Lindcott Armory Rimfire · SAAMI
.22 WMR
Powerful rimfire magnum.
- Caliber
- 0.224″ · 5.69 mm
- Introduced
- 1959
- Case
- Rimfire
- Parent
- .22 WRF
- Primary use
- Hunting, Varmint, Self Defense
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 1959
- Type
- Rimfire
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Winchester
- Manufacturer
- Winchester
- Standard
- SAAMI
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Common
- Case capacity
- 5.5 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:16
- Primer
- Rimfire
- Case type
- Rimfire
- Max pressure
- 24,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 125 yd
- Recoil
- 0.4–0.8 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
- By real loads
- 1,060–2,200 fps · 146 loads
- Parent case
- .22 WRF
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).
Performance
Buy links open .22 WMR 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 ⌀ | 5.69 | 0.224 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 6.18 | 0.243 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 6.19 | 0.244 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 7.62 | 0.300 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.27 | 0.050 | ✓ |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 26.80 | 1.055 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 34.29 | 1.350 | ✓ |
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 WMR is highlighted below.
Factory loads
In production — 146 active loads across 25 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 146 →.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winchester | Varmint HV | 30 | V-Max | 2,250 | 337 | — |
| Winchester | Varmint HV JHP | 30 | JHP | 2,250 | 337 | — |
| Winchester | Varmint HV V-MAX | 30 | V-MAX | 2,250 | 337 | — |
| Hornady | V-MAX | 30 | V-MAX | 2,200 | 322 | — |
| Browning | BXV | 30 | V-MAX | 2,200 | 322 | — |
| Federal | Premium HP | 30 | HP | 2,200 | 322 | — |
| Federal | Premium V-Shok Polymer Tip | 30 | V-MAX | 2,200 | 322 | — |
| Federal | V-Shok Hornady V-MAX | 30 | V-MAX | 2,200 | 322 | — |
| Hornady | V-MAX Varmint Express | 30 | V-MAX | 2,200 | 322 | — |
| CCI | 22 WMR V-MAX TNT HP | 30 | V-MAX HP | 2,200 | 322 | — |
| CCI | Maxi-Mag +V HP | 30 | HP | 2,200 | 322 | — |
| CCI | Maxi-Mag TNT Green | 30 | Lead Free HP | 2,200 | 322 | — |
| CCI | Maxi-Mag V-MAX | 30 | V-MAX | 2,200 | 322 | — |
| Federal | Premium V-Shok Speer TNT | 30 | Speer TNT HP | 2,200 | 322 | — |
| CCI | V-MAX Varmint | 30 | V-MAX Polymer Tip | 2,200 | 322 | — |
Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.
Firearms chambered in .22 WMR
12 models in the database chamber .22 WMR. Browse all →
Lineage
Connected reference
History
Introduced by Winchester in 1959. Designed for longer-range rimfire hunting. Gained popularity with Ruger Single-Six convertible revolvers. Parent case for .17 HMR.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .22 WMR use?
- .22 WMR typically uses a 1:16 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .22 WMR?
- .22 WMR uses a 0.224″ (5.69 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .22 WMR still in production?
- .22 WMR is active; typical availability is common.
- What is .22 WMR used for?
- .22 WMR is primarily used for hunting, varmint, self defense.
- What is .22 WMR based on?
- .22 WMR is derived from the .22 WRF case.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 146 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →