Top 5 Best 22 WMR Ammo on the Market: The Rimfire Powerhouse

By Wes Littlefield

Last Updated: Apr 29, 2026

Cite this Article

Wes Littlefield

Guns have fascinated Wes since pulling the trigger on his BB gun as a kid. He built a private gun range over a decade ago to keep his skills sharp. He loves breaking down complex ideas into understandable pieces for readers, with expertise in hunting and all aspects of shooting.

Read More

Wes Littlefield, "Top 5 Best 22 WMR Ammo Recommended by Experts"
(https://ammo.com/best/best-22-wmr-ammo)

The overall best 22 WMR ammo is CCI Maxi-Mag 40 grain CPHP, but I understand that it’s not for everyone or every situation, which is why I’ve added a few of my other top 22 WMR picks below.

If you’re new to 22 WMR and aren’t sure what to look for in a 22 WMR round, check out our buyer’s guide HERE. Otherwise, continue scrolling like the ABSOLUTE HERO you are.

The Best 22 WMR Rounds on the Market

1. Best Overall: CCI Maxi-Mag 40 grain CPHP
2. Best for Self-Defense: Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel 40 grain JHP
3. Hardest-Hitting 22 Mag Ammo: Hornady Critical Defense 45 grain FTX
4. Best for Coyotes: CCI Gamepoint 40 grain JSP
5. Best for Target Shooting: Federal 40 grain FMJ

Best 22 WMR Ammo Overall – CCI Maxi-Mag 40 Grain CPHP

CCI 22 WMR Ammo - 50 Rounds of 40 Grain JHP Ammunition

• 
• 
• 

Out of stock

Add Review

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +10

Add to Cart

Shop 22 WMR Ammo

Specs:

• Case: Brass
• Bullet Type: Copper-Plated Hollow Point (CPHP)
• Bullet Weight: 40 grains
• Muzzle Velocity: 1,875 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 312 ft-lbs

Why I Chose It

If you’re looking for the best overall 22 WMR round, look no further than CCI Maxi-Mag 40 grain CPHP. This load does it all, offering shooters the stopping power to take on coyotes while still being affordable enough for high-volume shooting or small game hunting.

This round’s 40 grain bullet delivers the punch requisite for dropping yotes, yet its recoil is gentle and smooth (which, to be fair, is characteristic of all 22 WMR cartridges – not just this one).

CCI’s rimfire ammunition is extremely reliable. This ammo has yet to misfire or otherwise malfunction in any of our team’s many, many pistols or long guns. Accuracy is also excellent in our firearms out to 100+ yards.

If I could only stockpile one type of 22 WMR ammo, then this is the one I’d pick.

The only downside to this ammo is its slightly lower muzzle velocity compared to other 40 grain 22 WMR loads. This makes the arch of its trajectory especially pronounced when compared to lighter offerings, such as Hornady 30 grain V-MAX. However, CCI Maxi-Mag’s low price tag more than makes up for its steeper bullet drop.

Best 22 WMR for Self-Defense – Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel 40 Grain JHP

Speer Gold Dot 22 WMR Ammo - 50 Rounds of 40 Grain JHP Ammunition

• 
• 
• 

Out of stock

1 Review

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +10

Add to Cart

Shop 22 WMR Ammo

Specs:

• Case: Nickel-Plated Brass
• Bullet Type: Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP)
• Bullet Weight: 40 grains
• Muzzle Velocity: 1,050 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 98 ft-lbs

Why I Chose It

Rimfire ammo’s suitability for self-defense is a hot-button issue. I say a rimfire in the pocket is better than a 1911 on the nightstand when it comes to concealed carry.

At first glance, Speer Gold Dot 40 grain JHP appears to be somewhat of an underperformer. Its 1,050 fps and 98 ft-lbs of muzzle energy would be low if they were recorded using a conventional 20" test barrel, but Speer actually captured them with a 1.9" barrel.

Speer’s Gold Dot label ammo is often carried by law enforcement officers. We don’t know of any cops who carry 22 WMR handguns, but the Idahoan company’s rimfire ammo exhibits the same quality and reliability that made Gold Dot such a big hit with the fuzz.

Designed specifically for handguns with 2” of barrel length or less, Speer Gold Dot 40 grain JHP is a great choice for smaller pocket guns like a NAA Ranger or Pug. We had excellent results when testing this ammo in a Kel-Tec PMR-30: reliable, accurate, and fun.

While it may work well for self-defense, Speer Gold Dot 40 grain JHP is not the best choice for long-range varmint hunting. It’s also a little too expensive to casually burn through at the range or backyard plinking gallery.

If you concealed carry a 22 Mag, then Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel should be your first choice of self-defense ammo.

Hardest-Hitting 22 Mag Ammo – Hornady Critical Defense 45 Grain FTX

Hornady Critical Defense 22 WMR Ammo - 500 Rounds of 45 Grain FTX Ammunition

• 
• 
• 

$184.99

60 In stock now

3 Reviews

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +10

Add to Cart

Shop 22 WMR Ammo

Specs:

• Case: Nickel-Plated Brass
• Bullet Type: FTX
• Bullet Weight: 45 grains
• Muzzle Velocity: 1,000 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 100 ft-lbs

Why I Chose It

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve no doubt already heard of Hornady’s Critical Defense ammo line. Its accuracy, reliability, and stopping power are always consistently good.

Hornady Critical Defense 22 WMR ammo’s stats are apparently anemic: 1,000 fps muzzle velocity, 100 ft-lbs muzzle energy. These figures are only low because Hornady recorded them using a 1.875" test barrel, which more accurately emulates the real-world performance of 22 WMR pocket pistols. You should expect very different results when fired from a rifle.

The Hornady FTX bullet’s polymer tip serves two purposes: preventing debris from rendering the nose cavity ineffective, and promoting quicker, wider expansion upon impact. Although Hornady Critical Defense 45 grain FTX ammo is slightly less expensive than the Speer offering above, it’s also harder to find. If you see it, buy it.

Best 22 WMR for Coyotes – CCI Gamepoint 40 Grain JSP

CCI 22 WMR Ammo - 50 Rounds of 40 Grain JSP Ammunition

• 
• 
• 

Out of stock

Add Review

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +10

Add to Cart

Shop 22 WMR Ammo

Specs:

• Case: Brass
• Bullet Type: Jacketed Soft Point (JSP)
• Bullet Weight: 40 grains
• Muzzle Velocity: 1,875 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 312 ft-lbs

Why I Chose It

CCI Gamepoint 40 grain JSP ammo is nothing short of a coyote-slaying machine. The Gamepoint bullet is designed to transfer maximum energy to the target while minimizing damage to the pelt and meat. No coyote we hit with one of these rounds made it farther than 25 yards before taking a dirt nap.

The CCI Gamepoint is a great overall varmint hunting cartridge. Its heavier bullet (relative to 30 grains, at least) does exhibit a slightly steeper trajectory, but that’s nothing a little marksmanship can’t compensate for.

Best 22 WMR Ammo for Target Shooting – Federal 40 Grain FMJ

Federal 22 WMR Ammo - 50 Rounds of 40 Grain FMJ Ammunition

• 
• 
• 

Out of stock

Add Review

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +10

Add to Cart

Shop 22 WMR Ammo

Specs:

• Case: Brass
• Bullet Type: Full Metal Jacket (FMJ)
• Bullet Weight: 40 grains
• Muzzle Velocity: 1,880 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 315 ft-lbs

Why I Chose It

When you want to hit the range and fine-tune your marksmanship, make sure you grab some Federal 40 grain FMJ 22 WMR ammo. We found these Minnesota-made range loads to be reliable in bolt-action and semi-automatic rifles alike. It’s also one of the least expensive 22 Mag options on the market, and fairly accurate to boot.

The only downside to this cartridge is that its FMJ bullet does not expand or fragment, making it a poor choice for hunting. But so long as your intention isn’t to hurt anything, this ammo cannot be beat.

Parting Shots

Congratulations! You made it all the way to the end of the article. By now you should be nothing short of an expert in all things 22 Magnum ammo, and know EXACTLY what you need to load into your favorite 22 WMR handgun or rifle.

The 22 WMR is an extremely versatile cartridge that can fill multiple applications. Varmint hunting. Target practice. Even self-defense. The 22 WMR does it all.

Check out our full 22 WMR ammo page to see everything we have in stock, or keep scrolling for our buyer’s guide to 22 Mag ammo.

Buyer’s Guide: What to Look for in 22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire Ammo

With so many different options at your fingertips, selecting the right 22 WMR ammo for your favorite rifle or handgun can be a daunting task.

In this guide, we are going to take a quick look into what qualities you should look for in the ammo you plan to run through your varmint hunting rifle, self-defense handgun, and any other sort of heat you might be packing.

What’s the Difference Between Rimfire and Centerfire Ammo?

Understand the difference between rimfire and centerfire ammo. For a full explanation, check out this article: Rimfire vs. Centerfire. To summarize, a rimfire primer is contained by the cartridge case’s rim, which the firing pin strikes to initiate ignition.

True to its name, a centerfire primer is located in the center of the base of the cartridge case. Rimfire ammo is typically weaker than centerfire, as its case must be thin so its rim can be pinched by the firing pin. A centerfire cartridge’s primer is actually a separate component, which allows the surrounding brass to be much thicker (and therefore capable of containing far higher pressure).

What’s Your Target?

Picking the best 22 WMR ammo mostly depends on what you plan to do with it. Do you want to hunt varmints? Have an awesome time shooting targets or plinking? Or maybe a super-comfortable and easily concealed revolver for self-defense?

The 22 WMR can accommodate all these needs, but selecting the right ammo for the job is critical for success.

Let’s talk about what qualities you should look for in each category of 22 WMR ammo.

Is 22 WMR Good for Self-Defense?

The use of a rimfire cartridge for self-defense is a debate that has set many internet forums ablaze in controversy, heated discussions, and smashed keyboards.

We are not going to engage in that debate, as we support everyone’s right to defend themself however they prefer. There’s no denying that a 9mm, 38 Special, or 45 ACP would make a better choice for CCW; however, if a 22 WMR is all you’ve got – or all you want – then it’s still a lot better than harsh words or a pointy stick.

In self-defense rimfire ammo, we are going to want high-quality jacketed hollow point bullets designed for use in small revolvers or semi-autos. We want it to come from a quality manufacturer that has experience making self-defense ammo, such as Speer, Hornady, Federal, or Winchester.

It is NOT advisable to use varmint hunting bullets for defense. This type of rimfire ammo will be deadly against small game, but not so much against two-legged varmints.

Varmint hunting bullets are designed to fragment explosively immediately after impact. Such terminal performance would hardly do a threat any favors, although it prevents the sort of deep penetration required for reaching a vital organ.

Conversely, quality JHPs like the Speer Gold Dot are designed for deep penetration and terminal expansion, which maximize trauma to surrounding soft tissue.

What to Look for in the Best 22 WMR Target Shooting or Plinking Ammo?

When it comes to target shooting or plinking, there is only one thing you really need to worry about:

Cost

Let’s be honest. When you go to the range, you want to shoot as much as possible. Shooting guns is fun, and it’s exactly the kind of fun we condone most here at Ammo.com.

The best ammo you can get for the range is most often the least expensive you can find. It lets you shoot longer, and saves money that you can spend on other types of ammo.

When selecting the 22 WMR range ammo, look for full metal jacket (FMJ), copper-plated hollow points (CPHP), or copper-plated round nose (CPRN) bullets. These are likely to be your cheapest options.

Picking the Best 22 Mag for Coyotes and Other Varmints

When it comes to clearing your property of unwanted pests like raccoons, rabbits, and coyotes, the 22 WMR is a great choice. It offers more power and a flatter trajectory than the 22 LR while still having next to no recoil impulse.

The best varmint ammo is flat shooting and has excellent terminal performance. Look for jacketed soft point (JSP), hollow point bullets, or polymer-tipped bullets like the Hornady V-MAX or Remington AccuTip-V. All these bullets will decimate small game.

Varmints hate being near people (for good reason), so having a cartridge designed for long-range shooting is a must as well.

For small game, we’ve found that lower bullet weights in the range of 25 to 35 grains work best. These bullets fly fast and flat, and are devastating on prairie dogs, squirrels, and chucks of all sizes.

For larger varmints like coyotes, we typically lean more towards heavier bullet weights: 35 to 45 grains. Heavier bullets impart more energy to the target, thus increasing its chance of killing the critter quicker.

How Can You Save Money Buying 22 WMR Ammo?

The best way to save money on ammo is by buying bulk 22 WMR. (That’s right! Ammo.com is advising you to buy a lot of ammo!)

When you purchase bulk ammo, your upfront costs will be higher than if you had bought one or two boxes – but your overall cost per round will be lower.

Buying bulk 22 WMR also means that you’ll always have ammo when you’re ready to hit the range. No longer will you be subject to supply chain disruptions or your gun range’s limited inventory.

Check us out at Ammo.com if you want to buy the best 22 WMR 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. And remember: ...actually, never mind. I forgot.

Back to the Best 22 WMR Ammo

Now that you have a clearer understanding of what 22 WMR has to offer, let’s get back to our top 5 list by clicking HERE!

Written by

Wes Littlefield