Skip to content
Lindcott Armory

Rimfire · SAAMI

.22 Long Rifle

Also known as .22 LR · 5.6x15mmR

Most popular cartridge in the world.

Caliber
0.2255″ · 5.728 mm
Introduced
1887
Case
Rimfire
Parent
.22 Long
Primary use
Target, Plinking, Hunting
Status
Active

Buy this cartridge

Buy at Rivertown

Buying from Rivertown

Partner link
VelocityBeing verified
EnergyBeing verified
Typical grains36 · 38 · 40 gr
Identity
Introduced
1887
Type
Rimfire
Origin
United States
Inventor
J. Stevens Arms & Tool Company
Manufacturer
Various
Standard
SAAMI
Status
Active
Availability
Abundant
Build
Case capacity
2.5 gr H₂O
Twist (typical)
1:16
Primer
Rimfire
Case type
Rimfire
Pressure & range
Max pressure
24,000 psi
Eff. range
150 yd
Recoil
0.2–0.5 ft·lb
Subsonic
Capable

Ballistics

Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .22 Long Rifle. Parent case: .22 Long.

Performance

Best for Withheld until verified
Best for Withheld until verified
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds

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

SAAMI · verified
Measuremmin✓
Bullet ⌀ 5.730.226 ✓
Neck ⌀ 5.740.226 ✓
Shoulder ⌀ n/a
Shoulder angle n/a
Base ⌀ 5.740.226 ✓
Rim ⌀ 7.060.278 ✓
Belt ⌀ n/a
Rim thickness 1.090.043 ✓
Neck length n/a
Case length 15.570.613 ✓
Overall length 25.401.000 ✓

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 Long Rifle is highlighted below.

Factory loads

Verification

Being verified

Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.

Firearms chambered in .22 Long Rifle

12 models in the database chamber .22 Long Rifle. Browse all →

Sig Sauer P322 Threaded .22 LR 4-inchSig Sauer P322 Comp TS .22 LR 4-inchCZ CZ 457 LRP Long Range Precision 22 LRSIG Sauer P322 Comp .22 LR 4.0-inchSIG Sauer P322 Competition .22 LR 4-inchTaurus Taurus TX22 Competition SCR .22 LR 5.25-inchTaurus TX22 Compact SCRTaurus TX22 Performance .22 LRTaurus TX22 .22 LR 5.3-Inch CompetitionBeretta Beretta BRX1 .22 LR 20-inchSIG Sauer P322 CompetitionSIG Sauer P322-COMP

Lineage

Immediate parent
.22 Long
Direct descendants (2)
.21 Sharp.17 Mach 2
Family TreeOpen .22 Long Rifle in the interactive cartridge family tree

Connected reference

Loads524 factory loads for .22 Long RifleFirearmsFirearms in .22 Long Rifle

History

Introduced in 1887 by J. Stevens Arms. Evolved from .22 Short and .22 Long. Over 2 billion rounds produced annually. Every shooter's first cartridge.

FAQs

What twist rate does .22 Long Rifle use?
.22 Long Rifle typically uses a 1:16 twist rate.
What bullet diameter is .22 Long Rifle?
.22 Long Rifle uses a 0.2255″ (5.728 mm) diameter bullet.
Is .22 Long Rifle still in production?
.22 Long Rifle is active; typical availability is abundant.
What is .22 Long Rifle used for?
.22 Long Rifle is primarily used for target, plinking, hunting, competition.
What is .22 Long Rifle based on?
.22 Long Rifle is derived from the .22 Long case.

Sources & provenance

Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 427 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →