.22 LR Ammo
.22 Long Rifle is the best-selling cartridge in the world — a rimfire round that has been in continuous production since 1887 and remains the most affordable and widely available ammunition for practice, small game hunting, competition, and introductory shooting. Impact Guns carries .22 LR in bulk value packs, match-grade target loads, high-velocity hunting rounds, and subsonic suppressor loads from Federal, CCI, Remington, Winchester, and more.
Read our full .22 LR Ammunition Buying Guide ↓
.22 LR Ammunition Buying Guide
Why .22 LR Is the World's Most Popular Cartridge
.22 LR's dominance comes from its combination of low cost, minimal recoil, and broad platform availability. At $0.04–$0.12 per round in bulk, it's the most affordable centerfire or rimfire option for high-volume practice. The near-zero recoil allows complete focus on fundamentals — sight alignment, trigger press, follow-through — without flinching. Virtually every firearms manufacturer produces a .22 LR platform, from the Ruger 10/22 to the Ruger Mark IV pistol to dedicated .22 LR training variants of popular carry guns. For new shooters, competitive shooters managing training costs, and anyone who wants to shoot more for less, .22 LR is the answer.
Bulk vs. Match vs. High-Velocity: Choosing the Right Load
Bulk value loads (Federal Auto Match, CCI Standard, Remington Golden Bullet) are the workhorses of .22 LR — affordable, functional, and appropriate for plinking, training, and casual use. They may produce larger groups than match loads but are perfectly adequate for informal range sessions and new shooter instruction. Match-grade loads (CCI Standard Velocity, Eley Tenex, RWS R50) are manufactured to tighter tolerances for consistent velocity and bullet weight — used in Olympic rimfire competition where sub-MOA accuracy is required. At 3–10x the cost of bulk, match loads are for competition and accuracy testing, not everyday practice. High-velocity hunting loads (CCI Velocitor, Federal Champion Hi-Velocity, Winchester Super-X) push a 40-grain bullet above 1,200 fps for better terminal performance on squirrel, rabbit, and other small game. The extra velocity improves reliable expansion and energy delivery at typical small game distances.
Subsonic .22 LR for Suppressor Use
Subsonic .22 LR loads keep bullet velocity below approximately 1,100 fps — below the sound barrier — eliminating the supersonic crack that accounts for most of a .22 LR's report. With a suppressor, subsonic .22 LR is genuinely hearing-safe in most conditions, producing noise levels comparable to a car door closing. CCI Quiet-22 (710 fps) and CCI Subsonic HP (1,050 fps) are the most popular options. Note that very low-velocity loads like CCI Quiet-22 may not reliably cycle semi-automatic actions — verify function in your specific firearm before relying on them.
Reliability Notes: Why .22 LR Misfires
Rimfire ammunition has a higher misfire rate than centerfire by design — the priming compound is spun into the cartridge rim rather than a central primer cup, and manufacturing tolerances vary more at low price points. Bulk .22 LR typically runs 1–5 misfires per 500 rounds depending on brand and age. This is normal and not a firearm malfunction — simply cycle the action and proceed. For competition or situations where reliability is critical, step up to CCI or Federal branded ammunition, which have tighter quality control. Store .22 LR in a cool, dry environment; rimfire priming compound is sensitive to moisture and temperature extremes.
Top .22 LR Brands at Impact Guns
CCI is the most trusted .22 LR manufacturer for reliability — their Standard Velocity and Mini-Mag loads run in virtually every .22 platform without issues. Federal produces the most widely used bulk load (Auto Match / Champion) and offers excellent value per round. Remington Golden Bullet is the most recognized budget load, widely available and functional for informal use. Winchester Super-X is the standard high-velocity hunting load. For match competition, Eley and RWS are the preferred European match brands used at the Olympic level.
Platforms That Use .22 LR
The most popular .22 LR platforms at Impact Guns: Ruger 10/22 (the best-selling .22 rifle in history), Ruger Mark IV pistol, Heritage Rough Rider revolver, Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 (AR-pattern .22 trainer), and the Taurus TX22. For a complete list of .22 LR firearms, see our .22 rifles and .22 pistols pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best .22 LR ammo for a Ruger 10/22?
CCI Mini-Mag and Federal Auto Match are the most consistently reliable in the Ruger 10/22. Both cycle the semi-auto action reliably across a wide temperature range. For higher accuracy, CCI Standard Velocity is preferred by competitive shooters.
Is .22 LR good for self-defense?
.22 LR is a last resort for self-defense — its terminal performance is significantly inferior to centerfire defensive calibers like 9mm. The rimfire ignition system also has a higher misfire rate than centerfire ammunition. If you must use .22 LR defensively, CCI Velocitor or CCI Stinger maximize velocity and terminal performance, but 9mm remains the minimum recommended defensive caliber.
Why is .22 LR ammo sometimes hard to find?
.22 LR experienced severe supply shortages in 2012–2016 due to panic buying and hoarding driven by political concerns. Production has normalized since then, but .22 LR still sells out faster than any other caliber during periods of high demand. Buying in bulk (500–1,000 rounds) when available is the most reliable way to maintain a supply.
Does Impact Guns carry .22 LR ammunition?
Yes. .22 LR is one of our most consistently stocked calibers at our Ogden and Boise stores and ships nationwide. We carry Federal, CCI, Remington, and Winchester in bulk packs, standard velocity, and high-velocity configurations.