The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
HomeCrime & JusticeFirearms.22 LR
Crime & Justice • Firearms

.22 LR

.22 LR, or .22 Long Rifle, is a rimfire ammunition cartridge originating in the United States and widely used in rifles, pistols, revolvers, and some submachine guns.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

.22 LR, or .22 Long Rifle, is a rimfire ammunition cartridge originating in the United States and widely used in rifles, pistols, revolvers, and some submachine guns. It is one of the most common small-calibre cartridges and is especially associated with target shooting, plinking, and small-game hunting. The cartridge is known for low recoil and relatively modest report.

History

.22 LR traces its design to the late 19th century and is commonly dated to 1887. It developed from earlier .22 rimfire cartridges and became a long-established standard for rimfire ammunition.

Design and specifications

.22 LR is a rimfire cartridge with the metric designation 5.6×15mmR. Typical standard loads use a 40-grain lead bullet, and published figures commonly place muzzle velocity around 330 m/s from a rifle barrel.

Firearm use

.22 LR is used in rifles, pistols, revolvers, and some submachine guns. It is popular in training and recreational shooting because of its low recoil, modest cost, and accessible performance.

Ballistics and practical use

.22 LR is generally effective at short to moderate ranges, with sources commonly citing an effective range of about 150 m. It is widely associated with target shooting, plinking, and small-game hunting rather than larger game.

Key facts

  • The .22 LR is a rimfire cartridge that originated in the United States and dates to 1887.
  • It is chambered in a wide range of firearms, including rifles, pistols, revolvers, and submachine guns.
  • The cartridge is widely used for target practice because of its low recoil and relatively quiet report.
  • It is commonly used for small-game hunting and varmint shooting.
  • Standard loads are often described as using a 40-grain bullet at roughly 330 m/s from a long barrel.
🍁
Canadian context

In Canada, .22 LR is a common recreational and training cartridge, especially for target shooting, plinking, and small-game hunting. It is frequently discussed in Canadian firearms ownership, range use, and hunting contexts.

Frequently asked questions

What does .22 LR stand for?
.22 LR stands for .22 Long Rifle, a rimfire ammunition cartridge.
When was .22 LR introduced?
Sources commonly date the cartridge to 1887.
What firearms use .22 LR?
It is used in rifles, pistols, revolvers, and some submachine guns.
What is .22 LR used for?
It is commonly used for target shooting, plinking, and small-game hunting.
Is .22 LR a powerful cartridge?
It is generally regarded as a low-recoil, modest-power cartridge compared with larger firearm calibres, with most sources emphasizing its suitability for small-game and practice rather than large-game use.
What is the metric designation for .22 LR?
The metric designation is 5.6×15mmR.

References

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.22_long_rifle
    Supports: Origin, common uses, firearm types, rimfire design, effective range, and typical velocity.
  2. Wikipédiahttps://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/.22_Long_Rifle
    Supports: Metric designation, standard load weight, and approximate muzzle velocity/energy.
  3. Wikipediehttps://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/.22_Long_Rifle
    Supports: Introduction date, metric designation, dimensions, and effective range.
  4. Википедияhttps://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/.22_Long_Rifle
    Supports: Introduced in 1887 and general cartridge identification.
  5. American Hunter / NRAhttps://www.americanhunter.org/content/behind-the-bullet-22-lr/
    Supports: Historical development, uses in rifles and pistols, bullet construction, and common performance characteristics.
  6. Pew Pew Tacticalhttps://www.pewpewtactical.com/best-22lr-handguns/
    Supports: General uses including hunting, target shooting, practice, and defensive mention.