The best 22LR ammo
Quick answer: CCI Mini-Mag 40 grain (around $10 for 100 rounds) is the best 22LR ammo for most people. Reliable feeding in semi-automatic pistols and rifles is the most common theme in its owner reviews, CCI lists it at 1235 fps, and OpticsPlanet shoppers rate it 4.8 out of 5 from 40 reviews. For cheap, quiet practice, CCI Standard Velocity (around $5 for 50) runs at 1070 fps (CCI), and owners who shoot it suppressed describe it as quiet. For competition, SK Rifle Match (around $15 for 50) has no review below four stars among the 40 we read. For volume, the CCI Blazer 425 round pack; for small game, the CCI Stinger. Box sizes differ, so every card names the round count.
.22 LR is cheap enough to shoot by the hundred, and it is also the most ammunition-sensitive cartridge most people own: the same rifle can group one load into half an inch and another into three. So this roundup picks by job rather than naming one winner for everything, and every card says how many rounds the box holds. Ballistic figures come from each maker's own product page and are labelled; where the retailer's listing disagrees with the maker, we say so and use the maker's number. Laws on buying and shipping ammunition, and on hunting, vary: check your state and local law.
22LR ammo compared
| Load | Best for | Bullet | Muzzle velocity | Rounds per box | Owner rating | Price per box |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CCI Mini-Mag | Overall, semi-autos | 40 gr copper plated RN | 1235 fps (CCI) | 100 | 4.8 (40) | around $10 |
| CCI Standard Velocity | Practice, suppressed | 40 gr lead RN | 1070 fps (CCI) | 50 | 4.8 (41) | around $5 |
| SK Rifle Match | Competition | 40 gr lead RN | 1073 fps (SK, 26 in barrel) | 50 | 4.8 (42) | around $15 |
| CCI Blazer, 425 rounds | Bulk plinking | 38 gr lead RN | 1235 fps (CCI) | 425 | 4.8 (38) | around $40 |
| CCI Stinger | Small game, pests | 32 gr copper plated HP | 1640 fps (CCI) | 50 | 4.9 (27) | around $10 |
| Eley Target | Entry-level target | 40 gr RN, wax lube | 1000-1090 ft/s (Eley) | 50 | 4.5 (32) | around $10 |
Velocities are the makers' own figures; only SK states its test barrel length, and your barrel changes the number. Owner ratings are OpticsPlanet's, shown with the number of reviews. Box sizes differ, so compare cost per round: at the box prices shown, the Blazer pack and CCI Standard Velocity are the cheapest per round, close together, the Mini-Mag is next, the Eley Target and Stinger sit above it, and SK Rifle Match costs the most. Prices are bands for one box; confirm the current price and availability on the retailer page before you buy.
Our picks
Best 22LR ammo overall: CCI Mini-Mag 22 LR 40 gr
.22 LR · 40 gr copper plated round nose (CCI) · high velocity, 1235 fps and 135 ft-lb (CCI) · brass case · 100 rounds per box · card: part 30
around $10exact price on OpticsPlanet
The one load most .22 LR guns are happy with. CCI calls the Mini-Mag its original offering and still one of its most popular, and says the load minimizes fouling thanks to clean-burning powder. CCI lists 1235 fps and 135 ft-lb at the muzzle and 998 fps at 100 yards. The retailer's title calls it a jacketed soft point; CCI lists it as a copper plated round nose, and we go with the maker. OpticsPlanet shoppers rate it 4.8 out of 5 from 40 reviews, and the recurring theme is feeding in semi-automatics: owners report it running in Ruger Mark IV, Sig P322, Taurus TX22, Glock 44 and Ruger 10/22 guns, and several use it for steel challenge and rimfire pistol matches. It is not a match load, and owners say so. One owner of the 39 reviews we read reported 32 squib loads out of 200 rounds. That is a single report, but it is the reason to stop and check that the barrel is clear whenever any .22 round sounds weak.
Pros
- The most common owner theme is reliable feeding in semi-automatic pistols and rifles
- Maker ballistics out to 100 yards: 1235 fps at the muzzle, 998 fps at 100 yards (CCI)
- Copper plated bullet and, per CCI, clean-burning powder that minimizes fouling
- 100 rounds per box, and the middle of the cost per round range here
Cons
- Not a match load: one owner writes "They are not as accurate as match grade ammo"
- Not our suppressed pick: the owners here who shoot suppressed run CCI Standard Velocity (1070 fps, CCI) and describe it as quiet
- One owner lists "Some residue remains, and regular cleaning required"
- Not flawless: "Out of 300 rounds, I had two light primer strikes." and one owner reports squib loads
Best for: most shooters with one box to buy, and anyone whose semi-automatic .22 is fussy about ammunition.
Key specifications
| Manufacturer | CCI |
|---|---|
| Caliber | .22 Long Rifle |
| Bullet | 40 gr copper plated round nose (CCI; the retailer title says JSP) |
| Velocity class | High velocity |
| Muzzle velocity | 1235 fps (CCI) |
| Muzzle energy | 135 ft-lb (CCI) |
| Downrange | 1092 fps / 106 ft-lb at 50 yd, 998 fps / 88 ft-lb at 100 yd (CCI) |
| Ballistic coefficient | .130 (CCI) |
| Case | Brass |
| Rounds per box | 100 |
| Spec source | CCI's product page for part 30 |
| Model on this card | Part 30 (UPC 076683000309) |
“I recommend them in 22 autos that are finicky and do not cycle reliably.”
J Mc, owner (MS) via OpticsPlanet
Best for practice and suppressed shooting: CCI Standard Velocity 22 LR 40 gr LRN
.22 LR · 40 gr lead round nose · standard velocity, 1070 fps and 102 ft-lb (CCI) · brass case · 50 rounds per box · card: part 35
around $5exact price on OpticsPlanet
The practical pick, and the one owners praise for accuracy for the money. CCI says it has the same speed as its Green Tag match load at a price meant for high-volume practice, and lists 1070 fps and 102 ft-lb at the muzzle. CCI does not call it subsonic, but several owners run it suppressed and describe it as quiet and subsonic. The retailer's spec table also prints 1235 ft/s, which is the Mini-Mag's figure; CCI says 1070. OpticsPlanet shoppers rate it 4.8 out of 5 from 41 reviews, and one of the 40 we read is below three stars. Owners report half-inch to one-inch groups at 50 yards from rifles like the CZ 457, Ruger 10/22 and Bergara B14R, and use it in NRL22 base division and Bullseye leagues. The trade-offs are less energy than the Mini-Mag and the occasional flyer.
Pros
- One of the two lowest costs per round on this page
- Owners report half-inch to one-inch groups at 50 yards in several rifles
- Owners who run it suppressed describe it as quiet and subsonic
- Same speed as CCI Green Tag, per CCI
Cons
- Less energy than the Mini-Mag: 102 against 135 ft-lb at the muzzle (CCI)
- One owner writes "you do get a flyer now and then so I don't recommend it for competition shooting"
- Rifle dependent: "Shoots very good in one of my rifles, not so good in the other."
- Plain lead round nose, not copper plated
Best for: high-volume practice, suppressed shooting and club matches on a budget. Test it in a fussy semi-automatic before you buy a case.
Key specifications
| Manufacturer | CCI |
|---|---|
| Caliber | .22 Long Rifle |
| Bullet | 40 gr lead round nose |
| Velocity class | Standard velocity |
| Muzzle velocity | 1070 fps (CCI; the retailer table also lists 1235 ft/s) |
| Muzzle energy | 102 ft-lb (CCI) |
| Downrange | 977 fps / 85 ft-lb at 50 yd, 908 fps / 73 ft-lb at 100 yd (CCI) |
| Ballistic coefficient | .120 (CCI) |
| Case | Brass |
| Rounds per box | 50 |
| Spec source | CCI's product page for part 35 |
| Model on this card | Part 35 (UPC 076683000354) |
“The action and steel plate hits are louder than this ammo when suppressed.”
Sal Cappuccino, owner (NC) via OpticsPlanet
Best 22LR ammo for competition: SK Rifle Match 22 LR 40 gr LRN
.22 LR · 40 gr lead round nose · 1073 fps and 102 ft-lb from a 26 in test barrel (SK) · brass case · 50 rounds per box · card: 420108
around $15exact price on OpticsPlanet
The match load with the cleanest owner record here. SK says Rifle Match was developed for rifle shooting in all 50 m and 50 yard disciplines and lists 1073 fps at the muzzle and 1006 fps at 50 meters from a 26 inch test barrel. It is the most reviewed .22 LR listing on this page: OpticsPlanet shoppers rate it 4.8 out of 5 from 42 reviews, and none of the 40 we read is below four stars. Owners use it for NRL22, ABRA-style benchrest, Mini Palma and 100 yard bench matches, report sub half-inch groups at 50 yards (one from a CZ 457), and one reports a standard deviation of 8.2 over 100 rounds. One owner who switched from CCI Standard Velocity says he was getting at least one flyer in every 10 rounds or so with it. The catch is cost: it is the most expensive per round here, and almost every owner review is about rifles, not semi-automatic pistols.
Pros
- None of the 40 reviews we read is below four stars
- Built for 50 m and 50 yard rifle disciplines, per SK
- Owners report sub half-inch groups at 50 yards
- Maker velocity with the test barrel length stated (26 in)
Cons
- The highest cost per round on this page
- One owner: "This ammunition is quality and you do pay for it"
- Owner reports are almost all from bolt-action rifles; little data for semi-automatic pistols
- Plain lead round nose; overkill for plinking
Best for: rimfire rifle competition and anyone chasing small groups at 50 yards who has outgrown standard velocity practice ammo.
Key specifications
| Manufacturer | SK |
|---|---|
| Caliber | .22 Long Rifle |
| Bullet | 40 gr lead round nose |
| Velocity class | Match, standard velocity |
| Muzzle velocity | 1073 fps from a 26 in test barrel (SK) |
| Muzzle energy | 102 ft-lb (SK) |
| Downrange | 1006 fps at 50 m (SK) |
| Case | Brass |
| Country of origin | Germany (retailer listing) |
| Rounds per box | 50 |
| Spec source | SK's product page; retailer spec table |
| Model on this card | 420108 (UPC 4023045421087) |
“My last Mini Palma match at 100 yards I shot a 399 out of 400 with 33 x's with this ammo.”
darroll, owner (MI) via OpticsPlanet
Best bulk 22LR ammo: CCI Blazer Rimfire 22 LR 38 gr LRN, 425 rounds
.22 LR · 38 gr lead round nose · high velocity, 1235 fps and 129 ft-lb (CCI) · brass case · 425 rounds per pack · card: 10026
around $40exact price on OpticsPlanet
The bulk plinking pick. CCI lists this 425 round pack at 1235 fps and 129 ft-lb with a 38 grain lead round nose, and says the loads cycle particularly well in semi-automatic rifles. The retailer's feature list says 40 grain; CCI and the listing title say 38, and we go with the maker. OpticsPlanet shoppers rate it 4.8 out of 5 from 38 reviews, and one of the 37 we read is below four stars. Owners report it feeding in Browning Buck Mark, Ruger, Volquartsen and Marlin Model 60 guns, and one owner counts one misfire in 300 rounds. The one measured complaint is accuracy: an owner measured average groups of 0.80 and 1.06 inches at 25 meters from two rifles and found better accuracy from Mini-Mags at a similar price. Many of the reviews are about the retailer's shipping rather than the ammo.
Pros
- One of the two lowest costs per round on this page
- CCI says it cycles particularly well in semi-automatic rifles
- Same maker velocity as the Mini-Mag, 1235 fps (CCI)
- Owners report it feeding in Buck Mark, Ruger and Marlin Model 60 guns
Cons
- One owner: "I've found better accuracy at the same price point with CCI AR-Tactical & Minimag ammo types."
- You buy 425 rounds at a time; the listing's other box is larger, 525
- Plain lead round nose, not copper plated like the Mini-Mag
- Many of the 38 reviews rate the retailer's shipping, not the ammo
Best for: plinking, teaching new shooters and feeding a semi-automatic rifle in volume.
Key specifications
| Manufacturer | CCI (Blazer) |
|---|---|
| Caliber | .22 Long Rifle |
| Bullet | 38 gr lead round nose (CCI; the retailer feature list says 40 gr) |
| Velocity class | High velocity |
| Muzzle velocity | 1235 fps (CCI) |
| Muzzle energy | 129 ft-lb (CCI) |
| Downrange | 1090 fps / 100 ft-lb at 50 yd, 995 fps / 84 ft-lb at 100 yd (CCI) |
| Ballistic coefficient | .128 (CCI) |
| Case | Brass |
| Rounds per pack | 425 |
| Spec source | CCI's product page for 10026 |
| Model on this card | 10026 (UPC 604544652406) |
“Went to the range in subfreezing temp, two other brands would not feed no problems with blazers.”
Bruce Albert, owner (WA) via OpticsPlanet
Best for small game and pests: CCI Stinger 22 LR 32 gr CPHP
.22 LR · 32 gr copper plated hollow point (CCI) · hyper velocity, 1640 fps and 191 ft-lb (CCI) · nickel plated brass (retailer) · 50 rounds per box · card: part 50
around $10exact price on OpticsPlanet
The hyper velocity hollow point for small game and pests. CCI says Stinger shoots flat and anchors varmints fast, and lists 1640 fps and 191 ft-lb at the muzzle, still 1066 fps and 81 ft-lb at 100 yards. That is the most muzzle energy of any load on this page. OpticsPlanet shoppers rate it 4.9 out of 5 from 27 reviews, a pool the listing shares with a 100 round special-edition pack; one of the 26 we read is below four stars. Owners use it for squirrels, varmints and small game, and two owners say it cycles semi-automatics that struggle with slower ammo. Two cautions. CCI's product page says to use it only in firearms with standard ANSI sporting barrel and chamber dimensions, and one reviewer notes it is not designed for match chambers. And accuracy depends on the gun: one owner could not get consistent groups from his rifle even at 35 yards. Check your state's hunting rules for legal calibers and game.
Pros
- The most muzzle energy on this page: 191 ft-lb (CCI)
- The fastest of the CCI loads here at 100 yards: 1066 fps (CCI)
- Owners report it cycling semi-automatics that balk at slower loads
- Hollow point built for varmints and small game, per CCI
Cons
- CCI: use only in firearms with standard ANSI sporting barrel and chamber dimensions
- One owner: "Even at 35 yards i was getting inconsistent groups."
- One reviewer lists it as "not designed for match chambers"
- Costs more per round than the Mini-Mag
Best for: squirrels, rabbits and pests at sensible ranges from a rifle with a standard sporting chamber. Confirm your own gun groups it before you hunt.
Key specifications
| Manufacturer | CCI |
|---|---|
| Caliber | .22 Long Rifle |
| Bullet | 32 gr copper plated hollow point (CCI) |
| Velocity class | Hyper velocity |
| Muzzle velocity | 1640 fps (CCI) |
| Muzzle energy | 191 ft-lb (CCI) |
| Downrange | 1292 fps / 119 ft-lb at 50 yd, 1066 fps / 81 ft-lb at 100 yd (CCI) |
| Ballistic coefficient | .084 (CCI) |
| Case | Nickel plated brass (retailer listing) |
| Chamber note | Standard ANSI sporting barrel and chamber dimensions only (CCI) |
| Rounds per box | 50 |
| Spec source | CCI's product page for part 50; retailer spec table |
| Model on this card | Part 50 (UPC 076683000507) |
“I love using this ammunition when squirrel hunting.”
SQUIRREL, reviewer (KY) via OpticsPlanet
Entry-level target load (test it first): Eley Target 22 LR 40 gr RN
.22 LR · 40 gr round nose, paraffin wax lubricant (Eley) · 1000-1090 ft/s (Eley) · brass case · 50 rounds per box · card: 03190
around $10exact price on OpticsPlanet
Eley's cheapest way into target ammunition, with the most divided owner record on this page. Eley calls it its absolute entry-level cartridge, aimed at new shooters, clubs and training, and lists a 40 grain round nose at 1000 to 1090 ft/s with a paraffin wax lubricant. The retailer lists 1085 fps. OpticsPlanet shoppers rate it 4.5 out of 5 from 32 reviews, the lowest owner rating here, and 6 of the 31 we read are three stars or lower. Some owners get half-inch groups at 50 yards from CZ 457 and Ruger Precision Rimfire rifles and one reports thousands of rounds without a malfunction. Others report 3 inch groups from a Ruger 10/22, poor groups in a CZ 457, and one owner found his CCI Standard Velocity more precise. This is Eley's entry load, not its match ammunition, and it is worth one box in your rifle before you buy more.
Pros
- Eley's entry into target ammunition at a moderate box price
- Some owners report half-inch groups at 50 yards from bolt-action rifles
- Maker specs include lubricant and ballistic coefficient (Eley)
- One owner reports it running in Ruger Mark II and Mark IV pistols
Cons
- The lowest owner rating here; 6 of the 31 reviews we read are three stars or lower
- One owner: "My new Ruger 10/22 hates this stuff. 3 inch groups at 50 yards."
- Another: "My CCI standard velocity appears to be more precise and consistent than this ammo."
- Costs more per round than CCI Standard Velocity
Best for: shooters who want to try an Eley load in a bolt-action target rifle and will test a box before committing.
Key specifications
| Manufacturer | Eley |
|---|---|
| Caliber | .22 Long Rifle |
| Bullet | 40 gr round nose (Eley) |
| Lubricant | Paraffin wax (Eley) |
| Velocity | 1000-1090 ft/s (Eley); the retailer lists 1085 fps |
| Ballistic coefficient | 0.112 (Eley) |
| Case | Brass |
| Rounds per box | 50 |
| Spec source | Eley's product page; retailer spec table |
| Model on this card | 03190 (UPC 650911031909) |
“More of my 22s like this ammo than any other.”
Blind spot, reviewer (OH) via OpticsPlanet
Best 22LR ammo for competition
It depends on the match. For rimfire rifle matches such as NRL22, benchrest and 50 yard prone, SK Rifle Match is our pick: SK built it for 50 m and 50 yard rifle disciplines, and it has the steadiest owner record here. If you are starting out, owners run CCI Standard Velocity in NRL22 base division and in Bullseye pistol leagues at a fraction of the cost per round, with the occasional flyer as the price. For steel challenge and other speed events with a semi-automatic, owners reach for the CCI Mini-Mag, because a malfunction costs more time than a slightly larger group. Our pick of rimfire scopes for match rifles is in our best rimfire scope guide.
How to choose 22LR ammo
- Test in your own gun. Owners of every load here report rifles that love it and rifles that do not. Buy one box of two or three candidates and shoot groups from a rest before you buy in bulk.
- Velocity class. Standard velocity (around 1070 fps, like CCI Standard Velocity and SK Rifle Match) is the class owners here praise for accuracy for the money. High velocity (around 1235 fps, like the Mini-Mag and Blazer) is the class owners here praise for feeding semi-automatics, and CCI says Blazer cycles particularly well in semi-automatic rifles. Hyper velocity (the Stinger, 1640 fps) is for small game and pests.
- Suppressed shooting. CCI does not call its Standard Velocity load subsonic or publish a noise figure for it. The owners on this page who shoot suppressed run CCI Standard Velocity and describe it as quiet; start there.
- Semi-automatics. If your pistol or rifle is fussy, start with a high velocity load such as the Mini-Mag; reliable feeding in semi-automatics is the most common theme in its owner reviews.
- Cost per round, not box price. Boxes here hold 50, 100 or 425 rounds. Divide the box price by the round count.
- Squibs. If a round sounds weak or different, stop, unload and make sure the barrel is clear before firing again. A bullet stuck in the bore followed by another round can damage the gun and injure you.
- Hunting. Check your state's rules on legal calibers and game, and keep shots to ranges where your rifle and load group tightly.
- Not a defensive round. We do not recommend any load here for self defense. For carry, see our best 9mm self defense ammo guide.
Setting up a new .22 rifle? See what distance to zero a .22 and, for the most common .22 rifle, our best scope for a Ruger 10/22.
How we chose these
This is a research-based roundup, not a hands-on test. We started from the retailer's .22 Long Rifle ammunition category sorted by most reviews and took well-reviewed listings that cover the main jobs: general use, practice, competition, bulk and small game. For each one we opened the full model list, carded the first box the listing lets you order, and read the owner reviews in the export, including every critical one we could find. Every ballistic figure was checked against the maker's own product page (CCI, SK and Eley); where the retailer's listing disagreed on bullet type, velocity or bullet weight, we used the maker's figure and say so on the card. Our scores are our opinion; owner ratings are shown attributed to the retailer that collected them. See our methodology for how we work.
FAQ
What is the best 22LR ammo?
For most people, CCI Mini-Mag 40 grain. Reliable feeding in semi-automatic pistols and rifles is the most common theme in its owner reviews, CCI publishes its ballistics out to 100 yards (1235 fps at the muzzle), and OpticsPlanet shoppers rate it 4.8 out of 5 from 40 reviews. For cheaper practice and suppressed shooting, CCI Standard Velocity. For competition, SK Rifle Match.
What is the best 22LR ammo for competition?
For rimfire rifle matches at 50 yards and beyond, SK Rifle Match: SK says it was developed for rifle shooting in all 50 m and 50 yard disciplines, and owners use it for NRL22, benchrest and Mini Palma. On a budget, owners use CCI Standard Velocity for NRL22 base division and Bullseye leagues. For steel challenge with a semi-automatic, owners pick CCI Mini-Mag for reliable cycling. Whatever you choose, test a few boxes in your own rifle, because .22 LR accuracy varies from gun to gun.
What is the difference between standard velocity and high velocity 22LR?
Speed and energy. CCI lists its Standard Velocity load at 1070 fps and 102 ft-lb, and its high velocity Mini-Mag at 1235 fps and 135 ft-lb, both with 40 grain bullets. CCI does not call either one subsonic or supersonic. Owners who shoot CCI Standard Velocity suppressed describe it as quiet, and many praise its accuracy for the money. The high velocity load carries more energy, and Mini-Mag owners most often praise it for feeding in finicky semi-automatics.
What is the best 22LR ammo for small game?
Of the loads on this page, CCI Stinger has the most muzzle energy (191 ft-lb, per CCI), and CCI markets it for varmints. CCI says to use it only in firearms with standard ANSI sporting barrel and chamber dimensions, and accuracy varies by rifle, so group it in your gun first. Among the other loads here, one Mini-Mag owner lists small game hunting as a use. Check your state's hunting rules for legal calibers and game.
What is the cheapest 22LR ammo per round?
Box sizes differ here (425, 100 and 50 rounds), so compare per round, not per box. At the box prices on this page, the CCI Blazer 425 round pack and CCI Standard Velocity are the cheapest per round, close together; the Mini-Mag comes next; the Eley Target and CCI Stinger sit above that; and SK Rifle Match costs the most. Divide the current price on the retailer page by the number of rounds for the exact figure.
Is 22LR good for self defense?
We do not recommend any load on this page for self defense. This guide covers target shooting, practice and small game. For a carry load, see our best 9mm self defense ammo guide.
More gear: best 9mm range ammo · best 9mm self defense ammo · best rimfire scope · best hearing protection for shooting · how we evaluate.