22LR Ballistics: Velocity, Energy & Trajectory

By Vizard's Guns & Ammo | Updated September 2026

The .22 Long Rifle may be a small rimfire cartridge, but its ballistic performance can vary considerably depending on the ammunition, bullet weight, barrel length and shooting conditions. Standard-velocity target ammunition, high-velocity hunting loads and subsonic ammunition can all produce noticeably different velocity, energy and trajectory even though they share the same 22LR chambering.

Understanding 22LR ballistics helps explain why one load may perform extremely well in a target rifle while another may be better suited for plinking, small-game hunting or suppressed shooting. It also helps shooters understand how quickly the cartridge loses velocity and energy as distance increases.

There is no single ballistic profile that represents every 22LR cartridge. The numbers printed on an ammunition box are useful reference points, but actual performance depends on the ammunition and firearm being used.

Understanding 22LR Ballistics

Ballistics describes what happens to a projectile as it is fired and travels toward a target.

For practical 22LR shooting, four measurements are especially useful:

Velocity measures how fast the bullet is traveling and is normally expressed in feet per second, or fps.

Energy estimates the kinetic energy carried by the projectile and is normally expressed in foot-pounds.

Trajectory describes the bullet's path relative to the shooter's line of sight.

Bullet weight describes the projectile's mass and is normally expressed in grains.

These characteristics are related. Changing bullet weight or velocity changes the projectile's energy, while velocity and aerodynamic characteristics influence how quickly the bullet slows and drops downrange.

How Fast Does a 22LR Bullet Travel?

There is no single 22LR velocity.

Modern factory ammunition covers a wide range of performance levels. Standardized industry data illustrates just how broad that range can be.

SAAMI's published rimfire performance standards include 22 Long Rifle loads ranging from lower-velocity ammunition to loads exceeding 1,400 fps, depending on bullet weight and design. SAAMI's match specifications also list nominal velocities around 1,100 fps for 40-grain rifle match ammunition.

That means asking "How fast is a 22LR?" requires another question:

Which 22LR load?

A subsonic or match load may operate around or below the speed of sound, while a lightweight high-velocity load can be substantially faster.

This wide velocity range is one reason shooters should compare the specifications of individual loads rather than treating all 22LR ammunition as interchangeable from a ballistic standpoint.

Typical 22LR Velocity by Load Type

Although individual ammunition varies, 22LR loads can generally be separated into several broad performance categories.

Subsonic 22LR

Subsonic ammunition is designed to keep the projectile below the speed of sound under its intended conditions.

These loads are particularly popular with suppressor users because a projectile traveling below the speed of sound avoids the ballistic crack associated with supersonic flight.

Velocity varies by load, bullet weight, barrel length and environmental conditions, so ammunition labeled subsonic should not be assumed to produce exactly the same velocity from every firearm.

Standard-Velocity 22LR

Standard-velocity ammunition is commonly associated with target shooting and precision rimfire applications.

A classic configuration uses a 40-grain bullet traveling around the lower 1,000-fps range. SAAMI's rimfire match data, for example, lists a nominal 1,100 fps for a 40-grain 22LR rifle match load measured under its specified test conditions.

High-Velocity 22LR

High-velocity ammunition generally increases muzzle velocity compared with standard-velocity loads.

These loads are popular for recreational shooting and small-game hunting and are available with several different bullet weights and designs.

Hyper-Velocity 22LR

Some lightweight 22LR loads are designed to produce substantially higher muzzle velocities.

The tradeoff is that achieving greater velocity often involves using a lighter projectile. Higher muzzle velocity does not automatically mean a load will be more accurate or better suited to every application.

36 Grain vs. 40 Grain 22LR Ballistics

Two of the most common bullet weights encountered in 22LR ammunition are 36 and 40 grains.

A 36-grain bullet is lighter, which can allow manufacturers to produce higher muzzle velocity. Many high-velocity hollow-point loads use bullets around this weight.

The 40-grain bullet is one of the traditional 22LR configurations and is common in standard-velocity, target and other general-purpose ammunition.

The difference is not simply that one bullet is faster and the other is heavier.

Bullet construction, velocity and ballistic coefficient all influence downrange performance. Two 40-grain loads can have different trajectories if their muzzle velocities differ, while a faster 36-grain load may initially produce a flatter trajectory but lose velocity as it travels downrange.

This is why bullet weight should be considered together with the complete ballistic profile of the ammunition.

22LR Muzzle Energy

Velocity tells us how fast the projectile is moving. Muzzle energy gives us another way to compare loads by considering both projectile weight and velocity.

Kinetic energy increases rapidly as velocity increases.

That is important because velocity is squared in the kinetic-energy calculation. A relatively small increase in velocity can therefore produce a noticeable increase in calculated energy.

A simplified firearm-energy formula commonly used with bullet weight in grains and velocity in feet per second is:

Energy = Bullet Weight × Velocity² ÷ 450,240

Consider a hypothetical 40-grain bullet traveling at 1,100 fps.

That works out to approximately 107 foot-pounds of muzzle energy.

A hypothetical 40-grain bullet traveling at 1,250 fps produces approximately 139 foot-pounds.

The bullet weight hasn't changed, but the increase in velocity produces a significant increase in calculated muzzle energy.

These examples are illustrations rather than specifications for a particular factory load.

How Quickly Does 22LR Lose Energy?

22LR bullets are relatively small and light, so they lose velocity and energy as they travel.

Manufacturer ballistic data provides a useful illustration.

Remington, for example, publishes a 33-grain 22LR load at 1,500 fps at the muzzle. Its published table shows velocity decreasing to 1,243 fps at 50 yards and 1,075 fps at 100 yards. Corresponding energy declines from 165 foot-pounds at the muzzle to 113 at 50 yards and 85 at 100 yards.

A different 36-grain Remington load is listed at 1,410 fps at the muzzle, 1,186 fps at 50 yards and 1,056 fps at 100 yards.

These numbers demonstrate why the muzzle velocity printed on an ammunition box tells only part of the story.

Understanding 22LR Trajectory

A bullet begins dropping due to gravity as soon as it leaves the barrel.

However, the trajectory shown on a ballistic chart is normally expressed relative to the shooter's line of sight rather than simply measuring how far gravity has moved the bullet.

The barrel is generally angled slightly upward relative to the line of sight when a firearm is zeroed. As a result, the bullet's path can intersect the line of sight at the chosen zero distance before eventually falling increasingly below it.

Several factors influence 22LR trajectory:

• Muzzle velocity
• Bullet weight
• Ballistic coefficient
• Sight height
• Zero distance
• Atmospheric conditions

This is why a trajectory figure should always be considered together with the zero and conditions used to produce it.

22LR Bullet Drop at 50 and 100 Yards

There isn't one universal 22LR bullet-drop figure.

A high-velocity 33-grain load and a standard-velocity 40-grain target load will not follow identical trajectories. Zero distance also makes an enormous difference in what the shooter sees relative to the sights.

For example, Remington's published ballistic data for one 33-grain high-velocity 22LR load uses a 1.5-inch sight height and shows the trajectory at zero at 50 yards and approximately 4.1 inches below the line of sight at 100 yards.

A published 36-grain load under the same sight-height convention is approximately 4.7 inches low at 100 yards when zeroed at 50.

Those figures should not be treated as universal 22LR drop numbers. They demonstrate how individual ammunition can behave under specific published test assumptions.

Why 22LR Slows Down So Quickly

A 22LR projectile has relatively little mass compared with most centerfire rifle bullets.

Its shape and ballistic coefficient also influence how efficiently it travels through the air.

Air resistance continuously reduces velocity after the bullet leaves the muzzle. As velocity falls, kinetic energy decreases as well.

This is why the difference between 22LR and many centerfire rifle cartridges becomes increasingly apparent as distance grows.

The 22LR can still be very accurate at extended distances in the hands of skilled shooters, but its curved trajectory and sensitivity to atmospheric conditions become increasingly important.

What Is Ballistic Coefficient?

Ballistic coefficient, commonly abbreviated BC, is a numerical representation used to describe how effectively a projectile retains velocity while moving through the atmosphere relative to a reference projectile model.

In practical terms, a projectile with a more favorable ballistic coefficient generally loses velocity more slowly than one with a less favorable coefficient when other factors are comparable.

Because 22LR bullets are relatively small and light, changes in velocity and wind conditions can become significant as distance increases.

Ballistic coefficient is useful when calculating trajectory, but it should not be considered by itself. Muzzle velocity, bullet design, environmental conditions and the firearm all contribute to actual downrange performance.

Why the Speed of Sound Matters to 22LR

One unusual aspect of 22LR ballistics is that many loads operate relatively close to the speed of sound.

The exact speed of sound changes with atmospheric conditions, especially temperature.

This matters because a bullet that begins above the speed of sound can eventually slow below it during flight.

That transition can be relevant to shooters interested in precision and is one reason standard-velocity ammunition is so common in serious rimfire target shooting.

Instead of simply maximizing velocity, precision shooters often prioritize consistency and ammunition that performs predictably from their particular firearm.

How Barrel Length Affects 22LR Velocity

Barrel length can influence 22LR muzzle velocity, but the relationship is not as simple as saying that a longer barrel always produces a faster bullet.

The propellant begins burning when the cartridge is fired and generates expanding gas that accelerates the bullet through the barrel.

A longer barrel can provide additional time for acceleration, but eventually the available pressure decreases. The point at which additional barrel length stops providing a meaningful velocity increase depends on the ammunition and firearm.

Ammunition manufacturers also obtain their published velocities under controlled test conditions. Your rifle or pistol may use a barrel of a different length and construction.

For that reason, the velocity printed on the box should be treated as a useful reference rather than a guarantee of the exact velocity your firearm will produce.

22LR Rifle vs. Pistol Velocity

The same ammunition can produce different velocities from a rifle and a handgun.

A pistol's shorter barrel generally provides less time for expanding gases to accelerate the projectile before it exits the muzzle.

A rifle barrel can often produce greater velocity with the same ammunition, although the exact difference depends on the load and barrel lengths being compared.

This difference becomes particularly important when evaluating ammunition for hunting, suppressed shooting or any application where velocity is a significant consideration.

The best way to know the actual velocity from a specific firearm is to measure it with a chronograph.

How Temperature and Conditions Affect 22LR Ballistics

Real-world ballistics are influenced by more than ammunition and barrel length.

Temperature, altitude, air density and wind can all affect bullet flight.

Wind becomes particularly important with 22LR as distance increases because the relatively light projectile spends more time in flight and can be pushed laterally.

Temperature can also influence the speed of sound, which matters when evaluating ammunition operating near the transonic region.

These effects may be relatively minor during casual shooting at short distances but become increasingly important in precision rimfire competition and longer-range shooting.

22LR Ballistics at Longer Distances

The 22LR was not originally designed as a long-range cartridge, but modern precision rimfire shooting has pushed it much farther than many shooters once considered practical.

At extended distances, understanding trajectory becomes essential.

The projectile continues losing velocity while gravity and wind have more time to influence its flight. The amount of elevation adjustment required grows quickly, and estimating wind becomes increasingly important.

This is one reason modern precision rimfire shooting can be so useful for developing ballistic and wind-reading skills. Shooters can encounter substantial trajectory and wind effects at distances much shorter than those normally required to create similar challenges with high-velocity centerfire rifle cartridges.

Standard-Velocity vs. High-Velocity Ballistics

Choosing between standard and high-velocity ammunition depends on the intended application.

Standard-velocity ammunition is widely used for target shooting and precision work because consistency can matter more than maximum muzzle velocity.

High-velocity ammunition can provide a flatter initial trajectory and greater muzzle energy, characteristics that may be useful for recreational shooting and small-game hunting.

Neither category is automatically more accurate.

Accuracy ultimately depends on the ammunition, firearm and consistency of the complete system.

A shooter interested in precision should test multiple loads rather than assuming that the fastest ammunition will produce the smallest groups.

Subsonic 22LR Ballistics

Subsonic 22LR ammunition is designed around velocities below the speed of sound under intended conditions.

This can be especially useful when paired with a suppressor because it avoids the supersonic ballistic crack.

Some subsonic ammunition uses heavier bullets to maintain useful energy while keeping velocity lower.

However, lower velocity also means a more curved trajectory compared with faster ammunition under otherwise similar conditions.

Shooters using subsonic ammunition at increasing distances therefore need to pay particular attention to their zero and trajectory.

Semi-automatic firearm function is another consideration because some lower-powered loads may not cycle every firearm equally well.

Which 22LR Ballistics Are Best?

There isn't one ballistic profile that is best for every application.

For target shooting, consistency and accuracy may matter more than maximum velocity.

For plinking, reliable function and reasonable ammunition cost may be more important than small differences in trajectory.

For small-game hunting, shooters may consider velocity, energy, accuracy and bullet construction together.

For suppressed shooting, subsonic performance and reliable firearm function may become priorities.

For precision rimfire shooting, consistency, ballistic coefficient, actual chronograph data and predictable trajectory can become increasingly important.

The right ammunition depends on what the shooter expects the cartridge to accomplish.

Why You Should Test 22LR in Your Own Firearm

Published ballistic tables are extremely useful, but they cannot tell you exactly what a particular firearm will do.

Two rifles with different barrel lengths may produce different muzzle velocities from the same box of ammunition. Two rifles with similar barrels may also produce different accuracy.

For shooters who want precise ballistic information, a chronograph provides the most useful starting point.

Measure the actual velocity produced by your firearm, establish a reliable zero and confirm predicted trajectory at real distances.

That turns generalized ballistic information into data that applies directly to your firearm and ammunition combination.

Understanding 22LR Ballistics in the Real World

The enormous variety of 22LR ammunition is one of the cartridge's greatest strengths.

A standard-velocity target load, lightweight high-velocity hollow point and heavy subsonic load can all fit into the same general cartridge family while producing very different ballistic characteristics.

That is why 22LR ballistics should never be reduced to one velocity, one energy number or one bullet-drop figure.

Bullet weight, velocity, bullet design, barrel length, zero distance and environmental conditions all influence what happens after the trigger is pulled.

Understanding those variables makes it easier to select ammunition for the job, establish an appropriate zero and predict what the bullet will do as distance increases.

More than a century after the 22 Long Rifle was introduced, modern ammunition gives shooters an extraordinary range of ballistic options from one small rimfire cartridge.

Frequently Asked Questions About 22LR Ballistics

How fast does a 22LR bullet travel?

Velocity varies significantly by ammunition type. Standard-velocity 40-grain ammunition is commonly around the lower 1,000-fps range, while lighter high-velocity and hyper-velocity loads can be considerably faster. SAAMI performance data demonstrates that 22LR factory ammunition covers a broad range of velocities depending on bullet weight and design.

How much energy does a 22LR have?

Energy depends on bullet weight and velocity. A hypothetical 40-grain bullet traveling 1,100 fps produces approximately 107 foot-pounds of muzzle energy, while the same bullet at 1,250 fps produces approximately 139 foot-pounds.

How much does a 22LR drop at 100 yards?

There is no universal number because trajectory depends on ammunition, muzzle velocity, ballistic coefficient, sight height and zero distance. Published manufacturer data shows that some high-velocity loads zeroed at 50 yards can be roughly four to five inches low at 100 yards, but the actual result depends on the load and firearm.

Is 36 grain or 40 grain 22LR faster?

A 36-grain load is often loaded to a higher muzzle velocity than a 40-grain load, but bullet weight alone doesn't determine velocity. The specifications of the individual factory load should be used for comparison.

Does barrel length affect 22LR velocity?

Yes. Barrel length can change muzzle velocity because it changes how long expanding gases act on the projectile. The relationship is ammunition-dependent, and longer barrels do not necessarily continue adding velocity indefinitely.

Is standard-velocity 22LR more accurate?

Not automatically. Standard-velocity ammunition is popular for precision and target shooting, but accuracy depends on the particular ammunition and firearm. Testing several loads is the best way to determine which performs most consistently.

Why is subsonic 22LR popular with suppressors?

Keeping the projectile below the speed of sound avoids the ballistic crack produced by supersonic flight. When combined with a suppressor, this can substantially change the firearm's sound signature, although actual performance depends on the ammunition and firearm.

Sources & References

SAAMI, Voluntary Industry Performance Standards for Pressure and Velocity of Rimfire Sporting Ammunition
Industry standards covering 22 Long Rifle cartridge specifications, velocity and pressure data, test procedures and dimensional standards.

Remington Ammunition, Rimfire Ballistics
Manufacturer ballistic tables providing published velocity, energy and trajectory data for multiple 22 Long Rifle loads.

CCI Ammunition
Manufacturer specifications and ballistic information for standard-velocity, high-velocity, subsonic, target and specialty 22LR ammunition.

Federal Premium Ammunition
Manufacturer ballistic information for 22LR ammunition across target, hunting, suppressor and general-purpose applications.

Winchester Ammunition
Manufacturer specifications and ballistic information for modern 22 Long Rifle ammunition.

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