Rimfire · Not SAAMI standardized · CIP standardizedObsolete
.22 BB Cap
One of the earliest metallic cartridges ever made.
- Caliber
- 0.2252″ · 5.72 mm
- Introduced
- 1845
- Case
- Rimfire
- Primary use
- Target, Pest Control
- Status
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Introduced
- 1845
- Type
- Rimfire
- Origin
- France
- Inventor
- Louis-Nicolas Flobert
- Manufacturer
- Various (historical)
- Standard
- Not SAAMI standardized · CIP standardized
- SAAMI
- Not SAAMI standardized
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Status
- Obsolete
- Availability
- Collector Only
- Case capacity
- 1.4 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:16
- Primer
- Rimfire
- Case type
- Rimfire
- Max pressure
- 6,000 psi, CIP transducer
- Max range
- 1050 yd
- Recoil
- 0.02 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .22 BB Cap — an obsolete/collector cartridge.
Performance
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
CIP TDCC · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 5.72 | 0.225 | · |
| Neck ⌀ | 5.69 | 0.224 | · |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 5.71 | 0.225 | · |
| Rim ⌀ | 7.06 | 0.278 | ~ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.12 | 0.044 | ~ |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 6.86 | 0.270 | ~ |
| Overall length | 11.18 | 0.440 | ~ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .22 BB Cap is highlighted below.
Factory loads
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
Lineage
History
The BB Cap is among the first practical self-contained metallic cartridges in history, predating even the .22 Short. Flobert's design placed a round lead ball (BB — 'Bulleted Ball') directly into an enlarged rimfire percussion cap. The priming compound provided all the propellant energy — no powder charge. Muzzle velocity was extremely low, making it suitable only for the quietest indoor ranges. American manufacturers including Winchester and CCI produced it into the 20th century for collectors and parlor rifle enthusiasts, but commercial production has effectively ended. Firearms chambered in BB Cap cannot safely fire the longer .22 Short or .22 LR.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .22 BB Cap use?
- .22 BB Cap typically uses a 1:16 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .22 BB Cap?
- .22 BB Cap uses a 0.2252″ (5.72 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .22 BB Cap still in production?
- .22 BB Cap is obsolete; typical availability is collector only.
- What is .22 BB Cap used for?
- .22 BB Cap is primarily used for target, pest control.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 9 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
