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

Looking for the best 22 WMR ammo for your varmint-slaying rifle or self-defense handgun? Then you found the right article. Forget about all other articles!

The 22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (22 WMR, or 22 Magnum) offers shooters and hunters increased power and more range than the 22 Long Rifle (22 LR) could ever achieve. This makes the 22 WMR incredibly popular for pest control, yet it's still cheap enough for plinking and casual target shooting.

There are a ton of different 22 WMR ammo options available these days, which can make selecting the best one for your needs difficult. That's why we've taken it upon ourselves to present our top 5 picks. We're just looking out for you.

If you just can't wait, the best overall 22 WMR ammo is CCI Maxi-Mag 40 grain CPHP.

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

The Best 22 WMR Rounds on the Market

1) CCI Maxi-Mag 40 grain CPHP – Best Overall

2) Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel 40 grain JHP – Best for Self-Defense

3) Hornady 30 grain V-MAX – Best for Varmint Hunting

4) CCI Gamepoint 40 gr JSP – Best for Coyotes

5) Federal 40 grain FMJ – Best for Target Shooting

Best 22 WMR Ammo Overall

CCI Maxi-Mag 40 Grain CPHP

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

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$20.99

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Specs

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

Pros

• Inexpensive
• Excellent for all varmints
• Reliable

Cons

• Lower muzzle velocity leads to more arching trajectory

Why We 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 manfunction 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 (which we'll touch on in just a moment; plz b patient :3). However, CCI Maxi-Mag's low price tag more than makes up for its steeper bullet drop.

Honorable Mention

Fiocchi 40 Grain JSP - This Fiocchi load offers hunters the strength of a jacketed soft point (JSP) bullet for maximum weight retention and a slightly higher 1,910 fps muzzle velocity for around the same price point as CCI Maxi-Mag. It's a touch more prone to misfiring than CCI, thus making it an honorable mention instead of a full-fledged honorable recommendation.

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

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$16.49

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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

Pros

• Designed for short barrel handguns
• Highly reliable
• Reputable manufacturer

Cons

• Expensive
• Not good for long-range varmint hunting

Why We 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 causally 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.

Honorable Mention

Hornady Critical Defense 45 Grain FTX JHP - Unless you’ve been living under a rock, then you've no doubt already heard of Hornady's Critical Defense ammo line. Its accuracy, reliability and stopping power area always consistently good.

As with Speer Gold Dot, 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 emulates the real-world performance of 22 WMR pocket pistols more accurately.

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

Best for Varmint Hunting

Hornady Varmint Express 30 Grain V-MAX

Hornady 22 WMR Ammo - 50 Rounds of 30 Grain V-MAX Ammunition

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$18.99

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Specs

• Casing: Brass
• Bullet Type: Hornady V-MAX
• Bullet Weight: 30 grains
• Muzzle Velocity: 2,200 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 322 ft-lbs

Pros

• V-MAX bullet designed specifically for varmints
• High muzzle velocity
• Flat shooting
• Extremely accurate

Cons

• Expensive

Why We Chose It

When you are preparing your varmint-slaying 22 Magnum rifle for your next prairie dog popping session, make sure your masterpiece is loaded with Hornady 30 grain V-MAX cartridges. These are some of the flattest-shooting rounds we had the pleasure of firing, and they were unerringly accurate in all of our 22 WMR rifles.

The Hornady round's high muzzle velocity begets a laser-like trajectory – optimal for small game hunting. The in addition to streamlining its frontal profile, the V-MAX's polymer tip helps to initiate violent fragmentation after impact – precisely the sort of terminal performance which makes squirrels, racoons, rabbits, and woodchucks ever so dead-de-dead-dead.

Hornady Varmint Express fully deserves its top spot in our varmint hunting category (despite its slightly higher price point compared to other varmint ammo). Anyone who tells you not to buy it is probably a disguised varmint.

For even more life-changingly awesome options, check out our Hornady 22 Mag ammo page!

Honorable Mention

CCI Maxi-Mag TNT 30 Grain JHP - It may be a runner up, but CCI Maxi-Mag TNT is nothing less than extraordinary. This jacketed hollow point ammo will make short work of any varmints that plague your property, and it'll do so for an affordable price. And if you're not keen on pouding lead into the ecosystem, then you'll be pleased to learn that CCI TNT Green is loaded with lead-free bullets. Wow!

Best 22 WMR for Coyotes

CCI Gamepoint 40 Grain JSP

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

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$20.99

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Specs

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

Pros

• Heavier bullet
• Great expansion
• Designed for meat and pelt preservation

Cons

• Steeply arching trajectory

Why We 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 simultaneously minimizing pelt and meat damage. No coyote we hit with one of these rounds made it farther than 25 yards before taking a perpetual 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.

Honorable Mention

Remington Premier Magnum Rimfire 33 grain Accutip &ndash- This Remington 22 WMR ammo is a great backup option if you can’t get your hands on CCI Gamepoint. It's loaded with about as light a bullet as we would want for coyote. The bullet's polymer tip aids with expansion and fragmentation. So long as your shot placement is on point, you should have zero problems harvesting coyotes.

Best 22 WMR Ammo for Target Shooting

Federal 40 Grain FMJ

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

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$18.99

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Specs

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

Pros

• Inexpensive
• Accurate
• Reliable

Cons

• Not great for hunting

Why We 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.

Honorable Mention

Winchester Varmint LF 25 Grain NTX - While it may be designed for varmint hunting, we found the NTX bullet to be extremely accurate. This ammo is only slightly more expensive than the Federal FMJ ammo. The NTX bullet is also lead-free, making it an excellent option for use in areas where lead bullets are forbidden.

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 requiste for reaching a vital organ.

Conversely, quality JHPs like the Speer Gold Dot are designed for deeper penetration, as well as the terminal expansion which maximizes trauma to surrounding soft tissue.

What to Look for in 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, oand 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 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. 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

Chris Dwulet