The 22 Long Rifle is a rimfire cartridge standardised by SAAMI in ANSI/SAAMI Z299.1. SAAMI sets its maximum average pressure at 24,000 psi, and measures its reference velocities in a 24.000 in standard test barrel rifled 1 turn in 16 in. This guide sets out SAAMI’s published reference velocity for each bullet weight, computes the muzzle energy each one carries, and compares the 22 Long Rifle with the 22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire on the same basis.
22 LR ballistics chart: SAAMI reference data
SAAMI lists rimfire reference loads by bullet weight and by bullet type, and publishes a nominal mean instrumental velocity for each, measured at 15 feet from the standard test barrel. Bullet types are shown as the code SAAMI prints. It does not publish energy, so the ft-lb column is computed.
Scroll the table sideways for the remaining columns.
| Bullet weight | Bullet type (SAAMI code) | Reference velocity | Computed muzzle energy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 gr | #12 Shot | 1,000 fps | 56 ft-lb |
| 26 gr | HP-NL | 1,625 fps | 152 ft-lb |
| 31 gr | TCHP | 1,550 fps | 165 ft-lb |
| 33 gr | TCHP | 735 fps | 40 ft-lb |
| 33 gr | TCHP | 1,465 fps | 157 ft-lb |
| 36 gr | HPL | 1,200 fps | 115 ft-lb |
| 36 gr | HPL | 1,260 fps | 127 ft-lb |
| 36 gr | TCSB | 1,385 fps | 153 ft-lb |
| 37 gr | HPL | 1,260 fps | 130 ft-lb |
| 37 gr | HPL | 1,360 fps | 152 ft-lb |
| 37 gr | HPL | 1,370 fps | 154 ft-lb |
| 38 gr | SL | 1,050 fps | 93 ft-lb |
| 40 gr | SL | 1,040 fps | 96 ft-lb |
| 40 gr | SL | 1,080 fps | 104 ft-lb |
| 40 gr | SL | 1,135 fps | 114 ft-lb |
| 40 gr | SL | 1,235 fps | 135 ft-lb |
| 40 gr | HSP | 1,275 fps | 144 ft-lb |
| 40 gr | HP | 1,435 fps | 183 ft-lb |
| 42 gr | TCSB | 1,200 fps | 134 ft-lb |
What the numbers mean for a shot
SAAMI lists 9 reference bullet weights for the 22 Long Rifle, from 25 to 42 grains. The lightest, 25 grains, is listed at 1,000 fps, which computes to 56 ft-lb. The heaviest, 42 grains, is listed at 1,200 fps, which computes to 134 ft-lb. The most energetic reference load is the 40-grain at 1,435 fps: 183 ft-lb computed. The fastest is the 26-grain at 1,625 fps.
SAAMI lists more than one reference velocity for 33, 36, 37 and 40 grains. Its own note says this is because a weight can carry several introductions meeting different market needs, such as reduced-recoil loads, or because propellant and loading advances allowed higher velocities after the original load appeared.
None of this is a downrange figure. SAAMI measures at 15 feet, so retained velocity, energy and drop depend on the bullet’s ballistic coefficient, which SAAMI does not publish. Each product in our 22 LR ammo range lists whatever its maker publishes for that item.
Barrel, chamber and pressure
SAAMI’s standard test barrel for the 22 Long Rifle is 24.000 in long and rifled 1 turn in 16 in, with a .222 in groove diameter. That is the barrel every reference velocity above was measured in, not a statement about your firearm: rimfire barrels vary widely in length, and a shorter barrel gives lower velocity. The maximum average pressure is 24,000 psi. Fire 22 Long Rifle ammunition only in a firearm chambered for it. Several unrelated cartridges share a number, so match the full designation on the box to the marking on your barrel.
22 LR vs 22 WMR: the SAAMI comparison
A figure from one maker’s catalogue cannot be laid beside a figure from another’s: each picks its own test barrel, zero and bullet, and many publish no test barrel at all. SAAMI is the shared basis, because it fixes one standard test barrel and one way of measuring velocity for every cartridge it lists.
Scroll the table sideways for the remaining columns.
| SAAMI specification | 22 Long Rifle | 22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum average pressure | 24,000 psi | 24,000 psi |
| Standard test barrel length | 24.000 in | 24.000 in |
| Test barrel twist rate | 1 turn in 16 in | 1 turn in 16 in |
| Test barrel groove diameter | .222 in | .224 in |
| Lightest reference load | 25 gr — 1,000 fps / 56 ft-lb | 28 gr — 2,175 fps / 294 ft-lb |
| A weight both list | 40 gr — 1,040–1,435 fps / 96–183 ft-lb | 40 gr — 1,875 fps / 312 ft-lb |
| Heaviest reference load | 42 gr — 1,200 fps / 134 ft-lb | 50 gr — 1,650 fps / 302 ft-lb |
The 22 Long Rifle and the 22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire share the same maximum average pressure, 24,000 psi. At 40 grains, a weight both list, SAAMI’s 22 Long Rifle reference velocity is up to 1,435 fps (183 ft-lb computed), against 1,875 fps (312 ft-lb) for the 22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire. On that row the 22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire carries the more energy.
What SAAMI cannot settle is anything past the muzzle. It publishes no ballistic coefficients and no downrange data, so it cannot say which cartridge shoots flatter at distance; that depends on the bullet. We stock the other side of this comparison too: 22 WMR ammo.
22 LR ballistics questions
What is the maximum pressure of the 22 Long Rifle?
ANSI/SAAMI Z299.1 sets the maximum average pressure for the 22 Long Rifle at 24,000 psi.
What twist rate and barrel length does SAAMI use for the 22 Long Rifle?
SAAMI’s standard test barrel for the 22 Long Rifle is 24.000 in long and rifled 1 turn in 16 in. Your own firearm may differ.
What bullet weights does SAAMI list for the 22 Long Rifle?
SAAMI lists 9 reference weights, from 25 to 42 grains: 25, 26, 31, 33, 36, 37, 38, 40 and 42.
Is the 22 Long Rifle more powerful than the 22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire?
Power is not a SAAMI measure, but reference muzzle energy is a fair proxy. At 40 grains, a weight both list, SAAMI’s 22 Long Rifle reference velocity is up to 1,435 fps (183 ft-lb computed), against 1,875 fps (312 ft-lb) for the 22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire.
What is the effective range of the 22 Long Rifle?
Effective range is not a SAAMI specification and it is not a measured figure. SAAMI measures velocity at 15 feet, so it says nothing about performance at distance; that depends on the bullet and the shooter.
How much does the 22 Long Rifle drop at 100 yards?
SAAMI publishes muzzle velocity only, so it cannot give a drop figure. Drop depends on the bullet’s ballistic coefficient and on the zero range. A drop figure is unusable without its zero, so use the figure a maker prints for the specific load.
Where to buy these loads
Hilltop Armory carries 22 LR ammunition from CCI, Aguila, Winchester, Federal and Lapua. Browse the full 22 LR ammo range.
