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Lindcott Armory

Centerfire Rifle

.22 BR

Also known as 22 BR Norma · .22 BR Norma

A benchrest accuracy cartridge formed by necking the 6mm BR Norma case down to .224 caliber, developed by the competitive benchrest community in the 1970s.

Caliber
0.224″ · 5.69 mm
Introduced
1975
Case
Bottleneck
Parent
6mm BR Norma
Primary use
Competition
Status
Active

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Velocity3,400–3,900 fps
Energy1,412–1,857 ft·lb · est.
Identity
Introduced
1975
Type
Centerfire Rifle
Origin
United States
Inventor
Benchrest community
Status
Active
Pressure & range
Eff. range
400 yd

Ballistics

Representative trajectory · velocity only, no drag model · 100 yd zero0–1000 yd
-100" -80" -60" -40" -20" 0" Line of sight 0 yd 100 yd 200 yd 300 yd 400 yd 500 yd 600 yd 700 yd 800 yd 900 yd 1000 yd 100 yd zero 103″ drop @ 1000 yd
Drop Zero

Velocity only, no drag model: no published ballistic coefficient is on file for .22 BR, so this is the shape gravity alone gives the advertised velocity. Drag would steepen it. The tool below solves real loads through their published G1 or G7 model.

Open in Ballistic Compare
Parent case
6mm BR Norma

Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).

Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds

Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.

reloading data · verified
Measuremmin
Bullet ⌀ 5.690.224
Neck ⌀ 6.250.246
Shoulder ⌀ 11.630.458
Shoulder angle 30°
Base ⌀ 11.910.469
Rim ⌀ 12.010.473
Belt ⌀ n/a
Rim thickness 1.370.054 ~
Neck length 6.600.260
Case length 38.611.520
Overall length

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 BR is highlighted below.

Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory

Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.

Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.

Firearms chambered in .22 BR

2 models in the database chamber .22 BR. Browse all →

Cooper Arms Model 21 22 BR Western ClassicCooper Arms Model 21 22 BR Varminter

Lineage

Immediate parent
Family TreeOpen .22 BR in the interactive cartridge family tree

Connected reference

History

A benchrest accuracy cartridge formed by necking the 6mm BR Norma case down to .224 caliber, developed by the competitive benchrest community in the 1970s. Delivers the BR case's exceptional shot-to-shot consistency and low extreme spread in a .22-caliber platform optimized for 600-yard competition. Custom-chambered only — no major manufacturer offers it as a standard catalog item.

FAQs

What bullet diameter is .22 BR?
.22 BR uses a 0.224″ (5.69 mm) diameter bullet.
Is .22 BR still in production?
.22 BR is active.
What is .22 BR used for?
.22 BR is primarily used for competition.
What is .22 BR based on?
.22 BR is derived from the 6mm BR Norma case.

Sources & provenance

Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →