.22 LR Ammo: Best Choices for Plinking, Hunting & Self-Defense

.22LR ammunition is the most popular rimfire cartridge in the world, known for its low cost, low recoil, and versatility. Whether you’re a target shooter, hunter, or prepper, choosing the right .22 LR ammo can make a huge difference in performance.

In this guide, we’ll cover:
✔ Why .22 LR Ammo is So Popular
✔ Best Types of .22 LR Ammo for Different Uses
✔ Key Factors When Choosing .22 LR Rounds

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Why Shoot .22 LR Ammo?

1. Extremely Affordable

• Costs 5-10x less than centerfire ammo (as low as 5-10 cents per round)

• Perfect for high-volume shooting without breaking the bank

2. Low Recoil & Quiet Report

• Great for new shooters, youth training, and recoil-sensitive users

• Suppressor-friendly (subsonic options available)

3. Versatile Applications

• Target shooting & competition

• Small game hunting (squirrels, rabbits)

• Survival & bug-out bags (lightweight and compact)

• Self-defense (with the right load)

4. Widely Available

• Sold at almost every gun store, Walmart, and online retailers

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Best .22 LR Ammunition for Every Purpose

1. Best for Plinking & Training: CCI Standard Velocity

• 40gr Round Nose Lead (RNL)

• Reliable & consistent in semi-autos

• 1,070 FPS – Balanced performance

2. Best for Hunting: CCI Mini-Mag Hollow Point

• 36gr Copper-Plated HP

• 1,260 FPS – Higher velocity for clean kills

• Expands on impact for small game

3. Best for Suppressed Shooting: CCI Quiet-22

• 40gr Subsonic (710 FPS)

• Extremely quiet (great with suppressors)

• Manual cycling required in some semi-autos

4. Best for Self-Defense: CCI Velocitor

• 40gr Hollow Point (1,435 FPS)

• Higher penetration & expansion

• More reliable than standard .22 LR for defense

5. Best Budget Bulk Ammo: Federal AutoMatch

• 40gr Round Nose

• 1,200 FPS

• 325-round bulk packs at low cost

6. Best Match-Grade for Precision: Eley Tenex

• Extreme accuracy for competition shooters

• 40gr Lead Round Nose

• Consistent velocity & tight groupings

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Key Factors When Choosing .22 LR Ammo

✅ Velocity – Standard (1,000-1,200 FPS), High-Velocity (1,200+ FPS), or Subsonic (<1,050 FPS)?
✅ Bullet Type – Round Nose (RN), Hollow Point (HP), or Copper-Plated?
✅ Reliability – Some guns are picky; test different brands!
✅ Purpose – Plinking, hunting, competition, or defense?
✅ Price – Bulk packs save money for high-volume shooters.