For more than a century, the .22 Long Rifle has occupied a unique place in the shooting world. It has introduced countless new shooters to firearms, accounted for untold numbers of squirrels and rabbits, and provided generations of marksmen with an inexpensive way to practice. Despite its long history, however, there was a period when many shooters seemed to overlook it. Attention shifted toward modern sporting rifles, long-range precision cartridges and increasingly specialized firearms. Yet while trends came and went, the little rimfire cartridge remained quietly useful.
.22 Long Rifle Quick Look
- The .22 LR is making a comeback as shooters rediscover its affordability, versatility and ease of use.
- Low ammunition costs allow more trigger time, making rimfires ideal for building marksmanship skills without breaking the bank.
- Suppressor popularity has boosted rimfire interest, with threaded-barrel rifles and pistols becoming increasingly common.
- Modern rimfire firearms are better than ever, ranging from hunting rifles and precision trainers to defensive-style pistols and carbines.
- The .22 LR remains an effective small-game cartridge and an excellent choice for introducing new shooters and hunters to the field.
- More than 135 years after its introduction, the .22 Long Rifle continues to thrive because it remains practical, affordable and fun to shoot.
Today, the .22 LR is enjoying renewed attention. New firearms continue to appear, ammunition production remains strong and more shooters are rediscovering the advantages that made rimfires so popular in the first place. The reasons behind this resurgence are not difficult to understand. In a firearms market often dominated by bigger, faster and more expensive products, the .22 LR continues to offer something increasingly valuable: simplicity.
Affordable Practice Still Matters
One of the greatest strengths of the .22 LR has always been affordability. While ammunition prices fluctuate, rimfire cartridges remain among the least expensive options available to shooters. This allows owners to spend more time behind the trigger without worrying about the cost of every shot fired.
That advantage becomes particularly important when developing skills. Marksmanship fundamentals do not care whether a shooter is firing a .22 LR or a magnum centerfire cartridge. Trigger control, sight alignment, follow-through and position building can all be practiced effectively with a rimfire firearm. In many cases, shooters actually learn faster when recoil and muzzle blast are minimized.
Experienced shooters understand this. Many accomplished competitors, hunters and firearms instructors continue to spend significant time with rimfire rifles and pistols because they recognize the value of inexpensive, low-recoil training. The ability to fire hundreds of rounds during a practice session without fatigue remains one of the cartridge’s greatest assets.
The Suppressor Connection
Suppressor ownership has expanded dramatically in recent years, and that growth has benefited the rimfire market. Few combinations are as enjoyable as a quality .22 LR firearm paired with a good suppressor. Subsonic ammunition and modest powder charges allow suppressors to reduce noise levels to a degree difficult to achieve with most centerfire cartridges.