Rimfire · SAAMI
.22 Long Rifle
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
- Introduced
- 1887
- Type
- Rimfire
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- J. Stevens Arms & Tool Company
- Manufacturer
- Aguila; Hornady (factory ammunition)
- Standard
- SAAMI
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Abundant
- Case capacity
- 4.4 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:16
- Primer
- Rimfire
- Case type
- Rimfire
- Max pressure
- 24,000 psi, SAAMI transducer
- Eff. range
- 150 yd
- Max range
- 1650 yd
- Recoil
- 0.19–0.2 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .22 Long Rifle. Parent case: .22 Long.
Performance
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| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 5.73 | 0.226 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 5.74 | 0.226 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 5.74 | 0.226 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 7.06 | 0.278 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.09 | 0.043 | ✓ |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 15.57 | 0.613 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 25.40 | 1.000 | ✓ |
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
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
Firearms chambered in .22 Long Rifle
Lineage
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
- Standard SAAMI — ANSI/SAAMI Z299 — Cartridge & Chamber Drawings archived
- Standard SAAMI — SAAMI cartridge & chamber drawing — .22 Long Rifle
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 411 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →