Best 22 Pistol Ammo: Plinking, Hunting, Competition, and More!

The humble .22 Long Rifle (22 LR) has remained one of the most popular rounds on the planet for many decades, and with good reason. It's used in everything from AR platform rifles to precision bolt actions to a mind-boggling variety of handguns.

Today we’re focusing on the handguns by taking a close look at the best .22 pistol ammo on the market today.

Our top overall pick is CCI Standard Velocity. It’s a great all-purpose option.

We also have more specialized options for plinking, small game hunting, competition, self-defense, suppressed shooting, and getting the best value out of bulk purchasing.

Top 3 Ammo Picks for .22 Pistols

1. CCI Standard Velocity - Best Overall
2. Federal AutoMatch - Best For Plinking
3. Winchester Super-X - Small Game Hunting

Let’s begin with a look at our overall winner, followed by individual category winners and a buying guide to help you choose the best 22 LR ammo for your pistol and the particular type of shooting you’re doing.

Best .22 Pistol Ammo Overall Pick - CCI Standard Velocity

Specs

CCI 22 LR Ammo - 100 Rounds of 40 Grain LRN Ammunition

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• Bullet Type: Lead Round Nose (LRN)
• Bullet Weight: 40 grains
• Muzzle Velocity: 1070fps
• Muzzle Energy: 102 ft-lbs
• Case: Brass

Pros

• Affordable
• Feeds well in most pistols
• Cycles reliably in semi-autos and extracts easily in revolvers 

Cons

• Not ideally suited for hunting or defense

Why We Chose It

CCI Standard Velocity 22 LR worked the best in the most semi-autos we tested it in. It's also very affordable, and you can find it wherever ammo is sold.

While CCI Standard Velocity is a touch costlier than some of our budget and bulk favorites, I think its greater reliability is well worth it.

CCI Standard Velocity is very consistent in terms of muzzle velocity. Its higher velocity keeps the projectile relatively stable in the air at longer ranges (which isn't to suggest you're using your .22 pistol for sniping).

All in all, a great general-purpose option!

Honorable Mention: Federal Champion is another great option – a little cheaper, but still runs like its namesake.

Best .22 Ammo for Pistol Plinking - Federal AutoMatch

Specs

Federal AutoMatch 22 LR Ammo - 3250 Rounds of 40 Grain LRN Ammunition

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• Bullet Type: Lead Round Nose (LRN)
• Bullet Weight: 40 grains
• Muzzle Velocity: 1145fps
• Muzzle Energy: 128 ft-lbs
• Case: Brass

Pros

• Affordable
• Available in bulk
• Cycles reliably in most semi-autos
• Reliable primers

Cons

• May not cycle stiffer semi-autos reliably
• Not ideal for hunting

Why We Chose It

Federal AutoMatch is another solid performer that works in a variety of semi-autos. It cycles reliably, and its primers go bang when you ask them to (both high marks for cheap rimfire ammo).

Prying duds out of your chamber with your fingernails isn't the end of the world, but it's still a snafu worth avoiding. No 22 LR ammo is perfectly reliable, but we seldom hear "click" out of Federal AutoMatch.

This ammo's gimmick isn't that it works, though. Its chamber pressure is optimized to function a semi-auto, and its LRN is shaped to promote reliable feeding in the same. It's basically Federal's best attempt at serving high-volume AR-22 shooters, and it suits semi-auto shooters of all other shapes and sizes as well.

Honorable Mention: Remington Thunderbolt 22 LR ammunition is another reliable and solidly priced LRN round.

Best .22 Pistol Small Game Hunting Ammo - Winchester Super-X

Specs

Winchester Super-X 22 LR Ammo - 100 Rounds of 40 Grain CPHP Ammunition

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• Bullet Type: Copper-Plated Hollow Point (CPHP)
• Bullet Weight: 40 grains
• Muzzle Velocity: 1435 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 183 ft-lbs
• Case: Brass

Pros

• Excellent small game hollow point
• Copper-plated projectile promotes cleaner performance than unplated lead
• Reasonably priced for hunting ammo

Cons

• More expensive than more basic copper-plated hollow points

Why We Chose It

Winchester Super-X is a beloved line of hunting ammo that spans a variety of calibers. We had high hopes for the .22 version. Thankfully, we weren’t disappointed. It fed and cycled reliably. I’ve personally used it to hunt small game and pest animals with great reliability.

Winchester Super-X has a fairly high velocity for a 22 LR, especially at this kind of price point. The copper wash on the hollow point is thick enough that it actually makes a difference in how the bullet performs vesus a standard lead projectile (sometimes that's not the case.)

Not all copper-plated .22 ammo is made equally. That matters when we're looking for .22 pistol ammo in particular, because a softer lead projectile – or even a low-quality copper-plated projectile – can deform and while feeding. In no uncertain terms, Super-X can spare you from a hunt-ruining jam.

Honorable Mention: CCI Mini-Mag is another great choice for hunting, and the round of choice on A&E’s Swamp People. If you want something that’s proven to work on gator, this is a solid pick.

Best .22 Ammo for Pistol Competition - CCI Pistol Match

Specs

CCI 22 LR Ammo - 50 Rounds of 40 Grain LRN Ammunition

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$8.99

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• Bullet Type: Lead Round Nose (LRN)
• Bullet Weight: 40 grains
• Muzzle Velocity: 1070 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 102 ft-lbs
• Case: Brass

Pros

• Match-grade rimfire performance
• Some of the cheapest competition-grade rimfire ammo
• Very consistent velocity
• Hardened lead-antimony alloy projectile

Cons

• Still expensive
• LRN shoots dirtier than a copper-washed projectile

Why We Chose It

CCI Pistol Match is one of the go-to options for target competitors around the world. This is the official ammo of a few major national and international .22 pistol and rifle competitions, so we had high hopes for it out of the gate. It didn’t disappoint!

Velocities are very consistent, primers are reliable, and groups are as tight as you can expect from a standard .22 pistol. If you’re going to the Olympics or putting serious money on the line, there are some other more expensive options out there (e.g. Lapua Center-X). But for us average folks who are just shooting some steel challenge or what have you, this is a great option.

Honorable Mention: Federal Target also offers consistent velocity, with good primers and harder-than-average lead round-nose projectiles. It’s also very affordable for a match(ish) grade .22 round.

Best .22 Pistol Ammo for Self-Defense - CCI Stinger

Specs

CCI 22 LR Ammo - 50 Rounds of 32 Grain CPHP Ammunition

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$9.99

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• Bullet Type: Copper-Plated Hollow Point (CPHP)
• Bullet Weight: 32 grains
• Muzzle Velocity: 1640 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 191 ft-lbs
• Case: Nickel-Plated Brass

Pros

• Some of the highest-velocity commercially available .22 ammo on the market
• Copper-plated hollow points feed reliably
• Very capable for hunting small game or varmints

Cons

• 32 grain projectile may penetrate too shallow

Why We Chose It

You may not consider a rimfire pistol as your first option when it comes to self-defense. It’s not my first choice either.

That said, for folks with less than stellar hand strength, very inexperienced shooters, or those who prefer a pint-sized backup concealed carry like an NAA revolver or LifeCard, a hyper-velocity .22 round like CCI Stinger is a great option.

No .22 round (not even .22 WMR) can compete with even the lowest end of defensive centerfire rounds like .380 ACP. However, with CCI Stinger, you’ve got just about the most velocity you can get out of the 22 LR, coupled with nickel-plated cases that feed and extract more reliably than brass ones.

The high-quality copper-plated hollow point bullets reduce lead fouling, feed reliably, and have a better chance of penetrating to a sufficient depth for defiense than a softer lead bullet. Its hollow point nose cavity helps the bullet expand, which in turn maximizes trauma to the threat.

If it weren’t for the cost, this would have been our overall pick just based on it excellent accuracy and stopping power.

Honorable Mention: Eley High Velocity is another hollow point round, with sufficient reliability and terminal ballistics for defensive applications.

Best Suppressed .22 Pistol Ammo - Winchester Super Suppressed

Specs

Winchester 22 LR Ammo - 5550 Rounds of 36 Grain CPHP Ammunition

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• Bullet Type: Black Copper-Plated Round Nose (CPRN)
• Bullet Weight: 45 grains
• Muzzle Velocity: 1090 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 119 ft-lbs
• Case: Brass

Pros

• Heavy, subsonic projectile
• Low muzzle flash
• Plated projectile reduces fouling

Cons

• May not cycle some semi-autos
• Expensive

Why We Chose It

Winchester Super Suppressed is a great option for anyone looking to quiet down their .22 pistol.

This round's heavyweight bullet is destined to achieve subsonic muzzle velocity (i.e. lower than ~1,125 fps), regardless of whether it is fired in a pistol or rifle. That gives it a softer report, which makes a suppressor more effective by making its job easier.

Winchester Super Suppressed is one of the best-performing subsonic .22s we’ve tested. I personally confirm that it fed and cycled reliably in my M&P 22, Browning Buckmark, Walther P22, and Ruger 10/22.

The plated 45 grain projectile leaves behind very little fouling. That's always a perk, but it's especially nice when you don't want to waste time cleaning suppressor baffles.

Best Bulk .22 Pistol Ammo - Winchester USA

Specs

Winchester 22 LR Ammo - 3330 Rounds of 36 Grain CPHP Ammunition

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$199.99

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• Bullet Type: Copper-Plated Hollow Point (CPHP)
• Bullet Weight: 36 grains
• Muzzle Velocity: 1280 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 131 ft-lbs
• Case: Brass

Pros

• Very affordable
• Consistent primers
• Copper-plated projectiles

Cons

• Inconsistent velocities
• A little low-velocity for dedicated hunting use

Why We Chose It

Winchester USA (aka "white box" ammo) is a perennial favorite among shooters who like to shoot a lot (or at least be prepared to). It’s one of the more affordable options out there, is frequently available in bulk packs and cases of thousands of rounds, and actually works even in cantankerous semi-auto pistols.

It's a great multi-purpose option that works well for both of its stated purposes. As a target round, it goes more or less where you tell it to, and it goes bang when you want it to, which is all most of us plinkers really need. There are better options for more serious target shooting, but it's excellent for casual shooting and regular training.

As a hunting round, there are better choices as well. Even so, I’ve hunted countless small game animals with this stuff, and so have others. It’s a solid performer on snake, squirrel, and other varmints.

Lastly, it’s cheap. If you’re looking to shoot all day, want enough ammo on hand to ride out a shortage (or the apocalypse), or you’re just looking to get some training in on a tight budget, this is the choice for you.

Honorable Mentions: Aguila Super Extra is another affordable 22LR ammo option that you can get in massive quantities without breaking the bank. It’s a solid performer and one that I was pleased to find cycled well in all of our semi-autos.

Blazer 22 is yet another affordable option for those looking to buy it cheap and stack it deep. I tend to pick up a brick whenever I have a new .22 to test out. It's my go-to for those days when I’m teaching new shooters as well.

For more ideas, you can also check out our full list of the best bulk .22 ammo options.

This close look at all the best .22 ammo options out there should give you all the info you need to find the right ammo for your gun and specific shooting circumstances. If you’d like a little more info on .22 pistol ammo in general, keep readin'!

.22 LR Ammo Buying Guide & Additional Info

When you’re choosing any ammo, there are a number of considerations to keep in mind. We’re going to take a look at some of the specific things to be aware of when choosing .22 pistol ammo and answer a few frequently asked questions we see a lot. If you’re looking for recommendations, check out our page where we test and review options to find the best .22 LR ammo for various needs.

Choosing .22 Pistol Ammo for Various Uses

First, let’s discuss the most common uses for a .22 pistol and how to choose the right ammo for each.

Choosing .22 Ammo for Hunting

When choosing hunting ammo, the most important consideration is the ability to secure a clean, ethical kill with a single bullet. Now, you can technically kill anything that walks the earth with a .22, but obviously, there are practical limits.

The reality is a .22 is only ever going to be an effective hunting tool for very small game and pest species. Think rabbits, squirrels, snakes, and the like.

For this type of hunting/pest control, you can probably get by with standard lead round nose (LRN) projectiles, but really you’ll want a copper-plated hollow point of at least 32 grains and muzzle velocity over 1200 fps, if possible.

This will give you the striking energy needed to deal with small game reliably, and will reliably cycle a temperamental semi-auto as well.

Choosing .22 Ammo for Plinking

For plinking (probably the most common use for a .22 pistol), the chief criterion is cost per round. Fortunately, bulk .22LR is the cheapest ammo on the planet.

This makes it a great option for training as well, and is why you can get a .22 equivalent of most popular firearms, including AR-15s, Glocks, and precision bolt actions. This allows for some very affordable training with platform similar to something larger and more expensive to fire.

Is this type of ammo always super reliable? Unfortunately not, but for just blasting holes in old soda cans or exploding clay pigeons, that doesn’t matter so much. On the training side of things, you could even look at a dud primer or failure to extract as a feature instead of a bug.

After all, it forces you to practice your malfunction clears. Of course, we don’t want to spend all our time clearing stovepipes, but the occasional tap-rack-bang never hurt anybody at the range. Choose something from a reliable, well-known brand, and you’ll be just fine.

Choosing .22 Ammo for Target Shooting/Competition

For serious target shooting or competition, we need to step things up a little bit, and the bulk pack plinking ammo may not quite get the job done anymore.

This is typically for something like NRL22, which involves firing a .22 rifle to hit 3” targets at 100 yards. Not something you’d typically do with a .22 handgun unless maybe you’re Jerry Miculek.

Choosing .22 Ammo for Defense

Lastly, and most contentiously, we have .22 pistol ammo for self and home defense.

I know, I know. It wouldn’t be the first thing I would reach for, either. But for certain shooters, it makes a lot of sense. My mother is in her 70s and has arthritis, and her hand strength wasn’t super great to begin with. For her, racking the slide on even a small .380 or 9mm isn’t an option.

She can yank back the extended grab handle on Ruger Mark IV, though. And I personally agree with her that 10 rounds of high-test .22 are a lot more effective at stopping a violent threat than harsh language or appeals to their better nature.

There are also a host of backup/holdout/micro-carry .22 options out there, like NAA revolvers, the LifeCard, and other derringer-style guns. If you’ve only got a few shots of an already-underpowered cartridge, then you definitely need them to be good ones.

I recommend getting the highest-velocity defense-focused ammo you can. Something leaving the barrel at 1400+ fps, with a slick nickel-plated case and a well-designed hollow point or FN. The CCI Stinger ammo we talked about earlier or Federal Punch are good choices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below you'll find some of the most commonly asked questions regarding .22 pistol ammo.

What grain is best for 22 LR?

The best weight for a 22 LR bullet is 36-40 grains. That offers a good mix of mass and velocity, and will feed well in most semi-autos including .22 pistols.

What is the best .22 pistol for self-defense?

The best 22 pistol for self-defense is the Walther P22 Q. It offers immense reliability, great shooting characteristics, the ability to add a light, and incredible accuracy.

What is the best .22 pistol for target shooting?

The best .22 pistol for target shooting is the Ruger Mark IV and Browning Buckmark. They are both classic .22s that have seen great success in the production target shooting world, especially when paired with the best .22 pistol ammo.

Parting Shots

Having the best .22 pistol ammo can make all the difference at the range, on the competition field, or on the hunt.

Check us out at Ammo.com if you want to buy the best 22 LR ammo from a trusted source. Also, visit our bulk .22 ammo page for additional discounts. Whether you're stocking up for training, hunting, or casual shooting, we have the high-quality ammo you need at the prices you want!

Written by

Matt Collins