Velocity classes
Standard-velocity, high-velocity, and subsonic are load descriptions. Their numerical limits and test conditions belong to the exact product. A rifle catalog velocity should not be assumed for a handgun.
THE CARTRIDGE LIBRARY · RIMFIRE
.22 LR
Long Rifle is the familiar .22 rimfire used for target shooting and small-game ammunition. Its large range of bullet shapes and velocity classes makes the exact load more informative than the name alone.
2A Ledger reference desk · Sources checked October 18, 2026
Read the dimensions
- Overall · min–max
- 0.950–1.000 in
24.130–25.400 mm - Case length · max
- 0.613 in
15.570 mm - Sporting bullet max
- 0.2255 in
5.728 mm - Rim diameter · max
- 0.278 in
7.061 mm
Know the exact name
At a glance
- Cartridge family
- Rimfire
- Bullet specification
- 0.2255 in / 5.728 mmSporting bullet max
- Factory examples
- 32 loadsSelected, sourced examples below
- Weight in cited examples
- 29–60 grGrains measure mass, not powder charge
.22 LR is identified by its complete cartridge designation. The resource-table alternative is 22 Long Rifle. A caliber number, bullet diameter, or family resemblance on its own does not identify ammunition compatibility.
A subsonic label describes velocity under the maker's test conditions. A short test barrel or different weather can change the result.
Dimensions: open the exact dimensional drawing ↗. The displayed number is sporting bullet max, rather than an assertion that every manufactured projectile or barrel has this exact diameter.
Origins & evolution
Background & development
The .22 Long Rifle was introduced in 1887, building on the earlier .22 Short and .22 Long rather than beginning the rimfire story from scratch. It became a practical small-game, training and target cartridge during the transition from black powder to smokeless ammunition. Its broad appeal depended on inexpensive firearms and ammunition as much as on any single ballistic specification.
The cartridge continued to evolve after its external form became familiar. CCI’s history describes the gradual move away from early semi-smokeless propellants and toward non-corrosive priming. The company’s Stinger, introduced in 1975, helped establish the modern hyper-velocity category with a lighter bullet. Match ammunition followed a different priority: consistent ignition and velocity rather than the highest advertised speed. Those parallel developments explain why today’s Long Rifle label covers such different products, from quiet practice ammunition and carefully selected match lots to lightweight, high-velocity small-game loads.
Historical sources: CCI: The Evolution of the .22 LR ↗
Construction changes the story
Loads, variations & specialty offerings
Bullet design
Round-nose, hollow-point, and polymer-tipped bullets have different intended roles. A tip or hollow cavity is not a reliable substitute for the maker’s product description.
Specialty products
Target and reduced-noise products may trade velocity or bullet shape for a particular use. Verify reliable operation and the firearm maker’s ammunition restrictions rather than assuming every rimfire product behaves alike.
The expanded factory selection spans 29–60 grains. Exact products and source conditions appear in the table.
Bullet construction background: Hornady: anatomy of a bullet ↗. Exact product descriptions and velocities are cited in the factory table.
Factory-labeled subsonic additions include Aguila, CCI, ELEY, Fiocchi, Magtech, Winchester. The table also distinguishes ordinary factory loads. Published test conditions and product-specific notes accompany each addition; no velocity curve is inferred from one muzzle specification.
From the factory catalog
29 grains
1,070 fps
SOLID
36 grains
1,260 fps
CPHP
38 grains
1,260 fps
CPHP
45 grains · Subsonic
1,090 fps · factory specification
Super Suppressed · black copper-plated round nose
Compare all 32 cited factory load records
| Maker / product | Bullet mass | Published construction | Muzzle velocity | Test barrel | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FederalPD22L1 | 29 gr 1.88 g | SOLID | 1,070 fps 326 m/s | Not stated here; see source | Federal · PDF p. 64 ↗ |
| Federal745*** | 36 gr 2.33 g | CPHP | 1,260 fps 384 m/s | Not stated here; see source | Federal · PDF p. 64 ↗ |
| Federal747*** | 36 gr 2.33 g | CPHP | 1,260 fps 384 m/s | Not stated here; see source | Federal · PDF p. 64 ↗ |
| Federal749** | 36 gr 2.33 g | CPHP | 1,260 fps 384 m/s | Not stated here; see source | Federal · PDF p. 64 ↗ |
| Federal750BKT1375 | 36 gr 2.33 g | CPHP | 1,260 fps 384 m/s | Not stated here; see source | Federal · PDF p. 64 ↗ |
| Federal750BTL450 | 36 gr 2.33 g | CPHP | 1,260 fps 384 m/s | Not stated here; see source | Federal · PDF p. 64 ↗ |
| FederalAE22* | 38 gr 2.46 g | CPHP | 1,260 fps 384 m/s | Not stated here; see source | Federal · PDF p. 64 ↗ |
| Federal22HAM | 40 gr 2.59 g | CPHP | 1,200 fps 366 m/s | Not stated here; see source | Federal · PDF p. 64 ↗ |
| Federal510 | 40 gr 2.59 g | SOLID | 1,240 fps 378 m/s | Not stated here; see source | Federal · PDF p. 64 ↗ |
| Federal711B | 40 gr 2.59 g | SOLID | 1,080 fps 329 m/s | Not stated here; see source | Federal · PDF p. 64 ↗ |
| Federal719 | 40 gr 2.59 g | SOLID | 1,200 fps 366 m/s | Not stated here; see source | Federal · PDF p. 64 ↗ |
| FederalAM22** | 40 gr 2.59 g | SOLID | 1,200 fps 366 m/s | Not stated here; see source | Federal · PDF p. 64 ↗ |
| FederalSUB325 | 40 gr 2.59 g | SOLID | 1,050 fps 320 m/s | Not stated here; see source | Federal · PDF p. 64 ↗ |
| FederalAE22SUP1 | 45 gr 2.92 g | CP SOLID | 970 fps 296 m/s | Not stated here; see source | Federal · PDF p. 64 ↗ |
| Fiocchi22FHPSUB | 40 gr 2.59 g | HPManufacturer product specification; test barrel not stated in this catalog row. | 1,060 fps 323.1 m/s | Not stated | Fiocchi · PDF p. 33 ↗ |
| WinchesterSUP22LR | 45 gr 2.92 g | Super Suppressed · black copper-plated round noseWinchester February 4, 2026 product table. Different package variants are retained where published specifications differ; SUP300BLK and SUP300BLK2 share one ballistic record. | 1,090 fps 332.2 m/s | Not stated | Winchester · source ↗ |
| WinchesterSUP22LRHP | 45 gr 2.92 g | Super Suppressed · copper-plated hollow pointWinchester February 4, 2026 product table. Different package variants are retained where published specifications differ; SUP300BLK and SUP300BLK2 share one ballistic record. | 1,065 fps 324.6 m/s | Not stated | Winchester · source ↗ |
| WinchesterSUP22LRB2 | 45 gr 2.92 g | Super Suppressed · black copper-plated round nose, 350-round packWinchester February 4, 2026 product table. Different package variants are retained where published specifications differ; SUP300BLK and SUP300BLK2 share one ballistic record. | 1,065 fps 324.6 m/s | Not stated | Winchester · source ↗ |
| CCI22SMX | 45 gr 2.92 g | Suppressor Max · segmented hollow point | 970 fps 295.7 m/s | Not stated | CCI · PDF p. 26 ↗ |
| CCI957 | 45 gr 2.92 g | Suppressor · lead hollow point | 970 fps 295.7 m/s | Not stated | CCI · PDF p. 26 ↗ |
| CCI56 | 40 gr 2.59 g | Sub-Sonic HP · lead hollow point | 1,050 fps 320 m/s | Not stated | CCI · PDF p. 26 ↗ |
| CCI960 | 40 gr 2.59 g | Quiet-22 · lead round nose | 710 fps 216.4 m/s | Not stated | CCI · PDF p. 26 ↗ |
| CCI970 | 40 gr 2.59 g | Quiet-22 · segmented hollow point | 710 fps 216.4 m/s | Not stated | CCI · PDF p. 26 ↗ |
| CCI975CC | 45 gr 2.92 g | Quiet-22 Semi-Auto | 835 fps 254.5 m/s | Not stated | CCI · PDF p. 26 ↗ |
| CCI2R40LFN | 40 gr 2.59 g | Hunter Series Subsonic · lead flat nose | 1,070 fps 326.1 m/s | Not stated | CCI · PDF p. 26 ↗ |
| CCI934CC | 40 gr 2.59 g | Clean-22 Subsonic · blue polymer-coated round nose | 1,070 fps 326.1 m/s | Not stated | CCI · PDF p. 17 ↗ |
| CCI980CC | 45 gr 2.92 g | Clean-22 Suppressor · black polymer-coated round noseCCI product tables on PDF pages 4 and 17 state 1000 fps. The appendix on PDF page 26 states 1050 fps for the same SKU. This record follows the product tables and does not combine the conflicting downrange row. | 1,000 fps 304.8 m/s | Not stated | CCI · PDF p. 17 ↗ |
| Magtech22D | 40 gr 2.59 g | Subsonic · lead hollow point | 1,050 fps 320 m/s | 24 in | Magtech · PDF p. 11 ↗ |
| Aguila1B220269 | 40 gr 2.59 g | Subsonic · lead solid point2023 manufacturer catalog. | 1,025 fps 312.4 m/s | Not stated | Aguila · PDF p. 8 ↗ |
| Aguila1B220268 | 38 gr 2.46 g | Subsonic · lead hollow point2023 manufacturer catalog. | 1,024 fps 312.1 m/s | Not stated | Aguila · PDF p. 8 ↗ |
| Aguila1B220112 | 60 gr 3.89 g | Sniper Subsonic · lead solid point2023 manufacturer catalog. Sniper Subsonic has specific barrel-twist guidance on the linked manufacturer page. | 950 fps 289.6 m/s | Not stated | Aguila · PDF p. 10 ↗ |
| ELEYSubsonic hollow | 38 gr 2.46 g | Subsonic · hollow pointManufacturer publishes a mean-velocity specification band. No single mean or curve has been invented; this range remains in the table. | 1000–1040 fps / 305–317 m/s | Not stated | ELEY · source ↗ |
Explore the published data
Ballistics you can inspect
Select a legend entry to add or remove its line. Hover or tap a plotted point, or use the position slider. With the graph focused, arrow keys move the inspector. Solid dots identify source points; dashed connectors show estimates between them. Load construction, pressure category, and test setup can differ even at the same grain weight.
Read the original values as accessible tables
.22 LR: velocity by barrel length
| Exact load | Source / publisher | Published points |
|---|---|---|
| CCI 27 gr. CPHP | BBTI | 2: 861; 3: 907; 4: 956; 5: 1,029; 6: 1,049; 7: 1,060; 8: 1,092; 9: 1,092; 10: 1,115; 11: 1,092; 12: 1,089; 13: 1,098; 14: 1,096; 15: 1,133; 16: 1,130; 17: 1,116; 18: 1,158 |
| CCI 29 gr. CPRN | BBTI | 2: 860; 3: 893; 4: 948; 5: 1,014; 6: 993; 7: 1,056; 8: 1,048; 9: 1,042; 10: 1,065; 11: 1,079; 12: 1,074; 13: 1,071; 14: 1,103; 15: 1,083; 16: 1,094; 17: 1,060; 18: 1,114 |
| CCI 32 gr. CPHP Stinger | BBTI | 2: 974; 3: 1,129; 4: 1,191; 5: 1,286; 6: 1,321; 7: 1,367; 8: 1,396; 9: 1,430; 10: 1,452; 11: 1,463; 12: 1,476; 13: 1,496; 14: 1,483; 15: 1,496; 16: 1,489; 17: 1,502; 18: 1,510 |
| Remington 33 gr. HVTCHP Yellow Jacket | BBTI | 2: 945; 3: 1,045; 4: 1,113; 5: 1,214; 6: 1,249; 7: 1,284; 8: 1,271; 9: 1,315; 10: 1,304; 11: 1,360; 12: 1,334; 13: 1,381; 14: 1,334; 15: 1,369; 16: 1,398; 17: 1,396; 18: 1,407 |
| Remington 36 gr. HVTCS Viper | BBTI | 2: 875; 3: 998; 4: 1,104; 5: 1,156; 6: 1,165; 7: 1,229; 8: 1,212; 9: 1,267; 10: 1,270; 11: 1,280; 12: 1,293; 13: 1,296; 14: 1,294; 15: 1,305; 16: 1,306; 17: 1,304; 18: 1,342 |
| Remington 36 gr. Golden Bullet HP | BBTI | 2: 846; 3: 890; 4: 984; 5: 1,009; 6: 1,063; 7: 1,073; 8: 1,101; 9: 1,129; 10: 1,150; 11: 1,180; 12: 1,167; 13: 1,147; 14: 1,163; 15: 1,178; 16: 1,185; 17: 1,178; 18: 1,181 |
| CCI 40 gr. CPRN Mini- Mag | BBTI | 2: 856; 3: 948; 4: 1,014; 5: 1,097; 6: 1,101; 7: 1,139; 8: 1,158; 9: 1,169; 10: 1,169; 11: 1,210; 12: 1,221; 13: 1,183; 14: 1,224; 15: 1,211; 16: 1,207; 17: 1,206; 18: 1,212 |
| Winchester 40 gr. Super X RN | BBTI | 2: 862; 3: 965; 4: 1,043; 5: 1,070; 6: 1,133; 7: 1,162; 8: 1,191; 9: 1,203; 10: 1,193; 11: 1,223; 12: 1,235; 13: 1,248; 14: 1,222; 15: 1,241; 16: 1,251; 17: 1,227; 18: 1,250 |
| CCI 40 gr. CPHP Velocitor | BBTI | 2: 882; 3: 1,026; 4: 1,120; 5: 1,172; 6: 1,093; 7: 1,244; 8: 1,268; 9: 1,275; 10: 1,316; 11: 1,338; 12: 1,335; 13: 1,341; 14: 1,349; 15: 1,336; 16: 1,340; 17: 1,376; 18: 1,366 |
| Aguila 60 gr. SSS | BBTI | 2: 663; 3: 726; 4: 762; 5: 796; 6: 824; 7: 820; 8: 857; 9: 868; 10: 859; 11: 881; 12: 892; 13: 891; 14: 883; 15: 879; 16: 900; 17: 903; 18: 903 |
.22 LR: factory velocity downrange
| Exact load | Source / publisher | Published points |
|---|---|---|
| 29 gr Federal SOLID | Federal | 0: 1,070; 50: 978; 100: 912 |
| 36 gr Federal CPHP | Federal | 0: 1,260; 50: 1,104; 100: 1,003 |
| 38 gr Federal CPHP | Federal | 0: 1,260; 50: 1,110; 100: 1,010 |
| 40 gr Federal CPHP | Federal | 0: 1,200; 50: 1,051; 100: 957 |
| 45 gr Federal CP SOLID | Federal | 0: 970; 50: 908; 100: 856 |
| 36 gr Federal CPHP | Federal | 0: 1,260; 50: 1,104; 100: 1,003 |
| 36 gr Federal CPHP | Federal | 0: 1,260; 50: 1,104; 100: 1,003 |
| 36 gr Federal CPHP | Federal | 0: 1,260; 50: 1,104; 100: 1,003 |
| 36 gr Federal CPHP | Federal | 0: 1,260; 50: 1,104; 100: 1,003 |
| 40 gr Federal SOLID | Federal | 0: 1,240; 50: 1,103; 100: 1,011 |
| 40 gr Federal SOLID | Federal | 0: 1,080; 50: 994; 100: 930 |
| 40 gr Federal SOLID | Federal | 0: 1,200; 50: 1,075; 100: 991 |
| 40 gr Federal SOLID | Federal | 0: 1,200; 50: 1,075; 100: 991 |
| 40 gr Federal SOLID | Federal | 0: 1,050; 50: 973; 100: 913 |
| 40 gr Fiocchi HP | Fiocchi | 0: 1,060 |
| 45 gr Winchester Super Suppressed · black copper-plated round nose | Winchester | 0: 1,090 |
| 45 gr Winchester Super Suppressed · copper-plated hollow point | Winchester | 0: 1,065 |
| 45 gr Winchester Super Suppressed · black copper-plated round nose, 350-round pack | Winchester | 0: 1,065 |
| 45 gr CCI Suppressor Max · segmented hollow point | CCI | 0: 970; 50: 906; 100: 852 |
| 45 gr CCI Suppressor · lead hollow point | CCI | 0: 970; 50: 906; 100: 852 |
| 40 gr CCI Sub-Sonic HP · lead hollow point | CCI | 0: 1,050; 50: 963; 100: 897 |
| 40 gr CCI Quiet-22 · lead round nose | CCI | 0: 710; 50: 674; 100: 640 |
| 40 gr CCI Quiet-22 · segmented hollow point | CCI | 0: 710; 50: 674; 100: 640 |
| 45 gr CCI Quiet-22 Semi-Auto | CCI | 0: 835; 50: 795; 100: 755 |
| 40 gr CCI Hunter Series Subsonic · lead flat nose | CCI | 0: 1,070; 50: 970; 100: 901 |
| 40 gr CCI Clean-22 Subsonic · blue polymer-coated round nose | CCI | 0: 1,070 |
| 45 gr CCI Clean-22 Suppressor · black polymer-coated round nose | CCI | 0: 1,000 |
| 40 gr Magtech Subsonic · lead hollow point | Magtech | 0: 1,050 |
| 40 gr Aguila Subsonic · lead solid point | Aguila | 0: 1,025; 100: 911 |
| 38 gr Aguila Subsonic · lead hollow point | Aguila | 0: 1,024; 100: 873 |
| 60 gr Aguila Sniper Subsonic · lead solid point | Aguila | 0: 950; 100: 848 |
How to interpret the comparison
Changing bullet weight also often changes bullet design and propellant choice. Two curves are comparisons of the listed products, not a controlled experiment proving that bullet weight alone caused the difference. Catalog downrange points are projections under the maker’s conditions; barrel-study points are recorded observations in the study firearm.
Direct answers
Common questions
What is .22 LR?
Long Rifle is the familiar .22 rimfire used for target shooting and small-game ammunition. Its large range of bullet shapes and velocity classes makes the exact load more informative than the name alone.
What diameter does .22 LR use?
The cited dimensional standard lists 0.2255 inches (5.728 mm), sporting bullet max. This drawing convention is different from a casual caliber nickname.
Are similarly named cartridges interchangeable?
A subsonic label describes velocity under the maker's test conditions. A short test barrel or different weather can change the result.
Are the graph values measured or estimated?
Factory datasets show manufacturer specifications and any published downrange projections. Chronograph and barrel-study datasets identify recorded measurements and the original test source. Dashed connectors and intermediate inspector values are labeled linear estimates; single source points are not extended into invented curves. Energy is calculated from bullet mass and velocity.
Does higher energy mean the best load?
Energy is calculated from mass and velocity. It does not establish accuracy, expansion, penetration, pattern density, recoil, or suitability for a particular firearm. Use the exact product documentation and firearm manual.
Trace the facts
Sources & methodology
Compiled by 2A Ledger from the linked standards, manufacturer publications, and identified test records. Checked October 18, 2026. Historical tests and older catalogs retain their original dates; a listing here does not establish current availability.
- SAAMI: dimensional drawing · PDF p. 22 ↗
- CCI: Who Are You Calling Short? ↗
- Federal · PDF p. 64 ↗
- Ballistics by the Inch: archived measured barrel data (2020 archive) ↗
- BBTI: study index and source records ↗
- CCI: The Evolution of the .22 LR ↗
- Additional factory specification / original test ↗
- Additional factory specification / original test ↗
- Additional factory specification / original test ↗
- Additional factory specification / original test ↗
- Additional factory specification / original test ↗
- Additional factory specification / original test ↗
- Additional factory specification / original test ↗
- Additional factory specification / original test ↗
Diameter figures preserve the cited drawing convention. Inch–millimeter conversion uses exactly 25.4 mm per inch. Factory specifications describe the maker’s test setup; your firearm, ammunition lot, temperature, and measuring method can produce different results. This is an educational factory-ammunition reference, not a reloading manual.