How we chose
.22 LR is the cheapest caliber to shoot, which means most shooters buy on price first and brand second. That's the right instinct — but not all cheap .22 is created equal. Our picks are based on:
- Reliability — consistent ignition (rimfire is inherently less reliable than centerfire, so this matters)
- Accuracy — reasonable group size at 25–50 yards for the price tier
- Availability — consistently in stock from multiple retailers
- Firearm compatibility — runs in both semi-auto pistols/rifles and bolt actions
Top picks by category
Budget bulk — CCI Blazer 40gr LRN
CCI Blazer is the default "just buy a brick" choice. It's reliably ignited (CCI's primer quality is best-in-class for rimfire), reasonably accurate, and priced at the bottom of the quality tier. The 40gr lead round nose feeds well in most semi-autos.
Typical price: $0.05–0.08/rd (500-round brick)
Why this might not be for you: Lead round nose bullets leave more barrel fouling than copper-plated options. If you're running 500+ rounds through a semi-auto in one session without cleaning, you may see reliability decrease toward the end. In bolt actions, this doesn't matter.
Mid-grade — CCI Mini-Mag 40gr CPRN
The Mini-Mag is the standard recommendation for semi-auto .22 pistols and rifles because the copper-plated bullet feeds more smoothly and fouls less. It's also loaded slightly hotter than standard velocity, which helps cycle semi-auto actions reliably — especially in pistols.
Typical price: $0.07–0.10/rd
Why this might not be for you: At nearly double the price of bulk ammo, Mini-Mag is overkill if you're shooting a bolt-action rifle or revolver where feed reliability doesn't matter. In those platforms, buy the cheapest option that groups acceptably.
Match / precision — SK Standard Plus or Eley Club
If you're shooting for accuracy at 50+ yards — whether in competition or just trying to stack tiny groups — match-grade .22 LR is a different world. SK Standard Plus and Eley Club offer consistent velocities (low extreme spread) and excellent accuracy from quality barrels.
Typical price: $0.10–0.16/rd
Why this might not be for you: Match ammo is 2–3x the price of bulk with minimal benefit in a standard plinking session. You won't notice the accuracy difference at 25 yards or in a fun afternoon of steel target shooting. Save match ammo for when precision actually matters.
Small game / hunting — CCI Stinger 32gr CPHP or Velocitor 40gr CPHP
For squirrel, rabbit, and other small game, you want a hollow point that expands reliably at .22 LR velocities. The Stinger is hyper-velocity (1,640 fps) with a lightweight bullet for explosive expansion at close range. The Velocitor is a heavier 40gr hollow point for better penetration on larger small game.
Typical price: $0.10–0.14/rd
Why this might not be for you: Hyper-velocity ammo like Stinger is louder and can cycle too aggressively in some semi-autos, causing ejection issues. The Velocitor is more moderate and cycles better. Neither is a good choice for subsonic/suppressed shooting.
If your pick is out of stock
| If you can't find... | Try instead |
|---|---|
| CCI Blazer 40gr | Federal AutoMatch 40gr or Remington Thunderbolt |
| CCI Mini-Mag 40gr | Aguila Super Extra 40gr CPRN or Federal Champion |
| SK Standard Plus | Lapua Center-X or RWS Target Rifle |
| CCI Stinger 32gr | CCI Velocitor 40gr or Winchester Super-X HP |
What this costs
.22 LR is the cheapest caliber to shoot by a wide margin. A 500-round brick of bulk ammo costs $25–40, giving you a full afternoon of range time for the price of a single box of 9mm defensive ammo.
Tips for .22 LR reliability
.22 LR is rimfire, which means it's inherently less reliable than centerfire ammunition. You'll occasionally get a dud round — this is normal and not dangerous. Just cycle the action and continue shooting.
To minimize reliability issues in semi-autos, clean your firearm's chamber and feed ramp regularly, use copper-plated ammo (Mini-Mag or equivalent), and keep magazines loaded to capacity minus one round if you experience feed issues.
The bottom line
For plinking and general range use, buy the cheapest CCI or Federal bulk ammo you can find. For semi-auto reliability, step up to CCI Mini-Mag. For accuracy, go match-grade. And don't stress about it — at $0.05–0.10/rd, even the "expensive" .22 LR is the best value in shooting.
Compare .22 LR prices across retailers →
Related articles
Sources
- .22 Long Rifle — Wikipedia — Rimfire cartridge history
- CCI Ammunition Products — Mini-Mag and Standard Velocity specs
- SAAMI .22 LR Specifications — Pressure standards