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.

Rimfire · SAAMI

.22 Long Rifle

.22 LR5.6x15mmR

Ballistics

Real trajectory computed from a representative load — Gemtech 22 LR Subsonic OTM 42 gr, 1,020 fps, BC 0.112 G7 · 25 yd zero.

Compare tooverlay up to 2

Range	Velocity	Energy	Drop (in)	Drop (MOA)
0 yd	1020	97	-0.9″	—
25 yd	999	93	0.0″	0.0
50 yd	979	89	-1.3″	-2.5
75 yd	961	86	-4.8″	-6.1
100 yd	944	83	-10.7″	-10.2
125 yd	927	80	-19.0″	-14.5
150 yd	911	77	-30.0″	-19.1
175 yd	895	75	-43.4″	-23.7
200 yd	880	72	-59.6″	-28.5

Point-mass G7/G1 drag model, standard atmosphere — within ~2% of reference solvers to 1000 yd; real barrels and conditions vary. Open in Ballistic Compare →

Performance

Best for HuntingAguila Interceptor40 gr · JHP · 1,470 fps · BC 0.140 G1Buy now →

Best for DefenseCCI Quik-Shok31 gr · JHP · 1,640 fps · BC 0.130 G1Buy now →

Best for TargetHornady Match ELD40 gr · ELD-M · 1,085 fps · BC 0.103 G7Buy now →

Buy links open .22 Long Rifle ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.

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

In production — 427 active loads across 41 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 494 →.

Brand	Load	Grain	Bullet	FPS	ft·lb	BC
CCI	Quik-Shok	31	JHP	1,640	185	0.130 G1
CCI	Stinger	32	JHP	1,640	191	0.132 G1
Aguila	Interceptor	40	JHP	1,470	192	0.140 G1
Aguila	SuperExtra	38	JHP	1,280	138	0.132 G1
Federal	Champion	36	JHP	1,260	127	0.125 G1
CCI	Mini-Mag	36	JHP	1,260	127	0.125 G1
Federal	American Eagle	40	LRN	1,200	128	0.157 G1
Hornady	Match ELD	40	ELD-M	1,085	105	0.103 G7
Eley	Tenex	40	LRN	1,085	105	0.157 G1
Eley	Biathlon	40	LRN	1,085	105	0.157 G1
Eley	Match	40	LRN	1,085	105	0.157 G1
Federal	Gold Medal Target	40	LRN	1,080	104	0.157 G1
Federal	Punch	29	JHP	1,070	74	0.118 G1
Eley	Subsonic	40	LHP	1,040	96	0.138 G1
Eley	Subsonic Hollow	38	LHP	1,040	91	0.138 G1

Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.

Firearms chambered in .22 Long Rifle

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

Sig Sauer P322 Threaded .22 LR 4-inchFN FN 740 .22 LR 21-inchTaurus Taurus TX22 Competition SCR .22 LR 5.25-inchTaurus TX22 Compact SCRSIG Sauer P322 Competition .22 LR 4-inchSIG Sauer P322 CompetitionSig Sauer P322 Comp TS .22 LR 4-inchHenry Repeating Arms Henry Homesteader 22 LR Rimfire CarbineTaurus TX22 .22 LR 5.3-Inch CompetitionSIG Sauer P322 Comp .22 LR 4.0-inchRuger 10/22 Wildfire 22 LRRuger 10/22 Wildfire Stainless

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

Loads494 factory loads for .22 Long Rifle↗FirearmsFirearms in .22 Long Rifle↗ToolCompare ballistics↗

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 →