How do .22 LR plinking and target loads differ?
.22 LR loads fall into four broad types that differ in bullet construction and velocity: bulk lead round nose for high-volume plinking, copper-plated high-velocity loads aimed at semi-auto reliability, standard-velocity match loads built for consistency, and hollow points for small game. Within each type, the measurable differences are bullet weight, bullet coating, published velocity, and whether the load is subsonic — standard velocity loads are, high-velocity loads are not.
Because .22 LR is rimfire — the priming compound is spun into the rim rather than held in a separate primer — it is more prone to occasional misfires than centerfire ammunition, and reliability in a specific firearm is a large part of the comparison.
How do the .22 LR load types compare?
| Load (example) | Bullet | Published velocity | Supersonic? | Designed for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CCI Blazer | 40gr lead round nose | 1,235 fps | Yes | Bulk plinking |
| CCI Mini-Mag | 40gr copper-plated round nose | 1,235 fps | Yes | General use, semi-auto cycling |
| CCI Standard Velocity | 40gr lead round nose | 1,070 fps | No | Target, quieter shooting |
| SK Standard Plus / Eley Club | 40gr lead round nose | Standard velocity | No | Match and precision |
| CCI Velocitor | 40gr copper-plated hollow point | 1,435 fps | Yes | Small game |
| CCI Stinger | 32gr copper-plated hollow point | 1,640 fps | Yes | Small game, varmint |
Velocities are the manufacturer's published figures, measured from rifle-length test barrels; a handgun produces less. The speed of sound is about 1,125 fps at 68°F, so standard-velocity loads stay subsonic while high-velocity loads do not (see subsonic vs supersonic).
What is bulk .22 LR ammo designed for?
Example: CCI Blazer 40gr lead round nose (1,235 fps). Also common in this category: Federal AutoMatch, Remington Thunderbolt and Winchester bulk packs.
Bulk .22 LR is sold in large loose-packed boxes and 500-round "bricks". It is built for volume: the bullets are usually uncoated or lightly lubricated lead, and the loads are high velocity so they cycle most semi-automatic actions.
Trade-offs to know: Uncoated lead round nose leaves more fouling than copper-plated bullets, which can affect semi-auto reliability over long sessions between cleanings. In bolt actions and revolvers, fouling affects function less. Tracked bulk prices: bulk .22 LR prices.
What is copper-plated high-velocity .22 LR?
Example: CCI Mini-Mag 40gr copper-plated round nose (1,235 fps). Also common: Aguila Super Extra and Federal Champion.
A thin copper plating over the lead bullet reduces fouling and gives a smoother surface for feeding. These loads are often listed by pistol and rifle makers as compatible with their semi-automatic actions, and Mini-Mag in particular is often cited for cycling reliability in semi-auto pistols.
Trade-offs to know: They are usually priced above bulk lead round nose. In a bolt action or revolver, where feeding and cycling are not driven by the cartridge, the plating's advantage is mainly lower fouling.
What makes match-grade .22 LR different?
Examples: SK Standard Plus, Eley Club, Lapua Center-X, RWS Target Rifle.
Match .22 LR is loaded to standard (subsonic) velocity and manufactured or lot-selected for consistency, including a tighter spread of muzzle velocities. Lower velocity variation produces less vertical spread at longer distances, and staying subsonic avoids the turbulence some bullets experience as they slow through the sound barrier.
Trade-offs to know: Match ammunition is priced well above bulk. The difference in group size is most visible at 50 yards and beyond, from a barrel and rifle capable of resolving it; at 25 yards, or from a plinking rifle, it may not be measurable. Accuracy results vary by rifle and by lot, which is why competitive shooters often test several lots in their own rifle. See what is match grade ammo?.
Which .22 LR loads are hollow points?
Examples: CCI Velocitor 40gr (1,435 fps) and CCI Stinger 32gr (1,640 fps). Others include Winchester Super-X hollow points and the CCI Mini-Mag hollow point.
Hollow-point .22 LR is designed to expand on small game such as squirrels and rabbits. Hyper-velocity loads like Stinger pair a light bullet with high velocity; Velocitor uses a full-weight 40gr bullet at a velocity above standard high-velocity loads.
Trade-offs to know: Hyper-velocity loads are louder, are supersonic, and in some semi-automatic actions cycle harder than standard loads. Hunting regulations for small game vary by state. Tracked prices: .22 LR hollow point.
How does .22 LR reliability work?
Rimfire priming compound has to be distributed evenly inside the rim, and an occasional misfire is a normal characteristic of the system rather than a sign of a dangerous round. If a round fails to fire, the common safe practice is to keep the muzzle pointed downrange for a short wait in case of a delayed (hang) fire, then clear it.
Factors that reduce stoppages in semi-automatics include cleaning the chamber and feed ramp, which collect lead and wax fouling; using a load the firearm's maker lists as compatible; and loading magazines carefully so rims do not overlap ("rimlock") in rifles and pistols with box magazines.
How much does .22 LR cost to shoot?
Low cost per round is a large part of why .22 LR is used for training and plinking. Exact per-round prices change, so this page does not freeze them; the live pages below show where .22 LR sits today:
- .22 LR prices — tracked listings across retailers
- Bulk .22 LR prices — case and brick quantities
- .22 LR price history — the 30-day distribution
- Cheapest calibers to shoot — how .22 LR compares with other cartridges
Compare bulk .22 LR by cost per round →
How can you match a .22 LR load to a use?
| Criterion | Attribute to look for |
|---|---|
| Lowest cost per round for volume | Bulk lead round nose — check tracked prices |
| Semi-auto cycling | High velocity, often copper-plated; check the firearm maker's list |
| Smallest groups at 50 yards and beyond | Standard-velocity match, tested in your rifle |
| Quieter shooting, especially suppressed | Standard velocity or subsonic loads |
| Small game | Hollow points, within state rules |
The firearm decides more than the box does: the same load can group and cycle differently in two rifles.
Related articles
Sources
- CCI Rimfire Ammunition — Blazer, Mini-Mag, Standard Velocity, Velocitor and Stinger specifications
- .22 Long Rifle — Wikipedia — Rimfire cartridge history
- SAAMI Cartridge & Chamber Drawings — Pressure standards