only where it is publicly documented, and long-running shooter consensus. We did not run our own ballistic tests for this page. Every velocity and spec here is the maker's published figure, usually from a test barrel, so results from your own gun will differ.

How to choose .22 LR ammo

• Match the load to the action. Semi-autos usually want high-velocity loads such as a 40 grain round nose. Bolt actions, lever guns and revolvers run standard velocity, subsonic and Colibri.
• Decide if quiet matters. Sound travels at about 1,100 ft/s on a standard sea-level day. Loads slower than that skip the supersonic crack. See the quietest .22 LR ammo.
• Test a few brands. Rimfire accuracy varies from gun to gun. Buy small boxes of several loads, then buy the one your gun likes by the case.
• Know the speed classes. High velocity, standard, subsonic and Colibri are explained in .22 LR high velocity vs subsonic vs Colibri.

Buying .22 LR in Phoenix

Right now our only .22 LR is Aguila Colibri, listed in 22 Long Rifle. We are honest about that: if you need a high-velocity load for a semi-auto, Colibri is the wrong box. A 1,000-round case of Colibri ships at 7.8 pounds. Orders ship UPS Ground from Phoenix within 2 business days, charged by weight and never free, or you can pick up in Phoenix Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, with ID. See where we ship. You must be 21 or older to order.

Rimfire primers do not like heat. SAAMI advises cool, dry storage and warns against leaving ammunition in a hot vehicle, which in a Phoenix summer can mean a lot of heat. Store bricks indoors. More in our 22 LR ammo guide.

22 LR ammo questions

Will Aguila Colibri work in my semi-auto .22?

No. Colibri has no powder, so it does not make enough energy to cycle a semi-auto action. Aguila designs it for bolt actions and revolvers.

What .22 LR is good for a semi-auto rifle?

A high-velocity 40 grain round nose such as CCI Mini-Mag, Federal AM22 or Aguila Super Extra is the usual choice. We do not stock those loads right now.

Is standard velocity .22 LR more accurate?

Many shooters find standard velocity loads group well because they stay below the speed of sound. Accuracy still depends on your gun, so test a few loads.

How quiet is Colibri?

Aguila lists it at 420 fps, far below the speed of sound, so there is no sonic crack. From a rifle it is quiet, but it is not silent, and you should still wear hearing protection.