Rimfire · SAAMI
.22 CB Cap
The quiet .22 — a conical-bullet evolution of the BB Cap that uses .22 Short or Long case length but with primer-only propellant.
- Caliber
- 0.222″ · 5.639 mm
- Introduced
- 1888
- Case
- Rimfire
- Parent
- .22 BB Cap
- Primary use
- Pest Control, Target, Training
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 1888
- Type
- Rimfire
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Various
- Manufacturer
- CCI
- Standard
- SAAMI
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Specialty
- Case capacity
- 1 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:16
- Primer
- Rimfire
- Case type
- Rimfire
- Max pressure
- 6,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 25 yd
- Max range
- 75 yd
- Recoil
- 0.1–0.3 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Introduced by CCI
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .22 CB Cap. Parent case: .22 BB Cap.
Performance
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
Wikipedia · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 5.64 | 0.222 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 5.71 | 0.225 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 5.73 | 0.226 | ~ |
| Rim ⌀ | 6.90 | 0.271 | ~ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.02 | 0.040 | ✓ |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 7.21 | 0.284 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 13.21 | 0.520 | ✓ |
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 CB Cap is highlighted below.
Factory loads
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
Lineage
Connected reference
History
The CB Cap replaced the round-ball BB Cap with a conical bullet for better accuracy and modest energy improvement, while retaining the all-priming-compound propellant design. CCI revived and standardized the design for the modern market, producing CB Short (on .22 Short brass) and CB Long (on .22 Long brass) variants. Both chamber and fire in standard .22 LR firearms. In a rifle barrel, the CB Cap is hearing-safe without a suppressor — a major selling point for farm and ranch pest control where a suppressor isn't available or practical. Used by trainers introducing new shooters who are noise-sensitive.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .22 CB Cap use?
- .22 CB Cap typically uses a 1:16 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .22 CB Cap?
- .22 CB Cap uses a 0.222″ (5.639 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .22 CB Cap still in production?
- .22 CB Cap is active; typical availability is specialty.
- What is .22 CB Cap used for?
- .22 CB Cap is primarily used for pest control, target, training.
- What is .22 CB Cap based on?
- .22 CB Cap is derived from the .22 BB Cap case.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 17 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →